What is Kartik Purnima?

Kartik Purnima
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Kartika Purnima is a Hindu, Sikh and Jain cultural festival, celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November–December) month. It is also known as Tripurari Purnima or Deva-Deepawali, the festival of lights of the gods. Karthika Deepam is a related festival celebrated in South India and Sri Lanka on a different date.

ignificance

Here, the five-headed Tripurantaka is seen pointing an arrow towards the Tripura (rightmost top corner) with the bow made of mount Meru, the serpent Vasuki is seen as its string. The four-headed god Brahma is seen. The moon and the Sun are depicted as the wheels of the chariot.
Radha Krishna
In Vaishnavism tradition, this day is considered significant and special for the worship of Radha and Krishna. It is believed that on this day, Radha Krishna performed Raslila with their Gopis. At Jagannath Temple, Puri and all other Radha Krishna temples, sacred vow is observed throughout the Karthik month and performances of Raslila are organized on the day of Kartik Purnima. According to other legend, Krishna worshipped Radha on this day.[3]

Shiva
'Tripuri Purnima' or 'Tripurari Purnima' derives its name from Tripurari – the foe of the demon Tripurasura. In some legends of Kartik Purnima, the term is used to denote the three demon sons of Tārakāsura. Tripurari is an epithet of god Shiva. Shiva in his form as Tripurantaka ("Killer of Tripurasura") killed Tripurasura on this day. Tripurasura had conquered the whole world and defeated the gods and also created three cities in space, together called "Tripura". The killing of the demon(s) and destruction of his/their cities with a single arrow – by Shiva overjoyed the gods and they declared the day as a festival of illuminations. This day is also called "Dev-Diwali"—the Diwali of the gods.[4]

Tulsi and Vishnu
Kartik Purnima is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Matsya, god Vishnu's fish-incarnation (avatar) and Vrinda, the personification of the Tulsi.[5]

Kartikeya
In Southern India, Kartik Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Lord Kartikeya, the god of war and son of Shiva.[3] This day is also dedicated to the pitrs, dead ancestors.

Guru Nanak
In Sikhism, Kartik Purnima is celebrated as the birthday of famous Sikh preceptor Guru Nanak.[3]

Underhill believes that the origins of this festival may lie in ancient times, when a sacrifice called Shakamedhah was performed to attain victory over enemies.[6]

The festival has even more significance when the day falls in the Nakshatra (lunar mansion) Krittika and is then called Maha Kartik. The nakshatra is Bharani, the results are stated to be special. If it is Rohini nakshatra, then the fruitful results are even more. Any philanthropic act on this day is supposed to bring benefits and blessings equal to the performing of ten yajnas.[7]

Hindu rituals
Kartik Purnima is closely associated with Prabodhini Ekadashi which marks the end of Chaturmas, a four-month period when Vishnu is believed to sleep. Prabodhini Ekadashi signifies the awakening of the god. Chaturmas penance ends on this day. Many fairs that begin on Prabodhini Ekadashi end on Kartik Purnima, Kartik Purnima usually being the most important day of the fair. Fairs that conclude on this day include Prabodhini Ekadashi celebrations at Pandharpur and Pushkar Fair. Kartik Purnima is also the last day to perform Tulsi Vivah ceremony that can be performed from Prabodhini Ekadashi.[citation needed]

Also, it is believed that Vishnu, on this day, returns to his abode after completing his stay in Bali. Hence, the day is known as Deva-Diwali.[8]


Pushkar Mela, 2006
In Pushkar, Rajasthan, the Pushkar Fair or Pushkar mela commences on Prabodhini Ekadashi and continues till Ka