Kartika Purnima

Kartika Purnima in Odisha: Significance and Traditions

Kartika Purnima, one of the most revered festivals in Odisha, is observed during the holy month of Kartika, which falls between October and November. This month is considered especially sacred in the Hindu calendar, and devotees observe various rituals, fasts, and prayers to honor Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Key Highlights of Kartika Purnima in Odisha:

  1. Panchuka (Last Five Days of Kartika Month): The last five days of the Kartika month, known as Panchuka, hold immense importance. Devotees, particularly women, observe strict fasting and worship Lord Jagannath during these days. On the final day of Panchuka, the festival of Kartika Purnima is celebrated with great enthusiasm, coinciding with the Boita Bandana ceremony.
  2. Kartika Brata: Devotees, especially women, observe the Kartika Brata throughout the month. They refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food and perform pujas at home or in temples. The Tulsi plant, considered sacred in Hinduism, is worshipped daily, and devotees chant prayers to seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.
  3. Boita Bandana: On Kartika Purnima, the people of Odisha celebrate Boita Bandana, a festival that commemorates the ancient maritime history of Odisha. People float small boats made of banana stems or paper, filled with lamps, betel leaves, and coins, into rivers or ponds, honoring the state’s rich trading tradition.
  4. Dev Deepawali: Devotees light thousands of lamps in front of temples and homes to celebrate Dev Deepawali, which marks the end of the Kartika month. This is a time when the gods are believed to descend to Earth, and the lights symbolize the victory of good over evil.
  5. Tulasi Vivah: Another important ritual during Kartika Purnima is Tulasi Vivah, the ceremonial marriage of the Tulasi plant to Lord Vishnu, symbolizing the end of the monsoon and the onset of the wedding season.

Spiritual Importance:

The month of Kartika is associated with both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in Odisha, unlike other parts of India where Kartika month is primarily linked with Vishnu. People visit temples such as Jagannath Temple in Puri, Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, and Kapilash Temple in Dhenkanal to seek blessings.

Kartika Purnima serves as a spiritual cleansing process, where devotees follow a strict vegetarian diet, engage in charitable acts, and focus on prayers and devotion.

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