In an important update for government employees, the Puducherry administration has officially shifted the Karthigai Deepam 2025 holiday from December 4 to December 3, 2025 (Wednesday). The change was confirmed through a government press release amending the restricted holiday list, ensuring the day aligns more closely with the key festival rituals.

The iconic Karthigai Deepam celebrations at the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai have been in full swing since the flag-hoisting on the 24th. Today marks one of the most sacred moments of Karthigai Deepam 2025, with the Bharani Deepam being lit at 4 a.m. inside the temple, followed by the grand Maha Deepam atop the 2,668-foot Arunachala Hill at dusk. These rituals attract thousands of devotees from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and even overseas.

District authorities have intensified their arrangements, including security measures and essential facilities, as the surge of worshippers arrives to witness the spiritual climax of Karthigai Deepam.

While the main temple celebrations extend into December 4, the Krittika Nakshatra, central to the spiritual timing of Karthigai Deepam 2025, begins on the evening of December 3. This astrological alignment is one of the reasons many households light their traditional ghee lamps on this evening, making December 3 the heart of the festival for devotees.