While the Karthigai Deepam festival was celebrated after a gap of two years due to Covid-19 in Nanjanad village next to Ooty. the members of the Badaga community were dressed in traditional attire and danced on the occasion.
The Nilgiris: More than 300 villages in the Nilgiris district have been inhabited by the Badaga community. Nanjanad village next to Ooty is one of the largest villages among them.
With more than 1,000 families living in this village, the Karthigai Deepam festival is usually celebrated every year with much religious fervour and gaiety.
However, for past two years, the Karthigai Deepam festival was not held due to the Corona virus pandemic. The, Karthigai deepam festival is called "Luckyha Habba" by the community members.
More than 1,000 Badagas dressed in traditional attire, participated in the event and danced and celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm at the Nanjanad village.
Earlier, a pantham was brought from the ancestral home called "Thota Mane" and a lamp was lit on the flag post near the residence.
Later, the youth danced and brought the elders and the priest of the village, who performed a special puja at the place where more than a thousand people had gathered and lit a lamp in a fire pot placed on a huge flag post.
Badaga community members participated in the Deepam festival with slogans like 'Govinda Govinda' and offered prayers.