As dawn broke on Wednesday, rivers, lakes, and ghats across India shimmered under the soft light of the Kartik Purnima full moon, marking one of the most sacred days in the Hindu lunar calendar. From Haridwar to Varanasi, Ayodhya to Puri, millions of devotees stepped into holy waters, their faith illuminated by the glow of countless earthen lamps. The day brought together spiritual devotion, cultural heritage, and a shared belief in the cleansing power of water and light. Kartik Purnima, observed on the fifteenth lunar day of the Kartik month, holds a special place in Hindu tradition. It signifies purity, enlightenment, and divine blessings, celebrated through acts of charity, bathing rituals, and lighting lamps. It is also the day when devotees believe gods descend to Earth to bathe in sacred rivers.
Spiritual Awakening at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
The ghats of Haridwar’s Har Ki Pauri transformed into a sea of faith before sunrise. Pilgrims, wrapped in shawls against the early morning chill, stepped into the Ganga’s icy waters with folded hands, their chants of Har Har Gange echoing across the riverbanks. The sacred dip, believed to wash away sins and usher in prosperity, drew tens of thousands from across northern India. Local authorities reported that crowds began arriving from midnight, with footfall peaking during the early morning hours. The familiar rhythm of temple bells mixed with devotional hymns created an atmosphere reminiscent of the Kumbh Mela, India’s largest spiritual congregation. Shobha Gosain, a devotee from Meerut, described her experience with reverence. “Taking a holy dip in the Ganga fills the heart with peace. The energy at Har Ki Pauri is indescribable. Watching the Ganga Aarti with thousands of lamps floating on the river was beyond beautiful,” she said. Another pilgrim, Rakesh Kumar, expressed appreciation for the arrangements. “The police managed the crowd very efficiently. Parking and entry routes were well-organised this time,” he added. Authorities deployed heavy security, dividing the fairground into 11 zones and 36 sectors to manage the influx of visitors. Volunteers and municipal workers ensured cleanliness along the ghats, while health camps provided medical aid. The city’s air resonated with spirituality, as priests performed special aartis and bhajans through the day.
Varanasi Glows as Dev Deepawali Draws Devotees and Tourists Alike
If Haridwar symbolized devotion through ritual, Varanasi radiated devotion through light. On the banks of the Ganga, the crescent-shaped ghats of the ancient city glittered with over 10 lakh diyas (earthen lamps), turning the sacred river into a celestial mirror. From Assi to Dashashwamedh Ghat, the riverbanks glowed like an endless chain of stars, drawing visitors from every corner of the country and beyond. Dev Deepawali, observed fifteen days after Diwali, coincides with Kartik Purnima and celebrates the victory of light over darkness. It is believed that on this day, the gods themselves descend to bathe in the Ganga. Devotees take a holy dip, offer lamps to the river, and perform prayers to seek divine blessings for prosperity and liberation. Pilgrims gathered in large numbers at Dashashwamedh Ghat, where priests performed the grand Ganga Aarti, their synchronized movements lit by thousands of flames. The air was thick with incense, and chants reverberated through the night sky. Tourist influx transformed the city into a global spectacle. Foreign visitors from Japan, France, and the United States joined Indian devotees in lighting diyas, capturing the surreal beauty of Varanasi’s spiritual radiance. Municipal officials said preparations for the event had been underway for weeks. “We cleaned and decorated all major ghats, repaired steps, and ensured a zero-litter environment. Around 25,000 lamps were arranged by volunteers alone,” a senior Varanasi Nagar Nigam official said. Priests and local pandits explained that bathing in the Ganga on this day is considered equivalent to performing thousands of yajnas (sacrifices). “Kartik Purnima is the time when one’s prayers reach the gods directly. Lighting a lamp is symbolic of the light of knowledge dispelling ignorance,” said Pandit Manoj Tiwari of Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The temple witnessed heavy footfall throughout the day, with devotees offering special prayers to Lord Shiva. The atmosphere, filled with music, devotion, and faith, reaffirmed Varanasi’s eternal connection with spirituality.
Various Holy Sites Witness Massive Turnout for Holy Bathing Rituals
While Varanasi glimmered in divine light, Ayodhya’s Saryu Ghat saw streams of devotees gather at dawn to bathe in the holy river. Security was tight, with dedicated entry and exit routes to manage the swelling crowds. Authorities arranged free drinking water and medical services for pilgrims. Devotees offered prayers to Lord Rama, lighting lamps along the ghats. Temple bells echoed through the air, blending with chants of Jai Shri Ram, as the city celebrated Kartik Purnima with devotion and discipline. In Bihar, the Ganga Ghats of Patna, particularly near Digha AIIMS Road, experienced heavy traffic and massive gatherings. Thousands took holy dips and performed rituals, creating a festive atmosphere. The Patna administration deployed additional forces to manage the traffic and crowd flow. In Ujjain and Jabalpur, the spiritual heart of Madhya Pradesh, the sacred rivers Shipra and Narmada became focal points for thousands of devotees. The rituals at Ramghat in Ujjain began before sunrise, as priests chanted mantras and lit lamps along the ghats. The riverbanks were lined with devotees holding small diyas, offering prayers for well-being and prosperity. Pragati Trivedi, a local devotee, shared her emotions. “Kartik Purnima is deeply connected to our beliefs. A dip in the Shipra on this day is believed to fulfill one’s wishes. Lighting lamps feels like offering our devotion directly to the divine,” she said. Priest Pandit Sanjay Trivedi at Ujjain’s Ramghat explained, “Bathing in the Shipra on Kartik Purnima cleanses the soul and grants virtue. The faith people display here reflects the enduring bond between humanity and spirituality.” In Jabalpur, devotees gathered along the banks of the Narmada River, considered one of India’s holiest rivers. The city administration organized Narmada Aarti in the evening, with thousands participating in lamp offerings and recitations of Narmade Har chants. In Odisha, Kartik Purnima is celebrated through the Boita Bandana festival, a vibrant tribute to the state’s ancient maritime legacy. The festival, which recalls the historic voyages of Kalinga traders to Southeast Asia, filled the waters of Bindu Sagar Lake in Bhubaneswar and Narendra Pokhari in Puri with floating miniature boats. Made of banana stems, paper, and thermocol, these tiny boats, decorated with lamps and flowers, symbolized the spirit of adventure and trade that once connected ancient India to regions like Java, Sumatra, and Bali. Hundreds of families gathered before dawn, singing traditional Boita Bandana songs and launching their handmade boats with the prayer, Aa ka ma boi, pana gua thoi. The chant, preserved for centuries, means, “Let’s sail to faraway lands with betel leaves and nuts,” reflecting Odisha’s seafaring past. Vishwajeet Pradhan, a devotee from Cuttack, said, “This centuries-old tradition is not just a ritual; it’s a living memory of Odisha’s maritime pride. Watching thousands of boats floating together is an emotional experience.” Participating in the celebrations, BJP MP Sambit Patra said the festival symbolized the spirit of self-reliance long before the modern concept of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. “Boita Bandana represents the courage and enterprise of our ancestors. Odisha’s maritime connections once shaped the global trade map, and this festival reminds us of that golden era,” he said. Across the state, processions, folk performances, and exhibitions depicted maritime history and culture. The Department of Tourism organized cultural evenings highlighting Odisha’s connection to ancient trade routes, drawing tourists and historians alike.
Religious Importance and Mythological Significance of Kartik Purnima
The sanctity of Kartik Purnima lies deep within Hindu mythology. It marks the birth of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who is revered as the commander of the divine army. Many devotees also associate the day with Lord Vishnu’s Matsya Avatar, his first incarnation as a fish, which symbolizes the preservation of life during the great deluge. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed the demon Tripurasura on this day, leading to the celebration of Tripurari Purnima, which coincides with Kartik Purnima. Hence, devotees light lamps to honor Lord Shiva’s triumph and offer prayers for peace and protection. The day is also considered highly auspicious for charitable acts and donations. People donate food, clothes, and essential items to the poor. Temples across India organize annadanam (free meal distributions) and special pujas. Devotees fast, perform bhajans, and read scriptures like the Skanda Purana and Bhagavad Gita. Scholars note that Kartik Purnima bridges the spiritual and cultural landscapes of India. While northern states emphasize bathing rituals, southern and eastern regions highlight traditions like boat festivals, temple fairs, and lamp offerings. From the icy waters of Haridwar to the lamp-lit ghats of Varanasi, from Ayodhya’s devotion to Odisha’s maritime songs, Kartik Purnima unites India in faith. Every region celebrates it differently, yet the underlying message remains the same — purity of heart, triumph of good, and reverence for divine creation. Cities sparkled not only with lamps but also with human connection — strangers helping each other find footing on slippery steps, volunteers offering free tea and water, and children learning rituals passed down through generations. The sight of millions turning to rivers and lights in gratitude underscored India’s timeless relationship with faith and nature. As night fell, the reflection of a million flames danced upon rivers across the land — a living symbol of devotion and hope. Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali remind India of its enduring spiritual strength and its heritage of unity in diversity, where every light kindled is a prayer, and every river touched becomes sacred again.
Kartik Purnima continues to embody India’s spiritual essence, bringing together millions in prayer, charity, and celebration. Whether through the ritual bath in the Ganga, the lighting of lamps in Varanasi, or the floating boats of Odisha, the festival showcases the nation’s deep cultural roots and collective faith. As the rivers flow and the lamps burn bright, they echo an eternal message — that light, purity, and devotion remain the true forces that bind the human spirit across time and tradition.
