Karthigai Masam 2017 (Karthigai Month) in Tamil Nadu

Karthigai masam, Karthikai masam, is the eighth month as per Tamil Calendar. In 2017, Karthigai masam starts on November 17 and ends on December 15.

This month, Karthigai, got its name from the Tamil star ‘Krithiga. Karthikai masam is the favorite month for Lord Muruga, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as per the Tamil beliefs.

Many major festivals are celebrated in the month of Karthika in Tamil Nadu. Karthikai Deepam and Maha Bharani are the important Karthikai festivals. Karthikai Deepam 2017 date is December 2. Karthikai Deepam falls on the Full Moon or Pournami in Karthikai month.

Karthigai Deepam is celebrated with lot of gusto in Thiruvannamali Arunachaleshwara Temple. Karthikai Somavara vratham, Shiva puja on auspicious Mondays during Kartik month, is one of the major vratha during Karthikai masam.

On the day when Tamil nakshatra or star ‘Bharani falls during Karthikai masam, that auspicious day is celebrated as Bharani Deepam or Mahabharani. On this day sacred bonfires known as ‘Sokkapaanai are performed in the temples. In Karthigai masam, Ayyappa devotees start their Ayyappa Deeksha or start pilgrimage to Shabarimala.

Karthigai Masam coincides with Kartik month in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Kannada calendars.

This month coincides with Vrischikam month in Malayalam calendar.

Important festivals and auspicious days in Karthigai Masam 2017 in Tamil calendar…..

18 November 2017 – Amavasai

19 November 2017 – Hemant Ritu begins

20 November 2017 – Somavara Vratam

22 November 2017 – Chaturthi Vratham

24 November 2017 – Shashti Vratham, Subrahmanya Sashti

25 November 2017 – Thiruvona Vratham

30 November 2017 – Mokshada Ekadashi

1 December 2017 – Pradosham

2 December 2017 – Karthigai Deepam, Karthikai Vratham, Bharani Deepam

3 December 2017 – Dattatreya Jayanti, Pournami, Pournami Viratam

6 December 2017 – Sankatahara Chaturthi

10 December 2017 – Balaji Jayanti

13 December 2017 – Saphala Ekadashi

15 December 2017 – Pradosham

Next month in Tamil calendar is – Margali Masam (Margazhi Month).