✨ Introduction: The Festival of Divine Light
Kartik Purnima, often called Dev Diwali, is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik (October–November). Known as the Diwali of the Gods, this sacred festival symbolizes the triumph of divine illumination over ignorance.
In 2025, Kartik Purnima falls on Wednesday, November 5th, marking a spiritually charged day when celestial energies align with the inner quest for purity and devotion.
Swamiji beautifully explains that light is not just a physical presence—it is the illumination of wisdom that dispels darkness within. On Dev Diwali, devotees are reminded that the true diya to light is the one in our heart—kindled by devotion, selfless service, and divine love.
🗓️ Kartik Purnima 2025: Date, Muhurat, and Timings
| Event | Date | City | Start of Tithi | End of Tithi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kartik Purnima (Full Moon) | Wednesday, Nov 5, 2025 | New Delhi, India | Nov 4, 2025 – 10:36 PM IST | Nov 5, 2025 – 06:48 PM IST |
| Dallas, USA | Nov 4, 2025 – 11:06 PM CST | Nov 5, 2025 – 07:18 PM CST | ||
| Dev Diwali Muhurat (Evening) | Wednesday, Nov 5, 2025 | New Delhi, India | Nov 5, 2025 – 05:15 PM IST | Nov 5, 2025 – 07:50 PM IST |
| Dallas, USA | Nov 5, 2025 – 04:15 PM CST | Nov 5, 2025 – 06:00 PM CST |
🕉️ Note: Timings may slightly vary by location and Panchang preference. Always consult your local priest or trusted Panchang before performing the rituals.
Kartik Purnima Puja Vidhi 2025
Below is the detailed puja vidhi (rituals) for **Kartik Purnima**, which also coincides with **Dev Diwali**. This day is celebrated with devotion to Lord Vishnu.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Early Morning Rituals | Wake up early, preferably before sunrise. Clean your body and wear clean clothes. It's important to start the day with pure intentions. |
| 2. Bathing in Sacred Water | A dip in a holy river or water source is recommended, preferably in the Ganges or any sacred river nearby. If unavailable, perform an abhishek (ritual bath) with water at home. |
| 3. Offerings to Lord Vishnu | Kartik Purnima is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Begin by lighting a lamp (diya) made of clay and offering flowers, sweets, and incense to Lord Vishnu. |
| 4. Chanting Mantras | Chant the Kartik Purnima mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" or "Om Vishnave Namah" while performing the puja. This helps to invoke blessings. |
| 5. Reciting Sacred Texts | Reading from holy texts like the Katha of Kartik or Vishnu Sahasranama can enhance the spiritual experience. |
| 6. Evening Rituals (Dev Diwali) | In the evening, offer prayers and light earthen lamps (diyas) to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. This coincides with Dev Diwali, which celebrates the return of Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura. |
| 7. Fasting | Fasting is a key aspect of Kartik Purnima. Some devotees fast for the entire day, while others observe partial fasts (consuming only fruits or vegetarian food). |
| 8. Donating to the Needy | Charity is an important aspect of this festival. Donating food, clothes, or money to the needy is believed to bring blessings from Lord Vishnu. |
| 9. Final Prayers | Conclude the puja with a final prayer, seeking Lord Vishnu's blessings for health, wealth, and peace for you and your loved ones. Offer your gratitude for the divine presence during the day. |
Key Insight (Swami Mukundananda):
“Spirituality is not about changing the externals, but ornamenting the internals with divine virtues.”
🌺 The Story of Kartik Purnima: A Tale of Divine Victory
This day commemorates Lord Shiva’s triumph over Tripurasura, restoring harmony.
Swamiji interprets it as a metaphor for conquering ego, anger, and greed through the power of divine wisdom.
“Tripurasura symbolizes the three impurities—ego, desire, and anger. When divine wisdom awakens in us, these are destroyed.”
🪔 Rituals and Traditions of Kartik Purnima
1️⃣ Lighting Diyas on Dev Diwali
On the auspicious occasion of Dev Diwali, lighting diyas symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, both in the world and within our hearts. Swamiji emphasizes that the true light is the divine knowledge that dispels ignorance and delusion. As we light the diyas, we not only celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna, but we also renew our commitment to illuminating our inner selves, overcoming the darkness of our desires, ego, and attachments.
2️⃣ Holy Dip (Snan)
A holy dip in the sacred rivers, especially during auspicious occasions like Dev Diwali, is not merely a physical cleansing, but a spiritual purification. Swamiji teaches that just as the body is bathed in water to cleanse impurities, our minds too need to be cleansed with the sacred waters of divine wisdom. The act of Snan is a reminder to wash away our worldly attachments and ego, and to immerse ourselves in the grace and teachings of the Divine, allowing the soul to be purified.
3️⃣ Dev Deepotsav & Annakoot
Dev Deepotsav is a celebration of divine light, where thousands of diyas illuminate the sacred land, representing the infinite divine presence. As Swamiji beautifully explains, this festival is a reminder that our lives should be filled with spiritual light, and that we should strive to keep our hearts full of love and devotion for the Lord. Annakoot, the offering of food to the Divine, symbolizes our surrender and gratitude. Just as we offer our food to the Lord, we must also offer our actions, thoughts, and desires in service to Him, nurturing our devotion with humility and selfless love.
4️⃣ Charity and Seva
In his teachings, Swami Mukundananda emphasizes that charity and seva (selfless service) are not just acts of kindness, but powerful spiritual practices. By serving others, we purify our hearts and develop a sense of compassion and empathy. Seva brings us closer to the Divine because through it, we begin to see the divine presence in every living being. True charity is not just about giving material gifts but about giving our time, love, and energy to serve humanity, thus reflecting the love of God in our every action.
🕉️ Spiritual Significance of Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima is a day of spiritual renewal. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, urging us to dispel ignorance with divine wisdom. The holy dip in sacred rivers purifies the soul, while devotion and seva (selfless service) bring us closer to the Divine. Worshiping Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Krishna on this day deepens our connection with the Supreme. Swamiji emphasizes that Kartik Purnima is a time to surrender the ego, practice Bhakti Yoga, and align our hearts with divine love, wisdom, and grace for spiritual transformation.
Linked verse – Bhagavad Gita 10.11
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तम: |
नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता || 11||
teṣhām evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ
nāśhayāmyātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā
“Out of compassion … I destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the luminous lamp of knowledge.”
🌼 How to Celebrate Kartik Purnima 2025 Spiritually
Morning
- Begin with a Holy Bath (Snan) - Take an early morning dip in a sacred river or at home while chanting “Om Namo Narayanaya.”
- Offer prayers to Krishna & Shiva
Daytime
- Charity and selfless service Donate food, clothes, or essentials to the needy.
- Observe a light fast and spend time in meditation or chanting mantras.
Evening
- Light diyas in your home, near temples, and on water bodies to honor Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
- Chant kirtans and offer aarti
Night
- Join family or community Satsang's and recite devotional songs under the full moon.
- Embrace Kartik Purnima with purity, devotion, and inner peace.
🌟 Dev Diwali: A Festival of the Gods and the Soul
Dev Diwali, celebrated on the full moon night of Kartik, holds deep spiritual significance. It marks the victory of light over darkness and symbolizes the triumph of divine forces over evil. According to spiritual teachings, Dev Diwali is a reminder to illuminate our inner selves with wisdom and devotion, just as we light diyas to dispel physical darkness. To celebrate, start by cleaning and decorating your home with diyas (oil lamps), symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance. Offer prayers to Lord Krishna or Lord Shiva, seeking their blessings. Perform aarti in the evening with family and friends, and engage in devotional singing or chanting. Taking a holy dip in a sacred river, if possible, purifies the soul. Engage in selfless service (seva) by helping the needy. The day is a reminder to cultivate devotion, humility, and spiritual growth.
🔔 Call to Action
✨ Let this Kartik Purnima 2025 be your turning point toward divine illumination!
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❓ FAQs on Kartik Purnima 2025
1️⃣ Why is it called Dev Diwali?
Because the Devas themselves celebrate Diwali after Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura.
2️⃣ When is it in 2025?
🗓️ Wednesday, November 5th, 2025.
3️⃣ How to observe it?
- Holy bath at dawn
- Charity & devotion
- Diyas and evening aarti
4️⃣ Swami Mukundananda’s message?
The real Diwali is the illumination of the heart through knowledge and devotion.
5️⃣ Meaning of lighting diyas?
Dispelling inner darkness — ego, anger, jealousy — with the flame of divine love.
🕯️ Conclusion
Kartik Purnima reminds us that when the light of knowledge meets the flame of devotion, the soul awakens.
Swami Mukundananda’s teachings help us celebrate Dev Diwali not just as a ritual but as a revelation of divine consciousness.
🔗 References / Citations
- JKYog Teachings by Swami Mukundananda - https://www.jkyog.org/
- Radha Krishna Temple (Allen TX) -https://www.radhakrishnatemple.net/
- Bhagavad Gita – holy-bhagavad-gita.org