One of the most auspicious days for a Hindu is the full moon day of the Karthika Month in the lunar calendar. The only month where people worship both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu is Karthika Month. One of the days when the temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are packed with devotees hoping to get a glimpse of their deity is Karthika Pouranmi, also known as Karthika Purnima.
Karthika Pournami is also known by the names Deva Deepawali, Deva Diwali, and Tripuri Purnima, or Tripurari Purnima.
Another way to celebrate Kathika Purnima is on this day Lord Vishnu took the form of Matsya or Matsyavatram to rescue Manu from the MahaPralaya.
Dev Deepawali or Deva Deepavali
Northern India including Varanasi celebrates Karthika Purnima as Dev Deepawali. It is said that on this day Lord Shiva defeated Tripurasura, and as a result the gods rejoiced by burning diyas. Every Ghat in Varansi is illuminated with diyas. It’s a beautiful sight. Nearly every home in Varanasi, not just the Ghats, is decked out in diyas.
Tripura Purnima
Tripura Purnima, also known as Tipurari Purnima, is named after Lord Shiva’s defeat of the monster Tripurasura on Karthika Purnima.
Prabodini Ekadasi is also connected to Karthika Purniam. Prabodini Ekadasi is the end of Chaturmas Vrat, which lasts for four months. Prabodini Ekadasi marks the start of many fairs and celebrations, which conclude on Karthika Purnima.
Karthika Pournami-Kathika Purnima History:
The Mahabharata, one of the major religious scriptures, tells the tale of Karthik Purnima’s holiness. That demon Taraka was killed by Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva. The three sons of Tarakasura are Vidyunmali, Kamalaksha, and Taraksha. Demons typically possess great strength and intelligence, but they misuse their abilities like power, knowledge and strength.
After completing a harsh penance for Brahma, these three demons were granted a blessing that would allow them to live for a millennium in three powerful, mobile cities known as Tripuri. The only thing that could destroy them would be an arrow that would unite the cities and set them on fire.
The Gods rushed to Lord Shiva and begged him to destroy the asuras after the three demons’ thousand-year reign of negativity came to an end. Lord Shiva conducted the “Rudra Tandava,” sometimes referred to as the “Dance of Destruction” because it resembles an earthquake. “Rudra Tandava” shook “Tripuri,” one of the three cities. Three asuras were hit by Lord Shiva’s arrow at once, and “Tripuri” was burned by the fire emanating from his third eye.
Karthik Purnima, also known as Tripuri Poornima, is observed to honour the devils’ destruction on the day of the full moon. Because Kartik Pournami is a better day for the Gods who battled the devils, it is also known as Dev Diwali.
Rituals on Karthika Pournami-Kathika Purnima
Nadi Snanam or River Bath On Karthika Pournami Day
On Karthika Purnima, people typically take a river bath, offer prayers to Lord Shiva, and observe a full-day fast. Because it is believed that taking a river bath, or Nadi Snan, during the Karthika Month bestows great virtue especially on Karthika Purnima, when the bath takes place—devotees would rather take a dip in the sacred rivers.
It is believed that the virtue of the bath, known as the Tripura Purnima Snan, will bring salvation to the devotee who is able to perform it in Varanasi in the sacred Ganga river. Every step on Varanasi’s Ganga Ghats is illuminated with diyas.
Lighting of Lamps-Diya in Temple or Near Tulasi
When at Lord Shiva’s temple, devotees would light lamps. Typically, a pack of 365 wicks is lit. Every wick represents a day of the year.
Some followers would light a wick on banana tree stem floats and set them adrift in the river.
Not many devotees would also contribute a lit diya or give Deepa Danam.
In front of the Tulasi plant, which houses the idols of Radha and Krishna, devotees would also light diyas.
Performing of SatyaNarayana Vratam On Kathika Purnima Day
Karthika Purnima is one of the most auspicious days to perform the Satya Narayana Swamy Vrat. One of Lord Vishnu’s favourite days is Karthika Purnima.Thus, on Karthika Purnima, devotees would prefer to perform the SatyaNarayana Vrat and would do so to the best of their abilities. When comparing the benefits of completing the SatyaNarayana Vrat on Karthika Purnima to other days, there are several advantages.
Performing of Ekadasi Rudra Abhishekam On Karthika Pournami
On Karhika Purnima, almost all of Lord Shiva’s temples would conduct the Ekadasi Rudra Abhishekam. By reciting the Rudra Namakam and Chamakam eleven times, Lord Shiva is being bathed. The Mahanyasam must be recited to purify the body prior to executing the Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam.It is said that on Karthika Purnima, one can obtain salvation and be freed from all sins by performing the Ekadasi Rudra Abhishekam.
Additional celebrations on Kartik Purnima or Karthika Pournami
Sikhs celebrate Karthika Purnima, which is also Sri Guru Nanak’s birthdate, with great devotion.
Karthika Purnima is a major festival that is greatly celebrated, even among Jains.
