Tripurari Purnima is celebrated to honour Lord Shiva as the destroyer of the three demon cities, known as Tripuras

The festival falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Kartik

Devotees observe fasts and offer prayers to seek Shiva’s blessings

Temples dedicated to Shiva are decorated with lights, flowers, and sacred offerings. Special rituals are performed and many devotees recite Shiva mantras throughout the day. It is considered a highly auspicious day to perform charity 

Devotees also light earthen lamps near rivers or tanks to honour Shiva

Some people also take holy dips in sacred rivers or temple tanks during the festival

The night of Tripurari Purnima is especially significant for meditation and spiritual reflection

The day is also celebrated as Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, with firecrackers bursting and earthen lamps being lit across the city

In Mumbai, the Banganga Tank wears a divine look on the night of Tripurari Purnima every year with thousands of devotees reaching the banks to perform rituals and take part in the special aarti

A stunning shot of the full moon captured over Mumbai's Banganga Tank