• Raja Ratnam
• Festivals
• October 12, 2025
• 555 views

Karthika Poornima: Sacred 365-Wick Deepam, River Snanam, Dev Deepawali & Rituals

Introduction On the full moon night of Karthika Masam, riverbanks and temple courtyards across India shimmer with thousands of tiny, glowing earthen lamps. Known as Karthika Poornima, Tripuri Poornima, or Dev Deepavali, this sacred evening celebrates Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura and Lord Vishnu’s emergence in his Matsya avatar. Families float oil lamps on sacred waters, offering 365 wicks to illuminate their lives with health and gratitude. This auspicious day marks the celebration of Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura and also holds significance for devotees of Lord Vishnu, who celebrate it as Vaikuntha Poornima. Lighting lamps, performing deepa daanam, fasting, and bathing in sacred rivers are the core rituals of this day. In 2025, Karthika Poornima falls on November 5 (Wednesday). Mythological Significance of Karthika Poornima 2025 Karthika Poornima is associated with multiple divine events in Hindu mythology. The most well-known is the story of Lord Shiva as Tripurantaka. According to the Shiva Purana, three demon brothers – Tarakasura, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali – had constructed three flying cities known as Tripura. They caused great destruction in the universe. The gods prayed to Lord Shiva, who destroyed the three cities with a single arrow on Karthika Poornima…