Kartik Maas, also known as the month of Kartik, is an auspicious month in the Hindu calendar. It falls between mid-October to mid-November as per the Gregorian calendar. Kartik Maas holds great spiritual and religious significance for Hindus across India and Nepal. It is considered one of the holiest months as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
The month of Kartik is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. It is believed that during this month, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep and Lord Shiva stays awake. Various festivals and traditional rituals are observed in this month which makes this month spiritually significant for Hindus.
In this blog, we will discuss the Kartik 2023 dates, the significance of Kartik month, major festivals and rituals observed during this month.
Kartik Maas 2023 Dates
As per the Hindu lunisolar calendar, Kartik Maas will begin on Sunday, 29th October 2023, and end on Monday, 27th November 2023.
Here are the key dates for Kartik Maas in 2023:
First day of Kartik month: Sunday, 29th October 2023
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat: Sunday, 05th November 2023
Dhanteras: Friday, 10th November 2023
Diwali: Sunday, 12th November 2023
Govardhan Puja: Tuesday, 14th November 2023
Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, 15th November 2023
Devuthani Ekadashi: Thursday, 23rd November 2023
Last day of Kartik month: Monday, 27th November 2023
Also Read: Kartik Maas 2023: आज से शुरू कार्तिक का महीना, जानें प्रमुख त्योहार और धार्मिक महत्व
Significance of Kartik Maas
The month of Kartik holds great spiritual importance in Hinduism. Here are some of the key reasons why Kartik Maas is considered holy:
- Taking a holy bath in rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, and Godavari is deemed sacred during this month. It is believed that bathing in holy rivers absolves one of all sins.
- Kartik month sees the end of the inauspicious Pitru Paksha period and the beginning of Devuthani Ekadashi which marks the start of the auspicious period.
- Lighting Diyas (earthen lamps) and doing charity in Kartik is considered highly meritorious.
- Keeping fasts (Vrat) on Mondays which are dedicated to Lord Shiva is believed to fulfill wishes. The Somvar Vrat starts on the first Monday of Kartik month.
- Kartik month is also known as 'Damodar Maas' as it's dedicated to worshipping Lord Krishna in his infant form. Special prayers are offered to baby Krishna during this month.
- The light festival of Diwali falls during this month which signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
- Important pilgrimages like Pushkaram and Prayagraj Kumbh Mela are celebrated in the month of Kartik.
- The period is ideal for performing pujas, yagnas, dan-punya, scripture reading, meditation, and charity.
- Devotees believe that taking a holy dip in rivers combined with fasting, jagarans, and yagnas in Kartik pleases the gods and fulfills wishes.
Major Festivals and Events in Kartik Maas
Here are some of the most important Hindu festivals and events celebrated during the holy month of Kartik:
1. Diwali
Celebrated on the new moon day (Amavasya) of Kartik month, Diwali is the biggest and most awaited festival of the year. The 5 days of Diwali are Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance.
Also Read: When is Diwali in 2023? Date, History, Significance, and Puja Muhurat
2. Ahoi Ashtami
Ahoi Ashtami vrat is observed on the Ashtami tithi (8th day) of the Krishna Paksha in Kartik month. Mothers keep a fast on this day for the well-being and long life of their children. It is dedicated to the goddess Ahoi Mata. The fast is broken after sighting stars in the evening sky.
Also Read: Ahoi Ashtami 2023: जाने तिथि, व्रत कथा, उत्सव और अनुष्ठान
3. Dhanteras
Celebrated two days before Diwali, Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali festivities. It is believed that buying gold, silver, or utensils on this day brings good fortune, health, and prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber are worshipped on the day of Dhanteras.
4. Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali. It marks the day when Lord Krishna defeated God Indra and lifted the Govardhan hill to provide refuge and shelter to people from torrential rains. An offering of food is made to Lord Krishna on this day.
5. Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the last day of Diwali. It symbolizes the love between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for the long and happy life of their brothers and apply tilak on their foreheads. Brothers give gifts to their sisters on this day.
6. Devuthani Ekadashi
The auspicious Devuthani Ekadashi falls in the month of Kartik. It marks the beginning of the waxing phase of the moon and the onset of winter. The Ekadashi tithi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees keep a strict fast and stay awake the whole night while worshipping Lord Vishnu.
Important Rituals and Customs of Kartik Maas
Here are some of the most significant rituals and customs followed in the holy month of Kartik:
Take a holy dip in the Ganges - Taking an early morning bath in the Ganges river or other holy rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Yamuna in Kartik month is considered highly auspicious. It absolves one of all sins.
Light diyas - Lighting oil or ghee lamps every day and keeping them lit throughout the night is an important Kartik maas ritual. Lamps are lit in homes, temples, and along the river banks.
Go on a pilgrimage - The period is ideal for going on pilgrimages to holy sites like Varanasi, Haridwar, Ayodhya, Dwarka, Vrindavan Mathura, and Ujjain.
Give charity - Donating food, clothes, money, and other items to the needy and performing philanthropic acts like Canadian has special significance in Kartik.
Decorate homes - Cleaning and decorating homes with rangoli, flowers, diyas, etc ushers in prosperity and good luck. Inviting god to one's home is the essence of Diwali celebrations.
Prepare special food - Food items like puran poli, shakkarpale, and deep-fried sweets are made and offered to gods before eating. Singing bhajans and doing jagaran (all-night vigil) is also done.
Perform Tulsi puja - Special Tulsi puja is done on all days of Kartik month. The Tulsi plant is considered extremely auspicious on the day of Diwali.
Bathe the cows - Cows are bathed and worshipped in the morning. Their horns are painted and garlands of flowers are put around their necks.
Do Satyanarayan puja - This special puja is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi to invoke their blessings for a prosperous life.
Observe fasts - Many people observe fasts on Mondays and on festivals like Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, and Ahoi Ashtami for wish fulfillment and pardoning of sins.
Thus, with its many holy days, auspicious timings, sacred rituals, and festive fervor, the month of Kartik is regarded as one of the holiest months in the Hindu lunar calendar.
Also Read: Know The Shubh Muhurat, Auspicious Days & Time To Buy Gold in 2023
Conclusion
The month of Kartik holds tremendous spiritual and religious importance in Hinduism. Marked with holy days, sacred rituals, and major festivals like grand Diwali celebrations, Kartik Maas is considered one of the most auspicious periods of the year. The religious fervor, festive spirit, and performance of traditional rituals reach their peak in the Kartik month.
For devout Hindus, the holy baths, charity, fasts, pujas, and performed in this month have the power to absolve sins and fulfill wishes. The vibrant festivals celebrated with great joy, devotion, and faith add to the sanctity of Damodar Maas. Thus, Kartik Maas is an ideal time to strengthen one's faith, invoke the gods' blessings, and spread light over darkness.
FAQs
Why is Kartik Maas considered auspicious?
Kartik Maas is considered highly auspicious because it marks the end of the inauspicious Pitru Paksha and the start of the holiest period known as Devuthani Ekadashi. The month sees some major Hindu festivals like Diwali and holy bathing days which make it an ideal time for Puja, charity, and pilgrimages.
What are the main festivals celebrated in Kartik month?
The prominent festivals celebrated are - Diwali and its 5 days of celebrations, Dhanteras, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Ahoi Ashtami Vrat, and Devuthani Ekadashi.
What is the significance of taking holy dips in Kartik?
Taking ritual dips in holy rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, and Godavari, especially on important days and festivals like Kartik Purnima is deemed sacred. It is believed bathing absolves one of all sins.
What rituals should one perform during Kartik Maas?
Lighting lamps, cleaning & decorating homes, preparing sweets & savories, performing Lakshmi Puja on Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Tulsi Puja, making donations, and chanting mantras are important rituals.
How is Diwali celebrated during Kartik month?
Diwali is celebrated by lighting diyas, exchanging gifts, doing Lakshmi Puja, preparing sweets, firing crackers, and decorating homes with fancy lights. The festival signifies triumph over evil and darkness.
