This year, in the Hindu year 2024, the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima (Full Moon)falls on November 15. On this day, it’s considered highly auspicious to perform rituals like lighting lamps, offering prayers to deities, and engaging in river bathing or sacred ablutions. These acts are believed to bring blessings, remove past sins, and bring spiritual benefits dedicated to the goddess Lalita Devi and other deities.
Let us Know the essential rituals and timings for this year’s Kartika Purnima are as follows:
Table of Contents
Kartik Purnima 2024 Date and Time:
- Kartik Purnima begins on November 14, 2024 (Thursday) at 9:13 PM.
- It will continue until November 15, 2024 (Friday) at 8:32 PM.
Puja Rituals to Perform on Kartik Purnima 2024
Sacred Bath (Snan) and Sankalpa:
- On November 15, devotees can perform the Kartik Snan (holy bath) between 5:20 AM and 5:56 AM.
- On Karthik Purnima, devotees can purify themselves by bathing in sacred rivers such as Godavari, Ganga, or Yamuna.
- Each river holds unique spiritual significance, and bathing during this time is said to wash away all sins.
- Performing a bath in a river or other natural water bodies on Kartik Purnima is also considered extremely auspicious.
Lighting Lamps (Deepa Aradhana)
- Lighting lamps made of clay or silver at home or in temples is an important ritual. This symbolizes the removal of darkness and negativity.
- Devotees believe that lighting these lamps attracts divine blessings and peace.
Offering Tulsi and Bilva Leaves to God
- Devotees offer Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu and Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva.
- Devotionally presenting these leaves to the deities brings grace and protection.
Mantras to Chant
- Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama and Shiva Sahasranama (1,000 names of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva) is recommended for spiritual progress and divine protection.
Charity and Offerings:
- Acts of charity on this day hold special significance, such as donating lamps (Deep Dan), clothes, food (Anna Dan), and other essential items.
- Preparing and offering food to others (Swamy Pakam) and the donation of sacred items like Shaligram is also beneficial.
- Offering food, clothes, and donations to the needy and making offerings like grains or ghee is also highly auspicious. These acts are thought to bring prosperity and peace.
Special Worship:
- Devotees can perform the Lalita Sahasranama Parayanam, a recitation dedicated to Goddess Lalita, after the evening moonrise on November 15 at around 5:57 PM.
- This ritual invokes blessings for spiritual growth and fulfillment.
Significance of Fasting on Kartik Purnima:
- Many people fast on Kartika Purnima day to seek divine blessings. The fast can be observed throughout the day with offerings made in the evening.
- Perform 365 Vattulu Pooja
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi (November 14, 2024)
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, is the day before Karthik Purnima, devotees engage in fasting and specific prayers to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu on this day. It is believed that both deities confer their blessings on devotees who honor them on this day, allowing for a peaceful and prosperous life.
For those observing these spiritual practices, especially those connected with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, the holy period of Karthika Masam holds great importance for personal growth and for seeking divine grace. Following these rituals with devotion brings peace and spiritual prosperity to devotees.
Kartik Purnima Story from Kartik Purana
This story is taken from 14th chapter from Kartik Purana
In this, the sage Vasishta, seated in deep thought, speaks to King Janaka about the significance of Kartik month and the greatness associated with it.
On Kartik Purnima day, rituals are performed for the appeasement of ancestors, involving offerings to Shiva Lingam and Saligrama stone with Usiri (Indian Gooseberry). By donating and performing meritorious deeds, one can eliminate sins from past births. Every individual, by making offerings to the ancestor gods, can attain blessings for their lineage. Donating and engaging in righteous actions on this auspicious day can prevent experiences in hell and ensure rebirth in blessed forms.
Every year during Kartik month, performing charity with one’s best abilities, fasting in the evenings, conducting Shiva and Keshava worship, and observing rituals through the night brings prosperity in this world and beyond.
In Kartik month, one should avoid consuming certain foods and follow purity in diet. Offerings to ancestors and rituals must avoid onion, garlic, and other prohibited items. Furthermore, during Purnima (Full Moon) and Amavasya (New Moon), as well as on Mondays and eclipse days, one should fast at night and eat only simple, pure food during Ekadashi and Dwadashi fasts.
Following this, offerings to Brahmins and ascetics with proper hospitality is encouraged, as it brings blessings equal to those of performing the Ashwamedha Yagna.
In Kartik month, lighting lamps in temples, especially with Tulsi wood and camphor lamps, brings peace to ancestors and liberation for one’s lineage. Observing this vow with devotion bestows upon the observer wisdom, prosperity, and ultimately, liberation.
Concluding the chapter from the Kartik Purana, reciting and listening to this provides complete spiritual benefits, and thus completes the Kartik month worship and its associated blessings.
Conclusion
These sacred observances bring blessings and are an opportunity to connect deeply with the God. Devotees also seek remedies for issues like job attainment, business success, and marital harmony by engaging in these rituals.