Kartik Purnima (Kartika purnima) is a Hindu and Jain holy festival, celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November–December).

It is also known as Tripuri Purnima and Tripurari Purnima.

Legend Behind the Kartik Purnima:

Demon Tripurasura defeated Gods and conquered the entire world. He also created three cities in space and named it 'Tripura.' Lord Shiva came to the rescue of Gods by killing Tripurasura.

He killed demon Tripura with an arrow and pronounced the day to be celebrated as a festival of illuminations.

Kartik Purnima is the birth anniversary of Matsya or Fish incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Also, it is the birthday of Vrinda who is the personification of Tulsi plant.

Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, was also born on this day. The day is also dedicated to the dead ancestors.

The last five days of Kartik month are considered to be more sacred, and every day the food is consumed only once in the afternoon which is known as 'Habisha.' These five days are known as 'Panchaka' and the last day is known as "Kartika Purnima."

Karthika Pournami Festival Story And Its Significance

The full moon day of the Karthika Month of the lunar calendar is one of the most auspicious days for a Hindu. Karthika Month is the only month in which both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped. Karthika Pouranmi or Karthika Purnima is also one of the days when the temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are full with the devotees wanting a darshan of their deities.

The other names of Karthika Pournami are Deva Deepawali or Deva Diwali, Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima.

Kathika Purnima is also clebrated as the day on which Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsya or Matsyavatram happened on Karthika Purnima. Matsyavatara was to save Manu from the MahaPralaya.

Dev Deepawali or Deva Deepavali Celeberation on Kartik Purnima

Dev Deepawali is celebrated in Varanasi and other northern parts of India. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura on Karthika Purnima and hence Gods celebrated by lighting diyas. In Varansi all the Ghats are lighted with diyas. It is a visual delight. Not only the Ghats but almost all the houses in Varanasi also decorated with diyas.

Tripura Purnima

Lord Shiva killed the demon Tripurasura on Karthika Purnima and hence the name Tripura Purnima or Tipurari Purnima.

Karthika Purniam is also associated with Prabodini Ekadasi. Prabodini Ekadasi marks the end of the four month long Chaturmas Vrat. A lot of fairs and festivities which begin on Prabodini Ekadasi end on Karthika Purnima.