Kartik Maas - Significance,Festivities & Ritual Practices

Kartik Maas - Significance,Festivities & Ritual Practices

Mar 01, 2024Soubhagya Barick

Warmest wishes from Cycle Pure Agarbathi for a joyous Deepavali or Diwali, the cherished 'Festival of Lights' during the auspicious Shobhakrut Naama Samvatsar 2023. Celebrated in the Kartik Maas, Diwali is one of the most significant Hindu festivals.

 This five-day festival brings families and friends together for pujas, prayers, and jubilant celebrations, creating a sense of togetherness during the Kartik month. The name 'Diwali' originates from the Sanskrit word 'Deepavali,' which implies a 'row of lights.'

Importance of Kartika Maasa 

The eighth month in the Hindu Panchangam is Kartika Maasa, also known as Damodar Maas. It commences with either Ashvin Poornima or Ashvayuj Amavasya, depending on the classification of Poornimant or Amavasyant Panchangam. In the eastern states of India, it's often referred to as Agrahayan. 'Damodara' is a name for Lord Vishnu, and Kartika Mahatmyam in the Skanda Purana extols the significance of this sacred month, particularly for devotees of Lord Shiva.

 During Kartika Month, special prayers and pujas are dedicated to Lord Krishna when Rohini Nakshatra aligns. These devotions seek good health, wealth, prosperity, and a long life.

 

Kartik-Snan, the ritual of taking a holy dip every day before sunrise in the Ganges or other sacred rivers throughout the month, is a hallmark of this auspicious period. It begins on Sharad Purnima and concludes on Kartik Purnima. Many believe this month is conducive to spiritual activities, meditation, and Chakra activation, promoting a balanced lifestyle.

Kartika brings a series of festive celebrations during the Sharad Rutu, encompassing the months of Ashwayuj and Kartik. These include Sharan Navaratri, Ram-Lila, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja (Lokhi Pujo in Bengal), and more.

 

The holy month of Kartika also features various significant festivals such as Yamadeepam, Jal Pooran Trayodashi (Dhanteras), Dhanvantari Jayanti, Hanuman Puja, Kali Chaudas, Narak Chaturdashi, Amavasya Lakshmi Puja, Bali Padyami, Bhai Dhooj, Prabodhotsav (on Prabodhini Ekadashi), and Dev-Utthan Dwadashi (Tulsi-Damodar Vivah). These celebrations collectively illuminate the cultural and spiritual landscape during this sacred season.

 

Yamadeepam | Friday, November 10, 2023

 

Yamadeepam is a sacred ritual that starts by placing a special lamp adorned with Rangoli on a sturdy wooden pole in the open southern space of the house. During this ceremony, mantras are recited, offering prayers to Lord Vishnu, with the intent of dispelling not only the darkness of the Sharad Rutu but also the darkness from our hearts and minds.

 

Dhanteras / Dhanvantari Jayanti | Friday, 10th November, 2023

 Dhanvantari Jayanti is an important celebration across India. This is also known as Divodas

Jayanti.

 

Dhanteras Puja Date: Friday, November 10, 2023

Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 5:47 pm to 7:43 pm

Duration: 01 Hour 56 Mins

Yama Deepam: Friday, November 10, 2023

Pradosh Kaal 5:30 pm to 8:08 pm

Vrishabha Kaal - 5:47 pm to 7:43 pm

Trayodashi Tithi Begins - 12:35 pm on Nov 10,

2023

Trayodashi Tithi Ends - 1:57 pm on Nov 11,

2023

 

Jal Pooran Trayodashi | Friday, November 10th, 2023

 

Jal Pooran Trayodashi is a day filled with meaningful rituals that encompass a comprehensive house cleaning, symbolically removing both physical clutter and the clutter of negative thoughts represented by Alakshmi or Daridra. Traditional large vessels used for heating water are carefully cleaned and embellished with Rangavalli (Rangoli), fresh blooms, and local herbal vines to pay homage to Lord Varuna.

 

Narak Chaturdashi | Sunday, November 12th, 2023

 

Preparations for Narak Chaturdashi commence at the crack of dawn, with a special focus on the delightful Abhyanga or Abhyanjan, the application of oil. Traditionally, Til oil, or sesame-seed oil, was used, but various local substitutes are now prevalent. Coconut oil is favored along the western coast, while old Mysore residents prefer castor oil, known as Haralenne in Kannada. Additionally, a paste made from ground Til seeds, known as Tila-Pishta, is used in the bathing rituals, following Sampradaaya, to help the body adapt to the seasonal transitions of Sharad Rutu.

 

Narak Chaturdashi also marks Narakasur Vadha or Naraka Samhara, the triumph of Lord Krishna and his consort Satyabhama over the demon Narakasur during the Dwapar Yug. In celebration of this event, various festivities take place. Narak Chaturdashi goes by different names in different regions, such as 'Roop Chaudas,' 'Bhoot Chaturdashi,' 'Naraka Nivaran Chaturdashi,' and 'Choti Diwali,' each adding its own unique charm to the cultural tapestry of India.

 

Sunrise Timing - November 12, 6:42 am 

Sunset Timing - November 12, 5:39 pm 

Chaturdashi Tithi 2023 - November 11, 01:58 pm - November 12, 02:45 pm 

Abhyang Snan Muhurta Date - November 12, 05:27 am - 06:42 am 

 

 

Amavasya Diwali Lakshmi Pujan | Sunday, November 12, 2023

 

This day is marked by significant religious activities, including Dhanalakshmi Homam, Lakshmi-Kubera Puja, and sacred fire ceremonies. It is believed that on Amavasya, Goddess Lakshmi awakens from her Yog-Nidra.

Diwali is a time when people illuminate their surroundings with candles, diyas, lights, lanterns, and lamps. Devotees prepare delicious meals and sweets to offer a warm welcome to Goddess Lakshmi. Families come together to worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh, inviting the benevolent deities of wealth, fortune, and prosperity into their homes, and filling them with abundance and blessings. People can also place a Dhanvantari Yantra and worship it for good health, physical and mental well-being, and vitality.

 

Maa Laxmi Mantra

 

  ह्रीं श्रीं लक्ष्मीभयो नमः॥

 

 Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah ॥

 

Amavasya Tithi 2023 Begins: November 12, 2023 - 02:44 pm

Amavasya Tithi Ends: November 13, 2023 - 02:56 pm

Lakshmi Puja Muhurta:  November 12, 2023 from 5:19 pm to 7:19 pm

Duration: 2 Hours  

Pradosh Kaal: 5:08 pm to 7:41 pm  

Vrishabha Kaal: 05:19 pm to 07:19 pm  

 

Bali Pratipada | Tuesday, 14th Novmber, 2023  

Bali Pratipada that follows Amavasya day is another Vishnu-related festival celebrated in India. This is also known as ‘Bali Padwa’ or ‘Bali Padyami’. The common belief is that Bali Chakravarti, who is the lord of the netherworld known as ‘Paataal’ comes to visit his empire on the earth on this auspicious day.  

Bali Padyami is the day Lord Vishnu defeated King Bali, who was the leader of the demons. When Lord Vishnu undertook the Vamana Avatar, he assumed the form of a short priest. He sought three feet of land from King Mahabali who was preparing for a grand Ashvamedha Yaag. King Bali agreed to donate the requested portion of land. Vamana increased his size and occupied the entire earth on one foot measure and the entire sky (space) on the other. The king offered his head for the third foot measure. Lord Vishnu sent him to Paatal Lok (Nether world). This form of Lord Vishnu is known as Trivikram.   

Vishnu granted a wish to Bali that, on this day King Bali could visit the earth.  

As per religious texts, the image of King Bali should be drawn at the centre of one’s home along with that of his wife Vindhyavalli. The image should be adorned with five different colours. The five coloured image should be worshipped during Bali Puja.  

Balindra Puja Pratahkala Muhurat: 06:18 am to 08:36 am  

Duration: 02 Hours 19 Mins  

Pratipada Tithi Begins: 02:56 pm on 13th Nov, 2023  

Pratipada Tithi Ends: 02:36 pm on 14th Nov, 2023  

 

Baliraaja Mantra  

Chant the following Baliraaja Mantra on this auspicious day:  

|| बलिराज नमस्तुभ्यम् विरोचनसुत प्रभो |  

| भविश्येन्द्र सुराराते पुजोयम् प्रतिगृह्यताम् ||  

|| बलिराज नमस्तुभ्यम् दैत्यदानववंदितः |  

| इन्द्रशत्रो अमरावते विश्नुसान्निध्यदो भव ||  

|| Balirāja NamastuBhyam Virochanasuta Prabho |  

| Bhavishyendra Surārāte Pujoyam PratiGruhyatām ||  

|| Balirāja Namastubhyam DaityaDānavavanditah |  

|| Indra Atro Amarāvate VishnuSānnidhyado Bhava ||

  

Participate in Bali Pratipada Special Navagraha Panchamrita Abhisheka   

Link:  https://www.pureprayer.com/product/navagraha-panchamrita-abhisheka-puja/   

 

Govardhan Puja | Annakut Puja| Tuesday, 14th November, 2023  

Govardhan Puja falls on Kartika Shuddha Pratipada day. Lord Krishna brought in the practices of Govardhan Puja and defeated Lord Indra. It is also known as Annakut Puja. In Gujarat, this marks the beginning of a new year.  

Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 06:43 am to 08:52 am  

Duration - 02 Hours 18 Mins  

Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat - 03:21 PM to 05:41 PM  

Duration - 02 Hours 20 Mins  

Pratipada Tithi Begins - 2:56 pm on 13th Nov, 2023  

Pratipada Tithi Ends  - 2:36 pm on 14th Nov, 2023  

 

Govardhan Mantra  

Chant the following Govardhan Mantra on this auspicious day:  

|| गोवर्धन धराधार गोकुल त्राणकारक | 

| विष्णुबाहु कृतोच्छ्राय गवां कोटिप्रभो भव ||  

|| Govardhana Dharādhāra GokulatrāNakāraka |  

| Vishnubāhu Krutochchrāya Gavām Kotiprabho Bhava ||  

  

Bhai Dhooj | Bhratru Dwitiya | Wednesday, November 15, 2023  

The next day of Bali Padyami is another special day for brothers and sisters. This Dwiteeya day is most popular as Bhai Dhooj. The day is also known as Bhai Dooj, Bhau Bheej, Bhatra Dwitiya, Bhai Dwitiya, Bhrathru Dwitiya, and Bhagini Hasta Bhojanam. The customary practice on this day is, the brother/s come visiting their sister/s, bringing presents. They partake in a festive lunch at their sister’s residence. This practice is said to promote good health and longevity of the brother/s.  

Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time - 01:31 PM to 03:50 PM  

Duration - 02 Hours 18 Mins  

Dwitiya Tithi Begins - 2:36 pm on 14th Nov, 2023  

Dwitiya Tithi Ends  - 1:47 pm on 15th Nov, 2023  

 

Participate in Karthika Chauthi Special Dhurva Ganapati Homam   

Link:  https://www.pureprayer.com/product/dhurva-ganapati-homam/   

Participate in Karthika Panchami Special Varahi Homam   

Link:  https://www.pureprayer.com/product/samoohik-varahi-amman-puja-homam/   

 

What religious activities can I perform during the Kartikmaas?  

  1. People get up early in the morning in Brahmi Muhurat, take a holy bath, light a lamp at home, and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. 
  2. People offer Arghya (water) to Lord Surya in the morning.  
  3. After completing Puja at home, one must visit the temple where the Kartik Maas Katha is recited. 
  4. It is considered auspicious to visit holy places and take a holy dip in the Ganga and other sacred rivers. 
  5. Chant the holy names of Lord Vishnu (Vishnu Sahasranaam) or chant Damodarashtakam. 
  6. Reading the Holy Scripture of Lord Vishnu in this month is meritorious. The main Holy Scripture one should recite is 'Bhagavad Geeta' and Kartik Mahatmya. 
  7. People should only consume Satvik food during this month and some people even opt for having a single meal in a day during the entire month. 
  8. Performing charity in this month is considered auspicious so people should donate food, clothes, and other useful items to the needy and poor people. 
  9. People must offer prayers and worship Tulsi and offer them to the Lord. 
  10. People should light diya with desi ghee near the Tulsi plant.  

Mantras for Kartik Maas  

  • Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya  
  • Om Namo Narayanaya  
  • Shree Krishna Govind Hare Murari, Hey Nath Narayan Vasudeva  

 

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