Kartik Snan, holy dip during Kartik mahina, is most sacred ritual during the month performed along the river banks of Yamuna, Ganga, Brahmaputra and some other holy rivers of South and Western India. Kartik Snan and Deepadaan are widely observed throughout the month of Kartik in holy places like Kasi (Varanasi) and Allahabad. But, the main concern for Hindu devotees is mud and slush filled rivers banks of Yamuna.

Mrigank Tiwari writes for Times of India:

• Even as save Ganga activists are raising the issue of the growing pollution in the holy river, the banks of Yamuna are also in need of attention even as the auspicious month of Kartik has commenced from Monday. If the timely steps are not taken, the pollution may jeapardise the `kartik snan’ of pilgrims, who throng the banks of the Yamuna to take a holy dip and remain free from diseases.
• As per mythological traditions, people consider it important to take a dip in the Yamuna during the month of Kartik. Explaining the importance of month of Kartik, astrologer and religious teacher Girija Shankar Shastri said that Sun is in a transit position to Libra (Tula). However, it is considered a retrogate position which is not very auspicious. It result in diseases and death because the first 15 days of the month are considered to be the days of Yamraj, the god of death. In order to appease Yamraj and save themselves from his wrath, people take a holy dip in the Yamuna, who is the twin sister of Yamaraj as per mythology.
• Women perform `deepdaan’ by lighting earthen lamps as sun rays lose vitality and power during this month. Therefore, `deepdaan’ is performed to compensate for that loss. A legend says that during the month of Kartik, the Yamuna possesses divine powers to energise the body, added Shastri.
• The banks of the Yamuna in the city are filled with mud and slush. The rains have further aggravated the situation. It is nearly impossible to reach the the river as the concrete steps constructed along the banks are covered with mud and sand, making it difficult to move safely. With the heavy rush of devotees expected on the banks during this period, the `snan’ would become arduous, said Alka Mishra, who is a regular bather during the month of Kartik for the past several years.

Tulsi Vivah is an auspicious ritual observed in Kartik month. Generally, Tulsi Vivah is observed on Chilku Dwadashi, Kartik Shukla Paksha Dwadasi day. It is also observed on Utthana Ekadashi or on Kartik Purnima day. In 2009, Tulsi Vivah on Chilku Dwadashi is observed on October 30^th. Tulsi Vivah on Prabodini Ekadashi is observed on October 29^th and Tulsi Vivah on Kartik Purnima is observed on November 2^nd.

Tulsi Vivah Celebrations – Tulsi Damodar Puja or Tulasi Shaligram Vivaha:

On the day of Tulsi Shaligram Vivah, Tulsi vrindavan is cleaned and decorated as a bride. Amla tree is also planted along with Tulsi plant in Tulsi mandap. Vivah mantras are recited and some special stotras praising Lord Vishnu and Tulsi Mata are chanted and Aarti is performed at the ending of the Puja. Amla plant is considered as Lord Vishnu and Tulsi plant as Goddess Tulsi.

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. Kartik Somvar 2009 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.

Umamaheshwara vratam is observed on Purnima, the Full Moon day, in Bhadrapad month. In 2009, the date of Uma Maheshwar vrat is September 4. In some places and some communities also perform Uma Maheswar puja in Kartik month. Kartika Purnima or the Full Moon day during Karthik maas is the day to observe Uma maheshwar puja for some communities. In 2009, the date of Uma Maheswar Puja on Kartik Purnima is November 2.

On Bhadrapad Poornima, in Gujarat Ambaji Bhadrapadi fair is celebrated. This festival or fair is also referred as Bhadravi Poonam or Ambaji Bhadra Poonam.

The day after Uma Maheshwar vrata or Bhadrapada Pournami day, devotees worship dead ancestors. The fortnight dedicated to dead ancestors or Pitru devatas is called as Pitrhu Paksha or Shraddh paksha.

The day before Bhadrapad Purnima is observed as Ananta Chaturdashi on which Ananta Vratam is observed. On Anant Chaturdasi, Ganesh Nimajjan or immersion is held.

The Brahmins who missed to wear Sacred Thread or Yagnopavitham on Shravan Purnima, wear Yagnopavitham on Bhadrapada Pournima day.