Karthika Pournami Celebrations in Uttar Pradesh 2025: Complete City-Wise Guide to Events, Rituals & Temple Celebrations

## Introduction: The Divine Festival of Lights in the Land of Krishna & Shiva

Karthika Pournami, also known as **Kartika Purnima**, **Tripurari Purnima**, or **Deva-Deepavali**, is one of the most sacred celebrations in the Hindu calendar. Celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartika, this festival falls in November and is also known as the **Diwali of the Gods**. In 2025, **Karthika Pournami will be observed on November 5, 2025**, marking a time of profound spiritual significance for Hindu communities across **Uttar Pradesh** — the heartland of Sanatan Dharma.

For the people of Uttar Pradesh, this sacred day is more than a religious observance — it is a **celestial festival of light**, a **pilgrimage of devotion**, and a **grand celebration of Lord Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura** and **Lord Vishnu’s Matsya Avatar**. From the ghats of **Varanasi** to the temples of **Mathura-Vrindavan**, the state glows with **lakhs of diyas**, **holy dips**, **kathas**, and **bhajans** under the full moon.

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## What is Karthika Pournami? Understanding the Significance

### Historical and Mythological Importance

Hindus consider Karthika Pournami to be the **only day dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu**. This makes it one of the **most auspicious days** in the Hindu calendar.

**Key Legends Associated with Karthika Pournami:**

1. **Lord Shiva’s Victory (Tripurari Purnima)**  
   On this day, **Lord Shiva** destroyed the three demon cities (**Tripura**) with a single arrow, earning the name **Tripurantaka**. The **Deva-Deepavali** celebrates this victory with lighting of lamps by the gods.

2. **Lord Vishnu’s Matsya Avatar**  
   Lord Vishnu took his **first incarnation as Matsya (fish)** on this day to save Manu and the Vedas from the deluge.

3. **Radha-Krishna’s Rasalila**  
   In **Braj Bhoomi (Mathura-Vrindavan)**, this day is celebrated as the night when **Radha-Krishna performed divine rasalila** with gopis under the full moon.

4. **Birth of Lord Kartikeya**  
   In some traditions, this is celebrated as **Kartikeya Jayanti**.

### Spiritual Benefits of Observing Karthika Pournami

– **Equivalent to 1000 Ashwamedha Yajnas**  
– **Cleansing of all sins**  
– **Attainment of moksha** through holy bath, fasting, and charity  
– **Blessings of Shiva, Vishnu, and Kartikeya**

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## Karthika Pournami 2025 Date & Timing for Uttar Pradesh

**Date:** Wednesday, **November 5, 2025**

| Event | Time (IST) |
|——|———–|
| **Purnima Tithi Begins** | 10:36 PM on November 4, 2025 |
| **Purnima Tithi Ends** | 6:48 PM on November 5, 2025 |
| **Brahma Muhurta Snan** | 4:30 AM – 6:00 AM |
| **Moonrise (Key for Deepdan)** | ~6:00 PM (varies by city) |

> **Udayatithi Rule**: Since Purnima is present at sunrise on **Nov 5**, the festival is celebrated on **November 5** across UP.

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## Essential Rituals and Traditions in Uttar Pradesh

### 1. **Holy Bath (Snana) in Sacred Rivers**
– **Varanasi**: Bath in **Ganga** at **Manikarnika**, **Dashashwamedh**, or **Assi Ghat**
– **Ayodhya**: Bath in **Saryu River**
– **Mathura**: Bath in **Yamuna**
– **Prayagraj**: Bath at **Triveni Sangam**
– **Chitrakoot**: Bath in **Mandakini**

> **Mantra during Snan**:  
> *“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”* (for Vishnu)  
> *“Om Namah Shivaya”* (for Shiva)

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### 2. **Lighting of Diyas (Deepdan)**
– **365 wicks** or **108 diyas** lit at home and ghats
– **Ghee or sesame oil** used
– **Tulasi plant, home entrance, and temple** decorated with lamps
– **Varanasi Ghats**: Over **5 lakh diyas** lit in a spectacular **Deepotsav**

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### 3. **Fasting (Vrata)**
– **Full fast** till moonrise
– **Phalahar** (fruits, milk, sabudana) allowed
– **Avoid rice, wheat, salt**

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### 4. **Temple Visits & Puja**
– **Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi)** – Rudrabhishekam
– **Krishna Janmabhoomi (Mathura)** – Radha-Krishna puja
– **Sankat Mochan (Varanasi)** – Hanuman puja
– **Banke Bihari (Vrindavan)** – Rasalila darshan

**Puja Items:**
– Bilva leaves, lotus, tulasi
– Ghee, curd, honey, sugar
– 5 types of fruits
– Incense, camphor

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### 5. **Charity (Daana)**
– **Anna Daana** at temples
– **Vashtra Daana** to Brahmins
– **Deep Daana** (donating oil lamps)
– **Go-Daana** (cow donation) considered supreme

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## City-Wise Karthika Pournami Celebrations Across Uttar Pradesh

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### 

 **Varanasi (Kashi) – The City of Light**

#### **Kashi Vishwanath Temple**
– **Grand Rudrabhishekam** at 4 AM
– **Maha Aarti** at Dashashwamedh Ghat at 6 PM
– **5+ lakh diyas** lit across 84 ghats
– **Deepotsav** with cultural programs

#### **Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple**
– **Hanuman Chalisa** recitation all night
– **Deepdan** by devotees

#### **Manikarnika Ghat**
– **Ancestral tarpan** with deepdan
– **Satvik offering** for departed souls

**Varanasi Special:**
– **Ganga Aarti** extended with 108 priests
– **Laser light show** on Shiva’s victory
– **Free annadanam** for 1 lakh+ pilgrims

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### 

 **Mathura-Vrindavan – Braj Bhoomi**

#### **Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan**
– **Radha-Krishna Rasalila** reenactment
– **Chappan Bhog** offered
– **Yamuna Snan** at Keshi Ghat
– **56 types of prasadam** distributed

#### **Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura**
– **Matsya Avatar puja**
– **Deepdan** at Vishram Ghat
– **Govardhan Parikrama** (optional)

#### **ISKCON Vrindavan**
– **24-hour kirtan**
– **Govardhan Puja** extension
– **International devotees** participate

**Braj Special:**
– **Raas Garba** under full moon
– **Makhan Mishri** prasadam
– **Yamuna Aarti** at 7 PM

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### 

 **Ayodhya – Ram Janmabhoomi**

#### **Ram Janmabhoomi Temple**
– **Ram Lalla abhishekam**
– **Deepdan** along Saryu River
– **Ramcharitmanas path** all night

#### **Kanak Bhawan**
– **Sita-Ram puja**
– **Tulasi Vivah** ceremony

#### **Hanuman Garhi**
– **Hanuman ji ki aarti** with 108 diyas

**Ayodhya Special:**
– **Saryu Aarti** with 51 priests
– **Deepotsav** with **10 lakh+ diyas**
– **Ram Ki Paidi** illuminated

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### 

 **Prayagraj (Allahabad)**

#### **Triveni Sangam**
– **Holy dip** at Sangam
– **Deepdan** in Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati
– **Akshaya Vat** puja

#### **Bade Hanuman Temple**
– **Hanuman puja** with sindoor
– **Deepdan** at temple entrance

**Prayagraj Special:**
– **Maghi Purnima** prelude
– **Kumbh Mela** spiritual vibe

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### 

 **Gorakhpur**

#### **Gorakhnath Temple**
– **Nath Panth** special puja
– **Deepdan** in Rapti River
– **Yogi Adityanath** often participates

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### 

 **Lucknow**

#### **Mankameshwar Temple**
– **Shiva puja** with bilva patra
– **Deepdan** at Gomti River

#### **Chhota Imambara**
– **Interfaith harmony** with lamp lighting

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### 

 **Chitrakoot**

#### **Ram Ghat**
– **Saryu snan** (local name)
– **Kamadhenu puja**
– **Deepdan** in Mandakini

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### 

 **Other Key Locations**

| City | Highlight |
|——|———|
| **Jhansi** | Mahalakshmi Temple deepotsav |
| **Kanpur** | Bithoor Ganga snan |
| **Agra** | Yamuna snan at Bateshwar |
| **Bareilly** | Alakhnath Temple Shiva puja |

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## How UP Celebrates: Unique Traditions

| Tradition | Location | Description |
|———|———-|———–|
| **Ganga Deepdan** | Varanasi | 5+ lakh diyas float on Ganga |
| **Yamuna Aarti** | Mathura | With 56 bhog offerings |
| **Saryu Deepotsav** | Ayodhya | 10+ lakh diyas on Ram Ki Paidi |
| **Triveni Snan** | Prayagraj | Bath in 3 rivers |
| **Raas Mahotsav** | Vrindavan | All-night rasalila |

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## Celebrating at Home in Uttar Pradesh

### Morning Routine
1. Wake at **Brahma Muhurta (4:30 AM)**
2. **Ganga jal snan**
3. **Shiva-Vishnu puja**
4. Light **first diya** at sunrise

### Evening Deepotsav
1. Prepare **365-wick lamp** or **108 diyas**
2. Decorate **tulasi vrindavan**
3. Perform **Ganga-Yamuna aarti** at home
4. Offer **makhan mishri**, **panjiri**, **panchamrit**

### Traditional UP Recipes
| Prasadam | Ingredients |
|——–|———–|
| **Panchamrit** | Milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar |
| **Panjiri** | Wheat flour, ghee, dry fruits |
| **Makhan Mishri** | Fresh butter + sugar crystals |
| **Sabudana Khichdi** | Sabudana, potato, peanut |
| **Kheer** | Rice, milk, jaggery |

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## Religious Observances in Karthika Month (UP Calendar)

| Date | Event |
|——|——-|
| **Nov 2** | Tulasi Vivah |
| **Nov 4** | Vaikuntha Chaturdashi |
| **Nov 5** | **Karthika Pournami / Deva-Deepavali** |
| **Mondays** | Somvar Vrat (Shiva) |
| **Nov 18** | Masa Shivaratri |

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## Tips for First-Time Celebrants in UP

### At Varanasi Ghats
– Arrive by **3 AM** for snan
– Book **boat for Deepdan** in advance
– Carry **steel tiffin** for prasadam

### Dress Code
– **White or yellow** attire preferred
– **Men**: Dhoti/kurta
– **Women**: Saree/salwar

### Safety
– Avoid crowded ghats after 9 PM
– Use **life jackets** on boats
– Keep valuables safe

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## Charitable Activities (Daana)

| Type | Where to Donate |
|——|—————-|
| **Anna Daana** | Kashi Vishwanath Annakshetra |
| **Deep Daana** | Dashashwamedh Ghat |
| **Go-Daana** | Gokarna Temple, Mathura |
| **Vashtra Daana** | Sankat Mochan Temple |

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can I take a holy bath if I can’t reach the river?**  
**A:** Yes! Add **Ganga jal** to bathwater at home.

**Q: Is fasting compulsory?**  
**A:** No. **Phalahar** is acceptable.

**Q: Can women in periods participate?**  
**A:** Yes, in most UP traditions (especially Vaishnava).

**Q: Best time for Deepdan?**  
**A:** After **moonrise** (~6 PM).

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## Conclusion: UP – Where Light Meets Eternity

Karthika Pournami in **Uttar Pradesh** is not just a festival — it is a **spiritual pilgrimage**, a **celestial celebration**, and a **living tradition** that connects the soul to **Shiva, Vishnu, and Braj’s eternal love**.

From the **glowing ghats of Varanasi** to the **rasalila of Vrindavan**, from the **Saryu Deepotsav of Ayodhya** to the **Triveni Snan of Prayagraj**, Uttar Pradesh transforms into **Deva-Deepavali Nagari** — the **City of Divine Lights**.

As millions light diyas under the **Kartika Purnima moon**, they invoke the blessings of **Tripurantaka Shiva** and **Matsya Vishnu**, offering prayers for **moksha, peace, and prosperity**.

> **“Yam Deepam Dadati Sa Deepam Labhate”**  
> *He who lights a lamp, receives light.*

May this Karthika Pournami illuminate your life with **divine grace, ancestral blessings, and eternal joy**.

**Jai Shri Ram | Om Namah Shivaya | Radhe Radhe**

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## Connect with Local Events

– **Varanasi**: Follow **Kashi Vishwanath Temple** on social media
– **Ayodhya**: Check **Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra** updates
– **Mathura**: Join **ISKCON Vrindavan** WhatsApp groups
– **Live Darshan**: Available on **Sanskriti TV**, **DD Uttar Pradesh**