Famous Temples Celebrating Karthika Pournami in West Bengal

Karthika Pournami, one of the most sacred Hindu festivals, falls on the full moon day in the month of Karthika (November-December). This auspicious occasion holds profound spiritual significance, commemorating Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tarakasura—earning the day the name Tripurari Pournami—and Lord Vishnu’s return to his celestial abode after the Vamana avatar. For West Bengal’s diverse and culturally rich Hindu community, this festival—known locally as Kartik Purnima or Raas Purnima—is a vibrant blend of devotion, light, and folklore. Celebrated with fervor at Shakti and Vaishnava temples across the state, from Kolkata to Tarapith and everywhere in between, the festival features lakhs of lamps illuminating riverbanks, temples, and homes, drawing millions of pilgrims.

✨ Significance of Karthika Pournami in West Bengal

Karthika Pournami is observed with deep reverence in West Bengal, where Shakti worship (Durga/Kali) and Vaishnavism (Krishna-Radha) dominate. Devotees mark this holy day by:

🪔 Lighting Lamps (Deepotsavam): Lakhs of clay diyas on ghats, especially along the Hooghly River, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
💃 Raas Leela: Enactments of Krishna’s divine dance with Radha and gopis.
🚿 Ganga/Hooghly Snan: Sacred baths at dawn for purification.
🌿 Tulsi Vivah: Symbolic marriage of Tulsi to Vishnu in Bengali households.
🙏 Spiritual Renewal: Charity to sadhus, fasting, and Kali Puja extensions for Tantric rituals.
🔥 Deepa Aradhana: Worship through camphor flames, evoking Bengal’s Tantric-Shakta heritage.

In West Bengal, the festival coincides with Raas Purnima, emphasizing Krishna’s love, and Tripurari Pournima for Shiva’s glory.

🛕 Major Temples Celebrating Karthika Pournami in West Bengal

1. Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata

The Kalighat Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where Sati’s toes fell, celebrates Karthika Pournami with intense Shakti devotion.

Special Events:
- Maha Abhishekam to Kali at 4 AM with 108 kalashas.
- Tantric Homam and Kumari Puja.
- Deepotsavam with 50,000+ lamps in the courtyard.
Highlight: The blood-red Kali idol reflects the glow of lamps.

2. Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata

Founded by Rani Rashmoni and blessed by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, this temple celebrates Raas Purnima with Vaishnava-Shakta fusion.

Special Events:
- Raas Leela enactment at 7 PM.
- Tulsi Vivah in the Radha-Krishna shrine.
- Lamp-lit Ganga Aarti on the Hooghly.

3. Belur Math (Ramakrishna Mission), Howrah

The global headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission celebrates with Vedantic universality.

Special Events:
- Swami Vivekananda’s discourse on Kartik Purnima.
- Interfaith lamp lighting with 108 diyas.
- Bhajans in Bengali, Sanskrit, and English.

4. Tarapith Temple, Birbhum

The Tantric Shakti Peetha of Maa Tara hosts midnight Tantric pujas.

Special Events:
- Bali (goat sacrifice) and homam.
- Cremation ground lamps for siddhi.

5. Mayapur ISKCON (Chandrodaya Mandir), Nadia

The Vaishnava headquarters celebrates Raas Purnima as Krishna’s birthday.

Special Events:
- 24-hour kirtan and Raas Leela drama.
- Tulsi Vivah with golden Tulsi.
- Ganga lamp floating.

6. Kalna Ambika Kalna Temple, Burdwan

108 Shiva temples in a complex; 108 lamp abhishekam to each Lingam.

7. Hangseshwari Temple, Hooghly

Lotus-shaped temple with Tantric rituals and lamp meditation.

8. Furfura Sharif (Hindu Shrines), Hooghly

Syncretic site with Hindu-Muslim lamp lighting.

9. Jaintiapur Shakti Peetha, Sylhet (Cross-Border Pilgrimage)

Bengali Hindus visit for Jayanti Kali Puja.

10. Bishnupur Terracotta Temples, Bankura

Rasmancha hosts Raas Leela with terracotta lamp decorations.

11. Kamarpukur Ramakrishna Temple, Hooghly

Birthplace of Ramakrishna; bhajans under village lamps.

12. Local Ghat Temples (Hooghly Riverbank Shrines)

Every ghat has a mini Kali/Radha-Krishna shrine with floating diyas.

📅 Karthika Pournami 2025 Celebrations and Events in West Bengal

Date: November 5, 2025 (Raas Purnima) Purnima Tithi: Begins 10:36 PM Nov 4, Ends 6:48 PM Nov 5 Moonrise: ~5:45 PM IST Auspicious Muhurta: Brahma Muhurta (4:00–4:45 AM) for Ganga Snan; Pradosha (5:30–7:30 PM) for Aarti.

Key Statewide Events:

Time	Event	Location
3:00 AM	Ganga Snan & Kali Abhishekam	Kalighat, Dakshineswar
6:00 AM	Tulsi Vivah	Mayapur, Belur Math
12:00 PM	Maha Annadanam	All major temples
5:00 PM	Lamp Lighting Begins	Hooghly ghats
6:30 PM	Grand Ganga Aarti	Babughat, Dakshineswar
7:00 PM	Raas Leela	Mayapur, Bishnupur
8:00 PM–Midnight	Cultural Night & Fireworks	Tarapith, Kalighat

Boat Rides: Diya-lit Hooghly cruises from 6 PM (₹100–300).
Virtual: Live-stream on Belur Math YouTube.
Eco-Note: Clay diyas, Ganga-clean diyas, no plastic.

🎉 Common Celebration Elements Across West Bengal Temples

🪔 Diyas: Clay lamps with mustard oil, Kali Naam written on each
💃 Raas Leela: Krishna-Radha dance dramas
🍲 Annadanam: Mishti doi, rossogolla, khichdi
🎶 Cultural Fusion: Baul songs, Bengali folk, Rabindra Sangeet
🌿 Eco-Friendly: Clay lamps, banana leaf plates

🗺️ How to Participate in West Bengal

Transportation:

Flights: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport (CCU)
Trains: Howrah Junction (HWH)
Metro: Kolkata Metro to Kalighat/Dakshineswar

Tips:

Book Kalighat darshan via WB Govt app
Wear saree/dhoti for temple entry
Carry flowers, sindoor, oil for offerings
Join annadanam – serve at Dakshineswar
Take boat ride from Prinsep Ghat

🌍 Regional Variations in West Bengal

Area	Style
Kolkata	Urban Shakti-Vaishnava, Ganga aarti
Mayapur	ISKCON global, 24-hour kirtan
Tarapith	Tantric, midnight homam
Bishnupur	Terracotta art, folk Raas

🌟 Karthika Pournami & West Bengal Multiculturalism

Interfaith Harmony: Muslims light lamps; Buddhists at Sarnath.
Tourism Boost: WB Tourism promotes Bengal Deepotsavam.
Women’s Role: Kumari Puja empowers girls.
Eco-Spirituality: Hooghly cleaning drives.

🙌 Conclusion

Karthika Pournami in West Bengal is not just a festival — it is Shakti’s fierce light and Krishna’s loving Raas. From the blood-red glow of Kalighat Kali to the serene Tulsi Vivah at Mayapur, from the Tantric flames of Tarapith to the terracotta lamps of Bishnupur, this sacred night transforms Bengal into a land of a million lamps.

On November 5, 2025, join the light. Take a dip in the Hooghly. Light a diya for Kali. Chant Jai Maa. And become part of West Bengal’s eternal spiritual legacy.

Raas Purnima: Where Bengal dances in divine light.

For exact timings, virtual queue booking, and boat ride details, check westbengaltourism.gov.in or temple websites. Most events are free and open to all.