RAS PURNIMA AND GURPURAB CELEBRATED IN THE NATION TODAY

RAS PURNIMA AND GURPURAB : As an enchanting full moon takes centre stage in the sky marking the Tithi of Kartik Purnima, Indians
gear up in different parts of the country to celebrate 2 unique and beautiful festivals – Ras Purnima
(devotees believe Lord Krishna performed the Dance of Divine Love) and Gurpurab (marking the birth of
the 1 st Guru, religious leader, saint and philosopher, Guru Nanak Dev).
There are several traditions and rituals accompanying Ras Purnima. This particular Purnima (Full Moon)
is considered auspicious as it marks the victory of Lord Shiva over three demons, Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha
and Viryavana. It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva killed all the three terrible demons with a single
arrow. This impressed the gods greatly; they decided to declare it as a festival of illumination or Dev-
Diwali (Diwali for the gods. This festival is therefore associated with the lighting of diyas.
Devotees of Lord Krishna believe that on this day He performed the Ras Lila, the spiritual dance of Divine
Love. The Ras Lila is part of the traditional story of Krishna described in Hindu scriptures in which He
dances with Radha Rani (His consort). Krishna and Radha temples are decorated beautifully, and the day
and evening marked by the rendition of bhajans and kirtans dedicated to them.
People in Odisha celebrate by setting afloat miniature boita (boats) made of banana stem, a beautiful
throwback to the yesteryears when merchants in vessels would set off on the ocean to South-east Asian
lands for trading.
Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab is a day of celebration of the birth anniversary of the founder of the
Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev. Born in 1569 on Kartik Purnima, he was not simply a religious leader, but a
great humanitarian and visionary who preached the equality of mankind on earth. Guru Nanak Dev, a
simple man, preached in a lucid way enlightening followers with profound truths of life.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar and many other Gurudwaras have been decked for the occasion.
Followers of Sikhism offered prayers across the country and internationally in Gurudwaras in different
nations.