Devotees across the country gathered at rivers, lakes, and ghats on Wednesday to take holy dips and offer prayers on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima, one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar, marking the full moon of the Kartik month. The day is associated with devotion, charity, and the celebration of light, symbolising spiritual purity and the triumph of good over evil.
Haridwar: Holy dip at Har Ki Pauri
Thousands of devotees thronged Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar from the early hours to take a dip in the Ganga River, believed to wash away sins and bring prosperity. The ghats resonated with chants and devotional hymns, as pilgrims participated in the Ganga Aarti, creating a scene reminiscent of the Kumbh Mela.
Devotee Shobha Gosain said, “It was a wonderful experience to take a holy dip in the Ganga, which cleansed our minds. The area was crowded, resembling the Kumbh atmosphere. The Ganga Aarti was a truly beautiful sight.”
Another pilgrim, Rakesh Kumar, expressed gratitude for the arrangements, adding, “The police were disciplined and the parking facilities were well-organised.” Authorities deployed heavy security, dividing the fair area into 11 zones and 36 sectors to ensure safety and smooth management.
Varanasi: Ghats glow for Dev Deepawali
In Varanasi, over 10 lakh earthen lamps illuminated the crescent-shaped ghats of the Ganga, creating a breathtaking spectacle on Dev Deepawali. Thousands of devotees and tourists from across India and abroad took holy dips at Dashashwamedh Ghat and visited Kashi Vishwanath Temple to perform aarti, light lamps, and offer prayers.
The festival marks the day when, according to Hindu belief, the gods descend to bathe in the Ganga. Bathing in the river and offering lamps on this day is said to bring happiness, prosperity, and spiritual liberation.
Ayodhya and other regions
In Ayodhya, devotees took a holy dip at Saryu Ghat amid tight security and well-organised facilities, including separate entry and exit routes for pilgrims. In Bihar, heavy traffic was reported in Patna near Digha AIIMS Road as large crowds assembled at Ganga Ghat to offer prayers.
Ujjain & Jabalpur: Ritual baths in Shipra and Narmada
In Madhya Pradesh, thousands of devotees gathered along the Shipra River in Ujjain and the Narmada River in Jabalpur to take the ritual bath and offer prayers.
Devotee Pragati Trivedi said, “Today is Kartik Purnima, a very important day. Taking a holy dip, lighting lamps, and offering prayers is believed to fulfill our wishes.”
Pandit Sanjay Trivedi, a priest at Ujjain’s Ramghat, added, “People attain virtue and their desires are fulfilled by bathing in the Shipra River on Kartik Purnima.”
Odisha: Boita Bandana celebrates maritime heritage
In Odisha, the day was celebrated with fervour through the traditional Boita Bandana festival, symbolising the state’s ancient maritime legacy. Large gatherings were witnessed at Bindu Sagar Lake in Bhubaneswar and Narendra Pokhari in Puri, where devotees floated miniature boats made of banana stems and paper, illuminated with lamps, commemorating the voyages of ancient Kalinga traders to Southeast Asian nations like Java, Sumatra, and Bali.
Devotee Vishwajeet Pradhan said, “This centuries-old tradition reminds us of our maritime heritage. People from across India come to witness it.”
BJP MP Sambit Patra, who participated in the celebrations, said, “Boita Bandana reflects Odisha’s spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Swadeshi, which the state has practiced for thousands of years. Through this festival, we honour our ancestors who led India’s maritime trade when much of the world had no such infrastructure.”
Spiritual significance
Kartik Purnima holds immense religious importance as it marks the birth of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The day is also associated with Lord Vishnu, who is believed to have incarnated as Matsya (the fish) on this day. Across India, devotees celebrate with acts of charity, temple decorations, lighting lamps, and organising fairs, reflecting unity in devotion and cultural heritage.