BY VENKATA KARAVADI
STAFF WRITER
When it Begins and How Long it Lasts For:
Karthika Masam begins from Aaswayuja sukla purnima up to one month on the day after Deepavali and also marks the beginning of winter season. It begins in the eight month of the year after the sun enters Scorpio. There are several rituals and customs that have to be followed during this month.The most interesting fact is:
Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashada shuddha ekadashi and wakes-up on Karthika suddha ekadashi.
Karthika Snanam:-
In this season, one should take bath three times a day. Water is the only solvent which can wash not only all kinds of physical impurities but also mental impurities and can cleanse the astral and emotional currents. Water is treated as god or as a form of an energy (energy hidden in the atomic constituents) if we take bath in bath by chanting those sacred hymns related to Lord Varuna, and this would refresh all the atomic substance of the body as well as mind. Also, it would benefit us in terms of both spiritual and mundane plane in many ways. It is the presence of that consciousness which makes the water as the universal solvent. Sacred waters are offered to Lord Shiva as offered in Abhishekam. Especially in this month all the waters are charged with the special electro-magnetic currents, hence bathing is very important in this month.
Daily Activities-
The Day Starts early in the morning by taking a bath with cold water, going to temple, lighting deepam, fasting and saligrama pooja. The most auspicious days in this season are Mondays, which are very important to Lord Shiva. As per the puranas, it is believed that, by performing the Karthika Masam Vratham, we can drive away the past karmas and the sins committed can be destroyed. Lighting lamps with ghee made from the cow’s milk during the sunrise and sunset brings prosperity, wealth, and health into our lives. It also burns the material desires in between our birth and death.
Story behind praying tulsi plant:
Tulasi plants are prayed and worshiped daily by lighting a deepam during this month. There is a story behind this. Tulasi came as a sister of Goddess Lakshmi when amrita Manthan Ocean was churned. Tulasi wanted to marry Lord Vishnu but Lakshmi did not like this and cursed her to become a plant. But Lord Vishnu took pity, and for fulfilling her wish, he gave a boon: when he is in the form of a saligram, tulasi will be close to him. The Kartik Shukla Dwadashi Tulsi plant is decorated and prayed.
Karthika Somavaram:-
Monday’s in Karthika masam are special according to the Skanda puranam. One of the names of Lord shiva is Soma, the Lord Someshvara, who wears the soma, the waning moon on the matted hair.
The normal process of Karthika Somavara Vratham would be too fast for the whole day. One performs the Rudra Abhishekam by chanting the Rudram Namakam and Rudra Chamakam. Then, eat after seeing the stars.
Damodara Pooja:-
Lord Damodara is worship of Lord Vishnu and is Lord Shiva temple. Because it is during this month, Lord Vishnu prays Lord Shiva and vice versa. Both the lords are like the state of being– aware of self existence and the world around. They are like circles, and the points are inseparable. When there is a circle, there is a centre; unless there is a centre, there is no circle. Centre of self existence is called Lord Shiva, and the circumference of other existences is called Lord Vishnu. Thus, one who worships both as one attains the highest state of nirvana– observing every form in the world as your own image.
On the last day, light deepam with 31 wicks (mainly with puvvu vattulu 31 mainly because for the whole Karthika Masam) on a banana trunk or plantain stem (aarti dimma) and leave in the river. If it is not possible to light deepam near the river, you can also light a deepam near the tulasi plant at home and in a big tub filled with water and place the deepam.
Links: https://www.vedagayathri.com/what-is-karthika-masam-and-importance-of-karthika-masam/