Devotees flock to Har Ki Pauri for holy dip on Kartik Purnima

On the occasion of Kartik Purnima, one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar, devotees thronged Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to take a holy dip in the Ganga. The gathering resembled a miniature Kumbh Mela, with crowds observing rituals, witnessing the evening Ganga aarti, and offering prayers to Ganga Maa. Several devotees from across the country joined the celebrations at various ghats, taking dips in holy rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Gomti. Cities like Varanasi, Allahabad, Ayodhya, Kanpur, and Lucknow saw large numbers of devotees performing the sacred ritual.

Kartik Purnima falls on the full moon day of the Kartik month (October-November) and is associated with the birth of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees consider it highly auspicious for spiritual cleansing, lighting lamps, worshipping deities, and taking holy dips in rivers. The festival also marks the start of the Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi and is observed with grandeur in temples across India.

Some of the biggest fairs and celebrations for Kartik Purnima take place across India, reflecting the diversity of regional traditions. In Varanasi, Dev Deepawali lights up the ghats with thousands of lamps floated on the Ganga, creating a spectacular and spiritual spectacle.

In Odisha, the Puri Jagannath Temple hosts special rituals and grand chariot processions, attracting devotees from across the country. Gokarna in Karnataka celebrates with temple fairs, devotional music, and vibrant processions, highlighting local customs and religious fervor.

In the Telugu-speaking states, Kartik Purnima is marked by temple festivals in places like Srisailam, Vemulavada, Kaleshwaram, and Srikalahasti, each with its unique traditions. These regional celebrations combine ritual offerings, lamp-lighting, and community gatherings, making Kartik Purnima a widely revered and spiritually significant occasion across India.