Rai Damodar Vrata, also spelt as Rai Damodar Brata, is observed in the month of Kartika in Orissa. It is mainly observed by Hindu widows. It is observed for first twenty five days starting from the first day during Kartika. Some devotees observe it during the last five days in Kartika. The deities to worship in Rai Damodar Vrata are – Rai, Damodar and Goddess Lakshmi. Specially made recipe called Havisha is conserved during the vrata by the women.

During Kartika month, married women worship Goddess Vrundavati (Tulsi). Tulsi Vivah is also observed during Panchuka vrata in Kartika month.

Vanabhjanam, 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.

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.

Kartik month, also known as kartika masam, is the most favorite month for Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Lord Kartik. Each day during karthik mahina, a God is worshipped. Starting from Lord Swaha Agni on the first day the kartik Puja ends on the 15th day of the second half or the 30th day with Sarva Pitru Puja on Kartik Amavasya. Here are full details about the Gods and the tithis to worship during the second half of Kartik month.
• Kartik padyami or Pratipada – 16th day– Swaha Agni Deva, the Lord of fire
• Kartik Vidiya or Dwitiya – 17th day – Ashwini Gods
• Kartik Thadiya or Tritiya – 18th day – Goddess Gauri
• Kartik Chavithi or Chaturthi – 19th day – Lord Vinayaka
• Kartik Panchami – 20th day – Nagendra
• Kartik Shashti – 21st day – Kumara Swamy
• Kartik Saptami – 22nd day – Surya Bhagwan
• Kartik Astami – 23rd day – Ashtamatrikas
• Kartik Navami – 24th day – Goddess Durga
• Kartik Dashami – 25th day – Ashta Dikpalaka
• Kartik Ekadashi – 26th day – Lord Kuber
• Kartik Dwadasi – 27th day – Lord Kartika Damodara
• Kartik Trayodasi – 28th day – Lord Dharma
• Kartik Chaturdasi – 29th day – Lord Shiva or Mrutyunjaya
• Kartik Amavasya – 30th day – Sarva Pithry devatas or dead ancestors

Kartik month, also known as kartika masam, is the most favorite month for Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Lord Kartik. Each day during karthik mahina, a God is worshipped. Starting from lord Agni on first day the kartik Puja ends on the 15th day with Chandra Puja or Moon God worship on kartik Purnima. Here are full details about the Gods and the tithis to worship during kartik month.
• Kartik padyami or Pratipada – first day – Agni Deva, the Lord of fire
• Kartik Vidiya or Dwitiya – Second day – Lord Brahma
• Kartik Thadiya or Tritiya – Third day – Goddess parvati
• Kartik Chavithi or Chaturthi – Fourth day – Lord Ganesh
• Kartik Panchami – Fifth day – Aadisesha
• Kartik Shashti – Sixth day – Subramanya swamy or Skanda
• Kartik Saptami – Seventh day – Surya Bhagwan
• Kartik Astami – Eighth day – Goddess Durga
• Kartik Navami – Ninth day – Ashta Vasthu
• Kartik Dashami – Tenth day – Diggaja
• Kartik Ekadashi – Eleventh day – Lord Shiva
• Kartik Dwadasi – Twelfth day – Bhudevi Sahita Maha Vishnu or Lord kartika Damodara
• Kartik Trayodasi – Thirteenth day – Lord kama Deva or manmadha
• Kartik Chaturdasi – Fourteenth day – Lord Yama
• Kartik Purnima – Fifteenth day – Chandra or moon God

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).