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Significance of the month of Karthika
Karthika Deepam, Karthikai Vilakkidu or Thrikarthika is a festival of lights that is observed by Hindus of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and Kerala. It falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and pournami. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear. In Kerala, this festival is known as Thrikkarthika, celebrate to welcome Goddess Shakti. In the rest of India, a related festival called Kartik Purnima is celebrated in a different date. It is celebrated in the name of 'Lakshabba' in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.
Rows of Agal vilakkus (Clay Oil lamps) are lit in every house. Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters in south India(analogous to Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi). Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion.
In Telugu households, Kaartheeka maasam (month) is considered very auspicious. The Kartheeka month starts on the day of Deepawali. From that day till the end of the month, oil lamps are lit every day. On Kartheeka Pournami (full moon of Kartheeka month) oil lamp with 365 wicks, prepared at home, are lit in Lord Shiva temples.
Apart from that, Kaartheeka puranam is read and fasting is observed till sunset, every day for the whole month
Thiruvannamalai Maha Deepam will be lit at around 6 pm at the top of 2668 ft high holy mountain. The entire Mountain is Shiva Linga. Maha Deepam will be lit using nearly 3500 kg of Ghee. Sri Arthanareeshwara will bless devotees in the Temple at the time of lighting the Maha Deepam.
The Maha Deepam will be visible around the Holy Mountain in a radius of 35 km. Lakhs of devotees will perform 16 km Girivalam (circumambulation of the holy mountain). The Moist Black Ash (what they call as 'Mai' in Tamil) that remains after the lighting of the Ghee & Cotton Wick will be distributed as Prasadam to devotees on the Marghazhi Arudra Darisanam day
If during the entire Kartik Month-or atleast ‘Pancha Rathras’ (five nights), a devotee recites ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ as well as reads / hears ‘Vishnu Sahasranam’ and ‘Gajendra Moksha Paatha’, he secures freedom from want, disease, adversity and discontent. Most certainly, the austerities observed on Kartika Ekadashi day alone would ensure contentment in ‘Iham’ (Current Life) and bliss in ‘Param’ (Post Life). Each act of virtue on the most auspicious day of Kartika Ekadashi is bound to obtain a multiplier effect endlessly.
Kārtikai chutru or Kārtikai chuḻaṟtu is a homemade charcoal-based hand-rotating firecracker. This is crafted by youngsters and elders at the time of this festival at rural cities at Tamil Nadu state in India
Sage Narada enquired of Lord Brahma as to which was the best month of a year, who was the best Deity to worship and which was the best Tirtha to visit. Brahma’s instant reply was that the best month of a Year was Kartika, the Supreme Deity to worship was Narayana and the most Sacred Tirtha was Badari Kshetra. As regards Kartika Month, Bhagavan Vishnu always accorded high esteem and whatever good deeds were performed in the ‘Masa’ were fully accepted by all the Devas since they were readily available there through out the month
Lord Shri Krishna says, “ Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me ; of all months, Kartik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days , Ekadashi is most dear.” (Padma Purana, Uttara Khand 112 .3 )
Sage Narada enquired of Lord Brahma in this matter and Lord Brahma’s instant reply was that
the best month of a Year was Kartika, the Supreme Deity to worship was Narayana and the most Sacred Tirtha was Badari Kshetra. As regards Kartika Month, Bhagavan Vishnu always accorded high esteem and whatever good deeds were performed in the ‘Masa’ were fully accepted by all the Devas since they were readily available there through out the month.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Matsya (fish) to restore the Vedas in this month. The greatness of taking a bath in the holy rivers in Kartik month is mentioned in Puranas and other scriptures. Lord Krishna has narrated about the importance of Kartik mahina to his Satyabhama. Lord Shiva destroyed demon Tarkasur on the Purnima day in this month.
It is believed that in the Kartik month, the rays of Sun and Moon have a positive effect on the body and mind of humans. Worshipping Lord Vishnu, goddess Tulsi in Kartik month has a special significance and the one who does it gets blessed with good results.
Lighting lamps is of utmost significance in the month of Kartik. It is a popular belief that if somebody lights a lamp in the temple of Lord Shri Hari even for a short time in this month, then whatever sins he has accumulated for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed.” Of all gifts, the gift of a lamp during the month of Kartik is the best possible offering.
Sources: quora
wikipedia.
Kamakoti
stackexchange.
millenniumpost.
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights
Karthika Deepam, Karthikai Vilakkidu or Thrikarthika is a festival of lights that is observed by Hindus of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and Kerala. It falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and pournami. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear. In Kerala, this festival is known as Thrikkarthika, celebrate to welcome Goddess Shakti. In the rest of India, a related festival called Kartik Purnima is celebrated in a different date. It is celebrated in the name of 'Lakshabba' in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.
Rows of Agal vilakkus (Clay Oil lamps) are lit in every house. Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters in south India(analogous to Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi). Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion.
In Telugu households, Kaartheeka maasam (month) is considered very auspicious. The Kartheeka month starts on the day of Deepawali. From that day till the end of the month, oil lamps are lit every day. On Kartheeka Pournami (full moon of Kartheeka month) oil lamp with 365 wicks, prepared at home, are lit in Lord Shiva temples.
Apart from that, Kaartheeka puranam is read and fasting is observed till sunset, every day for the whole month
Thiruvannamalai Maha Deepam will be lit at around 6 pm at the top of 2668 ft high holy mountain. The entire Mountain is Shiva Linga. Maha Deepam will be lit using nearly 3500 kg of Ghee. Sri Arthanareeshwara will bless devotees in the Temple at the time of lighting the Maha Deepam.
The Maha Deepam will be visible around the Holy Mountain in a radius of 35 km. Lakhs of devotees will perform 16 km Girivalam (circumambulation of the holy mountain). The Moist Black Ash (what they call as 'Mai' in Tamil) that remains after the lighting of the Ghee & Cotton Wick will be distributed as Prasadam to devotees on the Marghazhi Arudra Darisanam day
If during the entire Kartik Month-or atleast ‘Pancha Rathras’ (five nights), a devotee recites ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ as well as reads / hears ‘Vishnu Sahasranam’ and ‘Gajendra Moksha Paatha’, he secures freedom from want, disease, adversity and discontent. Most certainly, the austerities observed on Kartika Ekadashi day alone would ensure contentment in ‘Iham’ (Current Life) and bliss in ‘Param’ (Post Life). Each act of virtue on the most auspicious day of Kartika Ekadashi is bound to obtain a multiplier effect endlessly.
Kārtikai chutru or Kārtikai chuḻaṟtu is a homemade charcoal-based hand-rotating firecracker. This is crafted by youngsters and elders at the time of this festival at rural cities at Tamil Nadu state in India
Sage Narada enquired of Lord Brahma as to which was the best month of a year, who was the best Deity to worship and which was the best Tirtha to visit. Brahma’s instant reply was that the best month of a Year was Kartika, the Supreme Deity to worship was Narayana and the most Sacred Tirtha was Badari Kshetra. As regards Kartika Month, Bhagavan Vishnu always accorded high esteem and whatever good deeds were performed in the ‘Masa’ were fully accepted by all the Devas since they were readily available there through out the month
Lord Shri Krishna says, “ Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me ; of all months, Kartik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days , Ekadashi is most dear.” (Padma Purana, Uttara Khand 112 .3 )
Sage Narada enquired of Lord Brahma in this matter and Lord Brahma’s instant reply was that
the best month of a Year was Kartika, the Supreme Deity to worship was Narayana and the most Sacred Tirtha was Badari Kshetra. As regards Kartika Month, Bhagavan Vishnu always accorded high esteem and whatever good deeds were performed in the ‘Masa’ were fully accepted by all the Devas since they were readily available there through out the month.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Matsya (fish) to restore the Vedas in this month. The greatness of taking a bath in the holy rivers in Kartik month is mentioned in Puranas and other scriptures. Lord Krishna has narrated about the importance of Kartik mahina to his Satyabhama. Lord Shiva destroyed demon Tarkasur on the Purnima day in this month.
It is believed that in the Kartik month, the rays of Sun and Moon have a positive effect on the body and mind of humans. Worshipping Lord Vishnu, goddess Tulsi in Kartik month has a special significance and the one who does it gets blessed with good results.
Lighting lamps is of utmost significance in the month of Kartik. It is a popular belief that if somebody lights a lamp in the temple of Lord Shri Hari even for a short time in this month, then whatever sins he has accumulated for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed.” Of all gifts, the gift of a lamp during the month of Kartik is the best possible offering.
Sources: quora
wikipedia.
Kamakoti
stackexchange.
millenniumpost.
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights