Karthik is a month symbolising the victory of good over evil. It marks the triumph of Goddess Lakshmi over darkness, Kartikey over Tarakasur and Lord Ram over Ravan.
The holy month of Karthik holds significance, especially during Kartika Poornami. Devotees traditionally take a beach bath, visit Shiva temples and conduct special pujas dedicated to Lord Shiva during the full moon of Karthik. In observance of Karthik Purnima, devotees across the Prakasam district’s coastal areas in Andhra Pradesh performed various abhishek programs in Shiva temples on Monday.
In the Hindu calendar, Karthik is the eighth month, known as Karthik Maas or Damodara Month, and is considered sacred. Falling typically between October and November in the Gregorian calendar, the month of Karthik is significant for Tulsi Puja and for deepening one’s devotion to Lord Krishna. In 2023, Karthik began on October 29.
Devotees in various coastal areas of Prakasam, including Kottapatnam, Pakala, Vetapalem and Ramayapatnam, observed the full moon of Karthik by taking beach baths. They believe that bathing on the beach during this month is auspicious and brings merits. As an expression of devotion, the devotees created Saikata Shivlingams at these coastal locations. Additionally, they lit lamps and conducted worship ceremonies dedicated to Lord Shiva on the beach.
In addition, all the maladhars took a bath and organised a bhajan program. Devotees worshipped in the nearby Shiva temples by immersing themselves in the water, and the Shaiva Kshetras echoed with the chanting of Shiva Namas. To manage the large number of devotees arriving at the coastal areas for the Karthik Purnima festival, the police implemented stringent security measures to prevent any untoward incidents.
Many devotees observed a higher turnout at Kothapatnam Beach compared to the previous year. In conversations with News 18, devotees conveyed their belief that participating in beach bathing and conducting special pujas to Lord Shiva on Karthik Purnima would bring abundant blessings. They emphasised that making Saikata Shivlingas was a means to fulfil the desires of the Lord. Overall, Shiva temples across Prakasam district experienced a substantial influx of devotees celebrating the full moon of Karthik. The temple committee members took measures to ensure that the devotees faced no inconvenience.
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