Kartik Maas
Hindu Calendar’s most auspicious month of Kartik
During this month any daan (donation to charity), teerath ratra (visit to Holy shrines), Kartik
snaan (bathing in Holy Rivers), Havan Yagh, Japa and recital of Holy Granths yields
enormous benefits.
Ahoi Vrat
On this day parents fast for the well being of their children. This vrat is observed on the 8th
day of Krishan Paksh of Kartik Maas.
It is intended to help parents, especially mothers, solicit blessings from God for the
protection of their children.
Fasting should be observed until at least sunset, or if practical, sunrise the next day.
While nirjal fasting is not recommended for this vrat, those fasting should stay on fruits and
milk.
They are allowed to break their fast after performing archana and aarti after sunset
The Importance of Tulsi and Kartik month
In the month of Kartik Tulsi Mata is worshipped with special importance.
Apart from Tulsi Vivah, aarti and offerings of Jal to Tulsi Mata should be observed daily.
Vaishno devotees also light a ghee diya under a Tulsi plant every day of the month of Kartik.
Karva Chauth
This is the day married ladies observe strict nirajal fast until after sunset. They break their
fast after viewing Chandra Devta, after 6pm. If Chandra Devta is not visible on the night they
are encouraged to fast until sunrise the next day.
The purpose of the married women observing a fast on this day is to ensure the health,
prosperity and long life of their husbands, and celebrate the bond between wife and
husband.
The well known story of Veeravati shows us the power of this varat.
Veeravati undertook the Karva Chauth fast and was finding it difficult, but was committed to
completing it. Her seven brothers saw her suffering in observing the fast, and decided to
relieve her by tricking her into breaking the fast early by shining a mirror on a hill so that
Veeravati would think it was the moon.
Veeravati unknowingly broke her fast early due to the brothers’ prank. Shortly after she
received news that her husband had died.
On the advice of an elderly woman, Veeravati devotedly preserved her husband’s body and
observed the full Karva Chauth fast the next year, at which time her husband’s body came
back to life, and the couple had long and happy lives together.
It is said that women have the innate power to undertake great varats more so than men,
and a Pati Vrat (devoted wife) has the power to protect her husband from an untimely death
by observing Karva Chauth.
Kartik Maas
Kartik is the eighth lunar month of the Hindu year when the sun is Krittika or Pleiades.
It is well established that any form of japa, tapasya (religious sacrifice) and recital of holy
Granths during the month of Kartik yields enormous benefits towards uplifting our spiritual
lives.
It is a month both the Vaishno (followers of Lord Vishnu and Avatars) and Shaiv (followers of
Lord Shiva) devotees consider to be the holiest month of the year.
While celebrations of Deepavali are mainly centred around Lord Vishnu’s avatars – marking
the return of Lord Ram from exile and killing off the Demon King Narak Asura by Lord
Krishna – Kartik Purnima is more auspicious for Lord Shiva’s Bhakti. It was on this day that
Lord Shiva destroyed the demon Tripura.
Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima is considered as the Deepavali for the Gods or Dev-Deepavali. This Purnima
marks the end of a month of festivals like Karva Chauth, Deepavali, Govardhan Puja,
Dhanteras, Hanuman Jyanti, Bhaiya Dhooj, Tulsi Vivah, Akshay Naumi and more.
Kartik Purnima is a time of great celebration in Varanasi where thousands of diyas are lit
and worship is made to the holy Ganga. It is said that on this day the Devas and Devtas
descend to Earth in Varanasi, and they are welcomed by these great Kartik Purnima
celebrations.
This is also said to be the time when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsya avatar (fish avatar)
to save the Vedas from being drowned in the oceans by the demon Sankha Asura.
Kartik Snan
During this month Kartik Snan is also considered divine. Devotees usually flock to the
Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Triveni Rivers to cleanse themselves, however devotees could
bathe in any rivers around the world during this month.
Tulsi
Ardent Vaishno devotees light a diya under the holy Tulsi plant every day of this month. It is
said in Padma Puran that Lord Vishnu and his avatars are easily pleased by the worship of
Tulsi plant in this month.
Kartik month is a time of the year we must all make the most of. It is a time when we can
cleanse ourselves of impurities and bring light, goodness and prosperity into our lives.
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