Karthika Poornima: Why Should We Light Lamps on This Day

Karthika Poornima: Kartika is the Gregorian calendar month that falls between October and November. For devout Hindus, it is the most sacred month of the year. During this month, devotees take pre-dawn showers and visit temples. A large crowd gathers at Jagannath Dham Puri in Odisha, Telangana, and Mathura-Vrindaban in Uttar Pradesh, especially during this month.

The latter five days of the month's "Bhishm Panchuka" and the last day, "Kartika Poornima" are regarded as more holy. The devotees, who are generally old couples and widows, spend the full month at these sacred places, doing ritualistic activities.

Karthika Poornima 2021 Date - Friday, November 19, 2021

On the full moon, also known as Poornima Day, or the fifteenth lunar day of the month of Kartik (November–December), Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains commemorate Kartika Poornima. For the celebrants, this is the holiest month of the year. Kartik Poornima is on November 19, 2021, this year (Friday).

Kartika Poornima Tithi Timings: November 18, 12:00 pm - November 19, 2:27 pm

Kartika Poornima 2021 - Purnima Tithi and Puja Timings:

Sunrise on November 19, 2021, at 06:47 AM.

Sunset on November 19, 2021, at 05:37 PM.

Poornima Tithi begins on November 18, 2021, at 12:00 PM.

Poornima Tithi ends on November 19, 2021, at 02:27 PM.

Significance of Kartika Poornima

The event, also known as 'Tripuri Poornima' or 'Tripurari Poornima,' commemorates Lord Shiva's triumph over the demon Tripurasara. Lord Vishnu is honoured as well throughout this occasion. He had incarnated as Matsya, his very first incarnation, on this day.

According to Hindu belief, Gods descended to the earth on this day and drank from the sacred rivers. This is why devotees bathe in sacred rivers during Kartik Purnima, believing that they would receive divine benefits.

When it falls on the Nakshatra Krittika, the celebration has much more significance (lunar mansion). This is when it's referred to as Maha Kartik.

Karthika Poornima: Why Should We Light Lamps on This Day?

 It is very important to light lamps in the month of Kartik. It is a widespread belief that if someone lights a lamp in the temple of Lord Shri Hari even for a brief time during this month, all of his sins amassed over millions of kalpas (one Kalpa = 1000 yugas) are all eliminated."

As per the Pushkar Puran, "the person who lights the lamp of sesame (til) oil in the name of Lord Shri Hari in the month of Kartik during Sandhya (i.e., twilight) gets unlimited prosperity, beauty, blessing, and wealth."

There is a practice of offering Akash Deep (Hanging Lamps) throughout the Kartik month, which is a unique Hindu ceremony that is rigorously observed. Many worshippers present hanging lights along the banks of the Ganga River in all of the Holi towns, such as Puri, Mathura, and Vrindaban.

The lighting of oil lights at dusk and night in the month of Kartik is known as Akash Deep. This is a light made of bamboo and rope that is placed inside a clay pot and suspended in the air. It is believed that the light from ancient oil lamps lighted during Kartik maas (month) can help the souls of deceased ancestors find their way to paradise. Thousands of Hindus take part in this month-long remembrance of the departed.

Akash Deep represents the light that leads to god. According to legend, these hanging lamps were initially lighted in tribute to the Mahabharata's 18-day Kurukshetra war's fallen troops. With complex rites and celebrations, the Akash Deep ritual concludes on Kartik Purnima, which is also Dev Diwali day.

Rituals During Kartika Poornima

• During this festival, devotees observe several rituals. The following is a list of the ceremonies that the celebrants perform:
• According to Hindu scriptures, all devotees are required to wash in the Ganges or any other sacred river on this day.
• People also light diyas (earthen lights) to commemorate Lord Vishnu's victory. They assumed he had returned to his home once his exile had ended.
• Devotees bring Lord Shiva's icons and pictures in a procession. After worshipping them, they immerse them in water.
• All deities are served a prasad called "Annakutta" at temples.
• Some devotees also worship Lord Shiva at sunrise or moonrise along the banks of sacred rivers.
• Some devotees also worship Lord Shiva at sunrise or moonrise along the banks of sacred rivers.
• The "Bhandara" and "Anna Daan" rituals are subsequently performed by devotees. This is done to obtain assets and succeeds in the next year.