Kaarttik Maas is the 8th month of the Hindu Lunar calendar year. Kaarttik Maas is a very holy and important month for Hindus - Many people observe fast, do Snaan, do Deep Daan, Paath, give Daan etc. It is the most important because during this month we have some of the most important Hindu festivals, and when we speak of Hindu festivals, take it to include fasts, Snaan and worship too. Readers should remember that the Hindu month is divided into the dark fortnight with the waning of the Moon called Krishn Paksh and the bright fortnight with the waxing of the Moon called Shukla Paksh. In North India, the Hindu months usually starts with the dark fortnight and ends with the Full Moon (Purnamasi) while in South India it starts with the bright fortnight and ends with the New Moon called Amaavasyaa.

In the dark fortnight of Kaarttik we have:
(1) Karavaa Chauth - First there is the Karak Chaturthi or Karavaa Chauth. This is a very important fast for married women. They keep this fast for the long life and well being of their husbands. From the beginning of the day up to Moonrise they will not even take a drop of water. In the evening, just towards sunset they will offer either 21 Laddoo to Ganesh Jee or 21 Pooaa (sweet Pakora balls of wheat flour and jaggery). They will offer worship to Ganesh, Gauree, Shiv and Kaarttikeya. Then at Moon rise and offer Arghya with white Chandan, white rice and white flowers to the Moon. They will do the Aartee of the Moon god and then the Aaratee of their respective husbands and in this way they will end their fasts.

(2) Raadhaa Ashtamee or Raadhaa Jayantee - It is celebrated on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of this Maas. Raadhaa was an inseparable companion of Krishn during his stay in Gokul. If Hindu accept Krishn as the Avataar of the Supreme Personality of God, then Raadhaa Jee was the Avataar of Bhakti (unflinching devotion). It is to be noted that in almost all the temples we have the Murthy of Krishn and Raadhaa. We cannot conceive God without Bhakti. Therefore where there is God there is Bhakti. Taking the name of Raadhaa is as good as taking the name of Krishn. By calling Raadhaa, Krishn will definitely respond. Because where there is Bhakti, God is bound to be there.

(3) Dhan Teras or Dhan Trayodashee - This occurs on the 13th day of the dark fortnight and this year it will be celebrated on Sunday 11 November. On this day, Hindu usually change their kitchen utensils, if they are too old or broken, then this is an auspicious day to replace them. Besides on this day it is also considered auspicious to buy gold and silver. It can be any piece of jewelry either of gold or silver. The gold or silver so bought should be used to invoke Lakshmee Jee on Divaalee evening and prayers can be offered on the same or it could also be offered as an Aabhooshan (jewelry) to Lakshmee Jee.

(4) Dhanvantari Jayantee - This day is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Jayantee. According to the Puraan when the Milky Ocean was being churned for Amrit, the God of Medicine Dhanvantari emerged from the ocean with a big pot containing all the medicines for the well being of humanity. It is an important day for doctors and pharmacists to celebrate with prayers of course. In the evening a lamp should be lighted on the main doorway outside the house. This is done to ward off untimely and unnatural death in the family.

(5) Narak Chaturdashee - It also falls on this date. The doors of hell are wide opened on this day. However, to prevent oneself from landing in Hell, it is recommended to offer a lamp to Yam Raaj or Dharm Raaj i.e. the Lord of Hell or the God of Death. Facing the South, take a clay lamp with four cotton wicks with each facing each direction, i.e. one the South, the other East, one the West and the other the North. Pour some sesame oil (Til kaa Tel) in the lamp. If sesame oil is not available, take any ordinary oil but add some black Til (black sesame seeds) also to the oil and offer the same to Dharm Raaj, praying him to spare the family from untimely and unnatural death.

This day a few clay lamps are also worshiped - one for Vishnu (keep it in your Poojaa place), one for Varun Devtaa (keep it near well or water tap), one for Tulasee (keep it with Tulasee plant), one for Yam Raaj (keep it outside the house door), one for ancestors (keep it in any room of the house) and a few lamps (maybe 5) for those people or ancestors who expect this light from mortals - from their own or others.

(6) Hanumaan Jayantee - According to Vaayu Puraan Hanumaan was born on this day towards midnight. About Hanumaan Jayantee there are two schools of thoughts. One purports that Hanumaan was born on the Full moon day of Chaitra (that is after Ram Navamee) and the other purports that he was born on the midnight of the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kaarttik. Both have supports of the scriptures. Therefore, celebrating Hanumaan Jayanti on both occasions will be equally auspicious. Since he was born at midnight, it is recommended to celebrate his Jayantee early in the morning on the next day. This usually falls on the day of Divaalee. It is an auspicious day to perform Hanumaan Jhandee (flag). Otherwise devotees can offer their prayers as they traditionally do. Offer fruits, viz coconuts and bananas, Dhoop Agarbattee, Ghee lamps, Sindoor etc. Read Hanuman Chaaleesaa or Sundar Kaand on this day.

(7) Divaalee - Divaalee is a festival that needs no introduction. Since our early childhood we have been celebrating Divaalee traditionally as per the dictates of our elders. It is a day of rejoice since we celebrate the victory of righteousness over evil. Besides its religious significance Divaalee is celebrated in India, after the Monsoon when farmers have harvested all their crops which they have sold and now they have money. It is a tradition of thanksgiving to the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmee Jee. At the same time prayers are offered to Kuber, the God of Wealth and to Indra the Lord of Heaven. It is said that on this night Lakshmee Jee visits all homes of devotees and where she finds a clean place she selects her abode there. This is the reason why Hindu keep their homes very clean and pure from any form of defilements. Early in the morning the next day, ladies of the households would rise up to chase Daridrataa (the symbol of miseries, poverties, misfortunes etc, i.e. the exact opposite of Lakshmee Jee). This is done by replacing the old broom with a new broom. Sweep the house with the old broom and throw it away along with the dirt of the household.

In the Bright Fortnight of Kaarttik we have:
(8) New Year Day - To Hindu in general the bright fortnight of Kaarttik is of equal significance. In some part of India, specially Gujaraat the day after Divaalee is celebrated as the New Year Day. The year in Gujaraat starts with Kaarttik Shukla Pratipadaa i.e. the first day of the bright fortnight.

In North India it is celebrated as Govardhan Poojaa. This day Krishn lifted Govardhan Parvat on His left small finger for 7 days to save Brij people from Indra's wreath - heavy rains. It is from the first to the seventh day of the bright fortnight. This way they worship the mountain and cow wealth. A replica of the mountain is made of cow dung. On the same replica, lamps are lighted at several spots, and prayers are offered just like for any other deity. The circumambulation of the mountain is an integral part of the worship. They make a mixed vegetable and offer to Krishn and distribute it in temples. On the eighth day, Indra accepted defeat and came to Krishna to entreat him of his forgiveness.

(9) Yam Dwitiyaa or Bhaiyaa Doyaj - On this day brothers usually eat at their sisters' place and offer them gifts of money and clothing.

(10) Tulasee Poojaa Put a new plant of Tulasee in a flower pot and worship her by offering water, flowers, Chandan and a lamp. This should be done daily. This prayer is usually done by married women and young girls. Men also can offer worship. Since Tulasee is a Devee, women usually make the offerings of clothes, Sindoor etc.

(11) Soorya Shashthee Vrat - This is a fast that is carried out over three days. 0n the 4th day an Arghya is offered Soorya Dev and the fast is concluded.

(12) Gopaa Ashtamee - This Ashtamee is celebrated on Ashtamee. On this day early in the morning after doing one's routine prayers, one should proceed to a Gaw Shaalaa, or a cow shed where cows are kept. Bath a cow, make her wear some bright colored clothes. Apply, Chandan to her forehead, offer Kumkum, Sindoor etc and offer Aaratee. Feed the cow with fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides grains like Chanaa (gram or mealies) soaked in water can be offered. Take the dust of the cow's feet and apply it to one's forehead. Feed the cow properly with fresh green grass. To the Hindu the cow is so sacred that it is not regarded as an animal. Hindu refer to the cow as Gow Maataa. Gow Maataa is the personification of Dharm. It is said that all the Devtaa (divinities) live in different parts of Gow Maataa's body. Thus by offering worship to Gow Maataa, we are actually offering worship all the different Devtaa. No religious ceremony of a Hindu is ever concluded without a Gow Daan. Although, we need not offer a cow as such, but whatever Daan and Dakshinaa is given is referred as Gow Daan.

(13) Akshaya Navamee - On the Navamee is Akshaye Navamee. According to the scriptures any prayers, fasting, donations or charities, or other religious act done on this day bear everlasting fruits. Akshaya means everlasting. Prayers should also be offered to the Aamalaa tree. Offer water to the roots, do Tarpan for the departed ancestors, Rishi and Devtaa. One may also feed Braahman under the shade of the Aamalaa tree and one may also have one's food under the shade of the tree.

(14) Prabodhinee Ekaadashee or Dev Uthaan Ekaadashee - This Ekaadashee is a very important date in the Hindu calendar. Mention Ekaadashee to an average Hindu and fast comes to his mind. People should fast at least once in a month. Not only will this be spiritually beneficial to them but physically also it will do them good. According to Aayurved, (the traditional Hindu system of medicine) an individual can prolong his life span by fasting. Daily we are eating all sorts of food. If when we are fasting we can have some selective fruits, milk and water we can to a large extent eliminate some of the toxics from our body.

According to our scriptures Bhagavaan Vishnu sleeps for four months starting on Hari Shayanee Ekaadashee that is in Aashaadh Maas and he wakes up on Prabodhinee Ekaadashee in Kaarttik. The period during which Bhagavaan Vishnu sleeps is known as Chaatur Maas. These four months are Shraavan, Bhaadrapad, Aashwin, and Kaarttik. During these four months no auspicious ceremonies like wedding and Janeoo etc are not performed.

Every month we have two Ekaadashee, which makes a total of 24 Ekaadashee. One Ekaadashee falls in Krishna Paksh and the other in Shukla Paksh. The fasting for all Ekaadashee are similar. Only for Nirjalaa Ekaadashee, one should not take only water (other liquids are allowed, like milk etc). If Ekaadashee falls on a Sunday, salt, even Saindhaa Namak (rock salt), should also be avoided. On Ekaadashee one should fast, do Poojaa for Vishnu Bhagavaan or Shree Raam, Shree Krishn and sing Bhajan and do Keertan (name chanting). Night time one should remain awake. Ekadashee fast should be ended on the next day within Dwaadashee. If one breaks one's fast after Dwaadashee, then one's fast becomes null and void. If for any reason the fast cannot be broken within Dwaadashee, then one can sip some water taking the name of Lord Vishnu and saying that I now conclude my Ekaadashee fast. (Aham ekaadashee Vratam paaranam karishye)

There was a Raakshas by the name Mur who was killed by Shri Krishn and thus he assumed the name of Muraari. He went to hide in rice on the day of Ekaadashee. Since Raakshas are sinners and he went to hide in rice, so on this day it is believed that sins reside in rice and rice should therefore be avoided on Ekaadashee day.

Tulasee Vivaah should be performed on this day. Tulasee Vivaah should be performed in the same way as one performs a normal wedding. Tie a beautiful piece of cloth or a Saaree around the pot in which Tulasee is planted. Have 4 banana trees on the four corners. Place Shaalgraam on a proper plate (Thaalee). Do the prayers of Ganesh, Gauree, Kalash and Nava Graha. Then proceed with the prayers of Shaalgraam and Tulasee Jee. Then the Pandit may start with the actual wedding ceremony.

(15) Bheeshm Panchak - It may not be easy for one to observe all the rules and regulations of the month of Kaarttik for the whole month. In this case one can observe the same for the last five days, starting with Ekaadashee and ending with Poornimaa. During these days one should try to eat pure Saatwik food, no carrots, brinjals, onions, garlic and mushroom. Do one's morning and evening prayers. Listen to Kathaa (tales of Lord Vishnu), Raamaayan and Geetaa; conduct oneself as one usually does for major religious occasions; give charities and donations to deserving people.

(16) Vaikunth Chaturdashee - Vaikunth is the abode of Bhagavaan Vishnu Himself, on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Kaarttik Maas is Vaikunth Chaturdashee. On this day the doors of Vaikunth are wide open. To gain admission one should worship Lord Vishnu and Bhagavaan Shiv. Once Lord Vishnu went to Kaashee to offer prayers to Bhagavaan Shiv. He took a dip at Manikarnikaa Ghaat of Gangaa. He took 1000 lotus flowers to worship Lord Shiv. In order to try the devotion of Lord Vishnu, Shiv hid one of the flowers. Seeing that He was short of one flower, Vishnu thought to himself, I have got "lotus eyes", people call me "Pundareekaaksh" so let me offer one eye in the place of that one flower. Seeing this Lord Shiv appeared before Vishnu and praised him for his devotion. He told him that "among my devotees, none is greater than you". Henceforth, this 14th day of the bright lunar fortnight will be known as Vaikunth Chaturdashee. Anyone who will worship you first and then will worship me in the evening will gain direct access to Vaikunth."

(17) Kaarttik Poornamasee or Poornimaa - It is a very auspicious day to bath in the Ganges. By doing so one washes away all one's sins. If the Ganges cannot be accessed, one should invoke Gangaa while having a bath. Gangaa is a divine river, she can be invoked by the mere mention of her name. Anyone bathing anywhere in it gets the full benefit of Gangaa Snaan by mentioning her name while having a bath. It is a very auspicious day to listen to or perform Shree Satya Naaraayan Vrat Kathaa.

Once Satyabhaamaa, the beloved consort of Shree Krishn, asked Shree Krishn - "My Lord, what good deeds did I do in my previous lives that in this life I have the good fortune of having you as my husband?" The Lord replied - "Satyabhaamaa, in Satya Yug you were born as the daughter of a pious Brahman. You were duly married to a Braahman. But you were always devoted to Lord Vishnu. On the death of your father and husband you dedicated yourself wholeheartedly to the service of Lord Vishnu. During the month of Kaaratik you steadfastly kept all the fasts as prescribed by the scriptures. This is why you have me as you inseparable husband, the prosperity you are enjoying is the result of the lamps you had offered and the Kalp Vriksh (desire fulfilling tree) you are having in your yard is the result of the Tulasee trees you had planted in the yard of the Vishnu temple.

Satyabhaamaa went on to ask the Lord, why of all the months is Kaarttik dearest to him. Krishn replied, that during Sat Yug when a Raakshas had scattered the Ved in the Ocean, He, Vishnu had summoned to Prayaag all the Rishi to search for the Ved. In the meanwhile, Vishnu along with Brahmaa and other Devtaa stayed in Prayaag awaiting for the Rishi to come up with the Ved. Different Rishi were able to bring out different portion of the Ved, thus whichever part of the Ved was brought out by whichever Rishi, was attributed to that Rishi. The Rishi offered the Ved along with the meters (Chhand) for incantation and intonation to Brahmaa and Vishnu. Both of them were very happy beyond measures. Along with the Devtaa and Rishi, Brahmaa decided to perform as Ashwamedh Yagya on the bank of the Gangaa in Prayaag. At the conclusion of the Yagya, the Rishi and the Devtaa prayed to Vishnu to proclaim Prayaag as Prayaag Raaj, i.e. as the crown of all places of pilgrimages. Any virtuous action performed at Prayaag Raaj, should bear its fruits many fold. It all happened in Kaarttik Maas.