TOMORROW
IS KARTIK POORNIMA : 25/11/2015
--------------------------------------------------------------
Kartik
Poornima is a Hindu holy day celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik. It is
also known as Tripuri poornima. The Kartik Purnima festival also
coincides with the Sikh festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Tripuri poornima
derives its name from Tripurari - the foe of the demon Tripurasura. Tripurari
is an epithet of god Shiva. Shiva in his form as Tripurantaka killed the
demon on this day. Tripurasura had conquered the whole world and defeated the
gods. He also had created three cities in space together called
"Tripura". The killing o f the demon and destruction of his cities
with a single arrow by Shiva overjoyed the gods and they pronounced the day as
a festival of illuminations. Therefore, this day is also called "Dev-Diwali”... Tripuri
Poornima is only next to Mahashivratri, amongst festivals dedicated to Shiva
worship.
Kartik poornima is
also the birthday of Matsya, god Vishnu's fish-incarnation. It is also the
birthday of Vrinda, the personification of the Tulsi plant and of Kartikeya,
the god of war and son of Shiva. This day also is considered dear to Radha, the
lover of Krishna - Vishnu's incarnation. It is believed that Krishna and
Radha danced rasa and Krishna worshipped Radha on this day. This day is also
dedicated to the “pitrs”- dead ancestors.
Kartik
Poornima is closely associated with Prabodhini Ekadashi which marks the end of
Chaturmas, a four-month period when Vishnu is believed
to sleep. Prabodhini Ekadashi signifies the awakening of the god. Chaturmas
penance ends on this day. Many fairs that begin on Prabodhini Ekadashi end on
Kartik Poornima; Fairs that conclude on this day include Prabodhini Ekadashi celebrations at Pandharpur and Pushkar
Fair. Kartik Poornima is also the last day to
perform Tulsi Vivah ceremony that can be performed from Prabodhini Ekadashi.
A ritual bath at a sacred water body like a
lake or river at a pilgrimage centre is prescribed on Kartik Poornima. This
holy bath is known as "Kartik snana". A holy bath at Pushkar or in
the Ganges River especially at Varanasi is deemed as most auspicious.
R.B.KISHORE
VP,AIRIEF
