Kartika Month: Know the Importance and Rituals of Kartika Masam

One of the most fortunate months observed in the Hindu calendar based on the lunar form is the Karthika masam. Dakshinayana and Uttararyana are the two halves of the lunar calendar. Dakshinayana includes Karthika Masam. Dakshinayana is the only one of the two ayanas designated for sadhana. Sadhana refers to the Vedic approach to acquiring salvation. Karthika Masam is the best month for Sadhana out of all the ones in Dakshinayana. Kartika mass is one of the most fortunate months in the lunar calendar as a result.

The most important aspect of the Karthika Masam is that it is fortunate for both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu worshippers. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu temples are crowded with worshipers during Karthika Masam. We may better grasp that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are the same through the Karthika Masam. Doing the Karthika Masam aids the devotee in realising and accepting within himself that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are the same.

Importance of Kartik month: Poojas During Karthika Masam 

Yama Vidhiya is the first festival to be observed in Karthik Masam. We also refer to it as a brother-sister event as "Bhagini Bhojanam." Yami (Yamuna Devi), the sister of Lord Yama, once berated her brother, which caused him to award her a blessing. Whoever eats food at their sister's house on Yam Vidhiya will be absolved of their sins and won't have to endure agony in hell. The brothers still visit their sister's home to eat and perform the ritual while giving and receiving blessings.

Nagula Chavithi

Performing Naga Puja is an unanticipated event. The fourth day following Deepavali Amavasya is when it occurs. After Nagula Chavithi, rituals in Kartik Maas for Nag Panchami and Nagasashti are also conducted. This celebration honours snake Gods and is predominantly carried out by women. Married ladies observe it for the benefit of their kids. They maintain a fast and practise Naga puja. Near the putta, devotees offer milk, fruits, and Arthis (snake pits). An "Ashtanag," a seven-headed snake, is devoutly adored.

Karthika Ekadasi

Fasting: Every household observes the Ekadasi fast during the Karthika Masam festival. On Ashada Shuddha Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu sleeps, and on Karthika Suddha Ekadasi, he awakens in Ksheera Samudra. After a full day of fasting, people break their fast the following day by giving food and clothing to a Brahmin or Temple Priest.

Ksheerabdhi Dwadashi 

On this day, women perform Lord Vishnu prayers in their homes while reciting 12, 16, and 21 deepams next to a tulsi plant with a gooseberry or amla plant growing inside.

Dwadashi deepams are what these karthika deepam are known for. The sight of every house glowing brightly with several diyas is breathtaking.

Karthika Pournami 

Karthika Pournami is the name given to the Pournami that occurs in the Krithika Nakshatra (Star) in the Karthika Masam. It is similar to fasting on Shiva Rathri to observe a fast on Karthika Purnima. Devotees fast all day long. They only break their fast after giving Lord Vishnu a 365 vattulu (cotton) deepam and viewing the moon. A newlywed woman does 33 pournami vratham or noomulu, and in the evening, she visits the Shiva temple to give the goddess Parvathi a large pumpkin fruit, a yam fruit, as well as other food things.

Poli Swargam

After Amavasya, the Poli Swargam Pooja is conducted as the final act of Karthika Masam. After the temple priest recites the story, they are given vayanalu and swayampakam. Finally, karthika deepam is retained on banana stems or ribs and dumped in waterways. This event marks the final day of Karthika Masam.

As part of the Karthika masam somavara vratham, Lord Shiva gave us a tremendous blessing. A diligent worker would experience all of life's pleasures and, even after death, would attain Kailash. Reaching Kailasha entails achieving moksha, shiva lokam, or salvation.

Karthika Somavaram

It is observed during the "Shravana Nakshatra" festival, which typically takes place in Karthika Masam on Pournami Day. Abhishek Anand, Rudrabhishekam It is fortunate to light lamps for Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvathi since doing so will cleanse the devotee of all their sins, make them happy, and protect them from all illnesses.

On this day, offering Rudrabhishekam 11 times will lead you directly to Kailasam. Lord Shiva is known as Someswara and maintains the soma (crescent Moon) on his matted hair. Fasting for Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva would undoubtedly lead to liberation. Hindu texts claim that Karthika Masam is a month that purges sin.

Satya Narayana Swamy vratham

If we perform this vratham this kartika month, Satya Narayana Swamy bestows his divine blessings. It's among the simplest and most effective ways to be close to him. The Bhagwan who is in charge of maintaining our universe is Lord Vishnu.

This vratham is always carried out immediately after our wants or aspirations are satisfied. Any time is good to execute this vratham, whether morning or evening. It assists us in making significant life accomplishments. People want to invite their loved ones so they can celebrate with them. Organising it is undoubtedly a pleasant occasion for the family, but asking friends and providing them with prasadam after the Pooja is complete is also lucky. The story is the most significant component of this vratham, and everyone needs to hear it.

The southern states, such as Andhra and Telangana, as well as Karnataka, observe the Paitha Mahakruchcha vratham, a five-day ceremony, during Karthika Krishna Paksha. Karthika Krishna Saptami marks the beginning of the Vratham, which ends on Karthika Krishna Ekadasi.

On the fifth day of Uttuvana Ekadasi, they celebrate the Tulsi vivah with Lord Vishnu when the fast is broken. During these five days, people worship Lord Vishnu and fast. When fasting, it is usually advisable to consume bland food, such as fruit or milk.

Nattalu or Natta Vratham

Nattalu vratham is observed excessively quickly throughout the entire day, with food being consumed just when the moon rises and the stars can be seen. The entire kartika month is spent doing it. This ritual is known as Nattalu or Natta Vratham if performed continuously throughout the kartika month.

People observe the Karthika Ekadasi Vrat because the Ekadashi of Karthika Masam is unique.

Learn More: What happen if lizard falling on head

Do's and Don'ts in Karthika Masam

• You must do Kartik Snan, including your hair.
• You must light a deepam and perform Pooja every evening.
• Every day, read one chapter of the Karthika Puranam.
• Even if the narrative is being read aloud, it is still beneficial to hear it.
• On Mondays, Karthika Poornima, and karthika somavaram, prepare prasadam. On other days, you can even keep some fruit as prasadam.
• One should abstain from eating non-vegetarian cuisine, onion, and garlic throughout the kartika month. Urad dal should not be consumed.
• Only a one-time meal per day for 30 days. You should only use sesame oil to light diyas. On auspicious days like Mondays, kartika Purnima, karthika somavaram, etc., we can eat breakfast at night, or at least we must do so.

A detailed explanation of the various worships performed at Karthika Masam is provided here. Although none are required, doing so will bring about great spiritual richness.