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.

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).

Nagula Chavithi is an auspicious day to observe Naga Puja. Nagula Chavithi is observed on the fourth day after Deepavali Amavasya during Kartika masam. Nagula Chavithi 2010 date is 9th November. Nag Panchami and Nagasashti are observed after Naga Chaturthi. The dates to observe Naga Panchami is November 10 and Naga Sashti is on November 11. Naga Chaturthi is also celebrated in Shravan month, just the day before Naga Panchami.

Nagula Chavithi Pooja:

Nagula Chavithi, a festival to worship Nag Devatas (Serpent Gods), is mainly a women festival. Nagula Chavithi is observed by married women for their wellbeing of their children. During the Chavithi festival, women keep fast and observe Naga Puja. Devotees offer milk and dry fruits to Sarpa Devata at the Valmeekam or Putta (snake pits). On Nag Chaturthi day, Ashtanag (seven hooded cobra) is worshipped.

Nagula Chavithi in Kartika masam is a major festival in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. The rituals and puja procedures are different from place to place. Some people place Naga devatha idol at home and perform puja. But in some places, devotees go to ‘Putta’ (Snake pit) and offer naivedyam and perform other pujas there.

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October 2009 is one of the biggest months for Hindus in 2009 in which the biggest festival for Hindus, Diwali, is celebrated along with the holy month Kartik.

Here is the list of important Hindu festivals and auspicious days celebrated in October 2009:

• Padmanabha Dwadashi 2009 – October 1
• Dwidala Vrata arambh (Dwidala vrat begins) – October 1
• Kojagari Purnima – October 3
• Kojagari Lakshmi Puja – October 3
• Sharad Purnima 2009 – October 3 – Ashwin Poornima
• Koumudi Pooja – October 3 – Kaumudi Utsav
• Valmiki Jayanthi – October 4
• Lalitha Devi Yatra – October 5
• Atla Thaddi 2009 – October 7
• Sankashta hara chaturthi – October 7
• Karwa Chauth – October 8
• Chitta Karthe – October 11
• Ekadashi – October 14
• Dhanteras 2009 – Dhantriodasi – October 15
• Dhanvantari Jayanti 2009 – October 16
• Pradosh Pooja – October 16
• Choti Diwali – October 16
• Diwali 2009 – Deepavali – October 17
• Kali Puja 2009 – October 17
• Narak Chaturdashi – October 17
• Tula Sankraman – Tula Sankranthi – October 17
• Pitru Tarpanam – October 17
• Dhana Lakshmi Pooja – October 18
• Govardhan Puja 2009 – October 18
• Kedareshwara Vrata – October 18
• Ashwayuja Amavasya – October 18
• Vikram New Year 2066 – October 18
• Akasha deepa arambh – October 18
• Bhai Dooj 2009 – Bhai Phota – Bhav Bij – October 19
• Yama Dwitiya – October 19
• Bali Puja – October 19
• Bhagini Hastha bhojanam – October 19
• Dhanvantari Dwitiya – October 20
• Trilochana Gauri Vrata – October 21
• Nagula Chavithi 2009 – October 22
• Chhat Nahai Khai – October 22
• Kharna Chhat Festival – October 23
• Nagula Panchami – October 23
• Swathi Karthe – October 23
• Chhat Puja 2009 – October 24
• Chhat Sandhya Argh – October 24
• Chhat Suryoday Argh – October 25
• Bhanu Saptami – October 25
• Goshtashtami – October 26
• Karthaveeryarjuna Jayanthi – October 26
• Krutha Yugadi – October 27
• Yagnavalkya Jayanthi – October 27
• Ekadashi – October 29
• Ksheerabdhi Dwadashi – October 3o
• Chilku Dwadashi – October 30
• Chukkala Dwadashi – October 30
• Yogeeshwara Dwadasi or Yogini Dwadasi – October 30
• Shani Trayodashi – October 31

It is to be noted that as per Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Gujarati calendars, October 2009 begins on Ashwayuj Shukla Dwadashi and ends on Karthik Shukla Trayodashi. As per North Indian calendars, October 2009 starts on Ashwin Shukla Dwadasi and ends on Kartik Shukla Triodasi.