Photos: Kartik Purnima Festival observed across India

Devotees light earthen lamps on the occasion of 'Kartik Purnima' during the Maha Arti at Banganga, Walkeshwar in Mumbai. Karthika or Kartik is one of the most auspicious months in the lunar calendar which begins on the day after Diwali, the Festival of Lights and ends after 30 days. It is considered very sacred by the devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Devotees light the earthen lamps on the occasion of Kartik Purnima festival, in Varanasi. This year, Kartik Purnima was celebrated on November 12. It is also observed as Dev Diwali.

A huge number of devotees gather to take a holy dip in the river Ganga on the occasion of 'Kartik Purnima', in Haridwar

Priests performing Maha Aarti on the occasion of 'Kartik Purnima' at a Ghat in Lucknow

Devotees perform a ritual by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) on the occasion of Kartik Purnima in Hyderabad

A woman performs ritual after taking a holy dip in Gomti river on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, in Lucknow

Devotees perform a ritual by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) on the occasion of Kartik Purnima in Hyderabad

Heir of Sai Geetha Ashram (monastery), Srikeerthima (3L), performs a ritual by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) along with devotees on the occasion of Kartik Purnima in Hyderabad

Devotees gather to take a holy dip in River Ganga on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, in Varanasi

Devotees perform a ritual by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) on the occasion of Kartik Purnima in Hyderabad

A huge number of devotees gather to take a holy dip in the river Ganga on the occasion of 'Kartik Purnima', in Haridwar

A mahout gives his elephant a bath at the Gandak river on the auspicious occasion of 'Kartik Purnima' during the annual cattle fair in Saran district

Devotees on the occasion of 'Kartik Purnima' during the Maha Arti at Banganga, Walkeshwar in Mumbai

Young devotees perform a ritual by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) on the occasion of Kartik Purnima in Hyderabad

Devotees offer prayers on the occasion of 'Trijata Puja' during the end of Kartik Purnima festival, on the banks of River Ganga, in Prayagraj

Devotees participate in the 'Narmada Panchkoshi Parikrama' (walking tour) during the occasion of Kartik Purnima month at Bhedaghat in Jabalpur

Old women and children celebrate the 'Boat festival during the occasion of "Kartik Purnima", in Bhubaneswar

Devotees take a holy dip in Gomti river on the occasion of Kartik Purnima in Lucknow

Devotees gather to take a holy dip in River Ganga on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, in Varanasi

Devotees gather at a ghat to take a dip at River Saryu on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, in Ayodhya

Mankameshwar Mahant Devya Giri performs Maha Aarti on the occasion of 'Kartik Purnima' at Ghat in Lucknow

Devotees performing rituals on the bank of river Ganga on the occasion of "Kartik Purnima" in Prayagraj

Devotees gather on the banks of River Ganga to take a holy dip on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, in Patna

Devotees light earthen lamps on the banks of River Ganga on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, in Varanasi