🕉️ Karthika Masam Puja — The Sacred Month of Karthika

Karthika Masam (also called Karthik or Kartik month) is a highly auspicious month in the Hindu calendar, typically falling in October-November. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kartikeya (the warrior god), and considered very holy for spiritual practices, austerity, and worship.

🌟 Significance of Karthika Masam

  • Believed to be the month when the rivers, gods, and sages take holy baths to purify themselves.
  • Performing pujas during Karthika is said to bring prosperity, peace, and spiritual upliftment.
  • Observing fasts, lighting lamps, and worshipping deities in this month removes sins and grants divine blessings.
  • The month is also dedicated to Kartikeya (Subramanya) — Lord of war and victory.
  • The full moon day (Karthika Purnima) is especially important, marking celebrations like Tripuri Purnima and Dev Deepavali.

🛕 Puja Samagri (Items Needed)

  • Oil lamps (preferably ghee lamps)
  • Camphor, incense sticks
  • Fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves
  • Kumkum, turmeric, rice grains
  • Fruits and sweets
  • Water in Kalash (holy pot)
  • Idols or pictures of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Kartikeya, and Lakshmi
  • Sandalwood paste

🕉️ Common Pujas Performed in Karthika Masam

  1. Karthika Deepam Puja
  • Lighting rows of lamps at home or temples every evening to dispel darkness and evil.
  • Lamps symbolize divine light and knowledge.
  1. Lord Shiva Puja
  • Abhishekam (holy bathing) of Shiva Lingam with water, milk, honey, and bilva leaves.
  • Chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or Shiva Panchakshara Mantra (“Om Namah Shivaya”).
  1. Vishnu Puja
  • Worship of Lord Vishnu with chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama or other Vishnu stotras.
  • Offering Tulsi leaves and lighting lamps near Vishnu idols.
  1. Kartikeya Puja
  • Offering prayers to Lord Kartikeya for courage, strength, and victory.
  • Chanting Kartikeya mantras and offering red flowers.
  1. Lakshmi Puja
  • Worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and wealth.
  • Lighting lamps and chanting Lakshmi stotras.

🕉️ Puja Procedure Overview

  1. Sankalpa (Resolution) – Taking vow to perform the puja.
  2. Invocation (Avahana) – Inviting the deities into the puja space.
  3. Abhishekam & Alankara – Bathing and decorating the idols or images.
  4. Lighting of Lamps – Lighting multiple lamps (deepam) signifying light over darkness.
  5. Offering Naivedya – Fruits, sweets, and other offerings.
  6. Mantra Chanting – Reciting specific hymns or prayers for each deity.
  7. Aarti – Performing aarti with camphor and ringing bells.
  8. Prasadam Distribution – Sharing the blessed food.

📜 Popular Mantras

  • Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Shiva):

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

  • Vishnu Sahasranama (Chanting the 1000 names of Vishnu)
  • Kartikeya Mantra:

Om Saravana Bhavaya Namah

  • Lakshmi Mantra:

Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah

🌟 Spiritual Benefits

  • Removes obstacles and negativities.
  • Promotes good health, wealth, and longevity.
  • Enhances spiritual growth and inner peace.
  • Strengthens family bonds and brings harmony at home.