Deepam night has been for centuries a special night in India , more special in Tamil Nadu, mostly special in Tiruvannamalai, where millions of people gather under the full moon to walk around the holy mountain Arunachala.
Here a gigantic candle is lit in honour of God Shiva, a candle made of gee which lasts for 3 days and 3 nights.




In Auroville, Deepam is the name chosen for a project of assistance and teaching to handicapped and disabled children from the villages, a light of hope for their future.




On Tuesday December 13 a simple but touching celebration took place around the Deepam premises in the Health Centre compound.
A small crowd of Aurovilians, newcomers and guests gathered for celebrating together with the children, in an atmosphere of joy and friendship.




A short collective meditation and bhajan singing, followed by a pooja among hundreds of oil lamps that were lit all around the gardens, and a simple Prasad were the frame, but the real picture was the joy and happiness of the small children who in this occasion were the main actors and hosts of the event.




They were enjoying every minute of it, there was a beautiful feeling of love and oneness, most touching for us adults, for once guests in the simple world of these children.




Their big eyes looking at us, looking around to the lamps and to the fireworks, were the most beautiful present, reminding us of the simple pleasures of a healthy life, which we often tend to forget,




and which for somebody like these kids, is a hard struggle and a day to day work to reach and maintain.


Thank you, Deepam staff, for this celebration, and for the work you do for these kids !