KARTHIKA – MAASAM

   Karthika – Maasam  

  

Karthik Month Rituals and Poojas:

Karthika Masam or Kartik month is the most auspicious month amongst all 12 Hindu months. According to Hindus, pujas, rituals, other auspicious and prosperous celebrations during Kartik Month give them great pleasure and happiness in life because this is the most favorite month for both of the Supreme Gods Lord Vishnu and Shiva. They believe that praying to Lord during Kartik maas fetches them Moksha (salvation).
In 2010, Kartika Month begins on November 7th and ends on December 5th as per Andhra Pradesh Calendars.

The pujas, all other rituals, rules and code during the month are called as Kartika Masa Vratam. There are certain rules and codes to perform Kartika Masa vrata. The Karthika Purana details the rituals and customs to be performed during the month of Karthik. Various Hindu sacred texts have mentioned the list of basic rituals and customs of Kartika masam.

Importance of Kaarthika Masam

Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashadha suddha ekadashi and wakes-up on Karthika suddha ekadashi.
Lord Shiva kílled Tripurasuras on Karthika pournami and protected the world.
In this month Ganga (Godess of river Ganges) enters in to all rivers, canals, ponds and wells and makes them as pious as Ganga.

Ayyappa deeksha is also taken in Karthika masam and is continued up to Makara Sankranthi.

River Bath (Nadi Snanam)

As per the Medical reports also in Kaarthika Masam Water will gain more Magnetic Power from Earthand will be stored in water before the Sunrise.

As stated in Magnetic Therapy also bath taking on Kaarhika Somavaram (Monday) in any Flowing Water for 15mts human being  will get relief from STOMACH DISORDERS, LEVER DISORDERS, GENERAL HEALTH DISORDERS, ENEMIC CONDITIONS etc.

POOJA (Deity)

Main Deity in the Kaarthika Masam is certainly SIVA, VISHNU and TULASI. He who performs daily SIVA POOJA will reach ZENITH point in life and after life also he will attain SLAVATION according to SIVAPURANA verses.

Those who cannot spare daily timing for Pooja and rituals they can perform MANASIKA POOJA by enchanting SIVA PANCHAKSRI Mantra as and when TIME PERMITS. This is month where SIVA and VISHU DEVATHA will be treated with equal importance. More over on SUKLA DWADASI known as CHILUKA DWADASI / KSHRABDI DWADASI.

Light (Deepam Parmjyoti Swaroopam)

He who Lights up a Deepam in Kaarthika Masam will have the blessings of PITRUDEVATHALU (who are our ancestors) and also the blessings of SIVA and VISHNU.

Deepam should be lighted up only in Mud Plate (Mati Pramida) and daily we should use new one. If by any chance non availability of Mud Plates kindly use Silver Articles only.

At any point of time don’t use Steel Articles for Deepam (usage of Steel Articles for Pooja and Deepam increases our Poverty).

Use Cow Ghee or Gingelly Oil  ( Til oil, Nuvvula oil)

Do not use Mustard Oil, for Deepam.

Kaarthika Puranam

The most important aspect of Kaarthika masam is hearing Kaarthika puranam. It is called as Kaarthika vratham. It normally includes the following rules

Waking up early in Brahmi muhartham (4.00A.M) Taking bath in rivers or ponds remembering Ganga,

Shiva puja / Damodara (Vishnu) puja 

Lighting Akasha deepam on sun-set

Understanding Karthika puranam

Rituals and Rules During Karthika Masam

Devotees should not eat non vegetarian food for whole month of Karthik. Eating non vegetarian food is considered as Brahma Hathya (Killing Lord Brahma).

Devotees follow Nakabhukta or Ekabhuktam during the whole month of Kartik. They take meal only once a day. Some people take fruits or milk in the evening time after performing Puja. If devotees are not able to do so, they follow these customs at least on auspicious days like Karthik Somavar and
Karthika Pournami etc.

Karthika – Poornima

Kartik Poornima (Kartik purnima)

Significance in Hinduism

Tripuri poornima or Tripurari Poornima derives its name from Tripurari - the foe of the demonTripurasura. Tripurari is an epithet of god Shiva. Shiva in his form as Tripurantaka ("Killer of Tripurasura") killed the demon on this day. Tripurasura had conquered the whole world and defeated the gods. He also craeted three cities in space, together called " Tripura ". The killing of the demon and destruction of his cities with a single arrow - by Shiva overjoyed the gods and they pronounced the day as a festival of illuminations. This day is also called "Dev-Diwali" - the Diwali of the gods. Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights.

Kartik poornima is also the birthday of Matsya, god Vishnu's fish-incarnation (avatar). It is also the birthday of Vrinda, the personification of the Tulsi plant and of Kartikey, the god of war and son of Shiva. This day also is considered dear to Radha, the lover of Krishna - Vishnu's incarnation. It is believed that Krishna and Radha danced rasa and Krishna worshipped Radha on this day. This day is also dedicated to the pitrs, dead ancestors.

Underhill believes that the origins of this festival may lay in ancient times, when a sacrifice called Shakamedhah was performed to attain victory over enemies.

Hindu Rituals

Kartik Poornima is closely associated with Prabodhini Ekadashi which marks the end of Chaturmas, a four-month period when Vishnu is believed to sleep. Prabodhini Ekadashi signifies the awakening of the god. Chaturmas penance ends on this day. Many fairs that begin on Prabodhini Ekadashi end on Kartik Poornima, Kartik Poornima usually being the most important day of the fair. Fairs that conclude on this day include Prabodhini Ekadashi celebrations at Pandharpur and Pushkar Fair. Kartik Poornima is also the last day to perform Tulsi Vivah Ceremony that can be performed from Prabodhini Ekadashi.

A ritual bath at a tirtha (a sacred water body like a lake or river) at a pilgrimage centre is prescribed on Kartik Poornima. This holy bath is known as "Kartik snana". An holy bath at Pushkar or in the Ganges river, especially at Varanasi is deemed as most auspicious. Kartik Poornima is the most popular day for bathing in the Ganges at Varanasi.

Annakuta, an offering of food to the deities, is held in temples.People who have taken vows on Ashwin full moon day, end them on Kartik Poornima. God Vishnu is also worshipped on this day. Any form of violence (himsa) is prohibited on this day. This includes shaving, hair-cutting, cutting of trees, plucking of fruits and flowers, cutting of crops and even, sexual union. Charity especially donation of cows, feeding of Brahmins, fasting are religious activities prescribed for Kartik Poornima.

Tripuri Poornima is only next to Mahashivratri, amongst festivals dedicated to Shiva worship. To commemorate the killing of Tripurasura, images of Shiva are carried in procession. Temple complexes in soutern India are lit up throughout the night. Deepmalas or towers of lights are illuminated in temples. People place 360 or 720 wicks in temples, to secure escape reaching hell after death.The 720 wicks symbolizes the 360 days and nights of the Hindu calendar. In Varanasi, the ghats come alive with thousands of diyas (brightly-lit earthern lamps). People gift lamps to priests. The lamps are kept throughout the night in houses and Shiva temples. This day is also known as "Kartik Diparatna" - the jewel of lamps in Kartik. Lights are also floated in miniature boats in rivers. Lights are placed under Tulsi, Sacred fig and Amla tress. The lights in the water and under trees are believed to help fishes, insects and birds who saw the light to attain salvation

Karthika Somavar Vrata

Kartika Somavara Vratam is one of the pujas to observe during the Mondays in Karthik month. In every year, the auspicious days to perform Kartik Somvar Vrata are Monday’s of each week As per Telugu calendar.

Karthika Masam is dedicated to Lord Shiva as per the Panchangas followed in Andhra Pradesh. Shivalinga Puja, Upavasa Vratham, Deeparadhana (lighting lamps) in Shiva temples, etc are the major rituals of Karthika Somavara Vratham. Telugu people celebrate Karthika Somavara Vratam by visiting Shiva temples, performing punya snana in holy rivers such as Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Cauvery etc…

The observance of Somavara Vrata is different from place to place. The couples who want to observe Somavara vrata wake up early from bed and perform spiritual or ceremonial bath. And they start praying the divine couple Parvati Parameshwara (Uma Maheshwara). The Lord is anointed with Panchamritham (the sanctified mixture of milk, ghee, curd, honey and ocimum leaves) and other sacred substances.

Devotees offer Vibhuthi (Bhasma) and Bilva Patra (Bilva leaves) which are favorites of Lord Shiva.

Devotees offer naivedya (food offerings) to the Lord and they perform food charity to their fellow devotees and to the poor.

Legend of Somavara Vrata :

The Moon God observed the Vrata (puja) to get his moonness. As the Moon is also called as Soma, he saluted Lord Uma Maheshwara and prayed to him that this observance be called as Somavara Vrata.

Glory or Benefits of Somvar Vrata:

One who observes Somvar vrata would enjoy every pleasure in the world and after death that person would reach Kailasa (Salvation or Moksha or Shiva lok).

Here I am giving the basic rituals we should follow for this month.

           

1.     Should not eat non Vegetarian food for the whole month.

2.     Do not eat Brinjal, Onions and Garlics Food in Kaarthika Masam. Take any vegetarian Food.

3.     Must take meal only once per day for the 30 days, we can eat breakfast at nights or at least we must.

4.     If possible Feed Cows.

5.     Follow this on auspicious days like mondays, karthika poornima, koti somavaram etc.

6.     Devotees take ceremonial or spiritual bath everyday for the whole month (Including Hair).

7.     Must light (deepam) every evening and evening do God Shiva Pooja.

8.     Read or Listen Shiva Puranam Book (Possible) ever day evening.

9.     Read one chapter in Karthika Puranam book every day.

10.   Prepare prasadam on karthika poornima,  koti somavaram and remaining days you can even keep some fruit as prasadam.