PM Modi extends greetings on Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali as devotees celebrate across India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the nation on the auspicious occasions of Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali, wishing for peace, prosperity, and well-being for all citizens.

In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Heartiest greetings of Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepavali to all family members across the country. May this divine occasion, connected to Indian culture and spirituality, bring happiness, peace, health, and prosperity to everyone. May our sacred tradition associated with holy baths, charity, aarti, and worship illuminate everyone’s life.”

Across the country, devotees observed the day with deep spiritual devotion and traditional rituals. In Haridwar, thousands gathered at the Har Ki Pauri ghat in the early hours to take a holy dip in the Ganga River, an act believed to cleanse sins and bring prosperity. Similar scenes of devotion were reported from various ghats in Bihar, where large crowds resulted in traffic congestion along the Digha-AIIMS Road in Patna as devotees thronged the Ganga Ghat for the ritual bath.

In Odisha, the occasion was marked by the celebration of the Boit Bandana or Boita Bandana festival at Narendra Pokhari in Puri, where devotees launched miniature boats made of banana stems, paper, and thermocol into the water. The ritual symbolises Odisha’s ancient maritime heritage and its historic trade links with Southeast Asian regions such as Java, Sumatra, and Bali. The festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state, highlights the cultural pride and seafaring traditions of Kalinga’s past.

Kartik Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, holds immense religious significance. It is considered one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar, marking the birth of Lord Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The day is also associated with Dev Deepawali, celebrated 15 days after Diwali, when devotees light lamps to honour the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura.

From temple rituals and illuminated ghats to fairs and devotional gatherings, the festival created a spectacle of faith and festivity. The sight of glowing lamps and floating miniature boats lit up rivers and ponds across India, symbolising devotion, peace, and the enduring spirit of Indian culture.