Kartik Purnima also known as Tripura Purnima or Tipurari Purnima will be observed on November 23 in 2018. The Kartik month is the only month dedicated to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and hence is also believed to be the holiest month of the Hindu Lunar Calendar. In this month, devotees visit the holy river Ganga and take a dip in the water which is also known as ‘Kartik snan’. The ritual of the holy dip begins on the day of Sharad Purnima and ends on Kartik Purnima. There are several puja rituals associated with Kartik Purnima. Hence, below we tell the puja vidhi, how to observe fast or vrat on this auspicious day. Kartik Purnima 2018 Date: Auspicious Tithi, Significance & History of the Festival.

Kartik Purnima Rituals

Several devotees worship Lord Vishnu with flowers, incense sticks and lamps. Devotees observe ‘Satyanarayana Vrat’ and recite ‘Satyanarayana Katha’. The temples of Lord Shiva are brightly illuminated. It was on this day Lord Shiva had defeated demon king Tripurasara. Kartik Purnima is also called as Dev Diwali. Annakuta, an offering of food to the deities is held in temples. Any form of violence is prohibited, and this includes shaving, cutting hair, cutting of trees, plucking of fruits and flowers and even sexual intercourse is avoided. Some people also perform tradition of Rudra Abhishekam of Lord Shiva by bathing him in milk and honey.

Kartik Purnima Puja Vidhi & Vrat

The vrat starts on the morning of Kartik Purnima and lasts till next morning. The fast is concluded after performing puja to Lord Shiva or Vishnu. To perform the puja, install a picture or idol of Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu. Decorate the idols with flowers, sandalwood paste, vermillion and other fragrances. Light a butter lamp (diya) with ghee and some incense sticks. Start the puja with Ganesh puja followed by Shodasopachar puja or sixteen types of offerings. At the end of the puja, pray for happiness and prosperity in the household.

Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab, birthday of Guru Nanak is also celebrated on Kartik Purnima. The day of Kartik Purnima is auspicious and any religious activity done on this day gives immense benefits. It is believed that performing puja, daan (charity) or snan (holy bath) on Kartik Purnima is equivalent to doing 100 Ashvamedha Yagya. It is also said that Kartik Purnima provides Artha, Dharma, Karma and Salvation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2018 11:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).