Temple Blog

Karthika Masam - The Auspicious Month

By Sri Hari Krishnaji (From Newsletter Archives)

Karthika Masam is the most auspicious month among Hindus. It begins on the day after Deepavali. 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.
Cultural Beliefs:
In this Month, Lord Shiva and Maha Vishnu are worshipped. People during this month observe strict rituals. The daily activities start early in the morning by taking a bath with cold water, going to temple, lighting deepam or lamps, fasting and Saligrama (Symbol of Lord Vishnu) pooja. The most auspicious days in this month are Mondays, and Pournami, which is very important to Lord Shiva. As per the puranas it is believed that by performing the Karthika Masam Vratham we can ward off the past karmas and the sins committed. Lighting Lamps with ghee during sunrise and sunset brings prosperity, wealth, and health into our lives. It also burns the material desires in between our birth and death. Also, the Tulasi plant is worshiped daily by lighting a deepam during this month. There is story behind Tulasi who came as a sister of Goddess Lakshmi when the Ocean of milk was 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 to fulfil her wish he gave a boon that when he is in form of Saligrama, Tulasi will be close to him. On Kartika Shukla Dwadashi, the Tulasi plant is decorated and worshipped.
Interesting Facts:
Mythology says, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashadha Suddha Ekadashi and wakes-up on Karthika Suddha Ekadashi. Lord Shiva protected the world by killing Tripurasura demons on Karthika Pournami. Ganga (Goddess of river Ganges) 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. Any austerity performed during the month of Karthika would help the sadhakas to free themselves from all sins and leads them towards moksha.
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. Some people use diyas made of rice flour or Gooseberry to light deepam and recite each chapter in Karthika puranam daily for 30 days. Lighting deepam in Lord Shiva's temple is very beneficial.
Bathing in River or Nadi Snanam:
Another important significance is bathing in rivers during Karthika Masam. Also, Sharad Rithu is known for its special Moon light. During the Aswayuja Masam (month that falls in the season of Sharad Rithu), 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.
Karthika Somavara Vratam:
The most important aspect of Karthika masam is hearing Karthika puranam while observing the Karthika somavaara vratham. People get up at Brahma Muhurtha time. They take a bath within the river or sea, if possible, or take a bath at home before sunrise, perform the Rudra Abhishekam by chanting the Rudra Namakam Chamakam, listen to Karthika Puranam and then break their fast at night.

On behalf of our priest Harikrishnaji, the Temple Board would like to invite all devotees on this auspicious month of Karthika to participate in the various events performed in the temple. On Mondays we will have Rudra Abhishekam from 7-8am and special Alankaram. On the auspicious Karthika Pournami we will have Saamuhika Satyanarayana Vratam.
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OM NAMAH SHIVAYA... HARA HARA MAHA DEVA... SHAMBHO SHANKARA...

Gathered from various sources like: Elderly speeches, my Guruji's teachings and http://theancientindia.blogspot.com/2012/11/karthika-masam-auspicious-month.html