This article is a mixture of Tulsi Vivah, Dev Diwali and Guru Nanak Jayanti
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Kartik is the eighth lunar month in Hindu calendar.
The Full Moon Day during the month of Kartik is known as Kartik Purnima.
This day is also referred as Poornima, Poonam, Pournami and Pournimasi.
In Vaishnava tradition, Kartik month is known as Damodara month.
Damodara is one of the names of Lord Krishna.
Many people take pledge to take a holy dip before sunrise in Ganges and other holy rivers every day during the month of Kartik.
The ritual of holy dip during Kartik month begins on the day of Sharad Purnima and ends on Kartik Purnima.
Kartik Purnima is also very significant as many rituals and festivals culminate on this day. Festivities begin on ‘Prabodhini Ekadashi.’
Tulasi Vivah
Tulasi-Vivah Utsav, which begins on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, culminates on the day of Kartik Purnima.
According to tradition, Tulasi Vivah can be performed on any suitable day between Ekadashi to Purnima in the month of Kartik.
However, many people choose the day of Kartik Purnima to perform marriage rituals of Goddess Tulasi and Lord Shaligram, an iconic representation of Lord Vishnu.
Bhishma Panchaka fasting, which begins on Ekadashi day, ends at Kartik Purnima.
In Vaishnava tradition, the utmost importance is given to Bhishma Panchaka fasting during the last five days of Kartik month.
The five days of fasting is known as Bhishma Panchaka as well as Vishnu Panchaka.
Vishnu worships Shiva
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi fasting and Puja is performed on Chaturdashi Tithi i.e. one day before Kartik Purnima. It is believed that Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva on the day of Kartik Chaturdashi during Shukla Paksha and offered Him 1000 Lotus flowers.
It is also believed that Lord Shiva presented the ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ to Lord Vishnu on this day. The Chakra is used to destroy evil.
Many Shiva Temples organise special Puja during which Lord Vishnu is worshipped along with Lord Shiva.
On the day of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, a holy dip in Ganges before Sunrise at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi is considered very significant.
Dev Diwali
Dev Diwali which is also known as ‘Diwali of Gods’ is celebrated on the day of Kartik Purnima.
It is believed that Lord Shiva killed demon Tripurasura on the day of Kartik Purnima.
Hence Kartik Purnima is also known as Tripuri Purnima and Tripurari Purnima.
As per the legends of Tripuri Purnima, Tripurasura defeated Gods and started ruling their Kingdom.
When Tripurasura was killed, Gods were overjoyed and celebrated the day of Kartik Purnima as the day of illuminations. Hence, thousands of earthen lamps are lit at all Temples as well as at the bank of River Ganga on Kartik Purnima.
The Full Moon Day or the 15th day in the Hindu month of Kartik, ushers in an auspicious occasion known as the Kartik Purnima. which has a great significance among Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
It coincides with the Sikh festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti and the religious day of the Jains who celebrate it by undertaking an auspicious journey or the ‘Sri Shatrunjay Tirth Yatra’ to worship Lord Adinath at a Temple situated on the Shatrunjay Hills.
First Incarnation
Kartik Purnima is also celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Vishnu’s first incarnation, the Matsya (Fish) Avatar.
As mentioned earlier, it is also the birthday of Vrinda (the epitome of the Tulsi plant) and of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Shiva.
This day is significant for Radha-Krishna devotees.
It is believed that Krishna and Radha performed the Raasa (dance) on this day and Lord Krishna worshipped her. Kartik Purnima is also dedicated to ancestors.
