Kartika Purnima 2025 – Date, Significance, Rituals, and Celebrations

Introduction

Kartika Purnima is one of the most sacred and spiritually uplifting festivals in the Hindu calendar. It falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Kartika month, which usually corresponds to October–November in the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, Kartika Purnima will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. This auspicious day holds immense significance for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains alike, making it a multi-faith festival rooted in spirituality, devotion, and cultural heritage.

Kartika Purnima is also known by various names such as Tripuri Purnima, Dev Diwali, Deva Deepawali, and Tripurari Purnima. It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasura, and the devas celebrated this victory by lighting lamps in heaven. Hence, devotees on Earth also illuminate their homes and temples with thousands of diyas (earthen lamps), earning the occasion the title of Dev Deepawali, or "the Diwali of the Gods."

This blog will explore the history, significance, rituals, legends, and ways to celebrate Kartika Purnima 2025, along with its connection to charity, devotion, and spiritual upliftment.

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Date and Timings of Kartika Purnima 2025

• Kartika Purnima Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

• Purnima Tithi Begins: November 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM

• Purnima Tithi Ends: November 5, 2025 at 06:48 PM

Devotees usually perform rituals, bathe in holy rivers, and light lamps during the evening hours of Kartika Purnima. Since this full moon is regarded as highly auspicious, many spiritual activities and fasts are performed throughout the day.

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Mythological Significance of Kartika Purnima

Kartika Purnima is associated with multiple legends, making it one of the most important days in the Hindu calendar.

1. Victory of Lord Shiva over Tripurasura

The most prominent story of Kartika Purnima revolves around Tripurasura, a demon who had become very powerful and threatened the devas and sages. Lord Shiva, in his form as Tripurari, destroyed the three floating cities (Tripura) of the demon with a single arrow. This victory symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, righteousness over unrighteousness, and divine grace over ego. To honor this event, people light countless diyas, celebrating it as Tripuri Purnima or Dev Deepawali.

2. Association with Lord Vishnu

Kartika Purnima is also linked to Lord Vishnu, especially his Matsya (fish) avatar. Scriptures mention that Lord Vishnu took the form of Matsya on this day to save humanity and the sacred Vedas during the great deluge. Thus, Kartika Purnima is also regarded as an important day for Vaishnavas, who perform rituals and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu.

3. Birth of Lord Kartikeya

According to Skanda Purana, Kartika Purnima marks the birth of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Kartikeya, also known as Skanda or Murugan, is worshipped especially in South India as the god of war, wisdom, and victory.

4. Jain and Sikh Significance

• Jainism: Kartika Purnima is celebrated as the day Lord Mahavira’s first disciple, Gautama Swami, attained enlightenment.

• Sikhism: The festival also coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. In 2025, Kartika Purnima will once again mark the grand celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti across the world.

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Rituals and Traditions of Kartika Purnima

Kartika Purnima is observed with great devotion across India, with rituals varying slightly based on regional traditions. Below are the most common practices:

1. Holy Bath (Snan)

Taking a dip in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, or Kaveri during Kartika Purnima is considered highly auspicious. This practice is known as Kartika Snan. It is believed to purify sins, grant spiritual merit, and bring peace of mind.

2. Fasting and Charity (Daan)

Devotees observe fasts and donate food, clothes, and money to the needy. Charity performed on Kartika Purnima is said to yield manifold blessings. Many people also feed Brahmins, cows, and the poor on this day.

3. Lighting Lamps (Deepdaan)

The highlight of Kartika Purnima is lighting diyas (earthen lamps) in homes, temples, and riverbanks. The ritual of lighting lamps on this day is called Deepdaan, symbolizing the removal of darkness and the welcoming of divine light. Varanasi, Haridwar, Ayodhya, and Ujjain witness grand lamp-lighting ceremonies during this time.

4. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi

In Varanasi, Kartika Purnima is celebrated as Dev Deepawali, when ghats along the river Ganga are illuminated with thousands of lamps. Devotees perform Ganga Aarti, creating a mesmerizing spiritual atmosphere.

5. Tulsi Vivah and Rituals for Lord Vishnu

In many regions, Tulsi Vivah is performed during the Kartika month, which often culminates on Kartika Purnima. Tulsi (holy basil) is ceremonially wedded to Lord Vishnu (in the form of Shaligram or Krishna), marking the symbolic end of the monsoon and beginning of the wedding season in Hindu culture.

6. Worship of Lord Shiva and Kartikeya

Devotees offer prayers, chant mantras, and perform abhishek (ritual bathing) of Shiva Lingam with milk, honey, and water. In South India, grand celebrations are held in Murugan temples with processions, music, and devotion.

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Regional Celebrations of Kartika Purnima

Kartika Purnima is celebrated in diverse ways across India:

• North India: Celebrated as Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and as a major bathing festival in Haridwar and Prayagraj.

• South India: Known as Karthigai Deepam in Tamil Nadu, where thousands of lamps are lit in homes and temples. The grand festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai is world-famous.

• Odisha: Kartika Purnima is associated with Boita Bandana, where people float miniature boats in rivers to commemorate the state’s ancient maritime trade.

• West Bengal & Assam: Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Kartikeya, and fairs are organized in rural areas.

• Punjab: Celebrated as Guru Nanak Jayanti, with Nagar Kirtans, langars (community feasts), and kirtans in gurdwaras.

• Jain Community: Observes the day with prayers, meditation, and fasting in honor of Gautama Swami’s enlightenment.

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Spiritual Importance of Kartika Purnima

Kartika Purnima is considered the most auspicious Purnima of the year, and observing rituals on this day is said to bring Moksha (liberation), prosperity, and divine blessings.

• For Devotees of Lord Shiva: It signifies victory over inner demons, ego, and ignorance.

• For Vaishnavas: It marks devotion to Lord Vishnu and spiritual purification.

• For Seekers of Liberation: Bathing, fasting, and charity performed on this day accumulate spiritual merit equivalent to performing thousands of yajnas (sacrifices).

• For Families: Lighting lamps invites peace, harmony, and prosperity into the household.

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Fairs and Festivals during Kartika Purnima

1. Pushkar Fair (Rajasthan) – The world-famous camel fair concludes on Kartika Purnima, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists. Devotees take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake and visit the Brahma Temple.

2. Kartika Fair (Haridwar, Varanasi, Ujjain) – Pilgrims gather for mass bathing rituals and Ganga Aarti.

3. Boita Bandana (Odisha) – People float miniature boats decorated with diyas and flowers, symbolizing Odisha’s ancient maritime heritage.

4. Karthigai Deepam (Tamil Nadu) – Grand celebrations take place at Tiruvannamalai, where a massive lamp is lit atop the Annamalai Hills.

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How to Celebrate Kartika Purnima 2025

Here are some ways you can celebrate Kartika Purnima with devotion:

1. Wake up early, take a bath in holy rivers or at home while chanting mantras.

2. Perform puja of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu with incense, flowers, fruits, and lamps.

3. Observe fasting or consume only satvik food.

4. Donate food, clothes, and money to the poor.

5. Light diyas in your home, temple, and nearby water bodies.

6. Attend Ganga Aarti or visit temples for spiritual upliftment.

7. Meditate, chant mantras like "Om Namah Shivaya" and "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" for divine blessings.

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Conclusion

Kartika Purnima 2025, falling on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, is a spiritually powerful day uniting devotion, tradition, and cultural festivities. Whether observed as Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, Karthigai Deepam in Tamil Nadu, Guru Nanak Jayanti in Punjab, or Boita Bandana in Odisha, this day brings communities together in faith and celebration.

The festival reminds us of the eternal truth that light always conquers darkness. By performing puja, charity, meditation, and lighting lamps, devotees not only honor divine powers but also invite inner peace and spiritual growth into their lives.

Kartika Purnima is more than a festival—it is a divine opportunity to connect with the sacred, purify the mind and soul, and walk the path of light.