Each year, Odisha celebrates Kartik Purnima with a lot of fervor. This religious festival falls on the full moon day or the 15th day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the Kartik month, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
During the Kartik month, Hindus refrain from consuming fish, meat, and eggs. On Kartik Purnima, you will find worshippers getting up for a pre-dawn dip in holy rivers, streams, and lakes and then visiting a temple. The last five days of this period are known as Panchuka, with the last day being Kartik Purnima, marking the end of the Kartik month. Panchuka is considered the most sacred period by the devotees.
But this year 2020 is unique Panhuka is for 6 days. This happend after long 25yrs. This time Lord Jagannath and his siblings will adorned by the rare and unique besha of Nagarjuna.
Read more about Nagarjuna Besha (Attire)
The Religious Belief behind Kartik Purnima
While people commemorate the maritime history of ancient Odisha on Kartik Purnima with the ritual of Boita Bandana, where they float miniature boats with a lamp in water bodies, there is a religious significance behind Kartik Purnima.
It is believed by devotees that Matsya, the fish form of Lord Vishnu, was born on Kartik Purnima. It is also the birthday of Vrinda, a personification of the holy tulsi plant (holy basil) and Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and the God of War.
According to Hindu mythology, the day celebrates the killing of Tripurasura, a demon, by Lord Shiva, who took up the form of Tripurantaka to save the holy abode of the gods from the destruction wreaked by the demon and his sons. Lord Shiva required just a single arrow to kill the demon and his sons, and this pleased the other gods immensely. So, they declared the day as the day of illumination and celebrated Dev Diwali or the Diwali of the Gods.
The main ritual of Kartik Purnima is to worship Lord Shiva and devotees throng Shiva temples to offer prayers and obeisance. The most fascinating celebration occurs in Puri, at Jagannath Temple that is devoted to Lord Shiva. However, in Bhubaneswar too, you will see fervent believers heading to the banks of Bindu Sagar Tank and River Daya to take a holy dip.
To understand the fervor and beliefs related to Kartik Purnima, it is best to plan a holiday to Odisha and participate in the religious festivities. It will give you a clear understanding of the beliefs and rituals practiced by devotees.
