Karthika Pournami, The Holy Days for Devotees

Karthika Pournami or Kartik Purnima:

Karthika Pournami is one of the most auspicious days for Hindus. In the sacred month, the devotees worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Almost the entire month, Lord Vishnu’s and Lord Shiva’s temples crowded with devotees to worship Gods. On Karthika Purnima, only Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsya or Matsyavatram. Hence, Karthika Pournami has many names, Deva Deepawali or Deva Diwali, Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima.

Deepawali or Deva Deepavali:

This festival celebrates mostly in Varanasi and other northern parts of India. According to the puranic scriptures, Lord Shiva Killed the Demon Tripurasura on Karthika Purnima. So in Varanasi, all the Ghats are lighted with diyas. ThereThe occasion seems beautiful, lightening, and devotional amusement to the devotees.

Rituals on Karthika Purnima, River Bath:

On the day of Karthika Purnima, the devotees have a river bath, pray to Lord Shiva, and observe a fast for the whole day. The Devotees would prefer to bathe in the holy rivers like Krishna, Godavari, and Ganges. Commonly according to Hindu Puranas, those who made the river bath, those who got virtue, and those who have the bath in the river on Karthika Purnima, got the integrity multi-folded. One who has a bath in the river Ganga besides the Kasi Temple gets the integrity of the tub would bring Salvation.

The lighting of Lamps in the Temple or Near Tulasi:

Every day in this Kartheeka Masam, the Devotees would visit Lord Shiva’s temples and lit lamps. Generally, the devotees lit a pack of 365 wicks, each for each day of the year. Some are burned on a wick and float by keeping on the stems of Banana trees and left in a lake. Some perform Deepa Danam. Some devotees shone the light near Tulasi Plant.

SatyaNarayana Vrat an Important Ritual:

Karthika Purnima is also one of the favourite days of Lord Vishnu. So the devotees perform Satya Narayana Vrat in their houses on Karthika Purnima.

Rudra Abhishekam in Shiva Temples:

In every Lord Shiva temple, the devotees perform the Ekadasi Rudra Abhishekam on the day of Kartika Purnima. During this Abhishekam, the priests chant Rudra Chamakam and Rudra Namakam eleven times. While chanting the mantras, the priests are bathing Lord Shiva. By doing this, Abhishekam, one would be free of all sins and bring Salvation.

Karthika Pournami other Festivals:

Sikhs: The founder of the Sikh religion, Sri Guru Nanak, was also born on Karthika Pournami, so the Sikhs also performed his birthday with great devotion.

Ganga Mahotsav at Varanasi Ghats on Karthika Purnima:

This five-day festival on Karthika Pournami days is performed in Varanasi. The Mahotsav starts on Prabodini Ekadasi and ends on Karthika Purnima. It shows India’s rich culture and strong heritage: boat races and competitions were conducted during these five days. On Karthika Purnima day, every ghat of the Ganga river Arati is given to the holy river Ganga.

Pushkar Fair of Rajasthan:

There is a temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan state. This celebration also starts on Prabodhini Ekadasi and ends on Karthika Purnima. This fair is celebrated in Pushkar of Rajasthan to honour God Brahma. The devotees visit this temple and take a bath in the Pushkar Lake. The devotees believe that the sacred bath would give the virtue of Salvation.