Paitha Mahakruchcha Vratam is a five-day vratham observed in Karthika Krishna Paksham in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In 2009, Paitha Mahakruchcha vratham begins on November 9 and ends on November 12. Usually, this vrata starts on Kartika Krishna Saptami and ends on Kartika Krishna Ekadashi (Utpanna Ekadasi / Utpatti Ekadasi). During the vrata, Lord Vishnu is worshipped and on each day a type of food is consumed by devotees. The legend or vratha katha of Paitha Mahakricha vrata is mentioned in the prominent Hindu scripture of vrathas known as “Chaturvarga Chintamani”.

Here are the details of food to take on each day during Paitha Mahakracha vrat:

• Kartik Krishna Saptami – November 9, 2009 – Water
• Kartik Krishna Astami – November 10, 2009 – milk
• Kartik Krishna Navami – November 11, 2009 – curd
• Kartik Krishna Dashami – November 11, 2009 – ghee

On Kartik Krishna Ekadashi, also known as Utpatti Ekadashi or Utpanna Ekadasi, the upavasam is broken with performing Vishnu puja.

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.

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).

Kartik month is the most auspicious and holiest month for Hindus. As per the Puranas, “there is no sacred month like Kartik, there is no God similar to Lord Vishnu, there is no scripture like Vedas and there is no river like Ganga”. Kartik month is favorite month to both of the Supreme Gods – Lord Shiva and Vishnu because during the month the Moon will be completely in Krithikas. Some rituals and pujas during this month result ultimate salvation for devotees.

Spiritually, Kartik month is the most appropriate month for any devotee to perform any Sadhana or puja. Water in the Rivers, lakes and ponds get a holi power to destroy ill effects during the month, hence Kartik Snan (ritual bath in Kartik month) is one of the most popular Hindu rituals.

The main rituals of Kartik month are – Kartik Snan, Vishnu Puja, Kartik Somvar Vrat dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kartik Deeparadhana (lighting the lamps or diayas), Tulsi Puja, Vanabhojan (garden parties), Kartik Purana Parayana and charity of food and clothes to poor.

Karthika masam is considered as the most auspicious month for Hindus. Kartik month is the favorite month for Lord Shiva amongst all 12 months.

Usually the month of Karthik starts just the day after Deepavali Amavasya. In 2008, the month of Kartik starts on October 19, Monday and ends on November 16, Monday.

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.