Kartik Pournima: A day when Gods celebrate Diwali
| Date :13-Nov-2019 |
By Rajendra Diwe :
Kartik has been considered as the holiest month among all lunar months. The term Kartik Snan or holy dip in river Ganges and other rivers begins on Sharad Pournima and ends on Kartik Pournima. This day is termed as Poornima, Poonam, Pournima and Purnamasi. This day is very significant as many rituals and festivals culminate on this day of Kartik month in Shukla Paksha. Dev Diwali which is also known as Diwali of Gods is celebrated on the day of Kartik Purnima. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed demon Tripurasura on the day of Kartik Purnima. Hence Kartik Purnima is also known as Tripuri Purnima and Tripurari Purnima.
As per legends of Tripuri Purnima, Tripurasura defeated Gods and started ruling their kingdom; when Tripurasura was killed, Gods were overjoyed and celebrated the day of Kartik Purnima as the day of illuminations. Hence thousands of earthen lamps are lit at all temples as well as at the bank of river Ganga on the day of Kartik Purnima. On the day of Tripuri Pournima, it is believed that Gods descend on the earth to take bath in river Ganges. This day is also celebrated in Ramtek at Gadh Mandir with religious fervour overnight.
The festival of Tripurari Pournima has been commenced from Tuesday. The day of Kartik Purnima, hold immense religious and spiritual significance for Hinduism followers. After the completion of the chaturmaas period, from this day onwards Lord Vishnu begins His sleep. According to the Hindu legends it was also known that on this day only, Lord Vishnu incarnated as ‘matsya’ (fish form) and therefore Kartik Purnima is also distinguished as the birthday of the Matsyaavatar of Sri Hari Vishnu. It is strongly believed that on worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day, devotees can benefit immense fortune. Kartik Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Vrinda (Tulsi plant) and the ceremonious Tulsi Vivaah is also performed on this day.
The day of Kartik Purnima is so auspicious that any religious activity done on this day gives manifold benefits. Performing puja, daan or snan on this day is equivalent to doing 100 Ashvamedha Yagyas. It is aptly stated that Kartik Purnima provides Artha, Dharma, Kama and Salvation. Jain people celebrate this day as the ‘Jain Festival of Light’. For followers of Sikhism, the day of Kartik Purnima marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and is celebrated as Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab. In Tamil Nadu this day is celebrated as Aippasi Purnima, the purnima in the Tamil month of Aippasi.
Kartik Pournima: A historical account
Kartiki Pournima was celebrated across the country on November 12, 2019. This day is also important for historians also, because Sir Monier-Williams was born on November 12, 1819 exactly 200 years ago. He was the Professor of Sanskrit in Oxford University in English. He studied, documented and taught Asian languages like Sanskrit, Persian and Hindusthani. In his ‘Religious Life and Thought in India, Sir Monier Willams says, “Religion is ever present to a Hindu’s mind. It colours all his ideas. It runs through every fiber of his being. It is the very Alpha and Omega of his whole earthly career. He is born religious, and dies religious.
He is religious in his eating and drinking, in his sleeping and waking, and in his dressing and undressing, in his rising up and sitting down, in his work and amusement. Nay, religion attends him in antenatal ceremonies long before his birth, and follows him in endless offerings for the good of his soul long after death.” Taking the note of Sir Monier Willam’s research; Abhay Charan Mukerji, Professor, Muir central college, Allahabad; had written number of articles on Hindu Festivals during 1913 to 1914 in The Leader or The Pioneer. The articles were compiled in a book named ‘Hindu Fasts and Feasts’ and was published in April 1916 that is 103 years ago.
The book was printed and published by Apurva Krishna Bose, at the Indian Press, Allahabad. The book is now in the possession of University of California, Sothern Library facility, Loa Angeles. The book elaborated 20 festivals in India. Very well documented research work on Indian festivals has been given in this book. There is a mention of Kartik Pournima in the book and about 20 pages were devoted to this festival elaborating its importance.
The book says, “From the Ananta Chaturdashi starts a succession of festivals, of one kind or another, commencing with the fortnight dedicated to the worship of ancestors, followed immediately by the nine days of the Navaratra, and, five days later, by the vigil of the Lakshmi Puja, and a fortnight later again, by the illuminations of the Diwali, and terminating with the trio, Akshaya Navami, Devotthan Ekadashi and Kartiki Purnamashi. The book also elaborates, “Kartiki Purnamashi is one of those festivals which have now deviated from their original form and character.” If the deviation of the original form and character of the fesitival of Kartik Pournima was noticed by the then historian, then one could imagine what has happened to the present day celebration of Kartik Pournima. '
