MUNI THE BOSS

The month of ‘Kartika’ (November) is considered to be the holiest month in the Hindu calendar. Kartik Purnima is the last day of this Hindu month and is celebrated on the full moon day.

‘Kartik Purnima’ is also known as Tripuri purnima and Tripurari Purnima. It is sometimes called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deppawali - the festival of lights of the gods.

Kartika Purnima marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripuri. Therefore Shiva Temples are crowded with devotees to celebrate the event.It is believed that on the day of Kartik purnima, the gods descend on earth and reside in the sacred rivers.

Ganges and other sacred rivers have elaborate ceremonies on this day. Devotees bath in the rivers on these days to get rid of their negativity and receive blessings from the Gods.

The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Jain light festival and Guru Nanak's Jayanti. On this day, sikhs offer special prayers to honour the founder of their religion, Guru Nanak.

During the last five days of Kartika Purnima, also known as “Panchaka”, women take a purification bath each morning and draw beautiful flower designs in their homes. Fasting is commonly observed on these days. Shiva temples are visited on these days. And it is also believed that during this time, we should take light meals, baths at sea,rivers or ponds and devote ourselves to prayer.

It is also said that when Lord Ganesh was designated as Pratham Pujya (the first diety to be worshiped) his elder brother Kartikeaya questioned his role as it would then be for the rest of creation.It was determined then ,that a month in the year will be dedicated to Kartikeaya and this month will be called Kartik. All worship done in this month will contribute to the spiritual upliftment of the individual concerned.

In the city of Cuttack, Orissa and a few some other towns, huge images of "Kartikeswar" are built and worshipped during Kartika Purnima. At night they are taken out in procession and are immersed in the Mahanadi River, near a Shiva temple.

Pushkar, in Rajasthan is visited all year around by devotees for a dip in its holy lake. But it is believed that bathing in the lakes during Kartika Purnima relieves devotees of all their sins and frees them from the bonds of Samsara.