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On the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima, the sacred city of Varanasi is drenched in a flood of faith and devotion. Devotees, drawn by the call of the holy Ganga, began arriving in Varanasi from the preceding night for a ceremonial bath. By 9 am in the morning, millions had already taken a dip in the sacred river, setting the spiritual tone for Dev Deepawali celebrations scheduled for Monday.
Faithful Beginnings:
Devotees, chanting "Har Har Mahadev," commenced their day with a ritualistic bath in the Ganga, seeking blessings from the deities. Ajay Kumar Tiwari, Tirtha Purohit of Dashashwamedh Ghat, highlighted the significance of this tradition, stating, "On Kartik Purnima, the hearts of Kashi's residents brim with joy as they partake in worship after the purifying bath, seeking blessings and auspiciousness."
Sacred Tradition:
In Kashi, another popular belief surrounds the Ganga bath on Kartik Purnima. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishwanath and other deities precede the devotees by taking a ceremonial dip in the Ganga. Following this divine bath, the residents of Kashi, including mothers and sisters, participate in the ritual. The day holds special significance in Kashi as it marks the celebration of Dev Deepawali, also known as Kartik Purnima.
Devotee Influx:
Devotees began arriving in Varanasi from Sunday night, with a continuous stream continuing into the daylight hours. By 9 am, over 10 lakh devotees had already experienced the purifying embrace of the Ganga. The spiritual seekers flocked not only to the renowned Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat but also to other temples, including the Markandeya Mahadev temple and Rameshwar Mahadev temple, where they combined the ritualistic bath with darshans of Lord Bholenath.
Ghats Aglow with Spirituality:
Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat, among other prominent ghats, were teeming with devotees engaging in the sacred act of Ganga snan. Post the holy dip, devotees thronged to seek blessings at the revered Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Long queues formed outside the temple as the spiritual fervor heightened.
Historical Significance:
Kashi holds various beliefs regarding the Kartik Purnima bath and the celebration of Dev Deepawali, with one prevailing belief recounting the ancient tale of Lord Shiva assuming the form of Ardhanarishvara to vanquish the demon Tripurasur on this day. Following this victory, the deities descended to the divine city of Kashi, the most cherished abode of Lord Shankar.
Anticipating Dev Deepawali:
With the day progressing, devotees prepared for the grand celebration of Dev Deepawali on the Ganga ghats. This year's festivities promise to be spectacular, with over 12 lakh lamps adorning the crescent-shaped ghats of Banaras. Notably, around 1 lakh lamps will be crafted from cow dung, emphasizing eco-friendly celebrations in the spiritual city.
As Kartik Purnima unfolds its divine aura, Varanasi stands illuminated with the fervor of millions seeking blessings, ushering in a celestial celebration that transcends the earthly realm.
