Karthik Month 2016

Karthika Masam or Month is one of the most auspicious months in a lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is divided into two parts Dakshinayana and Uttararyana and 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 the Karthika Masam 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 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.

Karthika Masam is considered highly auspicious and a sacred month for worshipping Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu as well as Lord Subrahmanya (Karthikeya) with great austerities. Devotees of Lord Shiva perform the Ekadasa 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 leads them towards moksha.

Devotees perform 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 god Shiva and people worship him on the Mondays of this month.

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. 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.

Bathing in River or Nadi Snanam

Another important significance is bathing in rivers during Karthika Masam. The rivers have received fresh water during the rain 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.

Vanabhojana during Karthika Masam

Another significant aspect of Karthika month is Vana Bhojana, where it is very auspicious to take food under the Amla tree in a forest or park. By doing so, we are rid of all Paraanna bhojana doshas which we accumulate by eating outside food and without proper prayer and discipline.

Karthika Somavara Vratam

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 bath in the river, perform the Rudra Abhishekam by chanting the Rudra Namakam Chamakam, listen to Karthika Puranam and then break fast in the night.

As per North Indian calenders Karthik month begins on 16th October 2016 and ends on 15th November 2016.

As per South Indian Calenders  Karthika masam starts on 31st October 2016 and ends on 29th November, 2016.