Kartik Purnima 2023: Date, Time, Rituals, Celebrations, and Significance
In the Hindu calendar, Kartika is the eighth lunar month. Kartik Purnima/Kartika Poornima is the name of the Purnima that falls in the month of Kartika. On the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, also referred to as Devuthanna Ekadashi, the festivities for Kartik Purnima begin. Kartika Purnima is observed for five days because Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the month and Purnima is the fifteenth. As numerous rites and festivities come to an end on this day, Kartika Purnima is a very important holiday. Tripuri Purnima and Tripurari Purnima are additional names for Kartika Purnima.
The five-day Kartik Purnima celebrations comprise the following:
- Tulsi Vivah
- Bhishma Panchaka
- Vaikunth Chaturdashi
- Dev Diwali
Kartik Purnima Date 2023
Monday, 27 November 2022 (Kartik)
Kartik Purnima Vrat
On the day of Kartik Purnima, devotees of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva fast. They also start their day by having a holy bath early in the morning and reading the Kartik Purnima Vrat Katha. This katha tells the tale of how the demon Tripurasura was defeated. According to ancient Hindu scriptures, a demon by the name of Tripurasura once succeeded in overthrowing the Gods and eventually the entire world. He is thought to have built three towns in outer space and given them the name Tripura. When Lord Shiva arrived to save the Devas, he shot the demon with an arrow and declared that the following day would become a festival of lights and lighting.
Kartik Purnima is observed as the anniversary of the birth of Vrinda, the incarnation of the tulsi plant. Matsya, the fish-like manifestation of Lord Vishnu, was born on this day as well. Kartikey, the son of Lord Shiva, is thought to have been born on this day as well. The final five days of the Kartik month are regarded as the most sacred, and followers observe a fast during this time by only eating once per day in the afternoon—a practise known as Habisha.
The Hindu scriptures correctly claim that the Kartik Purnima Vrat and Puja offers a path to Artha, Dharma, Karma, and Salvation.
Kartik Purnima Rituals
On this day of Kartik Purnima, it is exceedingly sacred to take a sacred bath at holy sites known as “Kartik Snan” during the time of sunrise and moonrise. Flowers, diyas, and incense sticks are used to worship Lord Vishnu. On this day, devotees typically practise fasting and recite the Satyanarayan Vrat Katha following Rudrabhishek. During the Kartik month, a festival called the Kartik Purnima Mela, commonly known as the Pushkar Fair, is held in Pushkar to commemorate the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Devi Vrinda. On the day of Kartik Purnima, this fair comes to an end when pilgrims take the sacrosanct bath in the Pushkar Lake in search of salvation.
Kartik Purnima Significance
According to Hindu mythology, this Kartik Poornima day has spiritual and religious significance. On this day, worshippers are said to be blessed with great prosperity if they do Kartik Snan and worship Lord Vishnu. One of the most auspicious days for religious rituals is Kartik Purnima, and it is thought that religious rituals conducted on this day bring joy and contentment. Executing a Kartik Snan during the Kartik month is said to be equivalent to performing 100 Ashvamegha Yagya.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is special on Kartik Purnima?
Matsya, the fish-incarnation of god Vishnu, celebrates his birthday on Kartik Purnima as well (avatar). It is also the birthday of Shiva’s son Kartikeya, the god of war, and of Vrinda, the embodiment of the tulsi plant. Goddess Radha, the loving and enduring companion of the Hindu god Krishna, is also revered on this day.
2. Why do we celebrate Kartik Purnima?
Kartik Purnima is a very significant religious and cultural day for Hindus. On this day, worshipers of Lord Vishnu are considered to prosper greatly. Kartik Purnima is also the day of the ceremonial Tulsi Vivaah, which commemorates the birth of Vrinda (the Tulsi Plant).
3. When did Kartik month start?
Kartik, which starts on October 29 and lasts until November 27, is the seventh month of Nepal’s Bikram Sambat calendar, which also serves as the nation’s official calendar.
4. Is Kartik Purnima good for marriage?
The Hindu calendar determines the Muhurat of marriage after taking into account dates like Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi, and others. It is not advised and may be risky and unfavourable to get married between Shukla Ekadashi and Kartik Ekadashi of the Rashada month.
