Kartika Purnima, also known as Kartik Purnima, is a significant and auspicious Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Kartika month of the Hindu lunar calendar. This day holds immense religious and cultural importance in various regions of India and among Hindu communities worldwide.

Kartika Purnima 2023 Date: November 27, Monday.

Tithi Timing: November 26, 3:53 pm - November 27, 2:46 pm.

One of the most notable aspects of Kartika Purnima is its association with Lord Shiva, who is worshipped with great fervor on this day. Devotees believe that performing religious rituals and observing austerities during Kartika Purnima can bring spiritual purification and blessings. The Kartika month is considered highly sacred in Hinduism, and its significance is emphasized in various Puranas and religious texts.

Key features and customs associated with Kartika Purnima include:

  1. Devotional Practices: Devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath in sacred rivers, lakes, or other holy water bodies. The act of taking a dip during Kartika Purnima is believed to cleanse the soul of sins. Pilgrims often visit prominent rivers like the Ganges and Yamuna to take part in these purifying rituals.
  2. Lighting Lamps: Lighting lamps or diyas holds special significance during Kartika Purnima. Devotees illuminate their homes, temples, and the surroundings with earthen lamps to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. This practice is also associated with the legend of Lord Shiva granting a boon to a demon named Shankhachuda, transforming him into a celestial being.
  3. Tulsi Vivah: Kartika Purnima marks the beginning of the marriage season in Hindu culture, and the ceremonial wedding of the sacred Tulsi plant (holy basil) with Lord Vishnu is performed on this day. Devotees decorate Tulsi pots and offer prayers to seek the divine couple's blessings for marital happiness and well-being.
  4. Charity and Donation: Acts of charity and donation are considered highly meritorious during Kartika Purnima. Devotees offer food, clothes, and other essentials to the less fortunate, emphasizing the spirit of giving and compassion.
  5. Cultural Celebrations: In many regions, Kartika Purnima is celebrated with cultural events, processions, and fairs. Devotees participate in bhajans (devotional songs), dances, and other cultural activities to express their joy and devotion.
  6. Boating and Floating Lamps: In some areas, particularly along riverbanks, it is a tradition to release lit lamps into the water as an offering to the deities. This practice is symbolic of letting go of negativity and embracing spiritual enlightenment.

Kartika Purnima is not only a religious observance but also a celebration of light, love, and devotion. The various customs associated with this festival reflect the diversity of Hindu traditions and the deep spiritual significance attributed to the Kartika month.