Kartik Month Importance

Kartik Month Importance

(A Month of Festivals)

When is Kartik Masa (month) in 2018?
It starts from 8^th November 2018. It is next day of Diwali festival.

Which are Kartik month’s festivals dates 2018? When is Gujarati New Year – Varas Abhinandan?
Annakoota, Govardhan, Sindhi Baru, Chand, Bhai-dooj, Sindhi Shiva Puja – Shiv Chaumaso – Mansaa Vaachaa udhyaapan and completion, Gujarati Laabh Paancham, Jain Gnan Panchami, Chhath Puja, Kartik Shasthi, Bal Din, Jain Athai and Chaumasi Chaudash, Gau puja, Sindhi Beekham Diyaa lightening, Dev-uthavana Ekadashi, Vadi Gyaras, Vrinda Shaligram Vivah, Pandharpur Yatra, Jayantis of Hemchand Suri, Sri Satya Sai, Sadhu Vaswani, Sant Jalaram, Avadhut and Guru Nanak in 2018 in Bharat, HK and other countries?

• Hindu Festivals – vrats dates:
  Kartik Masa Shukla Paksha Pratipada is from Thursday 08 November 2018 for one month:
• 8 November Annakut – Govardhan festival Puja in Bharat and Hong Kong.
  Thursday 08 November 2018 Holiday in Bharat. Gujarati New Samvat 2075 starts. Welcome and celebration of New Year Besta-varas.
  
• Friday 9 November 2018 Chand-new moon and Bhai Dooj – Bhaiya Dooj –
  Bhau Beej Festival in India and Hong Kong. It is following day of Diwali.Saturday 10 November 2018 Moklaoo of Diyari Laxmi pujan (Sindhis worldwide)

• Sunday 11 November 2018 Vinayak Chaturthy and Sindhi Shiv Chaumaso – Siva Mansa Vacha Vrat Puja Katha puran Moklaoo vidhivat (Lord Siva fasting prayer completes) in Bharat, HK and in other countries.
• Monday 12 November 2018 Labh Pancham (Gujaratis), Gyan Panchmi (Jain), Sri Pachami, Pandav/Saubhagya Panchmi.
• Tuesday 13 November 2018 Surya Chhath Puja – Surya Shasthi, Swami Kartik Shashthi.
• Wednesday 14 November Baal din, Nehru Jayanti.
• Thursday 15 November 2018 Atthai Prarambha (Jain), Sant Jalaram Jayanti, Surya Vrischick Rashi Pravesh – Surya Sankrant (Sun enters in Vrischick 8^th sign as per Nirayana).
• Friday 16 November 2018 Gope Ashtami गोप-अष्टमी Gau Puja- Cow Prayers in India and Hong Kong
• Saturday 17 November 2018 Sri Rang Avadhut Jayanti

• Monday 19 November 2018 Bhishma Panchak, Bikham Diya Lighting day first Starts, Fast of Vadi Gyaras, Pandharpur Yatra (Maharashtra). Tulsi Shaligram Vivah Pooja Prabodhini Ekadashi, Agyaras (Dev Uthi Agyaras) Deva Prabodhini Agyaras Ekadashi in Bharat and Hong Kong
• (Sindhi Kattia Ji Vadi Gyaras Vrat – Kartik month’s 11^th tithi ekadashi)

• Tuesday 20 November 2018 Holiday in Bharat (India),
• Shiva Bhauma Pradosh Puja (in the bright fortnight).
• Thursday 22 November 2018 Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, Chaumasi Chaudash (Jain),
• Surya Dhan Rashi Sankrant (Sayana) and Purnima Vrat, Puranmasi – Full Moon.
• Friday 23 November 2018 Holiday in Bharat (India), Shri Guru Nanak Sahebji’s Jayanti-Birthday.
• Friday 23 November 2018 Dev-Diwali (Gujaratis), Shri Satya Sai Babaji’s Jayanti, Karttik Month Sindhi Beekham Diya prayer ends, Shri Hemchand Acharyaji’s Jayanti, Pushkar Melaa, Rajasthan, Kartik Swami Darshan, end of Kartik snan (bath).
• Sunday 25 November 2018 Sadhu Vaswaniji’s Jayanti – Vegetarian Day.

What is Kārttika-Mahiman?
Kārttika-Mahiman, “the greatness of Kārttika”, “a treatise on the festivals of that month”. Every year, the Kārttika – Kartik maasa (October or November month) marks many festivals.

What is Kārttikotsava?

Kārttikotsava is a festival on the tithi (day) of full moon in the month of Kārttika.

What is Karthika Māhātmya?
Māhātmya is “a section of the Padma Puran”.

What is Karthika Vrata(s)?
Kārttika Vrata(s), “a particular religious observance(s)”. Vratam (fast) during Kārtik māsa.

What is Kartik Masa? When it occurs & what is Kartik month importance?
Maasa is the month. Kartika is the eighth* lunar month in Jyotish Shastra – Astrology.
It is called Karthika – Karteeka – Kârttika; and ‘Kaarkat – Katti’ among Sindhis.
Every year, the Kārttika maasa marks many festivals (during October or November). In the dark half, Diwali is celebrated on Kartik month Amavasya. But, in bright half of Kartik month (from 1^st tithi to 15^th tithi i.e. purnima – full moon); devotees of Kartik, and community of Gujarati, Jain, Marathi, Marvari – Rajasthani, Punjabi, Sindhi keep the vratas and perform poojas followed with celebrations. Kartik prayers & prayers devoted to Goverdhan, Annakut, Raja-Bali, Bhaiya-dooj, Sindhi Śiva Chaumaaso Pooja -Moklaao, Laabh Pancham, Gyan (Jnan) Rishi Panchmi, Surya Chhath, Gopashtmi, Bhisma –Bikhama Diyaa Baaran, Dev Uthi Prabhodini Gyaras, Tulsi Vivah, Gurunanak Jayanti, Kartik Bath and Dev-Diwali are performed followed with festival celebrations. Devotees during the whole month of Kartik take ‘falaahaar’ only once a day. Kartik masa is the pious and auspicious month. Amongst all 12 months of Hindus Lunar Calendar, Kartik maasa is the month of festivals, fastings vrata pooja devotion.

Related Stories of : 1) Kartikeya – Kumar – Skanda, 2) Sri Krishna – Goverdhan Mountain story of (Indra). Gau, Brahmin, Goverdhan Puja, 3) Raja Bali’s daan to (Vaaman Avataar), 4) Bhishma’
s vow (Pitamaha), 5) Brief story of Tulsi Vivah (Vrindaa – Jālandhar).

Kartik Month Meaning, Stories, Holiness and Spiritual observances with Meaning, Māhātmya – Mahiman :

Kartik Masa कार्तिक मास a. (- की f.) [ कृत्तिका अण् ] reads, “belonging to the month of Kārtika”. कार्तिकीपु सवितानहर्म्यभाक् R.19.39.

According to Hindu faith: prayer rituals, auspicious and prosperous festival celebrations during Kartik Masa (Month) gives the great happiness of ones life. It is the most awaited and important month for prayers.
– Kartikaha कार्तिकः The month in which the full moon is near the कृत्तिका or Pleiades (corresponding to October – November)*. An epithet of Skanda.
– Kartiki कार्तिकी The full-moon day in the month of Kārtika (Mar. त्रिपुरी पौर्णिमा). कार्तिक्याः प्रभृतिः आग्रहायणी मासे Mbh. on P.II. 3. 28 Purnima tithi – full moon day.
– Kārttikotsava कार्तिक उत्सव: a festival on the full moon day of the month of कार्तिक”. Mostly the (कृत्तिका नक्षत्र Krittikā Nakshatra) is near on the Purnima tithi (full-moon day*). Krittika Nakshatra is also called Eta Tauri constellation (Refer Jhulelal Tipno – Panchang (Almanac) in the Nakshatra topic of ‘Astrology in Brief’).

KARTIK MONTH FESTIVALS, RITUALS, STORIES, SIGNIFICANCE & OBSERVANCES
Kārttikotsava Vrata, Pooja, Katha and Traditions

Who is Kartikeya? Which is the story related to Kartikeya, Skanda?

Kārtikeyaha – Dictionary reads, “कार्तिकेयः [ कृत्तिकानामपत्यम् ढक् ] Noun of Skanda (so called because he was reared by the six Krittikās). [Kārtikeya is the Mars or the God of war. He is the son of Śiva (but born without the direct intervention of the woman). Most of his epithest have reference to the circumstances of his birth. Śiva cast the seed into Agni (who had gone to the god in the form of a dove, while he was with Pārvatī), who being unable to bear it cast it into the Ganges; (hence Skanda is called Agnibhū, Gangāputra). It was then transferred to the six Krittikās (when they went to the bathe in the Ganges), each of whom therefore conceived and brought forth a son. But these six sons were afterwards mysteriously combined into one of extraordinary form with six heads and twelve hands and twelve eyes, (hence he is called Kārtikeya, Sadānana, Sanmukha). According to another account, the seed of Śiva was cast by the Ganges into a thicket of reeds (Śara); whence the boy was called Śaravanabhava or Śarajanman. He is said to have pierced the mountain Krauncha, whence his name Kraunchadarana. He was the commander of the army of the gods in their war with Tāraka, a powerful demon (q.v.) when he vanquished and slew; and hence his names Senānī and Tārakajit. He is represented as riding a peacock. –Comp. – प्रसूः f. Pārvati, mother of Kārtikeya”. Another dictionary reads, “A son of Śiva and Pārvati (popularly regarded as god of war, because he leads Ganas or hosts of Śiva against the demon hosts. He is also called Kumāra, Skanda and Subrahmanya.”

When is the Kartik Masa (Month) bright half starts in 2016?
In 2016 Kartik Bright half started on Monday 31^st October 2016.

Usually, every year Kartik Shukla Paksha (i.e. Bright Half – fortnight) starts mostly on the next day of Diwali; and only sometimes on the following day, if some variations in tithi occurs such as ‘dhokaa’ (during October or November month for those who see the Gregorian Calendar).

When is the full moon of the Kartik Month in 2016?
Kartik Month Full Moon tithi (day) is on Monday 14th November 2016 .
Every year generally, Kartik Shukla Paksha Pornima tithi (i.e. Full Moon day). It is generally celebrated on fifteen days after Diwali.

What happens on the full moon of the Kartik Month every-year?

Kartik Month Full Moon – Purnima tithi : Saaligram Tulsi Vivah pooja, Kartik Bath ends – holy bath, Shri Guru Nanik Sahib Jayanti, Sindhi Bikham Diyaa pooja takes place on purnima. Also prayers of Kartik, Kartik Snaan, Tulsi Vivah Pooja, Tulsi Saaligram-Tulsi Vivah takes place on Kartik full moon day every year.

Bali Pooja, Govardhan Pooja, Annakut: अस्यां प्रतिपदा बलि पूजा दीपोत्सवो गोक्रीडनं गोवर्धन पूजा ॥

Who was Raja Bali (King)? Which story is related to Raja Bali?

Bali Raja – Daanveer Bali Raja given ‘Sarvasva’ everything to Vaaman Avataar : Bali raja was a celebrated demon. He was a son of Virochana, the son of a Prahalada. He was a very powerful demon and oppressed the gods very much. They therefore, prayed to Vishnu for succor, who descended on the earth as a son of Kasyapa and Aditi in the form of dwarf. He assumed the dress of a mendicant, and having gone to Bali prayed him to give him as much earth as he could cover in three steps. Bali who was noted for his liberality unhesitatingly acceded to this apparently simple request. But the dwarf soon assumed a mighty form, and began to measure the three steps. The first step covered the earth, the second the heavens and not knowing where to place the third, he planted it on the head of Bali & sent him and all his legions to the Patala and allowed him to be its ruler. Thus the universe was once more restored to the rule of Indra; Vishnu is said to still guard his door in Patala. He is one of the seven Chiranjivins.

What is the Importance of Auspicious Monday in Kartik Somavar? Which are the Vrata, Pooja and Kathaa of Kartik Month Monday?
Sindhi Katti Mahino – Kaarkat (Kartik Month) in Sindhi dictionary p.399 reads, ڪَـتـيِ “The 8^th Hindu month*, (October – November) Autumn”.

When is Sindhi Shiv Chaumaso vrat starts in 2016?
Sindhi Shiv Chaumaso vrat started on Shraavan Shukla Paksha Monday 8^th August 2016.

Sindhis perform Vrat and poojas on Mondays, starting from Sravan Shukla Paksha Monday till the Kartik Month Shukla Paksha Chauth Tithi – Chaturthi. Mondays vrata and pooja is devoted in particular to Lord Shiva; and Parvati. Prayer of full family (parivar) of Lord Siva takes place. And Shiva-Abhisek, Rudra-Ashtaddhyayi mantras are recited followed with Siva Chaumaso Kathaa, Siva Aarti.

When is Sindhi Shiv Chaumaso Vrat pooja ‘moklaao’ in 2016?

Shiv Chaumaso vrat moklaao is on Thursday 3^rd November 2016.

Gyaan Panchmi – Jain, Laabh Pancham, Saubhagya/Pandav Panchami :
ज्ञा (जानाति, जानीते, जज्ञौ, जज्ञे, ज्ञात, ज्ञातुं) To know (in all senses), to learn, become acquainted with; जाने तपसो वीर्यं to comprehend, apprehend, understand, feel, experience. Tapas : Penance consisting in the acquisition of true knowledge.

Gyaan Panchami – Jain ज्ञान पञ्चमी : In Kartik month Shuddha, 5^th tithi (day) of bright fortnight is celebrated as ‘Jnan panchami’ followed with 5 Jnans i.e. acquiring pure knowledge. Devavandan – offering veneration to Gods, recitation, meditation – pratikraman, fasting takes place on this religious day.

Which is the story related to Goverdhan mountain? Who is Govardhan-dhari?

Go-vardhan गोवर्धन पर्वत, गोवर्धन-धारी Govardhan-dhari : “A celebrated hill in Vrindavana near Mathura (lifted up and supported by Śri Krishna upon one finger for 7 days to shelter the cowherds from a storm of rain sent by Indra to test Krishna’s divinity.” गोवर्धन-धारी Govardhan-dhari is the Lord Śri Krishna.
What is Gopashtmi? When is Gopashtmi in 2016?

Cow in Sanskrit language is called गो. Cow pooja is performed on 8th tithi. On the eight tithi (eight day of bright fortnight) of Kartik Shukla Paksha i.e. after Diwali on the eighth day Gopashtmi is celebrated. Cow is being feed. Cow prayers are sacred for Hindus.Gopashtmi is on Tuesday 8^th November 2016.

धनं च गोधनं प्राहुः “Dhanam cha Gau-dhanam Praahuu”.

Gau – Go गऊ – गो, Gopa गोप, Gopika गोपिका, Gopashtmi गोप-अष्टमी :-

The milk, curd and ghee are useful in prayer of Yagya Havan (homam), and also in different prayers. Cow’s milk, butter, ghee, curd is also an useful one for mankind. Gau-Yagya and Gau-Mahotsava takes place. Lord Krishna, cowherds, all they used to take care of the cows and calf. The prayer of the calf and cow is an one of the way to care for cow!

Atharva-Veda : cow importance, “Ayam Te Gopatistam Jushasva Swargam Lokamadhi Rohayainam.”

‘अयं ते गोपतिस्तं जुषस्व स्वर्गं लोकमधि रोहयैनम ॥’

Vedas : Rigveda, Shukla Yajurveda, Saam-veda, Atharva-veda cows significance and prayer, many mantras are available which sing the its mahimaa. Srimad Bhagawat Puran, also mentions for ‘Gopa, Go-pala, Krishna’s Gau prema’, cow grazing. Sri Krishna describes agricultural land fertility and cow’s value. Maha-bharata, Satpath-Brahman too mentions regarding the cow for her tremendous importance in ones daily life.

When is Bhishma Panchak in 2016? Tuesday 8^th to 12^th November 2016.

Bikhama, Bhishama Kattia Jo Mahino ڪَـتـيِ مهِنو ڀـيِکَـمَ – ڀـيِـشَـمَ

Bhikham ڀـيِکَـمَ ڀـيِـشَـمَ meaning in Sindhi Dictionary p.84 reads, “A Hindu fast kept on the last 5 days of Katti”. Importance of Kartika Deepotsava, Deepa-aradhana pooja among Sindhis is celebrated for five days in Kartik Masa, starting from Vadi Gyaras – Kartik Ekadashi (Dev-Prabodhini). The significance of ceremonial and spiritual light is there. Santji’s nice wordings sings, ‘Gyaan Jo Diyaero Baaru Pritam’. ज्ञान जो दि॒अरो बा॒रु प्रीतम ।

Who was* Bhisma? What was the Story of Bhisma’s vow?

Bhishma भीष्म Sântanava (i. e. Bhishma) – Bhishma Pratigya :

The son of Santanu by Gangâ. He was the youngest of the eight sons of Santanu by Ganga, but all the others having died, he remained the sole heir to the throne after his father. On one occasion while Santanu was walking by the side of a river, he beheld a charming young damsel named Satyavati, the daughter of a fisherman, and, thought bowed down with age, conceived a passion for her, and sent his son to negotiate the marriage. But the parents of the girl said that if their daughter bore sons to the king, they would not succeed to the throne, for after his death Sântanava (Bhishma), being the rightful heir, would be the king. But Sântanava (i.e.Bhishma), to please his father, made a vow to the parents that he would never accept the kingdom or marry a wife or become the father of children by any woman, so that if their daughter bore a son to Santanu, that son would be the king. This ‘dreadful’ vow soon became known abroad, and thenceforth he was called Bhisma. He remained single, and, after the death of his father, he installed Vichitra-virya, the son of Satyavati, on the throne, got him married to the two daughters of king Kasiraja (see Ambika), and became the guardian of his sons and grandsons, the Kauravas and Pandavas. In the great war, he fought on the side of the Kauravas, but was wounded by Arjuna with the assistance of Sikhandin and was lodged in a ‘cage of darts’. But having got from his father the power of choosing his own time for death, he waited till the sun had crossed the vernal equinox, and then gave up his soul. He was remarkable for his continuous wisdom firmness of resolve, and unflinching devotion to God”. भीष्म अष्टमी Bhisma-Ashtmi is the eighth day in the light half of Maagha (when Bhishma died). भीष्म जननी Bhishma Janani an epithet of the Ganges. भीष्मकः Bhishmakaha : A son of Santanu by Ganga. He was called Bhishma Pitaamaha.

What is Bhishma Panchak भीष्म पंचक?

The five days from the eleventh to the fifteenth of the bright half of Kârttika (said to be sacred to Bhishma). Bhishma prayers :

Bhishmaha Shantanavo Veeraha Satyavaadi Jitendriyaha;

Ebhirad-bhir-vaapanotu Putra-pautrau-chitaam Kriyaam.

Dev Uthi Ekadashi : Lord Vishnu, who goes to sleep on Aashadha Suddha Ekadashi and wakes-up on Kartika Suddha Ekadashi i.e. Dev Uthavani Ekādashi (Deva Prabodhini Ekadashi). On this 11^th tithi i.e. Ekadashi, Tulasi Vivah is also celebrated.

Gyaras is the ‘11^th tithi (day) after each new moon and full moon kept by Hindu as a fast’. Sindhis keep the fast devotionally on Kartik Ekadashi – Dev Uthi Ekadashi. It is called Vadi Gyaras Vrat – Kaarkat (Kattia Ji Gyaras Jo Virtu) in Sindhi language.

What is Tulsi, Tulsi Patram, Tulsi Vivaha Wedding & its story?

Tulasi: The holy basil held in veneration by the Hindus, especially by the worshippers of Vishnu. “Holy basil (small shrub venerated by Vaishnavas; commonly Tulsi)” it is mentioned in different Puranas.

Tulasi Patram: A Tulasi leaf; a very small gift of Tulsi Pattra (also Hindu ritual, at wedding, Tulsi Patra is given as an token of very small gift).

Tulsi Vivaha Wedding : “The marriage of an image of Balakrishna (Shaaligram) with the holy basil, performed on the 12^th* day of the bright half of Karttika”. The marriage of Vishnu’s image with the Tulasi (Festival on the 12^th* day in the 1^st half of month Karttika). To Note: Many devotees they follow the 11^th tithi i.e. Ekadashi tithi*. Hence, Tulasi Vivah mostly is performed on Ekadashi. It is well supported in the book of Dharam Sindhu which reads, “एकादश्यादी पूर्णिमान्ते यत्र कवापि दिने कार्तिक शुकलान्तर्गत विवाह नक्षत्रेशु वा विधानादनेक कालत्व..”(धर्म सिन्धु).

Vrindavanaha-Num : A square pedestal in which the sacred basil is planted. It is kept (before a Hindu house-door) planted with Tulasi. ‘Radha’s forest’, a wood near the town Go-kula in the district of Mathura on the left bank of the Jamuna (celebrated as the place where Krishna in the character of Go-pala, or cowherd, passed his youth, associating with the cowherds and milkmaids employed in tending the cattle grazing in the forest). A raised platform or mound of earth on which the worshippers of Krishna plant and preserve the Tulasi.

When is Guru Nanak Sahib Jayanti in 2016?
Guru Nanak Sahib Jayanti is on 14^th November 2016.

“चारों वेद होए सचिआर । पढ़हि गुणहि तिनु चार विचार ॥”

Gurpurab Patrika 1977, Holy Mission of Guru Nanak, Calcutta reads,

1. “We had ten Master (Satgurus). The first : Guru Nanak Sahib and the Tenth : Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The tenth Master decreed that after him there would be no physical Guru for Sikh Religion. He declared Guru Granth Sahib to be “Jugo Jug Guru” i.e. Eternal Master.
2. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the living Master – Satguru Ji. It contains 1430 pages. The first page starts with “Ik Onkar”, Sat Naam, Kartaa Purakh”. This is the opening verse of the prayer which is called Jap Ji or Jap Sahib. This prayer is followed by two more called Rahras and Kirtan Sohila. These three prayers are offered in the morning, at sunset and at bed-time respectively. They end at page 13. From page 14, starts the general sermon with the first hymn “Moti Ta Mandar Usarah”. Guru Granth Sahib Ji ends with soul-stirring 57 verses called Salok Mahala Nava, followed by Raag Mala (classification of Rāgās).

3. The highest seat of Sikh Religion is Amritsar (Punjab – North India) where the Golden Temple (Har Mandar Sahib) stands majestically, surrounded beautifully by the Holy Tank.
4. The first Guru Sahib’s family member were: Father – Bhai Kalu Ji. Mother – Mata Tripta Ji. Sister – Bibi Nanki Ji. Wife – Mata Sulakhni Ji. Sons – Baba Srichand & Baba Lakhmichand.
5. The tenth Master’s family members were : Father – Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, Mother – Mata Gujāri Ji. Sons – Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh.
6. Names of five Beloveds : Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Mahkum Singh, Bhai Sahib Singh and Bhai Himmat Singh.”

*reads, “(Krittikā, q.v.; with or without māsa), Noun of a month corresponding to part of October and November (the twelfth month of the year, when the full moon is near the Pleiades). Kārttiki : (with or without rātri) the night of full moon in the month of Kārttika, the day on which the moon stands in the constellation Krittikā, Jain.; the sakti of Kārittikeya, Brahma Puran”.

* To Note : “एकादश्यादी पूर्णिमान्ते यत्र कवापि दिने कार्तिक शुकलान्तर्गत विवाह नक्षत्रेशु वा विधानादनेक कालत्व..”(धर्म सिन्धु). Many devotees they follow the 11^th tithi – Ekadashi tithi as above described. So, Tulasi Vivah mostly is performed on Ekadashi.

Sources : Shri V.S. Apte Sanskrit English Dictionary, Sir M.W. Sanskrit English Dictionary, Atharva-Veda, Dharam Sindhu, Gurpurab Patrika 1977, Holy Mission of Guru Nanak, Calcutta; Pujya Shri Kishinchanf Jetley’s material (Sindhiology), Kalyan Geeta Press, Gorakhpur. Sindhi dictionary. 

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