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Festival Profile

Kartik Purnima

Full moon of Kartik, sacred for bathing and charity, linked to Lord Shiva's victory.

All festivals

Kartik Purnima, the full moon of Kartik, is a day of sacred bathing, charity and devotion, sacred to Lord Vishnu and Shiva.

Stories behind the festival

Tripurari — slayer of Tripurasura

On Kartik Purnima, Lord Shiva is said to have destroyed the demon Tripurasura with a single arrow, freeing the worlds from his three flying cities. The day is therefore called Tripurari Purnima.
Skanda Purana (Tripura legend)

Tripurari — slayer of Tripurasura

On Kartik Purnima, Lord Shiva is said to have destroyed the demon Tripurasura with a single arrow, freeing the worlds from his three flying cities. The day is therefore called Tripurari Purnima.
Skanda Purana (Tripura legend)

Why we celebrate

Kartik Purnima, the full moon of Kartik, is a day of sacred bathing, charity and devotion, sacred to Lord Vishnu and Shiva.
Kartik month tradition

When

Kartik Purnima falls on the full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month Kartik (October–November).

Since when it is followed

The Kartik month sanctity is ancient, and the Kartik Purnima bath has been observed for centuries.
Kartik month tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Hindus across India, with special baths at sacred rivers.

Origin

The origin is the sacred Kartik month, considered highly auspicious for bathing and devotion; the full moon day is its culmination.
Skanda Purana; Kartik month tradition

Key deities

Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva; the day is linked to the destruction of the demon Tripurasura by Shiva (Tripurari Purnima).

How to celebrate

Take a holy bath at dawn, offer lamps and charity, and worship Vishnu and Shiva.

Rituals & offerings

Holy bathing, deep dan (lamp charity), and Vishnu-Shiva worship.

Key facts

Kartik Purnima is also celebrated as Dev Deepawali in Varanasi.
Regional tradition
Kartik Purnima is also celebrated as Dev Deepawali in Varanasi.
Regional tradition