Deepavali or Diwali marks the advent of the most important Hindu month called Karthika Masam. The month is marked by poojas, rituals, customs, spiritual events and fastings. Karthika Masam begins on the day after Deepavali and also marks the beginning of winter season.
Karthika Masam is very auspicious and sacred for both Shaiva and Vaishnava devotees. The devotees observe Karthika Masa Vratham also and get good life and moksha. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Karthika month which coincides with Krithika star. This month is the favorite month for Lord Shiva amongst all the 12 months. Danams like Swarna (gold), Vastra (clothes), Cow will be given. Upavasams (fasting) will be performed on all the Mondays of this month. During Karthika Masam it helps the devotee to understand and embrace within himself that there is no difference between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva and that both are one. This is clearly explained through the stanza below:
Sivasya Hrudayum Vishnuhu, VIshnusya Hrudaygaum Shiva
Etha Shivamayor Vishnu, EEvam Vishnu Maya Shivaha
Poojas & Activities
Kartika Masam is very auspicious and is said to get us spiritual bliss when we worship Lord Vishnu/Shiva. There are many important pooja procedures to be done during this period like Ksheerabdhi Dwadasi pooja/ Kartika Deepam or Kartika Pournami pooja, lighting the lamps near Tulasi kota and doing nitya poojas to Goddess Tulasi, Chanting Vishnu Sahsranamam or Shiva Sahasranamam, daily chanting of Shiva Stotras, fasting on Mondays and meditating, these are few poojas and activities that are attributed to this month.
According to Kalidharma and Kaladharmam we may not be able to follow each and every ritual according to Kartika Puranam, but at least we should adapt some rituals and do simple pooja with pure heart and cleanliness.
Poojas are to be performed for the whole month. Those who cannot perform for 30 days (full month) they can do minimum for 10 days. These 10 days are “starting five days of Karthik Masam and five days before pournima”. These 10 days are very important days in this month.
Cleansing Self
People during this month observe strict rituals. 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 Karthika Masam vratham we can drove 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.
Also Tulasi plant is prayed and worshiped daily by lighting a deepam during this month. There is story behind this Tulasi came as a sister of Goddess Lakshmi when amrita Mantham Ocean is churned. Tulasi wanted to marry Lord Vishnu but Lakshmi did not like this and cursed her to become a plant. But Lord Vishnu took pity and for fulfilling her wish he gave a boon that when he is in form of saligram, tulasi will be close to him. On Kartika Shukla Dwadashi Tulasi plant is decorated and prayed.
Facts of the month
- Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashadha Suddha Ekadashi and wakes-up on Karthika Suddha Ekadashi.
- Lord Shiva protected the world by killing Tripurasuras on Karthika Pournami.
- Ganga enters in to all rivers, canals, ponds and wells and makes them as pious as Ganga.
- Ayyappa Deeksha is also taken during this month and is continued up to Makara Sankranthi.
Dos & Don’ts of Karthika Masam
- People should get up at Brahma Muhurtha time.
- Take bath within the river or sea if possible or take bath at home before sunrise.
- Perform Pooja at home by offering naivedyam. Visit temples on Mondays.
- Recite each chapter in Karthika puranam daily for 30 days.Also people recite Vishnu Sahasranamalu.
- Daily morning and evening perform light deepam. Light deepam at tulasi plant in the evening after the presence of stars.
- Lighting deepam in Lord Shiva temple is very beneficial.
- Eat meal once a day. Don’t eat non vegetarian food. Strictly avoid onions and garlic.
- Charity (Danam) has to be given to the poor and the people in need.
- Daily Japa (meditative repetition of a mantra or name of God) has to be performed.
- On Karthika Pournami light deepam with 365 wicks at Lord Siva temple or at Tulasi plant.
- Fasting has to be observed especially on Naguala Chavithi, Ekadashi, Pournami.
- People should perform archana and abhishekam to Lord Shiva.
- Vana Bojanalu (eating food) under the amla tree will remove off the sins committed.
- Some people use deepam made of rice flour or Gooseberry to light deepam.
- The last day of Karthika Masam is also very auspicious known as “Poli Swargam” i.e. Amavasya day.
On the last day, light deepam with 31 wicks (mainly with puvvu vottulu 31 mainly because for the whole Karthika Masam) on a banana trunk or plantain stem (aarti dimma) and leave in the river. If not possible to light deepam near the river you can also light a deepam near the tulasi plant at home and in a big tub place filled with water and place the deepam.
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