Devotees celebrate Kartik Purnima across India

Allahabad/ Varanasi, Nov.21 (ANI): Devotees across the country celebrated Kartik Purnima and took dip in rivers and holy ponds on Sunday.

Thousands of devotees took a holy dip in River Ganga in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad city.

Kartik Purnima is considered the auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.

Devotees believe that taking a dip in the River Ganga during Kartik Purnima cleanses them of their sins, speeding the way to the end of the cycle of reincarnation.

"By taking a holy dip in the sacred river on the eve of Kartik Purnima, devotees escape the cycle of rebirth, and get success and happiness in life. It holds a lot of importance in Hindus' life," said Durga Prasad Pandey, a priest.

Devotees gathered at the holy Sangam, the site of the confluence of the Rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and the Saraswati.

"We take a bath in the River Ganga in the month of Kartik. On the eve of Kartik Purnima, we take a dip in the Sangam, which is special to us," said Mohan Mishra, a devotee.

Meanwhile, devotees in Varanasi thronged the embankments by the River Ganga to take a holy dip and to pray for the well-being of their family. The occasion is also locally known as Dev Diwali.

"There are many Indian traditions and rituals which are being followed here. On this day, Dev Diwali is also celebrated and on the eve of Kartik Purnima by taking bath in River Ganga, all the wishes of devotees are fulfilled," said Pankaj, a devotee. (ANI)