Karthika Month 2010

Source adapted from Hindupad

Images from Google

Kartik month or Kartik Mahina or Karthika Masam or Karthik Maas is the 8th month in traditional Hindu Indian calendar. Kartik month 2010 starts on October 24th and ends on 21st November in North Indian Hindi calendars. As per Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, and Telugu calendars, Kartik month 2010 begins on 7th November and ends on 5th December.

Kritika nakshatram falls during Purnima or Full Moon in the month, hence it is known as Kartik month. Kartik month Kartika month is one of the four holy months in Hinduism. It is very auspicious to worship Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Kartik or Subramanya swamy. Kartika Masa vratam or Kartik Maas vrat is observed in the month. Devotees observe fasting on some auspicious days in Kartik mahina and offer special pujas to the Lord.

Kartik month is the fourth and final month of Chaturmas Vrat. Chaturmas vrat concludes on Ksheerabdi Dwadashi (the next day of Prabhodini Ekadasi). ‘Kartik Snan’ is considered highly auspicious.

Kartika Somavara vratam is one of the popular vrathams observed on Mondays in Kartik month in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In North India, Lord Shiva is specially worshipped on Mondays in Shravan month (Shravan Somvar vrat).

Many important festivals are celebrated in Kartik month such as Karwa Chouth, Ahoi Ashtami, Diwali, Diwali Lakshmi Puja, Gujarati New Year (Kartik Sud 1), Dhanteras, Nagula Chavithi (Nag Chaturthi), Chhat Puja, Tulasi Puja, and Kartik Purnima.

Chardham Yatra, the pilgrimage to holy shrines such as Gangotri temple, Yamunotri temple, Badrinath temple, and Kedarnath temple, is concluded during Kartik month as per North Indian Hindi calendar.

The last five days in Shukla Paksha in Kartik month are very auspicious. Panchak or Panchaka vratham is observed during there five days. It starts on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi and ends on Kartik Purnima.

In Gujarati calendars, Kartik month is the first month and Kartik Sud 1 marks the beginning of Gujarati New Year or Vikram Samwat 2067 samvatsar.

Kartik month coincides with Karthigai Masam in Tamil calendar and Vrischika Masam in Malayalam calendar.

Karthika Somavara Vrata 2010 - Auspicious Mondays in Karthik Month 2010

Kartika Somavara Vratam is one of the pujas to observe during the Mondays in Karthik month. In 2010, the auspicious days to perform Kartik Somvar Vrata are as per North India are – October 25, November 1st, November 8th, and November 15th. As per Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu and Kannada calendars, the dates of Kartika Somavara vratham in 2010 are – November 8th, November 15th, November 22nd, and November 29th.

Karthika Masam is dedicated to Lord Shiva as per the Panchangas followed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Shivalinga Puja, Upavasa Vratham, Deeparadhana (lighting lamps) in Shiva temples, etc are the major rituals of Karthika Somavara Vratham. Telugu and Kannada people celebrate Karthika Somavara Vratam by visiting Shiva temples, performing punya snana in holy rivers such as Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Cauvery.

In North India, the similar puja and vratha are observed on Shravan Somvar days.

Karthik Somavar Vrat - Karthika Somavara Vratam during Mondays in Karthik Month

Kartika Somavara Vratam is one of the pujas to observe during the Mondays in the month of Karthik. Soma is another name of Lord Shiva. Someshvara is Lord Shiva who keeps the Soma, the moon crescent on his matted hair. Here you can get Karthika Somvara Vratam 2010 dates. To please the Lord Someshvara (Lord Shiva), Karthik Somavara Vratam is performed.

When is Somvar Vrata Observed?

Somvar vrata is observed on all Mondays, but there are some special Mondays when it is much more auspicious to observe. According to Hindu sacred texts, Mondays in the month of Shravan and Karthika are the best days to observe Somavara vratha. The Skanda Purana mentioned the holiness or significance of Somavara vrata during Karthika masam.

Karthika Somvara vratham is mainly observed in South India. In North India, Somvar vrat is observed in the month of Shravan month as Shravan Somvar Vrat

Somvar Vrata Puja Procedure - How to do Somavara Vrata

The observance of Somavara Vrata is different from place to place. The couples who want to observe Somavara vrata wake up early from bed and perform spiritual or ceremonial bath. And they start praying the divine couple Parvati Parameshwara (Uma Maheshwara). The Lord is anointed with Panchamritham (the sanctified mixture of milk, ghee, curd, honey and ocimum leaves) and other sacred substances.

Devotees offer Vibhuthi (Bhasma) and Bilva Patra (Bilva leaves) which are favorites of Lord Shiva. Devotees offer naivedya (food offerings) to the Lord and they perform food charity to their fellow devotees and to the poor.

Legend of Somavara Vrata :

The Moon God observed the Vrata (puja) to get his moonness. As the Moon is also called as Soma, he saluted Lord Uma Maheshwara and prayed to him that this observance be called as Somavara 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).

Rituals & Customs:

During Karthik masa, devotees perform various rituals and customs. They observe karthika Masa Vratam.

One should follow the rituals given below to lead a good life and to get Moksha (Salvation):

*Don't eat non vegetarian food

*Eat meal for once in a day, eat a light food in the evening

*Observe the puja of Lord Shiva

*Be calm and avoid violence

*Light diyas everyday

‘Vanabhojanams (Garden parties) and ‘Samudra Snan (ceremonial sea bath) are very common rituals to be performed during the Karthik month.

Samudra Snan - A Tradition during Karthik Mas



Ceremonial-Sea-bath

 Samudra Snan (spiritual sea bath) is a ritual performed during the month of Karthik.During Kartik month, devotees go to sea area where popular temples are located, and worship the God after taking ceremonial bath. This is a ritual of Karthik Mas.

How Spiritual Bath is Performed ?

Devotees worship the God and they apply coconut oil to their head and apply kumkum on the forehead. Then they perform the bath. While performing the bath,devotees chant mantras or recite the God names.

Where Spiritual Baths are Performed ?

Dwaraka, Rameshwaram, Konark and Udipi are some of the popular temples on coast of seas where spiritual baths are performed.

Vanabhojanam - A Tradition During the month of Karthik

Vanabhojanam is a garden party where people of a community shares their happiness. During Vanabhojanam people share each others food. They play games and enjoy the atmosphere of garden or park or forest.Vanabhojanam is a ritual of the months – Karthik and Shravan. Usually Vanabhojanam is a traditional ritual of South Indian people.Vanabhojanam is a recreation for children as well as for elders. People enjoy the social gatherness or unity.

Karthika Masa Vana Mahotsavam in AndhraPradesh  




VanaBhojanam

 

Vanabhojanam, also known as Vanbhojan, is a garden party or picnic arranged during Kartika masam in Andhra Pradesh by some organisations and traditional families. As per Hinduism, plants are very divine aspects of the nature, hence some plants are worshipped as Gods. Tulasi (Ocimum), Usiri (Amla), Bilva and Durva plants are considered as Gods and useful material in Puja. Kartika Vana mahotsavam is arranged by some organisations just to chant mantras and to awake the spiritual conciousness in children. But, nowadays it has become fully loaded with entertainment like singing and dancing.

It is to note that Telugu Kartika Masam 2010 starts on November 7th and ends on December 5th.

There is a popular belief in Hinduism that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi along with all the Gods visit and reside under Amla tree and Tulsi plant during kartik month. Duirng the occasion, people cook food under trees or in parks and eat. Offering puja to Lord Vishnu and other Gods, reciting Vishnu Purana and kartika Purana during Vana mahotsavam is more preferred rituals.

Note:

• About Kaarteeka Pournami & Kedaareswara Vratamu  in Telugu.
  
  
  So Friends,don't miss the Indian Traditions & Customs to celebrate eventhough living far away from India,Enjoy & share with your Friends.