Kartik Purnima – Millions of devotees take holy bath in holy rivers

New Delhi: In Bihar, millions of devotees took holy bath in Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Saryu, Bagmati and other rivers on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. In the capital city Patna, a large number of devotees offer prayers after holy baths and perform rituals of Dana (दान) on the banks of the Ganga. Huge gatherings were also witnessed for Kartik Snan on the confluence of rivers Ganga and Gandak, the Konhara Ghat and Simariya Dham in Begusarai.The Birth anniversary (Gurpurab) of the founder of the Sikh panth Guru Nanak Dev ji is also being celebrated with religious fervour at Takht Shri Harimandir Sahib Gurudwara in Patna Sahib and other holy Gurudwara in the state.A large number of Sikh devotees have reached to offer prayers at Takht Shri Hari Mandir Sahib to the First Sikh Guru Nanak Dev Ji.Ghats overflow with pilgrims for Kartik PurnimaIn Uttar Pradesh, Several devotees thronged the banks of the holy Ganga to take holy bath on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima.People started reaching the ghats from early in the morning. Devotees offered prayers after taking holy dip, offered prayers and performed deepdaan.The day, also celebrated as Dev Deepawali, marks Lord Shiva’s victory over demon Tripurasura. It is believed that holy dip in the Ganga on Kartik Purnima cleanse the body, mind, and soul.Kartik Purnima is also celebrated as Gurpurab and Prakash Utsav to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of Sikhs. Devotees visit Gurudwaras to offer prayers, perform langar sewa, and recite the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev.Devotees from all religions pay tribute at Shri Harimandir SahibThe 555th Prakash Purb (birth anniversary) of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji celebrated in Bharat and across the world with much religious fervour and devotion. Hundreds of devotees from all religions paid obeisance at Shri Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar and other Gurudwaras. The founder of Sikh panth Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in Rai Bhoi Di Talwandi, which is now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. His teachings emphasized equality, love and devotion to God.