- Karthika Masam is one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar.
- The lunar calendar is divided into two parts Dakshinayana and Uttararyana Dakshinayana is set aside for Sadhana (penance), Sadhana means a process by which one would get moksha or salvation.
- Out of all the months in Dakshinayana, Karthika Masam is best suited for Sadhana.
- Any austerity, be it a pooja, charity, penance, etc. performed during this month is more meritorious than one performed on ordinary days.
- Puranas state that on Karthika pournami Lord Shiva kílled Tripurasuras and protected the world.
- Puranas also states that Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashadha suddha Ekadashi and wakes up on Karthika suddha Ekadashi.
- In this month Ganga enters into 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.
- Karthika Masam is considered highly auspicious and a sacred month for worshipping Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Subrahmanya (Karthikeya) with great austerities.
- Devotees of Lord Shiva perform the Ekadasi Rudra Abhishekam for the whole month of Karthika Masam to please Lord Shiva.
- Devotees of Lord Vishnu perform Satyanarayana Vrata on Karthika Pournami. Devotees of Subrahmanya perform Skanda Shasthi during this month.
- Any austerity performed during the month of Karthika would help the sadhakas to free themselves from all sins and lead them towards moksha.
- Devotees perform a month-long Vratham known as Kartik Vrat.
- During this Vratham they keep fast and perform special pujas and rituals to the god.
- Chaturmasya Vratham ends in the kartik month i.e on Kseerabdi dwadasi day. River baths (Kartik Snanam) are also considered auspicious during Kartik Masam.
- Kartik somvar is dedicated to the god Shiva and people worship him on the Mondays of this month.
- During Karthika Masam, it is considered auspicious to light a Diya.
- Diyas are lit and placed in front of the Tulasi plant, near the house's main entrance before sunrise, and just before Sunset.
- Temples light the Diya and bring the diya to the top of the Dhwaja Sthambam in the temple and tie it there on Karthika Pournami.
- This diya is called as Akaasa Deepam. On Karthika Pournami, the whole house is decorated with diyas.
- Another important significance is bathing in rivers during Karthika Masam.
- The rivers receive 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 Moonlight comprises Ashwayuja and Karthika Months.
- All along the Aswayuja Masam, the rivers absorb the energy from the Moon, and bathing in the river during Karthika Masam can also help one absorb this energy.
- Another significant aspect of Karthika month is Vana Bhojana, where taking food under the Amla tree in a forest or park is very auspicious.
- By doing so, we are rid of all Paraanna bhajan doshas which we accumulate by eating outside food and without proper prayer and discipline.
Do’s and Don't in Karthika Month
Rules to follow in Karthika Masam
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The most important aspect of Karthika Masam is hearing Karthika puranam while observing the Karthika somavaara vratham. The normal process of the Vratham would be to get up at Brahma muhurtham (around 4am), take a bath in the river, perform the Rudra Abhishekam by chanting the Rudra Namakam Chamakam, listen to Karthika Puranam and then breakfast in the night.
Next Month is Margashira Masam
As per North Indian calendars, Karthik's month begins on October 18 and ends on November 15.
As per South Indian Calenders, Karthika Masam starts on November 02 and ends on December 01.
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