Karthika Masam Story And Things to Perform

Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashadha suddha ekadasi and wakes-up on Karthika suddha ekadasi.
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.

Bathing in River or Nadi Snanam

Another important significance is bathing in river during Karthika Masam or Karthika Month. The rivers have received fresh water during the rain season comprising of Shravan and Bhadrapada Months. As the rivers over flow banks and are furious bathing in rivers during Shravana and Bhadrapada is prohibhited. The river completely settle by the time Karthika Masam starts.





Also the Moon during the Sharad Ruthuvu is a special one. Sharad Ruthuvu is known for the Moon light. Sharad Ruthuvu comprises of Ashwayuja or Ashwin month and Karthika Masam or Karthika Month. All along the Aswayuja Masam the river would absorb the energy from Moon by bathing in the river in Karhika Masam one can absorb this energy from the river. Hence it is mandated that one should take a bath in the river or perform Nadi Snanam in Karthika Masam.

The process of performing the Nadi Snanam is to close the nose with the two thumb fingers and close the ears with the middle fingers and take a dip so that the whole body along with the head is under the water. This has to be repeated for a  minimum of three times.

Karthika Poornima
karthika Poornima also recognized as a whole moon day that is celebrated on the fifteenth lunar day of the Karthika Thirty day period as for every the Vedic Calendar November – December). It is also regarded as Tripuri poornima. This is just one of the most auspicious, sacred, highly effective and really exclusive day, each for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
karthika masam.

It celebrates  in a particular method in Thiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva asks Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to uncover out the correct area of his head and his ft. Because Lord Shiva takes a gigantic kind, they under no circumstances get to the head or feet.. The Lord Shiva will take the form of a jyothi (mild of fire) on the hill of Thiruvannamali. Right here, a specific torch is lighted on the Zenith of the hill and it is thought that Lord Shiva’s jyothi will be noticeable on this day. Similarly the “Karthika deepam” which will be lightened iscalled “Akasa Deepam” staring from Karthika Shukla Padyami till the end of the month by worshiping in a sacred manner every day and the flag hoisted over to Dwajasthambhams in all the temples.

It is told that in olden days the Deepam became useful to the travellers or navigators in the sea or canal as star light informing them about the existence of temple, Village or people nearer to them and they used to come there to take rest for relief in their onward journey.
karthka poornima celebrations are associated with the legend of the demon Tarakasura. Tarakasura was demolished by Lord Karthika, also known as Skanda or kumara. Another legend associated with Karthikda poornima is of Lord Vishnu’s Matsyavatara. It is believed that on this day. Vishnu was incarnated in the Matsya roopa, and protected manu, the first man , from the maha pralaya (deluge).

Nagula Chavithi

Nagula Chavithi  is an auspicious day to observe Naga Puja. Nagula Chavithi is observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) after Deepavali Amavasya during Karthika masam. Nag Panchami and Nagasashti are observed after Naga Chaturthi. In some parts of Andhra Pradesh it is also celebrated in the month of Sravana masam.

Nagula Chavithi, a festival to worship Nag Devatas (Serpent Gods), is mainly a women festival. Nagula Chavithi is observed by married women for their wellbeing of their children. During the Chavithi festival, women keep fast and observe Naga Puja. Devotees offer milk and dry fruits to Sarpa Devata at the Valmeekam or Putta (snake pits). On Nag Chaturthi day, Ashtanag (seven hooded cobra) is worshipped.

Karthika Ekadesi or Kaisika Ekadesi

Kaisika Ekadasi or Karthika Ekadesi is the might of the procession of ugra srinivasa of tirumala temple. This is also called uthana dwadasi in common terminology was reintroduced last year in tirumala on kasika Dwadasi day in Karthika Masam which was discontinued a few centuries ago, Vanabhojanotsavam was performed in tirumala, In this fete Sri Malayappaswamy along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi was taken in a procession to parveta mandapam in the morning and Tirumanjanam, Archana, Asthanam and Naivedyam was offered to the deities and the prasadam was distributed among devotees.



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.

Vanabhojanam or Karthika vanabhojanam

Vanabhojanam or Karthika vanabhojanam is a kind of annual ritualistic picnic undertaken during Karthika masam in Andhra Pradesh. As per Hindu tradition, plants are considered to be of divine nature and worshipped as Gods. Certain plants like Tulsi, amla, bilva and durva plants are considered as divine and used in Pujas.

It is widely believed that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi prefer to reside under Amla trees during Karthika month. Hence during Karthika Vanabhojanam, amla trees are worshipped by the telugu community in Andhra Pradesh. People also offer puja to Lord Vishnu and recite the Vishnu purana and Karthika purana during Vana Mahotsavam rituals.

During Karthika Vanamahotsava, traditionally people cook food under these trees after puja and consume the food as prasad. Traditionally people had atleast one amla plant in their courtyard. But nowadays due to congestion in cities, people observe Vanamahotsava more as a cultural festival than as a religious event. Many organisations arrange for an outing on this occasion and perform the puja of Vishnu and have food in the nearby gardens.

Koti Somavara Vratham

'Koti Somavara Vratham' is observed in 'Shravana Nakshatram' (star) which usually comes before 'Karthika Pournima' .

People perform the rituals like Abhishekam and Rudrabhishekam as stated above and lit three ghee lamps before The Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. It is said that one who lits the lamps will attain  moksha from all the sins (even from all the life times) ,also  relieves from all the belongings and bonds on earth.It is also said that one who perform this will be happy forever and reach 'Kailasam' after death.

The prayers and rituals are observed as stated as above expect for the 'Rudrabhishekam' which is performed for 11 times this day to attain moksha.

 Kartik Somawaram Vratam


Soma is the another name of Lord Shiva. Known as Someswara, who keeps the “ Soma” the Moon on crescent on his matted hair. The Kartik Somawaram Vratam is performed to please the Lord Someswara (Lord Shiva). All mondays in this Month are aspecious and one can 

perform Pooja, Abhisheka, to Lord Shiva to get the blesssings of Shiva. This is the most favorite month for both of the Supreme Gods Lord Vishnu and Shiva. Praying to Lord Vishnu and Shiva during Kartik maas fetches them Moksha (Salvation). Kartik month is treated as the Sin-destroying month as per Hindu Ethics.


Satyanarayan vratam


Satyanarayan Pooja is one of the best & easiest ways to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu, who is the God responsible for maintenance of this Universe.
Typically Satyanarayan Pooja is to be performed before and/or after the fulfillment of our desires e.g. if you want to achieve some important milestones in your life like success in Higher Education, Success in career, promotion, buying a new vehicle, new house, starting a new business, negotiating big professional deals etc...
Satyanarayan is also useful if someone in the family is not well.

In order to maintain general happiness, prosperity and well being of the family it is advisable to perform Satyanarayan Pooja at least once every year. 
There is no hard and fast rule as to when Satyanarayan Pooja to be performed.  Morning or evening time is ideal for Pooja.  You can perform it after major achievements in life.  So also it is ideal to perform Satyanarayan Pooja once every year.  It is a great auspicious occasions to invite friends and relatives.
It is a custom to have some program of singing, dancing, playing musical instruments etc... with well wisher friends and relatives after the Pooja is over.
Satyanarayan Pooja is to be performed on an auspicious day in consultation with Panditji.

Satyanarayan is about 3.5 to 4 hours Pooja.

Paitha Mahakruchcha Vratam

Paitha Mahakruchcha Vratam is a five day ritual observed in the karthika krishna paksha in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu.

This vrata starts on Karthika Krishna saptami and ends on the Karthika Krishna Ekadashi.

During Paitha Mahakruchcha Vrata, Lord Vishnu is worshipped for five days by fasting and on the fifth day, ie the day of Uttuvana Ekadasi the fast is broken and on the next day usually the tulsi vivah is conducted with Lord Vishnu in some places. People observe fast during all the five days of the vrata. However, it’s not a complete fast as prescribed and certain foods are allowed to be taken on certain days.

During Paitha Mahakruchcha Vratha, according to tradition, these foods are allowed to be taken on the particular days. On the first day of the vrata, ie the karthika krishna saptami, water is the food for the day. On the second day of the vrata, ie the karthika krishna asthami, milk is the food. On the third day of the vrata, ie the karthik krishna navami, curd is the food, On the fourth day of the vrata, ie the karthik krishna dashami, ghee is the food and on the final day, ie the karthik krishna ekadasi, fast is broken after performing the Vishnu Puja.


Nattalu or Natta Vratam

Nattallu or Natta Vratam is observed by the devotees. The process of observing Nattallu or Natta Vratam is to fast for the whole day and eat only after seeing the stars for the whole month of Kathika Masam. So only if this routine is followed for the complete month it is called as Natta Vratham or Nattalu.