Kartik Purnima this year is observed on November 30, Monday which falls on the Purnima Tithi or the full moon day. Also known as ‘Tripuri Purnima’ or ‘Tripurari Purnima’, this festival occupies a very prominent place in the Hindu culture. Celebrated with great joy, zeal, and happiness, this festival also called “Dev Deepavali” where devotees take a holy dip in the sacred river.

Expressing their gratitude towards the Lord Sun, devotees also worship Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Kartikeya, and Goddess Tulsi. Moreover, if this Purnima falls in the Kritika Nakshatra it is known as “Maha Kartik” which holds more significance. Marked as the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the Jainism followers celebrate this day as the “Jain Festival of Light”.

Significance of Kartik Purnima

It so happened that once the Demon Tripurasura defeated the Gods so as to conquer the world & created three cities named as ‘Tripura’. Lord Shiva then killed Tripura with the arrow and pronounced it to be celebrated as the ‘festival of illuminations or lights’.

This day is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu who took the avatar of Matsya or as a giant fish so as to rescue the first man, Manu from the great deluge. This was the day on which Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva was born. Furthermore, it is also observed as the birthday of Vrinda who is the personification of the Tulsi plant.

Celebration and Rituals of Kartik Purnima

Being celebrated for 5 days, which is known as 'Panchaka', this festival begins on the day of Prabodhani Ekadashi. Here, these five days are known as 'Panchaka' while the last day is known as Kartika Purnima. On this day, the devotees follow some rituals which are as follows.

• All the devotees must get up early & bath in the holy river at the pilgrimages which is known as ‘Kartik Snan’.
• Observe a day-long fast, i.e; Satyanarayan Vrat, & recite Satyanarayan Katha.
• Worship Lord Vishnu & offer flowers, incense sticks, fruits, etc.
• Perform “Rudrabhishek” after Maha Shivratri by bathing him in milk & honey.
• On Kartik Purnima perform Tulsi Vivah, where Maa Tulsi gets married to Lord Vishnu with great show & pomp.
• The grand Pushkar Mela or the fair comes to an end & the devotees take a dip in the sacred river.
• Offer Kheer in the form of Prasadam to Lord Shiva & then distribute among everyone.
• To get rid of all the problems & get salvation, the devotees also circle around the Pushkars 3 times.