It is a month long festival, starting just after Deepavali Amavasya where both Lord Shiva and Maha Vishnu are worshipped and prayed. The month begins from Aswayuja Suklapournami. It is most auspicious and sacred month for both Shaiva and Vaishnava followers. It is believed that offering prayers to "Shivakesavas" particularly in this month brings luck and prosperity. Karthika Masam is the favorite month to Lord Shiva amongst all other months.
Devotees observe karthika Masa Vratham and perform various customs and rituals. It is believed that following these rituals leads them to a good life and attain moksha. Upavasams are performed on every single Monday. Dhanams like vastradhanam, Swarnadhanam, ghodhanamto yield good results.
"Shivaya Vishnu Roopaya
Shiva Roopaya Vishnave.
Shivaya Hrudayam Vishnu
Vishnoscha Hrudayagum Shivah"
"Yathaa Shivamayo Vishnu
Evam Vishnu Maya Shivah"
Karthika Masam helps the devotee to understand and embrace the thought that there is no difference between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva and they both are one. We attain bliss when we worship them in one form. Important poojas observed are Ksheerabdhi dwadasi, Ekadasi,karthika deepam or karthika pournami Pooja, lighting lamps near sacred TulasiKota (plant) and doing Nitya poojas to goddess Tulasi and chanting Vishnu and Shivasahasranamams, chanting shiva stotras once in a day, Monday fastings and meditating to Lord Shiva. Due to "kaaladharmam", and with our own regular life taking over us, we are finding it difficult to follow each and every ritual, mentioned in Karthika Puranam. But if we can at least practice few of the rituals and do simple Pooja, keeping our homes and mind clean and occupied by God's chanting.
Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashada Shuddha Ekadasi and wakes up on the Karthika Shuddha Ekadasi. During this time, Lord Shiva killed Tripurasuras on Karthika pournami day and protect the world from destruction. Karthika Masam notes that river Ganga merges into all rivers, ponds, canals, and wells and makes as pure as her (Ganga). During Karthika Masam, Ayyapa Deeksha is also taken and is observed till Makar Sankranthi.
It is a whole month festival and poojas are conducted and observed for the full month. People citing many reasons cannot perform for the whole month which is 30 days should at least observe prayers for a minimum of 10 days. They are initial starting five days of Karthik Masam and 5 days before pournima. These 10 days are very significant days. There is no sacred month like Karthik Masam, there is no God similar to Lord Vishnu and there is no scripture like Vedas and no river like Ganga, as per our Puranas.
"The month of Karthika is a sin destroying month and is gifted with divine power. Lord Vishnu's is so dear to this month and he also grants both worldly wishes and also gives Moksha (Salvation).
On the full moon day, in the Karthika Masam, on the rise of the star 'Kritiga', Hindus celebrate the Karthika Deepam. A huge beacon is lit on the holy hill 'Arunachala' located in South India.
Lord Shiva once asks Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to find where is head and feet are exactly located. He took a gigantic form hence they could not find the exact location. It is at this time, Lord Shiva takes the form of a Jyothi (light of fire) on the hill of 'Thiruvannamalai', where today they celebrate this festival as "Annamalai Deepam". A special torch is lighted on the peak of the hill and it is believed that Lord Shiva's Jyothi is visible on this day.
Bathing in rivers in Karthika Masam is not only considered holy but also has significant scientific and medical benefits. Rivers receive fresh waters from the rainy season covering Shravan and Bhadrapada Masam's and overflow banks, it is hence prohibited to take bath in rivers in those months. But the river totally settles with the start of Karthika Masam. In Sharad Ruthuvu, the moon plays an important role. This Ruthuvu covers both the Aswayuja and Karthika Masam. At this time, the river absorbs energy from the moon which we receive as we bathe in the rivers. Hence it is compulsory to take at least one dip during this month.
Apart from the above reason, another theory as per to science, water gets enriched with more Magnetic Power from Earth and the power is stored in water until sunrise. This is one of the main reasons our ancients insisted on "Nadi snanams" (River Baths) before sunrise. Magnetic Therapy believes that taking a dip in any flowing river waters on Karthika Somavaram (Monday) for about 15mins can bring relief from the stomach, and Liver disorders and also help maintain good general health.
