Kartik Purnima
Also called: Tripurari Purnima, Dev Deepawali
One of the most sacred full moons in the Hindu year. It commemorates Lord Shiva slaying the demon trio Tripurasura. In Varanasi, the gods are believed to descend to celebrate on the Ganga ghats, inspiring the magnificent festival of Dev Deepawali. It also commemorates Vishnu's Matsya (fish) avatar and marks the conclusion of the holy Kartik month.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Shukla Paksha
- Lunar month
- Kartik
- Deities
- Lord Shiva (Tripurantaka), Lord Vishnu (Matsya avatar), Lord Kartikeya
The story
The Shiva Purana narrates how Shiva destroyed the three flying fortresses of iron, silver, and gold created by the sons of Tarakasura with a single divine arrow, saving the cosmos. In Matsya Purana, Vishnu assumes the fish form to salvage the Vedas and seeds of life from the cosmic deluge.
Practices
- Bathing in sacred rivers (Ganga Snan) at dawn
- Lighting clay lamps (Deep Daan) along riverbanks, temples, and homes at dusk
- Organizing grand river illuminations, notably in Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Haridwar
- Concluding the month-long Kartik Snan and Tulsi Vivah ceremonies
Regional variations
- Massive congregation at Varanasi ghats for Dev Deepawali; celebrated as Boita Bandana (maritime trade festival) in Odisha
Common questions
- What is Dev Deepawali?
- Dev Deepawali is the 'Diwali of the Gods' celebrated fifteen days after Diwali on Kartik Purnima, when Varanasi ghats are illuminated with over a million clay lamps.