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 2012, Kartika masam begins onNovember 14 and ends on December 13 as per Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars. And as per North Indian calendars, Kartik Month begins on October 30 and ends on November 28.
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).
royal
Nov 14. 2012
can the couple who are performing karthika masa pooja , participate in sex???????????????/
Naveen Sanagala
Nov 14. 2012
It is very good if the couple avoid intercourse (sex) during not only Kartika Maasa pooja but also during any other Puja….
usha
Nov 15. 2012
hi karthika purnam has 3o stories rite if we start now at the time of periods wat we have to do??can we read that 30 days book in one day or else every monday 7 days like that can we do????pls reply
Naveen Sanagala
Nov 15. 2012
You can read as per your convenience.. There is no rule that it can be read in one day or in one week… If you read it one chapter a day it will be completed in a month….
sushma
Nov 15. 2012
some one is telling we can participate in sex n som r not which is d correct one please tell me
Naveen Sanagala
Nov 15. 2012
No intercourse is recommendable during any vrat especially Shravan Maas Vrat and Kartik Maas vrat..
RANGANATH.S.S.
Dec 06. 2012
Why people asking every time about sex, can’t be avoid for your sake while doing any vrathas
Tatta Srinivasa Chakravarthi
Feb 01. 2013
Kartika masam means “awaken”, “Buddhi” is the major difference between human and other living things, so follow buddhi direction and perform pujas and vratas. I am sorry if I offend anyone with my comments. Though “Sex” is like food, and sleep but the primary concern is only to keep your purusha such as “atmavyi putranam masi” but not as food and sleep
Jai Srimannarayana!
Anish
Mar 09. 2013
Is there any rule that shivrathri vratas should not be taken by woman during periods
Nabendu
Mar 11. 2013
eating non veg on amavasya d after shivaratri
Shivas
Mar 13. 2013
Rituals to follow during vrata
Manda
Mar 19. 2013
does kartika masam is the best month for the hindu marriage
Shyamali
Mar 25. 2013
karteeka pournami vratham katha in hindi
Satadev
Mar 28. 2013
karthik masam each days important
Vikyath
Apr 01. 2013
is karthika Masam good for marriages
Paarth
Apr 15. 2013
on which months marriage is good for the couple as per hindhu rituals in andhra pradhesh
Chidambar
Apr 24. 2013
can we do pournami puja on 24 4 13 evening since we have chandra grahanam
Abhimanyu
May 04. 2013
food eaten in the month of kartik