Kartik Purnima 2018 Date: Auspicious Tithi, Significance & History of the Festival
Hindu devotees believe that Kartik is the holiest month among all lunar months.
The full moon day during the month of Kartik is known as Kartik Purnima. Kartik is the eight-lunar month in Hindu calendar. In 2018, Kartik Purnima will take place on November 23. Kartik Purnima is also referred as Poornima, Poonam, Pournami and Pournimasi, in different parts of the country. Hindu devotees believe that Kartik is the holiest month among all lunar months. The Kartik month holds immense significance as many devotees take a dip in the holy river of Ganges every day during the month of Kartik. Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak is also celebrated on Kartik Purnima. Below we tell you the auspicious tithi timings, significance of the festival and stories associated with observing Kartik Purnima. Guru Nanak Jayanti 2018 Date: Rituals in Gurudwaras, Significance & How to Celebrate Birth Anniversary of First Sikh Guru on Gurpurab.
Significance of Kartik Purnima
There are two famous legends associated with celebrations of Kartik Purnima. The first story honours Lord Vishnu who incarnated as Matsya (fish avatar of Lord Vishnu) to rescue the first man, Manu from a great deluge. Matya is believed to be Vishnu’s first avatar out of his 10 avatars. According to another great legend, Lord Shiva killed the demon king Tipurasura. The demon king had conquered the whole world and had defeated the gods and created three cities in space, together called Tripura. Lord Shiva killed the demon and destroyed his cities with a single arrow. The Gods were overjoyed and declared the day as a festival of illuminations. Hence, the day is called as ‘Dev Diwali’. Thus, Kartik Purnima is also called as Tripuri Purnima and Tripurari Purnima. On this day, thousands of earthen lamps are lit at all temples as well as the bank of river Ganga.
Kartika Purnima Timings
Purnima Tithi Begins – 12:53 pm (November 22, 2018)
Purnima Tithi Ends – 11:09 pm (November 23, 2018)
Kartik Purnima is significant as there are many rituals and festivals in the Kartik month. The festivities begin on the day of Prabhodini Ekadashi. And many also perform Tulsi Vivah on Prabhodini Ekadashi. Tulsi Vivah is the marriage ceremony of the holy basil Tulsi and Shaligram, an iconic representation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva’s son Kartikeya was also born on this auspicious day. It is also believed that Lord Krishna and Radha danced rasa on Kartik Purnima. Jains also visit Palitana, a Jain pilgrimage centre.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2018 04:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).