karthika masam is very auspicious and sacred for both saiva and vaishnava devotees and the devotees indulge in month long prayers to the gods apart from various rituals and customs. The devotees observe karthika masa vratham also and get good life and moksha. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the karthika month which coincides with krithika star.
Karthika masam starts just the day after Deepavali Amavasya. Karthika month is the favorite month for Lord Shiva amongst all 12 months.During Karthika Masa, devotees execute various rituals and customs. They observe karthika Masa Vratam. One really should stick to the rituals to direct a good life and to get Moksha. Danams like swarna, Vastra, Cow will give good results. Upavasams to be performed on Mondays.
Karthika Puranam
Karthika Vratham is being performed by the devotees by hearing the Karthika purnam. As part of the Karthika Vratham the devotees wake up early in the morning and take the bath in rivers or ponds or near wells by remembering ganga. A person who cannot get bathing water due to sickness should purify himself by chanting the names of Lord Vishnu and Shiva. The devotees visit Siva temple or vishnu temple and worship by lighting lamps (Deepam). they can even protect the another one’s deepam from the wind.
Karthika Poornima
karthika Poornima also recognized as a whole moon day that is celebrated on the fifteenth lunar day of the Karthika Thirty day period as for every the Vedic Calendar November – December). It is also regarded as Tripuri poornima. This is just one of the most auspicious, sacred, highly effective and really exclusive day, each for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
It celebrates in a particular method in Thiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva asks Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to uncover out the correct area of his head and his ft. Because Lord Shiva takes a gigantic kind, they under no circumstances get to the head or feet.. The Lord Shiva will take the form of a jyothi (mild of fire) on the hill of Thiruvannamali. Right here, a specific torch is lighted on the Zenith of the hill and it is thought that Lord Shiva’s jyothi will be noticeable on this day. Similarly the “Karthika deepam” which will be lightened iscalled “Akasa Deepam” staring from Karthika Shukla Padyami till the end of the month by worshiping in a sacred manner every day and the flag hoisted over to Dwajasthambhams in all the temples.
It is told that in olden days the Deepam became useful to the travellers or navigators in the sea or canal as star light informing them about the existence of temple, Village or people nearer to them and they used to come there to take rest for relief in their onward journey.
karthka poornima celebrations are associated with the legend ot he demon Tarakasura. Tarakasura was demolished by Lord Karthika, also known as Skanda or kumara. Another legend associated with Karthikda poornima is of Lord Vishnu’s Matsyavatara. It is believed that on this day. Vishnu was incamated in the Matsya roopa, and protected manu, the first man , from the maha pralaya (deluge).
vanabhojanotsavam also known as Vanabhojanam, is arranged during the Karthika Masam by the people. On this occasion, people cook food under trees and eat. In addition, Karthika Vana Mahostsavam is arranged by people to chant mantras and to awaken spiritual consciousness in children. Offering puja to Lord Vishnu and other Gods, reciting Vishnu Puranam and Karthika puranam during the vana mahostsavam is a common ritual.
Karthika Utshvams in TTD Temples
The TTD is conducting this function in a traditional manner at tirumala since last year which was discontinued a few centuries ago. TTD officials, priests, pandits and a large number of devotees will participate in this function.
The TTD is conducting every year ‘Pushpayagam’ the next Sravana nakshatra day after brahmotsavam in November at tirumala by offering prayers to Lord Venkateswara for the benefit of the people in the society. The Utsava Murties are decorated with a huge quantity of various flowers in an attractive manner amidst chanting of veda mantras by priests and veda pandits. This year as a part of Pushpayagam Mahotsavam, Ankurarpanam was held on 2-11-2-11 night and Pushpayagam was performed on 3 -11-2011 on Sravana Nakshatram Day.
Karthika Deepam in Kapileswara swamy Tirupati Temple
On this auspicious occasion of kruthika nakshatram in kartheeka masam on kartheeka deepam – a Traditional Lamp will be lit on hill top in a grand manner at Sri kapileswara Swamy Tirupati Temple. Thousands of devotees will have darshan and to fulfill their vows, Ghee lamps will be lit with devotion and perform poojas in the holy waters of Pushkarini, Sivalingas are being prepared with flour (Rice Powder) and worshipped by women.
Later, Deepaaradhana, Mahadeepaaradhana will be performed and after this on the hill top lamp will be arranged. Lastly, Jwalatoranam is fixed. The shape of sivalinga will be made with sacred grass (darbha) and it will be burnt. A religion fervour is being marked throughout the day.
Annabhishekam will be performed on this to Sri kapileswara swamy at Tirupati by TTD. This is a santi mahayagam, Wherein the lord will be worshipped with annam (cooked Rice) by the priests amidst chanting of veda mantras by veda pandits. After performing the puja, the Annaprasadam will be distributed among the devotees.
Karthika Ekadesi or Kaisika Ekadesi
Kaisika Ekadasi or Karthika Ekadesi is the might of the procession of ugra srinivasa of tirumala temple. This is also called uthana dwadasi in common terminology was reintroduced last year in tirumala on kasika Dwadasi day in Karthika Masam which was discontinued a few centuries ago, Last couple of year on18th November 201o Vanabhojanotsavam was performed in tirumala, In this fete Sri Malayappaswamy along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi was taken in a procession to parveta mandapam in the morning and Tirumanjanam, Archana, Asthanam and Naivedyam was offered to the deities and the prasadam was distributed among devotees.
Significance of Karthika Masam
Thus the importance of karthika masam is reflected in the celebrations of both the gods Shiva and Hari by the devotees to lead a happy and prosperous like and later attaining the moksha (salvation) as explained in our puranas.
Tags: kalahasti, kapileswara swamy, karthika masam, karthika poornima, karthika puranam, karthika utsavams, kasika masam, sri kalahasti
