SIGNIFICANCE/IMPORTANCE OF KARTHIK MAAS

Karthik Maas is one of the most auspicious and holiest months for the Hindus.  It is also called as Damodara Maas and is considered as the best month for observing austerities.  It is widely believed that any religious acts performed during this month is said to provide multi-fold results in the form of Punya which will help in attaining ultimate salvation.  

This month is known to be a period for the welfare of mankind.  As per puranas, there is no sacred month like Karthik, there is no god like Lord Vishnu, there is no scriptures like Vedas and there is no River like Ganga.  This month is very dear for both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. 

Some of the significances attached to this month are as follows

-  Lord Vishnu wakes up on Karthik Suddha Dwadasi day.

-  Lord Shiva killed the mighty and powerful demon Tripurasura during this month.

-  Lord Karthikeya was born during this month on Sashti day.

-  Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi come down to earth below the Amla Tree to bless the Devotees

-  Wedding of Saligrama/Damodara (Lord Vishnu) and Tulsi Devi

Some of the important events/poojas to be performed during this month are as follows

Karthik Deepam

When one hears about Karthik Maas the first thing that comes to mind is Lamp.  Traditionally some houses double the use of Lamps during Karthik Maas.  This is to indicate that you are multiplying the light in your life.  In olden days when electricity was not there in many households, they used to have Lamps for lighting.  The day light goes off early as the day begins to get shorter in Karthik Maas.  This was one reason why people used to light more lamps for their daily activity.  Devotees throng the nearby temples, particularly Shiva temples, either early in the mornings or evenings (twilight time) and light up oil lamps in the temple premises.

Karthik Snan

During this month the Holy River Ganga makes her way into all the rivers and streams before she flows into the Bay of Bengal.  Due to this, it is considered auspicious to have bath in any of the Rivers during this month. 

Karthik Poornima

The full moon day of the month i,e the Kaartika Pournami day is considered as the most auspicious day of the month. On this day Hindus mostly perform Satyanarayana Vratam and Shiva/ Rudraabhishekam. Early in the morning on this day, married women go to the nearby water sources like ponds / tanks / rivers and take a holy dip. As a culmination of Kartika Deepams, they release Deepams into the water bodies.

Rudrabishekam

Devotees visit the nearby Shiva Temples during the entire month or only on Mondays and perform ‘Abhishekam’ to Shiva Lingam i.e pouring either ordinary water or milk or fruit juices on Shiva Lingam.

Karthik Vrata (Somavar – Monday)

Mondays are dear to Lord Shiva. The 4 / 5 Mondays of Karthik Maas are especially important. Devotees observe fasting on the entire day on these Mondays. At sunset they refresh with a shower, light up 'sandhya deepam' i.e evening lamp, worship Lord Shiva and then break their fast in the night by having light / simple food.

Vaikunta Chaturdashi

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is a sacred day which is observed a day before Kartik Poornima. This day has a special significance as devotees get an opportunity to offer their prayers to both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva together. While Lord Vishnu is worshipped at midnight (nishitha), Lord Shiva is worshipped at dawn (arunodaya). It is a belief that on this day both the deities had paid homage to each other; Lord Vishnu had offered tulsi leaves to Lord Shiva while Lord Shiva had offered Bael(Bilva) leaves to Lord Vishnu.

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah is an important ritual performed in Karthik month in traditional Hindu calendar. Karthik month belongs to Lord Damodaran (Lord Vishnu Roopa).  On Dwadashi day it is very auspicious to perform and celebrate the wedding of Tulsi Devi and Karthik Damodaran in the evening. 

Dhatri Havan (Homam) and Vana Bhojanam

It is widely believed that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi spend time beneath the Amla Tree during Karthik Maas to bless us.  The word Dhatri Vritsha means Amla Tree.  A forest like atmosphere is set in the House (inside or outside) filled with Amla Tree.  In the center a Havan Kund is placed and the Dhatri Havan is performed.  Upon completion of the Havan, the food is served to all in the open place near that tree.  This is called Vana Bhojanam.  Attending the Dhatri Havan and having the Vana Bhojanam is considered very auspicious and people who follow this belief travel any distance to participate in this even every year.

Karthik Purana Parayana

Recitation of Karthik Purana is considered very auspicious during this month.

Anna Dhanam and Vastra Dhanam

Feeding the Poor and distributing clothes to the needy is to be given in largesse during this month.

In Kaliyuga, Kartik month vrata is said to the best means for salvation. In the Puranas, Karthik Maas is said to provide all the four goals of life (purusharthas)- Dharma (righteousness), arth (wealth), kaam (worldly pleasures) and moksha (liberation). It is a period in which people attain the best of health. The religious significance of this month was explained by Narayaana to Brahma who in turn, narrated it to Naarada, who then explained it to King Prithu. It is said that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva visit earth during this sacred month.

Happy Karthik Maas to one and all.  Make best use of this period.

 

(The above article was written for publication in Nov 2018 issue of PRINCE'S VOICE - my Community eMagazine.)