Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Today is Kartik Purnima

This seems to be a major Hindu festival for my neighbors in my new neighborhood in Delhi. Here is information about it. 
The Purnima on the day of Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month is known as Kartik Purnima. Kartik Purnima is also known as Tripuri Purnima and Ganga Snan. Kartik Poornima will observed on Wednesday, 28th November 2012. Lord Mahadev killed a demon named Tripuri on this day and hence, it is known as Tripuri Purnima. Kartik Purnima has immense religious value according to the Hindu mythology. There is a tradition of taking a bath in Ganga and donating lamps on this day. It is believed that Kartik Purnima provides Dharma, Artha, Kama and Salvation.

Kartik Purnima is considered as an auspicious day according to Hindu mythology. It is considered to be day of Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Angira and Lord Sun. A person involving in baths, charity, donation etc on this day receives fruitful results. Shri Satyanarayana story is read on this day and lamps are lit on intersections, under Peepal trees, in temples etc. Prayers offered on each Purnima beginning from Kartik Purnima give positive results.

Importance of Kartik Purnima Snan

Taking baths in different religious rivers has been a very old tradition in India. On the occasion of Kartik Purnima, a huge crowd can be seen taking baths on these different rivers. This day is considered auspicious according to various Vedas and Puranas. It is believed that taking a bath in a river, lake or any other place and remembering Lord Vishnu gives fruitful benefits.

Taking a bath according to a specific religious procedure in a sacred river helps in attaining salvation. No other month is considered to be more sacred than the Kartik month. Kartik month also has a scientific value. Kartik month ca be related to a seasonal change and taking a bath in the morning provides a person with immense energy. This also keeps a person healthy.

Importance of Kartik Purnima worship

It is believed that charities on this day is equal to a hundred Ashvamedh Yagyas. It is also believed that charities, donations etc in this month help in attaining salvation. All these things keep great importance on this auspicious day. Donations, charities etc. on this day, help in getting closer to Lord Shiva and keeps a person healthy and content. Kartik Purnima is one of the most important Purnimas of the year.

Importance of Kartik Poornima

Taking baths in river Ganga, donations, charities etc. relieves a person from all sorts of problems and helps in attaining salvation. All these things done on this day give extra beneficial results. According to a belief, these things help a person in going to heaven. It is believed that taking baths in sacred rivers or sacred places gives fruitful results. A lot of people take baths in river Ganga etc. on this day. Some of these places and rivers are Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Godavari, Kurukshetra, Ayodhya, Kashi etc.

According to Shastras, this day is the beginning of Lord Vishnu’s sleep. Kartik month begins when Sun enters Libra sign. People offer prayers and perform different religious practices during this month. Fasting in the Kartik month is considered to be the road to salvation in Kalyug.