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| Lord Shiva |
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 the river during Karthika Masam or Karthika Month. The rivers receive fresh water during the rainy season comprising the Shravan and Bhadrapada Months. As the rivers overflow banks and are furious bathing in rivers during Shravana and Bhadrapada is prohibited. The river had completely settled by the time Karthika Masam started.
Also, the Moon during the Sharad Ruthuvu is a special one. Sharad Ruthuvu is known for the Moonlight. Sharad Ruthuvu comprises Ashwayuja or Ashwin Month and Karthika Masam or Karthika Month. All along the Aswayuja Masam the river absorbs the energy from the Moon by bathing in the river in Kartika 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.
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| Karthika Poornima |
Karthika Poornima
Karthika Poornima is also recognized as a whole moon day that is celebrated on the fifteenth lunar day of the Karthika Thirty-day period as of every 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.
It is celebrated in a particular method in Thiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva asks Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to uncover 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 called “Akasa Deepam” started 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 said that in the olden days the Deepam became useful to the travellers or navigators in the sea or canal as starlight informing them about the existence of temples, Village,s or people nearer to them and they used to come there to take rest for relief in their onward journey.
Kartika poornima celebrations are associated with the legend of the demon Tarakasura. Tarakasura was demolished by Lord Karthika, alsknown as Skanda or kumara. Another legend associated with Karthikda poornima is 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).
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| Nagula Chavithi |
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's festival. Nagula Chavithi is observed by married women for the well-being 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 cobras) 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 dwadas 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 were offered to the deities and the prasadam was distributed among devotees.
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| Glory or Benefits of Somvar 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).
The basic rituals we should follow for this month.
- Should not eat non-vegetarian food for the whole month.
- Do not eat Brinjal, Onions, and Garlics Food in Kaarthika Masam. Take any vegetarian Food.
- Must eat meal only once per day for the 30 days, we can eat breakfast at nights or at least we must.
- If possible Feed Cows.
- Follow this on auspicious days like mondays, karthika poornima, koti somavaram etc.
- Devotees take ceremonial or spiritual bath everyday for the whole month (Including Hair).
- Must light (deepam) every evening and evening do God Shiva Pooja.
- Read or Listen Shiva Puranam Book (Possible) ever day evening.
- Read one chapter in Karthika Puranam book every day.
- 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 an 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 at least 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 lifetimes) , and also relieve from all the belongings and bonds on earth.It is also said that one who performs 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.
