Kartik Puja is observed on Shukla paksha Ekadashi in the month of Kartik along the River banks of Ganga in Varanasi. This Ekadashi day is also called as Prabhodini Ekadashi, Bhodini Ekadasi, Utthana Ekadasi or Dev Utthana Ekadashi. On this day, Tulsi Vishnu Vivah is also performed. In 2009, kartik Puja is observed on 29th October.
Women perform some special rituals on Kartik Puja day. Deepdaan, Akash deep or Akhand deep, and annadaan are performed on this day. Kartik Snan on this day is highly meritorious. Tulsi worship during Kartik puja gives good results to devotees. Women believe that Tulsi mata blesses them with marital bliss and good health and longer life to their husbands.
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).
The month of Karthika is the eighth and the most auspicious Hindu month. It is considered as the holiest month for Hindus. Kartik month, also called as Karteeka masam, is the most favorite month for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. During this month devotees observe Shiva Puja and Vishnu Pooja with utmost devotion. Many major and important Hindu festivals are celebrated during the month of Karthik.
Legend of Kartik Month:
The holiness or mahatmya of Kartik month is mentioned in the Uttar Khanda of the Padma Purana. Explaining about how King Dilip attained salvation, sage Vashishta had referred to Kartik mahatmya (holiness of Kartik month) by giving several legends related to Kartik month.
Once, Satyabhama wanted to know the holiness of Kartik month. With her kind request, Lord Krishna explained the legend of demon Sankhasura. One a demon called Shankhasura (Conch Shell demon) has stolen the Vedas and taken away into the sea. To kill and bring back the Vedas, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu has incarnated as a fish (Matsya Avatar) and killed the Conch Shell demon and restored the Vedas. It is said that the incarnation of Matsya Avatar has taken place on the 11th day of Kartik month.
Karthika masam or Kartik month is the most auspicious month amongst all 12 Hindu months. According to Hindus, pujas, rituals, other auspicious and prosperous celebrations during Kartik month give them great pleasure and happiness in life because this is the most favorite month for both of the Supreme Gods Lord Vishnu and Shiva. They believe that praying to Lord during Kartik maas fetches them Moksha (salvation).
In 2009, Kartika masam begins on October 19th and ends on November 16th as per Andhra, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars. And as per North Indian calendars, Kartik Month has begun on October 5th and ends on November 2nd.
The pujas, all other rituals, rules and code during the month are called as Kartika Masa Vratam. There are certain rules and codes to perform Kartika Masa vrata. The Karthika Purana details the rituals and customs to be performed during the month of Karthik. Various Hindu sacred texts have mentioned the list of basic rituals and customs of Kartika masam.
Kartika Masa Vrata Niyama – Rituals and Rules during Karthika Masam
- Devotees should not eat non vegetarian food for whole month of Karthik. Eating non vegetarian food is considered as Brahma Hathya (Killing Lord Brahma).
- Devotees follow Nakabhukta or Ekabhuktam during the whole month of Kartik. They take meal only once a day. Some people take fruits or milk in the evening time after performing Puja. If devotees are not able to do so, they follow these customs at least on auspicious days like Karthik Somavar, Karthika Pournami etc.
- Devotees take ceremonial or spiritual bath everyday for the whole month.
- Devotees light diya every evening and perform Karthika masa puja.
- Reciting the Kartik Purana during Kartik month is very auspicious. Atleast one chapter of the Karthika Puranam a day is highly meritorious and gives them the result of visiting Chardham temples (Chardham yatra – four prominent temples for Hindus).
- Devotees perform rituals very strictly on most auspicious days of Karthika masam such as Karthika Somavara, Kalashtami, Kushmand Navami, Akshay Navami, Hari Bodhini or Prabodhini Ekadashi, Vaikunth Chaturdashi, Vyasa Puja, Karthika Poornima or Tripura Purnima, Tulasi Vivah (Marriage of Goddess Tulasi).
