Kartik Amavasya, also known as Tripuri Purnima, is one of the most important days in the Hindu calendar. Observed on the new moon day in the auspicious month of Kartik, Kartik Amavasya holds great religious and spiritual significance. This year, Kartik Amavasya will be celebrated on November 13th, 2023.
On this day, devotees perform various rituals and pujas to please the gods and seek their blessings. The bathing rituals, especially in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, etc., are considered highly auspicious. Many pilgrimage sites organize massive gatherings and celebrations on this day.
In this blog, we will discuss in detail the date, time, significance, and rituals associated with Kartik Amavasya 2023. Read on.
Kartik Amavasya 2023: Date & Time
As per the Hindu lunisolar calendar, Kartik Amavasya falls on the new moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik. This month corresponds to the Gregorian months of October and November.
In 2023, Kartik Amavasya will be celebrated on:
Day: Monday
Date: November 13th, 2023
Amavasya Tithi Begins - 02:46 PM on November 12th, 2023
Amavasya Tithi Ends - 02:58 PM on November 13th, 2023
The auspicious timings to perform the Kartik Amavasya puja and rituals are during the night. Devotees take a holy dip and perform Shraddha rituals for departed ancestors after sunset.
Significance & Legend Behind Kartik Amavasya
Kartik Amavasya holds special significance in Hinduism. Some major legends and beliefs associated with this day are:
- It is believed that on this day, the Mother Goddess Tripura Sundari annihilated the demon Tripurasura. To commemorate this victory of good over evil, Kartik Amavasya is also known as Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima.
- This was also the day when Lord Vishnu appeared in his Matsya (fish) avatar and guided King Satyavrata through the great deluge.
- Another legend states that Lord Shiva performed the Tripuraradhana - the penance to invoke the Tripura Sundari - on Kartik Amavasya.
- This day also marks the descent of the holy river Ganga on earth. It is believed that on this day, Ganga mixed with the ocean.
- Kartik Amavasya is also associated with Lord Kubera, the God of wealth. It is believed that worshipping him on this day brings prosperity.
- Astrologically, the new moon day is significant as it is seen as a time to get rid of negativity and usher in new beginnings. The lunar energy is strong and conducive to spiritual practices.
Thus, Kartik Amavasya is seen as an extremely auspicious day to take a holy dip in rivers, perform tarpan and shraddha rituals, do charity, and pray to Goddess Lakshmi for blessings of health, wealth, and prosperity.
Rituals for Observing Kartik Amavasya 2023
Here's a guide on how to perform puja rituals on Kartik Amavasya in 2023:
- Start by waking up early in the morning and taking a bath. Wear clean attire and find a serene place for your puja.
- Illuminate a lamp or diya before the deity of your choice, such as Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu.
- Offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and other items to the deity. You can also include milk, honey, or other favored offerings.
- Recite prayers and mantras dedicated to the chosen deity. For instance, you can chant "Om Namah Shivaya" for Lord Shiva or "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" for Lord Vishnu.
- Use dhoop (incense) and light agarbatti (fragrant sticks) to create a pleasant and tranquil atmosphere during the puja.
- Conclude the ceremony by performing aarti, waving a lamp before the deity. Singing bhajans or devotional songs is another way to please the deity.
- Consider offering Dakshina (donation) to a priest or someone in need as a virtuous act on this special day.
- End the puja by seeking the deity's blessings and offering prayers for the well-being of your family and loved ones.
Major Rituals & Customs of Kartik Amavasya
Here are some of the major rituals associated with Kartik Amavasya:
Holy Bath: Taking an early morning bath in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, etc. is highly significant in Kartik Amavasya. It is believed to purify one's soul and lead to moksha. Even bathing in other rivers and water bodies is considered auspicious.
Shraddha Rituals: Kartik Amavasya is an important day to perform shraddha and tarpan rituals for departed ancestors and parents. Food and water offerings are made to satisfy the souls of ancestors.
Donations & Charity: Donating food, clothes, and money to the needy is said to highly appease the ancestors and Goddess Lakshmi. Cow donation is also recommended on this day.
Lighting Diyas: Lighting diyas on the banks of the holy rivers is a significant ritual on Kartik Amavasya. It is done right after taking a bath to seek blessings from the goddesses Ganga and Yamuna.
Vrat & Puja: Devotees may observe a fast on Kartik Amavasya till moonrise and perform puja of Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi in the evening. Tripura Sundari and Matsya avatars of Lord Vishnu are also worshipped.
Chanting Mantras: Chanting Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Shri Suktam, and Lakshmi mantras on Kartik Amavasya is considered highly meritorious. Many pilgrimage temples conduct mass chanting of mantras on this day.
Parikrama: Taking a parikrama around holy temples and rivers is another significant ritual on Kartik Amavasya. The circumambulation is believed to give blessings to the deity.
Important Pilgrimage Sites for Kartik Amavasya
Here are some of the top places where Kartik Amavasya is celebrated with much fervor:
Varanasi: The month-long Kartik Mahotsav culminates with Kartik Purnima in Varanasi. The Ganga aarti on this day witnesses lakhs of devotees.
Haridwar & Rishikesh: The celebration spans about a week in which devotees take dips in the holy Ganga river and attend the spectacular evening Ganga aarti.
Mathura & Vrindavan: In the hometown of Lord Krishna, devotees throng the Yamuna river for ritual bathing and visit temples like Banke Bihari Mandir.
Ayodhya: Lakhs gather at the Sarayu River for scan and prayers on Kartik Purnima in the birthplace of Lord Rama.
Ujjain: A large three-day fair called the Kartik Mela is organized on the banks of the Shipra River where devotees take holy dips and visit the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple.
Prayagraj: The annual Magh Mela festivities start at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers on Kartik Purnima. The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela is also held around this time once every 12 years.
Nashik & Trimbakeshwar: The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is celebrated here periodically during this time depending on planetary positions. Ritual bathing in the Godavari River, parikrama, and puja are conducted.
Dwarka: The ancient Krishna temple here attracts scores of pilgrims who take a dip in the Gomti river and participate in the special aarti on Kartik Purnima.
Puri: Thousands congregate at the Jagannath Temple to witness the annual Muktosav celebrations as part of Kartik month rituals.
Thus, Kartik Amavasya holds tremendous spiritual and religious significance in Hinduism. The holy baths, shraddha rituals, and pujas conducted on this new moon day are believed to bring immense blessings for a peaceful afterlife and prosperity. By performing the rituals with faith, devotees can seek the blessings of their ancestors and the Gods.
Counteracting the Adverse Effects of Kartik Amavasya 2023
Kartik Amavasya is deemed an auspicious occasion in the Hindu calendar, yet it is believed to have some unfavorable influences on individuals. To mitigate these adverse effects, here are ten Vedic remedies that can be enacted to alleviate the malefic impacts:
- Honoring Goddess Lakshmi on Kartik Amavasya can aid in dispelling financial obstacles and ushering prosperity into one's home and family.
- Extending a hand to the less fortunate by offering them food is a virtuous act that can help alleviate the negative repercussions of Kartik Amavasya.
- Illuminating a lamp with sesame oil on Kartik Amavasya is believed to dispel negative energies and infuse one's life with positivity.
- Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranamam on Kartik Amavasya can usher in peace, harmony, and good health.
- Chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra can assist in overcoming fears, negativity, as well as physical and mental ailments.
- Donning attire in shades of red on Kartik Amavasya is believed to attract positivity and ward off negative energies.
- Offering milk and honey to a Shivalinga is thought to aid in overcoming obstacles and bringing success into one's life.
- Performing Rudrabhishekam on Kartik Amavasya is considered a means to dispel negative energies and usher in prosperity, peace, and happiness.
- Immersing oneself in a holy river or another sacred water body on Kartik Amavasya is believed to cleanse the spirit and eliminate negative energies.
- Contributing to a charitable cause or noble undertaking is thought to neutralize negative energies and foster positivity and happiness.
- By engaging in these Vedic remedies on Kartik Amavasya, one can counteract the adverse effects of this day and, in turn, invite positivity and prosperity into their lives.
Conclusion
Kartik Amavasya is one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar. Marking the end of the holy month of Kartik, it is spiritually significant for its association with legends, ancestor rituals, and bathing in holy waters. For devotees, it represents a time for self-reflection, overcoming negativity, and seeking the blessings of the divine for prosperity and liberation. The elaborate rituals and mass gatherings at sacred pilgrimage sites reaffirm faith in ancient traditions. Kartik Amavasya thus symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the unity between mortal beings, ancestors, and gods in Hindu philosophy.
