Significance of Kartik Poornima

The full moon day in the month of November is Kartik Poornima (Hunter’s Full Moon). Kartik has been named from ‘Kritika’ nakshatra, which is the nakshatra for the exalted moon too. The Kartik Poornima is one of the most auspicious full moon among all other full moons. One of the reasons is moon exaltation in Kritika nakshatra. Another reason for its importance is that Kritika nakshatra is ruled by the Sun, which is the significator (Karak) of our soul. Therefore, Sun along with the Moon i.e. soul along with the mind rules this auspicious full moon. Kritika denotes sharp objects, which also signifies defeating the demons within oneself.

Kartik Poornima is an auspicious day to initiate any activity, which can boost the stability of the mind. There are certain activities one can plan for this day:

#1 Dip in the Holy river :

If you live nearby any holy river like Ganga in India or can travel to do so, you should take a dip in the Holy river in the early evening (around moonrise). Water is the element for the moon, and Holy rivers especially Ganga are the purest and energized water, which is well known for aura cleansing. Celebrating this auspicious day with such activity is bliss. Even if you cannot take a dip in a holy river, take a shower at your home. You can mix some Ganga water if you have stored it. If not, you can do some basic aura cleaning exercises after taking bath.

#2 Bow to the Sun God :

As Kritika is ruled by Sun, so it is also significant to this day. One can bow to the rising and setting Sun and offer water to the Sun god.

#3 Remember your Ancestors :

This is a very auspicious day to remember and pray for one’s Ancestors. One should not forget to lighten at least 5 lamps (Diya) of clarified butter (desi ghee) in the evening. The fire has its importance on Kartik Poornima as fire is the significator of the soul, which can be individual or collective. One can also light the lamps on the bank of holy rivers (known as Diya Daan).

#4 Pray to Lord Shiva :

As the month Kartik is the favorite month among the devatas (supreme souls) especially lord Shiva, one should chant mantras like ‘Om Namah Shivaya‘ or Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, for the awakening of one’s third eye, denoting Shiva.

#5 Charity:

As the moon is the significator of mother and mother is a giver, so one should also perform charity to the needy on the auspicious day of Kartik Poornima.

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There are some other ancient events associated with Kartik Poornima. These are:

1. Another great legend associated with Kartik Purnima is the episode where Lord Shiva killed the demon king Tripurasura. Hence the name Tripura Purnima or Tipurari Purnima. It is believed that the Devas celebrated the day in heaven by lighting several diyas, hence the day also came to be known as the ‘Deva Deepavali’.

2. Lord Vishnu took birth as Matsya (incarnation of Lord Vishnu as fish), popularly known as Matya Avatar.

3.This fest is also memorialized as the birthday of ‘Vrinda’ who was the beautiful incarnation of the Goddess ‘Tulsi’ and Lord ‘Kartikeya’ (son of Lord Shiva)

4. A very special day to remember Radha- Krishna’s unconditional love as there is a belief that Lord Krishna worshiped Radha and they played ‘Rasa’ to solemnize their true love.

5. Birth of Guru Nanak Saheb, celebrated as Guru Nanak Jayanti also called Guru Poorab.

6. Jain devotee takes up Shri Shatrunjay Teerth Yatra, a religious walk covering 216 km of mountainous terrain to visit Lord Adinath temple atop the hill in the city of Palitana, in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat.

7. The world-famous Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan starts on Prabodhini Ekadashi and continues till Kartik Poornima

With all this, the most important activity on the auspicious day of Kartik Poornima is to spare some time with the full moon and strengthen your mind with the positive rays of the moon.

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Prodigious ‘Kartikeshwar’ deities are built in the city of ‘Cuttack’ and at the night time, they have been taken in a carcade to worship nearby Shiva Temple and thereupon immersed in ‘Mahanadi’ River.

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There are some Shiva temples in India where devotees offer ‘Kheer’ to Lord Shiva on the night and consume some of it as ‘Prasad’ of ‘Kartik Purnima’ and also perform various other rituals to please Lord Shiva, this festival is celebrated with peerless enthusiasm every year. List of Some of the Lord Shiva temples/pilgrimages to celebrate this festival:

– Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi)

– Arunachaleshwara Temple (Thiruvannamamalai)

– Manjunatha Temple (Dharamasthala)

– Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple (Vemulawada)

– Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple

– Keesaragutta Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple

– Kaleshwaram Shiva Temple

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Karthigai Deepam

 Significance of Karthigai Deepam

Karthigai Deepam happens to be an important and auspicious occasion in the Tamil calendar. Most Tamils respect this occasion when Lord Muruga was born. The household matters are taken care of and lamps are lit in almost every part of the house to bring peace and prosperity. The woman worship to bring happiness in the lives of their children and ward off all the troubles in life.

Spiritual Significance of Karthigai Deepam

The functioning of the lamp implies a great spiritual notion. The wick in the lamp symbolizes our ego and the oil that is used to light the lamp denotes our innate nature that is responsible for the ego to thrive. The flame, the spiritual knowledge has the capacity to blaze our ego, the wick by emptying our innate tendencies. This is the significance of Karthigai Deepam.

Lights symbolize the victory of the good over the evil. People try to make their homes protected from evil eyes and evil forces. They want to bring peace and prosperity to families for life. They pray honestly to God to give them good feelings for other human beings. Lamps CAN give the power to shed fear and bring victory in the lives of people.

Legends associated with Karthigai Deepam

Lord Shiva was very depressed after Parvati's death and secluded him in deep meditation and from the eyes of Lord Shiva came out the six flames. These six flames turned into six babies which were united by Goddess Parvati (his mother) on this day. Special rituals are performed to Lord Muruga on this day and Lord Muruga who took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai"

Muruga, later on, acted as a teaching guide to Shiva, according to another famous legend. He taught Shiva the actual meaning of the word "Om" which is very important in Hindu culture. The lamps also represent that Lord Shiva understood the actual meaning of the ultimate word "Om". He was enlightened by knowing the value of the word. Tamils want to live in peace and enjoy the best of life. They want to stay away from all sorts of worries and quarrels. Lamps are lighted everywhere to give them the power to say no to all bad temptations in life.

Parvati fought with Mahisasura as he was disturbing her and the other Gods in heaven. Her victory was also celebrated by lighting lamps. This festival represents the victory of the good over the evil forces. People always want to stay away from bad things and the lights lamps to bring in wealth and well being in the family.

Nowadays, people use a range of lamps of various shapes, sizes, and colors. The lamps are easily available in the market. The women prepare the oil and the wick to make the lamps glow for a long time. The main idea is to enjoy to the fullest and forget all the sufferings of life. Women take the lamps in their alms and move around the house to spread the feeling of joy. Hanging lamps and imported varieties are also available in this age of globalization.

Life is short and must be spent in a happy way. People worship Lord Shiva to give them the power to fulfill all the activities in life in an honest manner. The lamp actually represents the linga of Shiva that reminds people over and over again about the fact of staying on the right path. People keep lamps in the places of the home where the pictures of God are kept. Temples of South India look amazing with wonderfully lit lamps almost everywhere.

Science and technology have progressed a lot but the Hindu rituals and beliefs will keep mankind involved in every way. Even the best scientists and doctors know the significance of such great festivals. They come back home during this time to be with the family and share their joys and sorrows. People shed of all the misunderstandings and quarrels and unite during this wonderful festival of lights. This festival represents giving and sharing among humans. Wearing new clothes, and praying in front of God gives people the power to start life in a new way during the coming year.

One must not think of failures but look forward to getting new things in life by praying to God. The lamps will act as guiding lights in their lives.

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