Kartik Purnima: The Sacred Full Moon of Kartik
Kartik Purnima, celebrated on the full moon of Kartik month (November), is one of Hinduism's most sacred Purnimas. Called Dev Diwali, it is the night the gods celebrate their own Diwali, 15 days after the human Diwali. Varanasi's Dev Diwali and the Pushkar Camel Fair culminate on this day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Kartik Purnima?
Kartik Purnima falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Kartik lunar month, typically in November. It is also called Dev Diwali and Tripuri Purnima.
Why is Kartik Purnima called Dev Diwali?
Kartik Purnima is called Dev Diwali because on this day, all the gods celebrate their own Diwali to commemorate Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura. Varanasi's ghats are illuminated on this night in celebration.
Is Guru Nanak Jayanti on Kartik Purnima?
Yes, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on Kartik Purnima. Therefore, Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab), the birthday of Sikhism's founder, is celebrated on the same day as Kartik Purnima.
What is the significance of Kartik Purnima bath?
Bathing in a sacred river on Kartik Purnima is considered equivalent to performing thousands of yagnas (fire sacrifices). The entire month of Kartik Snan (daily river bath) culminates on this day.
What is the Pushkar Fair?
The Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan is one of the world's largest annual camel and livestock fairs, culminating on Kartik Purnima. Hundreds of thousands attend including international tourists.
What is Tripuri Purnima?
Kartik Purnima is also called Tripuri Purnima because it commemorates Shiva's victory over Tripurasura (the three-city demon). The demon Tarakasura's three sons built three impregnable cities. When those cities aligned once every thousand years, Shiva shot a single arrow that destroyed all three cities simultaneously. To celebrate this cosmic victory, the gods lit lamps on Kartik Purnima.
What is the Kartik Deepotsava tradition?
Kartik Deepotsava (Festival of Lights during Kartik) is the month-long tradition of lighting lamps on riverbanks, in homes, and at temples throughout Kartik month. The practice peaks on Kartik Purnima (Dev Diwali). In Varanasi, the Ganga Mahotsav (Ganga Festival) also occurs around this time, with cultural events and the grand Dev Diwali lamp-lighting.
Who else celebrates Kartik Purnima as a religious day?
Beyond Hindus, Kartik Purnima is sacred to: Sikhs (as Guru Nanak Jayanti), Jains (as the beginning of Kartik Puja and pilgrimage), and Buddhist communities in some regions. This convergence of religious celebrations makes Kartik Purnima one of India's most multi-faith sacred days.
What is the Kartik Purnima's significance in the Mahabharata?
Kartik Purnima is mentioned in the Mahabharata as an auspicious day for bathing in sacred waters. The Anushasana Parva states that bathing in any sacred river on Kartik Purnima and performing puja grants the merit of a hundred Ashwamedha yagnas. This scriptural endorsement has made Kartik Purnima river baths a tradition maintained for thousands of years.