Kartik Purnima 2025
The month of Kartik is fully dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is especially dear to Him, and taking a holy bath and donating on this day is believed to destroy sins of hundreds of years. Among all the months, Kartik is considered the most sacred, and Kartik Purnima holds special importance. After offering puja, there is a special significance of lighting lamps (Deepdaan) on this day, which is why it is also called Dev Diwali. Various legends are associated with Kartik Purnima, and different regions follow distinct rituals, which is natural and acceptable—one should follow their traditional method of worship.
Moreover, Kartik month is considered highly sacred because on this day, Lord Vishnu awakens from His four-month-long Yogic sleep, and the divine marriage of Tulsi Mata also takes place during this month. Therefore, taking a dip in a holy river on Kartik Purnima is considered extremely auspicious. According to the Puranas, worshiping Lord Kartikeya on this day is highly beneficial. It is believed that devotees who perform proper worship of Lord Kartikeya on Kartik Purnima attain victory over all enemies.
What is Kartik Purnima?
Kartik Purnima is a highly s acred and meritorious festival in Sanatan Dharma, celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) tithi of Kartik month. On this day, several important religious rituals are performed such as Dev Diwali, victory of Lord Shiva over Tripurasura, awakening of Lord Vishnu from Yogic sleep, Tulsi Vivah, and worship of Lord Kartikeya.
This date is especially significant as it marks the end of Chaturmas, after which auspicious ceremonies like marriages, yajnas, housewarmings, and others are resumed.
According to the Puranas, bathing in holy rivers, offering lamps (deepdaan), observing fasts, and giving charity on this day bestows the merit equivalent to performing thousands of yajnas. Worshipping Lord Kartikeya on Kartik Purnima is considered highly auspicious and powerful for destroying enemies.
Kartik Purnima Date and Time 2025
This year, Kartik Purnima will be observed on 5th November 2025. The Purnima tithi will begin on 4th November 2025 at 10:38 PM and will end on 5th November 2025 at 6:50 PM.
The Story of Kartik Purnima
Marriage of Goddess Tulsi and Lord Vishnu
The festival of Tulsi Vivah is celebrated from Ekadashi to Purnima during the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. According to legend, Tulsi (Vrinda) was the devoted wife of Demon King Shankhachood, and was known for her unwavering chastity. Shankhachood had received a boon from Lord Brahma that he would remain invincible as long as his wife’s chastity remained intact and he wore Lord Vishnu’s protective shield.
Though Shankhachood was religious, he had seized the heavens from the gods. At the request of the deities, Lord Vishnu first took the form of an old Brahmin and then disguised himself as Shankhachood to break Vrinda’s chastity, while Lord Shiva ultimately killed Shankhachood. When Tulsi discovered the deceit, she was heartbroken and cursed Lord Vishnu to become a stone (shila). As a result of her curse, Lord Vishnu manifested as the Shaligram stone in the Gandaki River, and Tulsi transformed into a sacred plant.
Pleased with her devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed Tulsi that she would forever be worshipped alongside Him, and their divine marriage would be celebrated on Kartik Purnima in His Shaligram form. This is why Tulsi Vivah and Lord Vishnu’s worship are considered highly auspicious on this day.
Lord Shiva and the Slaying of Tripurasura
On this very day of Kartik Purnima, Lord Shiva killed the three demon brothers known as Tripurasura, who had unleashed terror across the three worlds. Empowered by boons from Brahma, they had become nearly immortal.
When their tyranny became unbearable, the gods pleaded with Lord Shiva. He rode a divine chariot and, using his Pinak bow, destroyed all three cities of the demons with a single arrow.
In celebration of this victory, the devas lit lamps, which is why even today, people celebrate Dev Diwali on Kartik Purnima by lighting diyas in the evening.
Kartik Poornima2025: Puja Vidhi
Method of Decorating Mandap with Banana Leaves:
On Purnima, one should wake up early in the morning, complete all daily rituals, and then perform Lord Vishnu’s worship. On this auspicious day, a devotee of Lord Vishnu should set up a mandap (decorative canopy) either in the garden or at home. The mandap should be decorated using banana stems as pillars, mango leaves as hangings, and sugarcane sticks erected around it. It should be adorned with colorful fabrics, and Lord Vishnu should be worshipped inside the mandap with full devotion. After the worship, the devotee should sit with a pure, calm, and envy-free mind, and narrate or listen to the Satyanarayan Katha.
Milk Ocean Offering Ritual:
At moonrise on this day, one should offer fragrance, flowers, incense, lamps, abundant food offerings, fine grains, fruits, and vegetables to Lord Vishnu, Lord Kartikeya, Agni Dev, and Varun Dev. After this worship, Deepdaan (lamp offering) should be performed outside the house. Near the lamps, dig a square pit measuring fourteen fingers in length, width, and depth. Then fill the pit with cow’s milk. After this, place a goldfish in the milk. While chanting the mantra "Mahamatsyaya Namah," worship the fish and then donate it to an Acharya (learned priest).
This is the traditional method of offering the symbolic Kshir Sagar (Ocean of Milk).
Kartik Poornima 2025: benefits
Major Benefits of Observing Kartik Purnima Vrat and Puja:
1. Bathing in holy rivers on this day destroys sins accumulated over many lifetimes and purifies the soul.
2. Worshipping Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Shiva on this day brings happiness, prosperity, and good health.
3. Offering lamps (Deepdaan) and observing fast (Vrat) helps in removing Vastu dosha, Pitru dosha, and financial obstacles.
4. A devotee who worships Lord Kartikeya on this day is blessed with victory over enemies, radiance, and courage.
5. Charity and meritorious acts (daan-punya) done on Kartik Purnima yield multiplied results, leading to dharma, salvation, and good fortune in life.
6. Since this day is celebrated as Tulsi Vivah and Dev Deepawali, it is considered highly auspicious to begin any sacred or celebratory activity.
Kartik Poornima 2025: Mantra Jaap
On the day of Kartik Purnima, devotees perform special worship and offerings to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Shiva. Although there is no strict rule regarding specific mantras for this day, if one wishes to chant, reciting mantras during puja to please the deities is considered highly beneficial.
On this sacred occasion, chanting the following mantras is believed to be especially fruitful:
• For Lord Vishnu:
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
• For Goddess Lakshmi:
"Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseeda Praseeda Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah"
• For Lord Shiva:
"Om Namah Shivaya"
Kartik Poornima 2025: Significance
Those devotees who perform proper worship of Lord Kartikeya on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima attain complete victory over their enemies. On this day, the rituals of Kshir Sagar Daan (offering of the Milk Ocean) and Deepdaan (lamp offering) hold great importance. For Kshir Sagar Daan and Deepdaan, one should worship Lord Kartikeya, Varun Dev, and Agni Dev with incense and lamps at the time of moonrise and offer lamps outside the house. Near the lamps, a square pit measuring four fingers should be dug, filled with cow’s milk, and a fish made with pearl eyes should be placed inside. After performing puja with incense and lamps, the fish should be offered as daan (charity). By performing this Kshir Sagar Daan ritual, one becomes dear to Lord Vishnu and attains Rudraloka (the abode of Lord Shiva). In addition, worshipping Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Moon God (Chandra Dev) on this day helps devotees overcome financial, mental, and physical troubles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why do we celebrate Kartik Purnima?
Kartik Purnima is considered an extremely auspicious day from both religious and spiritual perspectives. On this day, bathing, charity, and fasting help in the destruction of sins and the attainment of salvation. It is regarded as a special opportunity to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Tulsi.
2. How to perform Kartik Purnima Puja at home?
At home, decorate a mandap with banana and mango leaves and worship Lord Vishnu. Place sugarcane sticks, light lamps, and read the Satyanarayan Katha with a calm mind. At moonrise, Kshir Sagar Daan Vidhi performs, offering milk with a golden fish, to gain merit and prosperity.
3. When will Kartik Purnima start in 2025?
Kartik Purnima will be observed on 5 November 2025. The tithi will begin on 4 November 2025 at 10:38 P.M. and will end on 5 November 2025 at 6:50 P.M.
4. What should be done and avoided on Kartik Purnima?
• Avoid tamasic foods (like meat, garlic, onion, etc.).
• Do not insult or hurt anyone.
• Since Goddess Lakshmi resides in clean and organized spaces, ensure your home is tidy.
• If any saint, beggar, or needy person comes to your door, offer food, clothes, or alms as per your capacity.
• Light lamps in every corner of the house; do not leave any area in darkness.
5. Why is it called Kartik Purnima?
It is called Kartik Purnima because it falls on the full moon (Purnima) of the Kartik month. On this day, Lord Shiva destroyed the demon Tripurasura, Lord Vishnu awakens from his yogic sleep, and Goddess Tulsi is considered most auspicious for marriage.
