In a grand spectacle of faith and devotion, devotees from far and wide converged on the ghats of Prayagraj and Ayodhya to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima, marking the culmination of the Kartik month. The sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati witnessed a massive influx of devotees seeking spiritual cleansing and blessings.
VIDEO | Devotees take a dip in River Ganga in Haridwar, Uttarakhand on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. pic.twitter.com/c77UqaNK0G
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 27, 2023
The Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj and the Balua Ghat, along with the banks of the Sarayu River in Ayodhya, became a sea of devotees offering their prayers and taking a dip to wash away their sins. Devotees lined up along the ghats, fervently immersing themselves in the divine experience. The atmosphere resonated with the chants and hymns dedicated to Bhagwan Kartikey, expressing the collective desire for health and prosperity for their families.
The significance of Kartik Purnima’s last bathing festival is heightened this year due to the rare celestial alignment of planets and stars. Devotees believe that a dip in the holy rivers, especially Ganga and Yamuna, on this day fulfils all desires and grants liberation from sins. Many devotees also performed deep daan (offering of lamps) in the rivers, symbolising the victory of light over darkness.
Adding to the spiritual fervour, Dev Deepawali, the festival of lights for the gods, was celebrated with grandeur at various ghats, including Triveni Sangam and other ghats in Prayagraj and Ayodhya. Devotees lit lamps and offered prayers, creating a mesmerising scene of illuminated devotion along the riverbanks.
The month-long worship of the sun culminated in the final bathing festival of Kartik Purnima, where devotees gathered at sunrise to take a dip and offer prayers. The rush was so immense that in some ghats, there was scarcely any space left for devotees to place even a sesame seed.
According to traditional beliefs, Kartik Purnima holds special significance as it is believed to be the day when Lord Kartikeya, the son of Bhagwan Shiv and Goddess Parvati, was born. It is also the day when Lord Vishnu took the Matsya Avatar. Devotees believe that by observing rituals and taking a holy dip on this day, one accumulates infinite merits and ensures a healthy life for their family.
In Ayodhya, along the banks of the Sarayu River, devotees arrived early in the morning to take a dip and offer their prayers. The city resonated with the chants of hymns, expressing their reverence for Bhagwan Ram. The Sarayu Ghat became a gathering point for devotees seeking spiritual solace and participating in the Kartik Purnima festivities.
The administration ensured the safety and comfort of devotees by deploying police, SDRF, and relief personnel at the bathing ghats. The mela area was divided into three zones, ensuring efficient management of the large crowd. Devotees also flocked to the Bade Hanuman Temple after the sacred dip to seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman.
In addition to the celebrations in Prayagraj and Ayodhya, devotees across the Sikh community marked Kartik Purnima as the Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. Devotees observed the day with early morning baths and visits to gurdwaras, where they listened to the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and pledged to follow the path of righteousness.
As the sun set, the ghats of Prayagraj witnessed a spectacular display of Dev Deepawali, with millions of lamps illuminating the sacred rivers. In Ayodhya, 51,000 lamps were lit at the Balwa Ghat along the Yamuna River, symbolising the triumph of light and righteousness.
Kartik Purnima, a day of deep spiritual significance, brought together people from various communities, uniting them in the celebration of faith, devotion, and the eternal quest for spiritual well-being.
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