Karthik Poornima – Kartik Purnima

Kartik Purnima, or Karthik Poornima, is the full moon day in the month Kartik in traditional Hindu calendar. Kartik (October – November) is the eighth month in the traditional Hindi calendar and Marathi calendar and is the first month in the Gujarati Calendar. Taking a holy dip or bath in Ganga and other holy rivers, known as Kartik Snaan, is an important religious event for Hindus on Kartik Poornima day. In 2008, the date of Kartik Purnima is November 13.

Kartik Purnima is observed as Dev Diwali. It is believed that Lord Shiva annihilated demon Tripurasura on this day. Therefore the day is also known as Tripura Purnima.

The month long Akashdeep festival in Kashi also comes to an end on this day. The month long Kartik Snaan comes to an end on this day. The Tulsi Vivah ritual is observed by some communities on the day. The four month long Chatur Maas also comes to an end on this day in many calendars.

Kartik Purnima Mela on the banks of Ganga River at Garh Mukteshwar attracts more than a million devotees. It is believed that bathing at the Garh Mukteshwar Bridge Ghat in Uttar Pradesh has been taking place for more than 5000 years. It is said that a mere darshan of River Ganga at Garh Mukteshwar will get one Moksha (salvation).