The full moon on November 11-12, 2019 is called “Karthik Purnima” as it falls in the Vedic month of Karthik. It is also known as Tripuri Purnima.

Lord Shiva in his form as Tripurantaka (“Killer of Tripurasura”) killed Tripurasura on this day. Tripurasura had conquered the whole world and defeated the gods and also created three cities in space, together called “Tripura”. The killing of the demons and destruction of their cities with a single arrow – by Lord Shiva overjoyed the gods and they declared the day as a festival of illuminations. It is also called as Dev Diwali or Diwali of the Gods.

Kartik Purnima is also the birthday of Matsya, Lord Vishnu’s fish-incarnation (avatar). It is also the birthday of Vrinda, the personification of the Tulsi plant.

Timings

India
Purnima Tithi Begins – 06:02 PM on Nov 11, 2019
Purnima Tithi Ends – 07:04 PM on Nov 12, 2019

New York
Purnima Tithi Begins – 07:32 AM on Nov 11, 2019
Purnima Tithi Ends – 08:34 AM on Nov 12, 2019

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Full Moon in Kritikka Nakshatra Rituals

  1. Wake up early and take a shower by chanting this mantra –

    गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति । नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् संनिधिं कुरु ॥ 

Gangge Ca Yamune Caiva Godaavari Sarasvati | Narmade Sindhu Kaaveri Jalesmin           Sannidhim Kuru ||

Meaning: O Holy Rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and also Godavari, Saraswati …Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri; Please be Present in this Water near me (and make it Holy).

2. Kritikka Nakshatra is ruled by the Sun – So performing Sun Salutations and Arghya to honor the Sun God is extremely beneficial.

3. Listen to Aditya Hrudayam – to win over our inner demons.

4. Meditate on Kandha Sashti Kavacham to honor Lord Kartikeya.

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The Story of Kritikka Nakshatra

It is believed that Lord Shiva created Lord Kartikeya or Lord Muruga from his 3rd eye of six primary faces (Tatpurusam, Aghoram, Sadyojatam, Vamadevam, Eesanam, and Adhomukam). It is believed that the six forms made into six children and each of them brought up by the six celestial nymphs and later merged into one by his mother Parvati.

As the six nymphs helped in bringing up the child, Lord Shiva blessed immortality to the six nymphs as ever living stars on the sky known as the Pleiades. Any worship performed to this six stars is equal to worshiping Lord Kartikeya himself. They are worshiped by lighting up rows of oil lamps (Deepam) in the evening of the festival day around the houses and streets.