Kartik Purnima is a holy festival celebrated on the full moon day of kartik month. It is one of the most pious festival of the year. This month falls under Dakshinayana, hence it is considered as the holy month for sadhana and attaining liberation from the worldly affairs. On this day Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are worshipped as they descended on earth in this month.
An extraordinarily auspicious day
This is an extraordinary day and on this day, if one takes a holy dip in the river Ganga is auspicious. Lightning Diyas in the evening is considered as a holy ritual. According to legend, on this day, Lord Vishnu took the Matsaya incarnation in the evening of Kartik Purnima. This is the reason all kinds of donations and prayers done at this hour has special significance. If Krittika Nakshatra falls on this day then it is known as ‘Mahakartiki’. In case it is Bharani, then it can give fruitful result and if it is Rohini, then the result is extraordinary.
Rituals observed on this holy occasion
There are certain rituals which are observed on this day. A person who is performing this ritual of bathing in the entire month of kartik ends on the day of Kartik Purnima. There are some people who observe the Satnarayana Vrata and also listen to the Satyanarayan Katha on this day. Diyas are lit in all sacred places such as temples, near sacred fig tree and tulsi plants. Several diyas are lit by the devotees and flown on the Ganga as a part of rituals. The sight of twinkling lamps and diyas are marvelous. In Kashi, this day is celebrated as Devdeepavali-Mahotsava.
A holy occasion to invite purity and positivity in life
This day also marked the end of Chandraayan vrat. This is a very special vrata and it is believed that on who observe this vrata from the day of Kartik Purnima get all his desires fulfilled. On this day, huge numbers of people assemble to bathe in Ganga or any other holy river to wash off their sins and become free of evils. Several fairs are organized on the banks of river Ganga on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti on this day.