Kartika Pournami (కార్తీక పౌర్ణమి)
Kartika · Nov · Telugu/South
The full moon day of Kartika month, which holds a special sacred status in Telugu states. The entire month of Kartika (October/November) is considered the holiest month in the Telugu calendar, and families observe special practices throughout. Every evening during Kartika, households light rows of diyas (oil lamps) in front of their homes and at their family puja area. Many families read a chapter of the Kartika Puranam each evening, gathering children and elders together. On Mondays during Kartika (Kartika Somavara), many devotees observe a special fast dedicated to Shiva. The full moon day, Kartika Pournami, is the culmination of the entire month's devotion. Families wake early and take holy dips in rivers and temple tanks, with the Godavari, Krishna, and other rivers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana seeing massive gatherings at dawn. Srisailam, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, sees enormous crowds on this day. Devotees light deepotsavam (grand lamp ceremonies) with thousands of oil lamps arranged in patterns at temples. Both Shiva and Vishnu are worshipped during Kartika month, with some families dedicating the month to Vishnu through special Tulasi Puja (worship of the sacred basil plant). The lighting of lamps during Kartika is believed to guide departed souls and earn spiritual merit. For Telugu families, Kartika month is a time of heightened devotion, simpler food (many adopt a vegetarian diet for the month), and nightly family gatherings around the puja room.
Why it matters
Kartika is considered the holiest month in the Telugu calendar, and the full moon day is its peak. Shiva and Vishnu are both especially worshipped, and the month-long practice of lighting lamps and reading sacred texts creates a sustained atmosphere of devotion in Telugu homes.
Traditions
- Lighting diyas every evening in Kartika month
- Holy dip in rivers on Pournami
- Visiting Srisailam
- Kartika Somavara fasting
- Reading Kartika Puranam
Dates
- 2025: 2025-11-05
- 2026: 2026-11-24
- 2027: 2027-11-14