Karthik Poornima, or Kartik Purnima is celebrated with high fervor by Hindus. This year, Karthik Poornima falls on November 15, 2024 (Friday). Actually, I was ignorant of it all these days and realized it only this year as there is an optional holiday for Karthik Poornima in my office. Hence, I decided to research more about it and here is my understanding. Karthik Poornima is celebrated by both Shiva and Vishnu devotees.
Association with Lord Shiva, Kartik Purnima is said to be the day when Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasura, an event known as Tripurari Purnima. This victory symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and in honor of this, Shiva devotees perform rituals and prayers to Lord Shiva, believing it brings blessings and protection. Celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November), this day is considered auspicious to Shiva pooja at home and visit Shiva temples to get the god’s blessings.
How to do Karthik Poornima Shiva pooja at home
Clean your pooja altar, idols, and dhiya one day before the poornima date.
Apply sandalwood paste and kumkum for Shivaling / Lord Shiva pictures.
Light a diya with pooja oil or ghee.
Light incense sticks, sambrani or dasangam powder.
Offer a glass of milk for Lord Shiva as neivediyum
Offer flowers or Bilva leaves on the Shivaling or Shiva picture.
Think soulfully of why you are performing this Shiva pooja. Like wanting a home, getting rid of financial problem, good health, long life, child etc,
Start the pooja by ringing the bell.
Chant ganesh mantra to remove the obstacles that may come in the happening of the pooja.
Then, offer prayers to your kula devta.
Then, pray the navargrahas to seek their blessings to continue the pooja without obstacles.
Then, start the Shiva pooja. You can chant any Shiva mantra like the powerful Mrityunjaya Mantra or other specific mantras like Shiva mantra for happiness, Shiva mantra for pregnancy, Thiruvasagam, etc.
You can also do abhishekam with milk, rosewater, honey, sacred ash, and coconut water.
Then, do aarti with dhiya or camphor, and dhoop for Shiva.
Finally, conclude the pooja with mangalam.
If you do not have time to do this Shiva pooja on Karthik Poornima, you can set aside 15 minutes of your time, light a dhiya for Lord Shiva and chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times. Doing so will definitely please Lord Shiva and help us get His blessings.
If there anything that I had missed, please do share in the comments, and I will be happy to learn from you!
Om Shakthi Om!
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Maasil Veenaiyum Malai Madhiyamum
Sivapuranam
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