What is
Karthika masam?
Kartik Maas (also known as Damodar Maas) is the most auspicious month among Hindus. It begins
on the day after Deepavali and also marks the beginning of winter season. It
begins in the eight month of the year after the sun entering into Tula..
The lunar
calendar has been divided into two parts Dakshinayana and Uttararyana. Karthika
Masam comes under Dakshinayana. Out of the two ayanas Dakshinayana is set aside
for Sadhana. Sadhana means a process by which one would get salvation. Out of
all the months in Dakshinayana Karthika Masam is best suited for Sadhana. Hence
Karthika Masam is one of the most auspicious months of the lunar calendar.
Puranas state
that on Karthika pournami Lord Shiva kílled Tripurasuras and protected the
world. Puranas also state that Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashadha suddha
ekadashi and wakes-up on Karthika suddha ekadashi. In this month Ganga, enters
in to all rivers, canals, ponds and wells and flows as antarvaahini,
making them as pious as the Ganga. In this month, Ayyappa deeksha is also taken
and continued up to Makara Sankranthi.
The daily
activities starts early in the morning taking bath with cold water, going to
temple, lighting deepam, fasting and saligrama pooja. The most auspicious days
in this season are Mondays which is very important to Lord Shiva. As per the
puranas it is believed that by performing the karthka Masam vratham we can drive
away the past karmas and the sins committed can be destroyed. Lighting
Lamps with ghee made from the cow’s milk during the sunrise and sunset brings
prosperity, wealth, health into our lives. It also burns the material desires
in between our birth and death.
Lighting of Diya or Lighting a Lamp
During
Karthika Masam, it is considered auspicious to light a diya. Diyas are lit and
placed in front of Tulasi plant and near the main entrance of the house before
Sun rise, and just before Sun set. Diyas are also lit in temples, on top of the
Dhwaja Sthambam on Karthika Pournami. These diyas are called Akaasa Deepam. On Karthika Pournami,
the whole house is decorated with diyas.
Bathing in River or Nadi Snanam
Another
important significance is bathing in rivers during Karthika Masam. The rivers
have received fresh water during the rainy season comprising of Shravan and
Bhadrapada Months and have completely settled by the time Karthika Masam
starts. Also, Sharad Rithu (season) known for its special Moon light
comprises of Ashwayuja and Karthika Months. All along the Aswayuja Masam, the
rivers would absorb the energy from Moon and by bathing in the river during
Karthika Masam one can absorb this energy from the river.
Vanabhojanalu during Karthika Masam
It is a
common ritual that people would go out with families and friends to parks or
nearby forests to have a dinner during the Karthika Masam or Karthika Month.
These are known as Vanabhojanalu.
Performing of SatyaNarayana Vrat
Devotees of
Lord Vishnu will perform the Satyanarayana Vrat during the holy month of
Karthika Masam. It is believed that performing Satyanarayana Vrata on Karthika
Pournami would help them to free themselves from all the sins.
Performing of Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam
Devotees of
Lord Shiva would perform the Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam for the whole month of
Karthika Masam to please Lord Shiva.
Karthika Somavara Vratam
Few devotees
would observe a Karthika Soma vara Vratham. The normal process of Karthika
Somavara Vratham would be to fast for the whole day, perform the Rudra
Abhishekam by chanting the Rudra Namakam and Rudra Chamakam. They then eat
after seeing the stars.
Nattalu or Natta Vratam
Nattallu or
Natta Vratam is observed by the devotees. The process of observing Nattallu or
Natta Vratam is to fast for the whole day and eat only after seeing the stars
for the whole month of Kathika Masam. So only if this routine is followed for
the complete month it is called as Natta Vratham or Nattalu.
The Ekadashi
of Karthika Masam is very special and hence people would also observe the
Karthika Ekadasi Vrat.
Significance of each day in Karthika Masam:
Padyami: 1st day of Karthika Masam.
Devotees generally go to Lord Siva or Lord Vishnu temple to pray them to give
strength to do the puja for the whole month. This is the Day we start lighting
Akasa Deepam. The Lamp you light either at the entrance of your house or at
Siva or Vishnu temple
Vidiya: 2nd day of karthika masam.
Brother should go to his sister's house on this auspicious day and eat the food
cooked by her and bestow her with blessings and gifts
Thadiya: 3rd day of the month. Good
Day to do Thrilochana Guri Vratham.. Those who are unable to do the Vrath can
do Kumkuma archana or Puja to Maa Parvathi on this day
Chavithi: 4th Day is Chavithi. It is
said to be Nagula Chavithi in Andhra. On this day it’s good to worship Lord
Subramanya swamy (Murugan)
Panchami: 5th day is Panchami, also
known as Jnana Panchami. Need to do archana for Lord Subramanya swamy.
Shasti: 6th Day is Shasti. Should not
eat your favorite items today
Saptami: 7th Day is Sapthami: Pray to
Lord Surya (Sun God) and donate tie wheat in a red color cloth and donate
Ashtami: 8th
Day is Ashtami, also
known as Gopala ashtami, Need to do puja to Go matha (Holy Cow)
Navami:
9th Day is Navami, good to start Vishnu Thri rathra vratham, which need
to be done for 3 days. Its good to do puja for Lord Vishnu in the evening and
Night time.
Dasami:
10th Day is Dasami, pray to Lord Vishnu today
Ekadasi: 11th Day is Ekadasi, Do
fasting (Upavasam) and break the fast on Dwadasi.
Dwadasi:
12th Day is Dwadasi, known as Khseerabdi Dwadasi . Lord Vishnu will wake
up from his yoga nidra on this day. Do Puja to Lord vishnu. Good to do Puja
under Gooseberry tree or Tulsi plant.
Trayodasi:
13th Day is Trayodasi, Good day to skip dinner. Auspicious to donate
Saligrama Sila
Chathurdasi:
14th Day is Chathurdasi, good to donate Iron and Sesame today, not to eat your favorite food
Pournami: 15th
Day is Pournami. Need
to do Nadi Snanam (Taking Bath in River). Do puja to Lord Varuna. Auspicious to
light diya at Lord Siva or Vishnu temple. It brings a lot of good even if you
see the deepa at the temple
Bahula
Padyami: 16th Day is Bahula Padyami. Not to eat stocked food and curd
Vidiya: 17th
Day is Vidiya. Good
day to do Vana Bhojanam. It is said that offering prayers to Lord Vishnu under
Gooseberry tree and then having food there with relatives and friends will
bring great benefits.
Thadiya: 18th
Day is Thadiya. Good
to donate Thulasi Mala to Bramhin
Chavithi: 19th
Day is Chavithi. Need
to do pooja to Lord Vinayaka with Garika ( a type of grass, favorite for
Ganapathi)
Panchami: 20th
day is Panchami. Need
to feed the animals, ants, birds etc
Shasti:
21st day is Shasti. Need to do Puja to Grama Devatha. Good to donate what
ever you can depending on your status.
Saptami: 22nd
Day is Sapthami. Need
to do puja to Lord shiva with white Calotropis Gigantea (Jilledu in telugu,
Erukku in tamil)
Ashtami: 23rd
Day is Ashtami. Need
to do puja for Kala bhirava with Vada ( Garelu in telugu)
Navami: 24th
day is Navami. Good
to donate water, red color saree, blouse piece, bangles etc
Dasami: 25th
day is Dasami: Good
to donate food , need to do upavasam (fasting)
Ekadasi: 26th
day is Ekadasi: Doing
Deeparadhana (lighting the Lamp), Listening to Puranas will give great benefits
today
Dwadasi: 27th
Day is Dwadasi: Good
to donate food for the needy
Thrayodasi:
28th Day is Thrayodasi. Need to do puja to Navagraha. Good to do Fasting on the name of
Navagraha
Chaturdasi:
29th Day is Chathurdasi. Today is known as Masa Siva rathri, Need to pray lord siva and doing
fasting in day time is good.
Amavasya: 30th
Day is Amavasya. Need
to donate food on the name of pithru devathalu (the deceased). Good to do
fasting. Last day of lighting Akasa Deepam. Need to light the lamp at temple
and offer coconut to Lord.
Dos and
Don'ts in Karthika Masam:
- Must take shower (including hair)
daily.
- Must light deepam every evening
and do pooja.
- Read one chapter in karthika
puranam book everyday.It is even good to hear the story if someone is
reading it loud.
- Prepare prasadam on Mondays,
karthika poornima, koti somavaram and remaining days you can even keep
some fruit as prasadam
- One should not eat Onion, garlic
and non-veg food for the whole month.
- Should not use seasame oil for
anything except for lighting diyas
- Should not eat urad dal
- Must take meal only once per day
for the 30 days. We can eat breakfast at nights or at least, we must follow
this on auspicious days like Mondays, karthika poornima, koti somavaram
etc.