Shiva Baikuntha Chaturdashi Vrata/Poornima Vrata

It is customary to worship Baikunthadhipati Lord Vishnu on the day of Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi. It is believed that Lord Vishnu hands over the burden of creation to Lord Shankar for one Chaturmas on Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi. During these four months, only Shiva runs the universe. It is believed that after sleeping for four months Lord Vishnu will wake up on Deuthani Ekadashi and Lord Shankar will once again hand over the burden of creation to Lord Vishnu.

विना यो हरिपूजां तु कुर्याद् रुद्रस्य चार्चनम्।
वृथा तस्य भवेत्पूजा सत्यमेतद्वचो मम।।

After worshipping all night, on the second day i.e. the day of Kartik Purnima, one should again worship Lord Shiva and break their fast. This fast on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is also a symbol of mutual unity between Shaivas and Vaishnavas.

Poornima Vrata
The last day of Shukla Paksha is the full moon day. Today is the Kartik Poornima, a Poornima which officially concludes the convoy of festivals. On this tithi, the moon is the brightest and most magnificent. It is believed that fasting on this day brings immense lunar grace to health, prosperity, and peace. On the full moon day, Lord Shiva and Vishnu are especially worshipped. Special worship to Lord Vishnu is done in the form of Satya Narayan Puja. Satya Narayan Puja is usually performed whenever possible, although the fruits of this puja performed on the day of the full moon are very abundant.

From a scientific point of view, it is said that gravity will have a great effect on the earth on the day of the full moon and self-purification will be done by fasting on this day and remembering the name of God. By fasting on this day, the metabolic process will be strengthened, gastric problems will be solved and positive energy will increase in the body.

This day is fasted from sunrise in the morning to moonrise in the evening. Some people observe this fast without drinking water, while others observe this fast by eating only one meal and eating no salt (alino) food. In the evening, after the moonrise, the fast ends with the sighting of the moon. Happy Kartik Purnima to everyone this year.

Suyog Dhakal