Karthika Masam 2024 Dates, Importance of Karthika Masam

Karthika Masam is one of the most auspicious months in Hinduism and is called by different names like Damodara Masa, Karthigai, Kartika, Karthikam, etc.

This month is auspicious to both the devotees of  Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Karthika Masam 2024 Dates

For Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka – in 2024, Karthika Masam begins on Sunday, November 2nd & ends on Sunday, December 1st.

Kartik Mahina 2024 Dates

In Purnimanth following states, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and other North Indian states,

Kartik Mahina in 2024 starts on Friday, October 18th, and ends on Friday, November 15th.

Importance & Significance of Kartik Month

The lunar calendar has been divided into two parts Dakshinayana and Uttararyana. Karthika Masam comes under Dakshinayana. In terms of sadhana, Dakshinayana is for purification, Uttarayan is for enlightenment.

Sadhana means a process by which one would get salvation. Out of all the months in Dakshinayana Karthika Masam is best suited for Sadhana. Hence Karthika Masam is one of the most auspicious months of the lunar calendar.

According to Padma Purana and Skanda Purana, the month of Kartik provides four kinds of benefits – religious, economic, good marital life and enlightenment.

The importance and significance of the month Kartik is first narrated by Lord Narayana to Brahma, Brahma to Narada and by Narada to King Prithu for the welfare of mankind.

Karthika Somavaram

Special rituals and fasting are observed on Mondays in Kartik Month. Mondays are generally dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.

Specially, Mondays in Sravana Masam and Kartika Masam are considered as most auspicious by Lord Shiva devotees.

Somavaram (Monday) gets its name from one of thousand names of Lord Shiva – Someshwara. The crescent moon (Soma) on the matted locks of Shiva gives him the name Someshwara.

It is believed that the moon observed Somavara Vratam to escape from the curse of Daksha and to get the blessings from Lord Shiva and a spot in His matted locks.

Karthika Somavaram Dates

There are four Mondays (Karthika Somavara) in Karthika Masam 2024.

1. 4th November
2. 11th November
3. 18th November
4. 25th November

Rituals in Kartik Maas

Lighting a Lamp

During the Kartik Month diyas are lit and placed in front of Tulasi plant and near the main entrance of the house before Sun rise and just before Sun set. 

Kartik Snan or Bathing in River

Another important ritual is bathing in river during Karthika Month. The rivers have received fresh water during the rain season comprising of Shravana Masam and Bhadrapada Masam.

As the rivers over flow banks and are furious bathing in rivers during Shravana and Bhadrapada is prohibhited. The river completely settle by the time Karthika Masam starts.

Visiting Shiva Temples

• Shiva temples observe special pujas and rituals in the month.
• Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple attracts more than 2 million devotees during the month.
• Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple at Vemulawada in Telangana attracts more than a million devotees during the Karthika Masam.
• Visiting five temples of Shiva Pancharamalu or Pancharama Kshetralu is performed in the month.

An important prayer chanted in the month is the Damodarastakam.

Karthika Masam Calendar

Note: In Hindu calendar Tithi (day) might start any time of the day so some festival dates may differ. Find the local calendar for exact date and time.

Date	Importance
Wed, 26th Oct	Chandra Darshanam, Govardhana Puja, Karthika Masa Arambham
Thu, 27th Oct	Yama Dwitiya, Bhagini Hastha Bhojanam
Fri, 28th Oct	Nagula Chavithi, Chaturthi Vratham
Sun, 30th Oct	Surya Sashti, Skanda Sashti
Mon, 31st, Oct	Karthika Somavara Vratham
Tue, 1st Nov	Gopashtami, Durgashtami Vrat, Pushpayaga Mahotsavam at Tirumala
Wed, 2nd Nov	Akshaya Navami
Fri, 4th Nov	Karthika Ekadashi, Uthana Ekadashi, Prabodhini Ekadashi, Chaturmasya Vrata Samapti
Sat, 5th Nov	Kshiraabdhi Dwadasi, Kaisika Dwadashi, Sanitrayodashi, Pradosh Vratam, Tulsi Vivah
Sun, 6th Nov	Vishweshwara Vratam, Vaikunta Chaturdashi
Mon, 7th Nov	Vishakha Karte, Jwalathoranam
Tue, 8th Nov	Karthika Pournami, Sri Satyanarayana Pooja , Uma Maheshwara Vrat , Pournami Vratam , Pournami
Fri, 11th Nov	Soubhagya Sundari Teej
Sat, 12th Nov	Sankashti/Sankashtahara Chaturthi
Wed, 16th Nov	Kalashtami, Budh Ashtami Vrat, Vrischika Samkramanam
Thu, 17th Nov	Sabarimala Mandala Kalam Begins
Sun, 20th Nov	Anuradha Karte , Utpana Ekadashi
Mon, 21st Nov	Soma Pradosh Vratham
Tue, 22nd Nov	Masa Shivaratri
Wed, 23rd Nov	Amavasya, Karthika Masam Ends

Popular Festivals in Kartik Month

Karthika Masam – Kartik Purnima, Gopashtami, Kansa Vadha, Tulsi Vivah, Bhaiya Dooj are the most important Festivals in Karthik month. 

Amant calendar is followed in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Purnimant Calendar is followed in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar.

But all the festivals will fall on the same day as per Gregorian calendar.

For understanding more, read about Amant & Purnimant Calendars.

Amant Festivals	Purnimant Festivals
Gowardhan Puja	Karwa Chauth
Bhaiya Dooj	Ahoi Ashtami
Chhath Puja	Rama Ekadashi
Gopashtami	Dhan Teras
Kansa Vadha	Narak Chathurdashi
Devuthaana Ekadashi	Lakshmi Puja
Tulasi Vivah	Gowardhan Puja
Kala Bhairava Jayanthi	Bhaiya Dooj
Utpanna Ekadashi	Chhath Puja
Karthika Pournami	Gopashtami
	Kansa Vadha
	Devuthaana Ekadashi
	Tulsi Vivah

Know more about 12 Hindu Months.

FAQ

When Kartika Masa will start?

In 2023, Karthika masam starts on Tuesday, 14th November, and ends on Tuesday, 12th December.

Why is Karthika Masam Special?

According to Padma Purana and Skanda Purana, the Karthika Masam provides four kinds of benefits – religious, economic, good marital life and enlightenment.

Why Karthika Masam is special for Lord Shiva?

Karthika Masam is the holiest month to worship Lord Shiva and to do penance for all the sins committed.

It is believed that the Tripura Asuras (3 Demons) were killed by Lord Shiva on Karthika pournami.

When is Karthigai Deepam in 2023?

Sunday, 26th November, it is also called Karthika Pournami and Kartik Purnima.

What should we do in Karthika Masam?

Karthik Month is auspicious to both the devotees of  Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Devotees visit temples of Lord Shiva and Vishnu, observe fasting and Karthika Masa Vratham, specially on Karthika Somavara days.