Kartika Poornima
(27.11.2023)
-Rohit Kumar Parmar 1
Kartika Poornima, Tripuri Poornima, Tripurari Poornima, Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deepawali, is the festival of lights of gods and is celebrated on Poornima day or fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (eighth and holiest) month.
The full moon on Karthik Poornima is the most beautiful of all the full moons.
Festivities of Kartika Poornima begin on ‘Prabodhini or Kaisika Ekadashi’ the eleventh day of the lunar month. The day also marks the celebrations of ‘tulsi vivaah‘ - the marriage ceremony of Lord Vishnu with Devi Vrinda (the personification of Tulsi plant).
The significance could be the need to drape the Tulsi plant in a cloth cover for safety during the winter months, a practice those who have a Tulsi plant follow.
Kartik month is considered to be best for spiritual and physical energy accumulation in the scriptures. This belief could be based on the need to stay active and fit in the coming winter months and an attempt to boost or motivate, the believer.
As per religious beliefs, on Kartik Poornima, Lord Shiva killed a demon named Tripurasura, which pleased the gods. Lord Vishnu gave Lord Shiva the name Tripurari. In the joy of slaughter of Tripurasura, all gods descend from heaven and celebrate Diwali in Kashi.
Some devotees also organise a special puja for Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva on this day and offered him one thousand lotus flowers.
Kartik Purnima is also the birthday of Matsya, God Vishnu's fish-incarnation (avatar) and of Kartikeya, the god of war and son of Shiva.
This day is also considered special for goddess Radha, the lover and eternal consort of god Krishna. It is believed that Krishna and Radha danced rasa and Krishna worshipped Radha on this day.
Kartik Purnima is closely associated with Prabodhini or Kaisika Ekadashi which marks the end of Chaturmas a four-month period when Vishnu is believed to sleep. This clearly suggests a change of season. It is believed that Vishnu, on this day, returns to his abode after completing his stay in Bali.
We see an attempt at bringing different sects of the religion together. On this day, devotees take a dip in holy waters of rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, etc.
In Odisha, Kartik Purnima, is celebrated as Boita (Boat) Bandana by heading for the nearest water body to set afloat miniature boats, originally made out of banana stem and coconut stick, lit with Deepak (lamps), fabric, betel leaves. The festival commemorate the state's glorious maritime history when Kalinga tradesmen and mariners (sadhabas) travelled on boats (Boita) to trade with distant island nations Indonesia, Java, Sumatra and Bali. The presence of Indian culture in these Islands is associated with these engagements.
In Tamil homes, Karthika Deepam is celebrated where the Purnima corresponds to the Krittika nakshatra. People light rows of lamps on their balconys. In Tiruvannamala, a ten-day annual festival is held to celebrate Karthika Deepam.
In Telugu households, Karthika Maasalu (month) is considered very auspicious. On Karthika Puranam oil lamp with 365 wicks, prepared at home, are lit in Lord Shiva temples.
Guru Nanak birth anniversay is celebrated as Guruparva.
On this day, members of the Jain community visit Palitana, a Jain pilgrimage centre.
1.
Author, Freelance, Indian Economic Service (Retired), former Senior Economic Adviser, Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts
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