Nadeem Ahmed at 09:06, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T09:06:55Z

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{{short description|Hindu, Jain and Sikh holy day}}
{{Redirect|Fullmoon of Kartik|the full moon|Purnima|the lunar month|Kārtika (month)}}
{{distinguish|Kartik Purnima (TV Show)}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Kartika Purnima
| type = Religious
| image = Kartiki Punam.JPG
| caption = Kartika Purnima: 28 November 2012
| nickname = Kartika Pournami, Tripuri Purnima, Tripurari Purnima, Deva-Diwali, Deva-Deepawali
| observedby = [[Hindu]]s, [[Sikh]]s, and [[Jain]]s
| date =
| month = October/November
| relatedto = [[Vaikuntha Chaturdashi]]
| significance = '''Commemorates as :''' <br /> [[Lord Shiva]]'s victory over the demon [[Tripurasura]] <br /> Appearance of [[Bhagavan]] Vishnu as [[Matsya]] (the fish avatar) <br /> Birthday of Lord [[Kartikeya]], and [[Tulasi in Hinduism#Vrinda|Vrinda]]<br /> Birth of [[Guru Nanak]]
| observances = Prayers and religious rituals honoring [[Brahma]] at [[Pushkar Lake]], [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] to [[Vishnu]] and [[Harihara]], Bathing at [[Pushkar Lake]] and puja to [[Brahma]]
| date2024 = 15 November
}}
'''Kartika Purnima''' ({{Langx|sa|कार्त्तिकपूर्णिमा|translit=Kārttikapūrṇimā}}), also known as '''Kartika Pournami''', is a [[Hinduism|Hindu]], [[Sikhism|Sikh]], and [[Jain]] cultural festival that is celebrated on ''[[purnima]]'' ([[full moon]] day), the 15th day of the lunar month [[Kārtika (month)|Kartika]]. It falls in November or December of the [[Gregorian calendar]] and is also known as '''Tripurari Purnima''' or '''Deva-Deepavali''', the gods [[Festival of Lights (disambiguation)|festival of lights]]. [[Karthika Deepam]] is a related festival that is celebrated in [[South India]] and [[Sri Lanka]] on a different date. It follows [[Diwali]] by about 15 days.

== Significance ==
[[File:Shiva Tripurantaka.jpg|thumb|Here, the five-headed [[Tripurantaka]] is seen pointing an arrow towards the Tripura (rightmost top corner) with the bow made of [[Mount Meru]] and the serpent [[Vasuki]] as its string. The four-headed god Brahma is seen, and the Moon and the Sun are depicted as the wheels of the chariot.]]

=== Radha-Krishna ===
In [[Vaishnavite]] tradition, this day is considered significant and special for the worship of both [[Radha]] and [[Krishna]]. It is believed that on this day, [[Radha-Krishna]] performed [[Raslila|rasalila]] with their [[gopi]]s. At [[Jagannath Temple, Puri]] and all other Radha-Krishna temples, a sacred vow is observed throughout [[Kārtika (month)|Kartika]] month, and performances of raaslila are organized on the day of Kartika Purnima. According to [[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]], Krishna worshipped Radha on this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mohapatra |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UdpzAgAAQBAJ&dq=worship+radha&pg=PA164 |title=Wellness and Indian Festivals & Rituals |date=2015 |publisher=[[Partridge Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4828-1690-7 |pages=164 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Shiva ===
'Tripuri Purnima' or 'Tripurari Purnima' derives its name from Tripurari – the foe of the demon [[Tripurasura]]. In some legends of Kartika Purnima, the term is used to denote the three demon sons of [[Tārakāsura]]. Tripurari is an epithet of the god [[Shiva]]. Shiva, in his form as [[Tripurantaka]] ({{lit|Killer of Tripurasura}}), killed Tripurasura on this day. Tripurasura had conquered the whole world and defeated the gods and also created three cities in space, together called "[[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]]". The killing of the demon(s) and destruction of his/their cities with a single arrow by Shiva overjoyed the gods, and they declared the day as a festival of illuminations. This day is also called "Deva-Diwali"—the [[Diwali]] of the gods.<ref name="g">{{cite magazine|title=The legends behind Dev Diwali|work=[[Garavi Gujarat]]|volume= 43|number=2042 |date=31 October 2009|page=11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KJft8irPMUAC&pg=PA11}}</ref>

=== Tulasi and Vishnu ===
Kartika Purnima is also celebrated as the manifestation day of [[Matsya]], the god [[Vishnu]]'s fish incarnation ([[avatar]]) and Vrinda, the personification of the [[Tulsi|tulasi]].<ref name="tracy" /> In the ''[[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]]'', Tulasi is a gopi cursed to be born on earth as a princess and marry Shankacuda, an asura. She remained a devotee of Vishnu and strongly wished to marry the deity. When Shankacuda threatens the existing order with his conquests, invincible owing to the chastity of his wife, Vishnu assumes his form and tricks her into hugging him, causing her to lose her chastity and allowing Shiva to triumph in his battle over the asura. Vishnu then revealed his true form and married her. Tulasi cursed that Vishnu would take the form of a [[shaligram]]a stone for his trickery, and to appease her, the deity stated that her essence would become the tulasi plant and the [[Gandaki River|Gandaki]] river. Her divine form ascended to [[Vaikuntha]] to be with him.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chaturvedi |first=B. K. |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Bhavishya_Purana/gORJJvPw6KcC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Brahmavaivarta Purana |date=2004 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-5296-763-6 |pages=59 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Kartikeya ===
In Southern India, Kartika Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of [[Kartikeya]], the god of war and younger son of Shiva.<ref name=":0" /> This day is also dedicated to the [[pitrs]], dead ancestors.<ref name=":0" />

Underhill believes that the origins of this festival may lie in ancient times, when a sacrifice called ''Shakamedhah'' was performed to attain victory over enemies.<ref name="underhill" />

The festival has even more significance when the day falls in the [[nakshatra]] ([[lunar mansion]]) of [[Krittika]] and is then called ''Maha Kartika''. If the nakshatra is [[Bharani]], the results are stated to be special. If it is [[Rohini (nakshatra)|Rohini]], then the fruitful results are even more. Any philanthropic act on this day is supposed to bring benefits and blessings equal to the performing of ten [[yajna]]s.<ref name="Dwivedi2006"/>

== Hinduism ==
Kartika Purnima is closely associated with [[Prabodhini Ekadashi]], which marks the end of the [[chaturmas]]ya, a four-month period when [[Bhagwan]] Vishnu is believed to sleep. Prabodhini Ekadashi signifies the awakening of the god. Many fairs that begin on Prabodhini Ekadashi end on Kartika Purnima, Kartika Purnima usually being the most important day of the fair. Fairs that conclude on this day include Prabodhini Ekadashi celebrations at [[Pandharpur]] and [[Pushkar Fair]]. Kartika Purnima is also the last day to perform the [[Tulsi Vivah|Tulasi Vivaha]] ceremony, which can be performed from Prabodhini Ekadashi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prakash |first=Dr Ved |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1rFuEAAAQBAJ&dq=kartik+purnima+tulsi+vivah&pg=PA423 |title=Significance of Indian Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms |publisher=Krishna Publication House |isbn=978-93-90627-49-3 |pages=423 |language=en}}</ref>

Also, it is believed that on this day, Bhagwan Vishnu returns to his abode after completing his stay with king [[Bali (demon)|Mahabali]], another reason why the day is known as Deva-Diwali.<ref name="s">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swaminarayan.org/festivals/devdiwali/|title=Dev Diwali Festival|website=www.swaminarayan.org}}</ref>

[[File:Inde pushkar foire.jpg|thumb|Pushkar Mela, 2006]]
In [[Pushkar]], Rajasthan, the Pushkar Fair or ''Pushkar mela'' commences on Prabodhini Ekadashi and continues till Kartika Purnima, the latter being the most important. This fair is held in honour of the god [[Brahma]], whose [[Brahma Temple, Pushkar|temple]] stands at Pushkar. A ritual bath on Kartika Purnima in the [[Pushkar Lake]] is considered to lead one to salvation. It is believed circling the three Pushkars on Kartika Purnima is highly meritorious. [[Sadhu]]s gather here and stay from Ekadashi to full moon day in caves. About 200,000 people and 25,000 camels assemble in Pushkar for the fair, which is Asia's largest camel fair.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wPPr9HdmnHcC&dq=kartik+ekadasi&pg=PA133|title=Fairs and Festivals of India|first1=S. P.|last1=Sharma|first2=Seema|last2=Gupta|date=23 October 2006|publisher=Pustak Mahal|isbn=9788122309515 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-27/jaipur/28110152_1_pushkar-lake-cave-sadhus|title=Nag Hill at Pushkar brims with sadhus - Times Of India|date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025064338/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-27/jaipur/28110152_1_pushkar-lake-cave-sadhus |archive-date=25 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XdYLEB6WBHUC&dq=pushkar+fair+camels&pg=PA18|title=Viewfinder: 100 Top Locations for Great Travel Photography|first=Keith|last=Wilson|date=23 October 2005|publisher=RotoVision SA|isbn=9782880467937 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMqBvtL_nI0C&dq=pushkar++largest+camel+fair&pg=PA440|title=Frommer's India|first1=Pippa|last1=deBruyn|first2=Keith|last2=Bain|first3=Niloufer|last3=Venkatraman|first4=Shonar|last4=Joshi|date=4 March 2008|publisher=Wiley|isbn=9780470169087 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

A [[Ritual purification|ritual bath]] at a [[Theertham|tirtha]] (a [[sacred water body]] like a lake or river) at a pilgrimage centre is prescribed on Kartika Purnima. This holy bath is known as "Kartika snana".<ref name = "abott"/> A holy bath at Pushkar or in the [[Ganges]] river, especially at [[Varanasi]] is deemed as most auspicious. Kartika Purnima is the most popular day for bathing in the Ganges at Varanasi.<ref name="tracy"/> The devotees also take a bath in the evening during moonrise and offer worship by way of six prayers such as Shiva sambuti, Satait and so forth.<ref name="Dwivedi2006">{{Cite book|last= Dwivedi |first= Dr. Bhojraj |title= Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7wmqKuHFWWgC&q=Dev+Deepavali&pg=PA171|access-date=7 November 2012|publisher= Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|year=2006|isbn=9788128812392|pages=171}}</ref>

[[Annakuta]], an offering of food to the deities, is held in temples.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} People who have taken vows on [[Ashvin]] Purnima end them on Kartika Purnima. Bhagwan Vishnu is also worshipped on this day. Any form of violence (''himsa'') is prohibited on this day. This includes shaving, hair-cutting, cutting of trees, plucking of fruits and flowers, cutting of crops and even sexual intercourse.<ref name = "abott"/> Charity especially donation of cows, feeding of [[Brahmin]]s, fasting are religious activities prescribed for Kartika Purnima.<ref name="tracy"/> Giving gift of gold is said to fulfill all the desires of people.<ref name="Dwivedi2006"/>

Tripuri Purnima is only next to [[Maha Shivaratri]] amongst festivals dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva worship.<ref name="underhill">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fb9Zc0yPVUUC&dq=Tripuri+Poornima&pg=PA95|title=The Hindu Religious Year|first=Muriel Marion|last=Underhill|date=23 October 1991|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=9788120605237 |via=Google Books}}</ref> To commemorate the killing of Tripurasura, images of Bhagwan Shiva are carried in procession. Temple complexes in southern India are lit up throughout the night. ''Deepmalas'' or towers of lights are illuminated in temples. People place 360 or 720 wicks in temples, to secure escape from [[Naraka (Hinduism)|hell]] after death.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} The 720 wicks symbolize the 360 days and nights of the Hindu calendar.<ref name="tracy"/> In Varanasi, the ghats come alive with thousands of [[diyas]] (brightly lit earthen lamps).<ref name="tracy">{{cite book|title=Guests at God's wedding: celebrating Kartik among the women of Benares|author=Tracy Pintchman|pages=83-7|publisher=[[State University of New York Press]]|ISBN=0791482561|date=18 Aug 2005}}</ref> People gift lamps to priests. The lamps are kept throughout the night in houses and Bhagwan Shiva temples. This day is also known as "Kartika Diparatna" - the jewel of lamps in Kartika.<ref name = "underhill"/> Lights are also floated in miniature boats in rivers. Lights are placed under tulasi, [[sacred fig]], and [[Phyllanthus emblica|amla]] trees. The lights in the water and under trees are believed to help fishes, insects and birds who saw the light to attain salvation.<ref name="abott">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zoyXkvW7h_EC&dq=Tripurari+Purnima&pg=PA203|title=Keys of Power a Study of Indian Ritual & Belief 1932|first=J.|last=Abbott|date=23 March 2003|publisher=[[Kessinger Publishing]]|isbn=9780766153103 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

In Telugu households of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]], Karthika Maasamu (month) is considered very auspicious. The Kartika month starts on the day after Deepavali according to the ([[Hindu calendar#amanta|amanta]] tradition). From that day till the end of the month, oil lamps are lit every day. On Karthika Purnima, oil lamps with 365 wicks prepared at home are lit in Shiva temples. Apart from that, Kartika Puranam is read, and fasting is observed till sunset, every day for the whole month. The [[Swaminarayan Sampradaya]] also celebrates this day with faith and fervor.<ref name=s/>

===Boita Bandana===
[[File:Miniature boita made from banana stem.jpg|thumb|People in Odisha celebrate Kartika Purnima by setting afloat miniature boita (boats) made from banana stem to remember the historical significance of the day.]]
In [[Odisha]], on Kartika Purnima, people celebrate [[Boita Bandana]] (Odia: ବୋଇତ ବନ୍ଦାଣ boita bandāṇa), in memory of ancient maritime trades via Kalinga<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-19|title=Boita Bandhana – Most Ancient Marine Trade Festival - OdissiPost|url=https://www.odissipost.com/boita-bandhana-most-ancient-marine-trade-festival/|access-date=2021-12-11|language=en-US|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211032348/https://www.odissipost.com/boita-bandhana-most-ancient-marine-trade-festival/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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. ''[[Boita]]'' stands for boat or ship. The festival is a mass commemoration of the state's glorious maritime history when it was known as [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] and tradesmen and mariners known as [[sadhaba]]s traveled on ''[[boita]]''s to trade with distant island nations that share borders with the [[Bay of Bengal]] like [[Indonesia]], [[Java]], [[Sumatra]] and [[Bali]].

During Kartika month, the entire Hindu population of [[Odisha]] becomes strictly vegetarian. They observe the month with auspicious customs, continuing till the traditional ceremony of Panchuka which falls on the last five days of the month, from Dev Uthni Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima. The ninth day of the brighter half of the month of Kartik is called "Anlā Navami" (Kartik Shukla Paksha Navami) from which the preparations of Panchuka starts. It is also said that these five days of Pachuka are so auspicious that even the crane (in odia- ବଗ) refuses to eat meat. The period of chaturmaasya ends on ekadashi, and with the final day of Kartik month, the full moon night, kick starts the festivities associated with the Margasira month famous for the Gurubaara Laxmi Puja (Margasira Gurubaara, ମାଣବସା ଗୁରୁବାର) in Odisha'''''.'''''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-20|title=Kumar Purnima – Ancient Odisha Festival - OdissiPost|url=https://www.odissipost.com/kumar-purnima-ancient-odisha-festival/|access-date=2021-12-11|language=en-US|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211032912/https://www.odissipost.com/kumar-purnima-ancient-odisha-festival/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

'''Chhāda Khāi'''

The Kartika month ends on Kartika Purnima. The day after Kartika Purnima is called Chhada Khai (ଛାଡ଼ ଖାଇ) when non-vegetarians can again start their normal diet. However the exact day depends on what date Chhada Khai occurs, so Odia Hindus can't eat non-vegetarian food on specific days which varies with family custom, the most common being Thursday, on which most families avoid non-vegetarian food, so a suitable day after the completion of Kartik month is chosen which mostly is a Wednesday, Friday or a Sunday occurring after the Kartik Purnima, so Chhada Khai may not fall on the next day of Kartik Purnima.{{fact|date=January 2026}}

By the way, the most fascinating part of Kartika Purnima in Odisha is the celebration of historic Boita Bandana to commemorate the Bali Jatra commenced by ancient Kalinga merchants and associated fleet to do trade in far South East Asia like Bali, Indonesia etc.{{fact|date=January 2026}}

===Karthika Deepam===
[[File:Karthigai Deepam.jpg|thumb|Lamps lit on Karthika Deepam]]
In [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karthika Deepam]] is celebrated where the Purnima corresponds to the Krittika nakshatra. People light rows of lamps on their balconies. In [[Tiruvannamalai]], a ten-day annual festival is held to celebrate Karthika Deepam.{{fact|date=January 2026}}

==Jainism==
[[File:Palitana.jpg|thumb|right|[[Palitana Jain temples]]]]
Kartika Purnima is an important religious day for [[Jainism|Jains]] who celebrate it by visiting [[Palitana]], a Jain pilgrimage centre.<ref name=palitana>{{cite news|work=[[The Times of India]] | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Pilgrims-flock-Palitana-for-Kartik-Poornima-yatra-/articleshow/5190238.cms| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025064717/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-02/rajkot/28091395_1_devotees-palitana-jain| url-status=live| archive-date=2012-10-25|title=Pilgrims flock Palitana for Kartik Poornima yatra |date=2009-11-02|access-date= 2009-11-03}}</ref> Thousands of Jain pilgrims flock to the foothills of [[Shatrunjaya|Shatrunjay hills]] of Palitana taluka on the day of Kartika Purnima to undertake the auspicious yatra (journey). Also known as the Shri Shantrunjay Teerth Yatra, this walk is an important religious event in the life of a Jain devotee, who covers 216 km of rough mountainous terrain on foot to worship at the Adinath temple atop the hill.<ref name=g/> The day of Kartika Purnima is very significant in Jainism.Jains believe that Adinath, the first [[tirthankara]], sanctified the hills by visiting it to deliver his first sermon. According to [[Jain texts]], millions of sadhus and Sadhvis have attained salvation on these hills.<ref name=palitana />

==Sikhism==
Although, Kartika Purnima is nowadays celebrated as [[Gurupurab]] or Prakash Parva of [[Guru Nanak]], the first Guru of the Sikhs, however this is controversial and historically invalid as per some Sikh scholars.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-05-09 |title=Birth of Guru Nanak ~ Katik or Baisakh? |url=http://www.sikhnet.com/news/birth-guru-nanak-katik-or-baisakh |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=SikhNet |language=en |quote=There has been a controversy about the date of birth of Guru Nanak. Traditionally it is believed that Guru Nanak was born in the month of Katik (October–November) on the pooranmashi (full moon) night in 1469 and hence Sikhs all over the world celebrate Guru Nanak's birthday in Katik(October–November). Modern scholars, however, do not accept this date. Their research reveals that he was born in the month of Baisakh (April) in 1469.}}</ref>

Sikh contemporary sources rather mention Vaisakh (Mid April) as birth month of Guru Nanak. It is said that the birth celebrations of Guru Nanak were changed to Kartik month during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on the instance of Bhai Sant Singh.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Puri |first=J. R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v80dAAAAMAAJ&q=Guru+Nanak+birth+changed+1872 |title=Guru Nanak, His Mystic Teachings |date=1982 |publisher=Radha Soami Satsang Beas |language=en |quote=the anniversary fair of Guru Nanak's birth was celebrated in the month of Vaisakh (April) at Nankana Sahib. The date of celebration was shifted to Katik (November) in the time of Ranjit Singh, at the instance of Bhai Sant Singh}}</ref> This was done to prevent Sikhs from joining Kartik Purnima fair at Hindu pilgrimage [[Ram Teerath|Ram Tirath Mandir]] in Amritsar.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ecMhahRJMvAC&q=Guru+Nanak+birth+date+Ram+tirath |title=Proceedings - Punjab History Conference |date=2009 |publisher=Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University. |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Dev Deepawali (Varanasi)|Dev Deepavali (Varanasi)]]
* [[List of Hindu festivals]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://publicvoice.co.in/kartika-purnima-2020-wishes-sms-2021-image-information Details about kartika purnima with wish] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205224359/https://publicvoice.co.in/kartika-purnima-2020-wishes-sms-2021-image-information/ |date=5 December 2020 }}
*[https://www.thedivineindia.com/kartik-purnima/6961 Significance of Kartika Purnima]

{{HinduFestivals}}

[[Category:Observances held on Purnima]]
[[Category:Hindu holy days]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Jain festivals]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:October observances]]
[[Category:November observances]]
[[Category:Observances held on the full moon]]
[[Category:December observances]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]]

Kartika Purnima - Revision history

Nadeem Ahmed at 09:06, 4 February 2026