Tripurotsav 2024: Why is Tripurotsav celebrated in Kartik Purnima

The festival of Tripurotsav is celebrated on the full moon of the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. All the rituals of this Pradoshvapini fast are observed since ancient times. Everyone celebrates this festival on full moon day with great reverence and faith. The fast observed on this day is considered very auspicious for all.

As per mythological beliefs, on this day Lord Shiva killed the demon named Tripurasura, hence this day is celebrated as Tripurotsav. This festival is also known as Tripuri Purnima.

Tripurotsav - Importance of Snan and Charity

Bathing in the Ganges on this day absolves one of all misdeeds. Snan eliminates negative thoughts. Good positive thoughts occupy the mind. It is believed that if one takes a bath in the Ganges on Triproutsav he/she receives a benefit equivalent to taking a bath throughout the year in the Ganges. On this day, devotees take bath not only in the Ganga but also in various other holy rivers and ponds across different places.

Triveni Sangam has a lot of importance on this day. It is believed that if one takes a bath at the site of Sangam, the path of salvation becomes easier. Moreove,r it is also believed that all The Tridevas visit the Triveni Sangam on this day. On the occasion of this festival, special events and programs are organised not only at Ganga-Yamuna but also at all other religious places across India. Lakhs of devotees go on pilgrimages on this day. After performing Snan, doing charity also holds great importance and gives extremely good results.

People from all cadres of society be it rich or be it poor all devotees donate something or the other as per their capacity, food, fruits, money, gratification, clothing etc. Donations for the nine planets should also be made on this day. Donate wheat and jaggery for the Sun. Donate milk and sugar for the Moon. Red clothes or red colored lentils for Mars. Green vegetable or green cloth for Mercury planet. Donate turmeric, banana for Guru (Jupiter). For Venus, donate white clothes, camphor and white sesame seeds. Donate black sesame, mustard oil or iron etc. for Shani.

Satyanarayana story on Tripurotsav Poornima

On the day of Tripuri Purnima, people also observe the Satyanarayana fast after Snan. If one is unable to visit religious places, then one must take a Snan wherever possible and also do donations. On the occasion of Tripurotsav the Satyanarayana fast Katha is read and heard in Satsang.

On this day, one must resolve to fast and then perform Puja Katha of Lord Satyanarayan. After fasting throughout the day, when the Moon rises at night Arghya should be performed and then the Moon should be worshipped. One must offer Kheer to the Moon and then consume something sweet.

Tripotsava Mythological Story

A very popular mythological story is associated with Tripurotsav. This story should be heard on this day. There was once a very mighty monster called Tripur. The monster did severe penance to conquer the Devtas. His penance was so strong that Tiloks started burning under its tenacity. No one could stand in front of him, let alone fight. His harsh austerity became the talk of the town and the power of Devtas over Trilok started wavering. The Devtas made several efforts to end Tripur’s harsh penance. The Devtas sent Apsaras to Tripur to distract him and trap him in Maya. But the monster was extremely focussed and nothing could deter him.

Pleased with the hard penance and austerity of the monster, Brahma ji appeared in front of him. Brahma Ji requested the monster to ask for a boon. The monster sought immortality as a boon from Brahma. Brahma ji told the monster that it is not possible to grant immortality, because whoever is born in this world is certain to die. On hearing this, the monster asked for another boon whereby he should not die at the hands of Devtas, or a man, or a woman or any other person. Brahma ji grants this boon to the monster.

Having sought the boon he wanted, monster Tripur becomes very egoistic and starts dictating everyone. He starts believing he is invincible. He throws the Devtas out from the Devlok and establishes his authority over Devlok. Tripura, with its power, starts to dominate the gods and humans and starts harassing everyone. Anarchy and disappointment spread everywhere. Finally, the Devtas reach out to Bhramaji and ask him to rescue them from Tripura.

Brahma ji informs the Devtas that no Devta or human can kill him, he can only be destroyed by Lord Shiva. The Devtas then go to Lord Mahadeva. They pray to him and ask him to end the atrocities of the Tripura monster. Lord Shiva kills Tripura monster which leads to the welfare of the Devtas and humans.

The death of the monster leads to peace and happiness. On this occasion, Devas and Danavs lit lamps to mark the victory of Lord Shiva. To celebrate this victory, the festival of Triporetsava is celebrated even today.

Tripuroutsava: Worship of Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is specially worshiped on the day of Tripotsava. Just like how Lord Shiva killed a monster with a single arrow, similarly, he eliminates everyone's sufferings in a single stroke. All kinds of diseases, pain and sorrows are removed by worshiping Shiva. Lighting lamps on this day at the time of moonrise and worshipping Lord Shiva also ends problems in life. One’s life is brightened by the same light.