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Kartika (month)

Eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar

Kartika (month)
Summary

Eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar

FieldValue
calendarHindu calendar
num8
days29 or 30
seasonSharada (autumn)
gregorianOctober–November
holidays{{ublChhathDiwaliGuru Nanak JayantiKarwa ChauthKarthika DeepamKartik PoornimaPrabodhini Ekadashi
prev_monthAshvin
next_monthAgrahayana

Kārtika, Karttika or Kartik is the eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the Indian national calendar. The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Kṛttikā nakshatra (star) on the full moon day. The month corresponds to the autumn season and falls in October–November of the Gregorian calendar.

In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the month of Tula and begins with the Sun's entry into Libra. It corresponds to Kartik, the seventh month in the Bengali calendar, and Kartika, the seventh month in Vikram Samvat. In the Tamil calendar, it corresponds to the eighth month of Karthigai, falling in the Gregorian months of November–December. In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the eighth month of Damodara.

In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month has 29 or 30 days. The month begins on the next day after Amavasya (new moon) or Purnima (full moon) as per amanta and purnimanta systems respectively. A month consists of two cycles of 15 days each, Shukla Paksha (waning moon) and Krishna Paksha (waxing moon). Days in each cycle are labeled as a thithi, with each thithi repeating twice in a month.

Festivals

Diwali

Diwali is a five‑day Hindu festival of lights marking the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil. As per the amanta tradition, the first four days of Diwali is celebrated in the previous month of Ashvin, and fifth day is celebrated on the Prathama (first lunar day) thithi of the Kartika month as Balipratipada and Govardhan Puja or Annakut.

As per the purnimanta tradition, Diwali is celebrated in the month of Kartik. Pre-Diwali festivities start with Govatsa Dwadashi on the Dwadashi (twelfth lunar day) thithi, and is followed by Dhanteras (Kartika 13), Naraka Chaturdasi (Kartika 14), Kali Puja and Lakshmi Puja (Kartika 15), Balipratipada and Govardhan Puja (Kartika 16), and Bhai Dooj (Kartika 17) on consecutive days.

Nag Nathaiya

Nag Nathaiya is celebrated on Chaturthi (fourth tithi) of Shukla Paksha, and commemorates god Krishna's victory over the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River. The festival symbolises the victory of good over evil, and devotees gather at Varanasi to celebrate the same.

Prabodhini Ekadashi

Prabodhini Ekadashi is observed on the Ekadashi (eleventh lunar day) thithi of Shukla paksha (waning moon). The festival commemorates the awakening of god Vishnu at the end of Chaturmāsya, a four-month period of rest and is considered an auspicious day for starting new ventures. People do fasting and offer sugercane to god on the day.

Purnima

Oil lamps]] lit during [[Karthika Deepam

The Purnima (full moon day) of the month is celebrated as various festivals across the Indian subcontinent. Kartik Purnima is celebrated as Dev Deepavali by Hindus in parts of India, and involves fairs, pilgrimages, lamp-lighting and ritual bathing in sacred rivers. The Ayyappan garland festival is celebrated in Sabarimala on the day known as Tripuri Purnima.

Karthika Deepam is a festival of lights observed mainly by Hindu Tamils. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the month coinciding with the Kṛttikā nakshatra. The festival is dedicated to god Kartikeya and is commemorated by lighting deepams outside and inside the homes.

On the Purnima day, Jains commemorate the achievement of nirvana by the Tirthankara Mahavira, and the Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birthday of Sikh guru Guru Nanak.

Sohrai

Sohrai is a harvest festival celebrated by tribal communities in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Observed on Amavasya (new moon day), it honours cattle, agricultural land and includes paying tribute to the ancestors, and community feasting. Homes are cleaned and decorated, livestock bathed and offered special meals, and the walls of houses are adorned with Sohrai art.

Others

Jalaram Jayanti is a religious commemoration which celebrates the birth anniversary of Jalaram Bapu (1799-1881 CE), who lived in Gujarat. The festival involves prayers, singing, and distribution of food.

The second thithi Dwitiya of the month's bright fortnight is celebrated as Bhaatri Dwitiya. During the festival, sisters entertain their brothers, following the legend of Yamuna, who entertained her brother Yama on the same day.

Notes

References

References

  1. V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar. (1993). "The Gupta Polity". [[Motilal Banarsidass]].
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  3. "Lunar months – Pūrṇimānta and Amānta system". Ekohumm.
  4. (1987). "The Religion Of The Hindus". [[Motilal Banarsidass]].
  5. Garima Garg. (2022). "Heavens and Earth: The Story of Astrology Through Ages and Cultures". [[Penguin Random House]].
  6. (2005). "Holidays, festivals, and celebrations of the world dictionary". Omnigraphics.
  7. (1989). "The Siddhantas and the Indian Calendar". [[Asian Educational Services]].
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  9. "Vaisnava Calendar Reminder Services – About Calendar". Vaisnava Calendar.
  10. "Something about the Vaisnava Calendar". ISVARA.
  11. "Hindu calendar". [[ISKCON]].
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  13. "Deepavali". Its Life.
  14. Mead, Jean. (February 2008). "How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?". Evans Brothers.
  15. (2008). "Celebrate Diwali". National Geographic Society.
  16. "Diwali 2025 Calendar – Dates, Rituals and Significance". Drik Panchang.
  17. (31 October 2024). "Diwali 2025: Five Days of Lights, Legends and Rituals". Hinduism Today.
  18. "Devotees gather at Tulsi Ghat to watch Nag Nathaiya". [[The Times of India]].
  19. "Prabodhini Ekadashi – Devdiwali". Swaminarayan Sanstha.
  20. "Here’s why sugarcane is worshipped on Devotthan or Prabodhini Ekadashi". [[India Today]].
  21. (23 October 2006). "Fairs and Festivals of India". Pustak Mahal.
  22. Dwivedi, Dr. Bhojraj. (2006). "Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs". Diamond Pocket Books.
  23. "Kartik Purnima 2020: Karthika Deepam Celebrations at Sabarimala Temple". [[NDTV]].
  24. Gajrani, S.. (2004). "History, Religion and Culture of India". Gyan Publishing House.
  25. (1999). "Jasmine and Coconuts: South Indian Tales". Libraries Unlimited.
  26. "Karthika Deepam – Significance & Rituals". Hindu-Blog.
  27. "Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025 Date & Significance". The Indian Express.
  28. "Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti Significance". BAPS Sadhumargi.
  29. (2 February 2023). "Sohrai – A tribal festival celebrating cattle & nature". Village Square.
  30. "Sohrai Festival". Ministry of Tourism – Utsav.
  31. "Life & Legacy of Sant Jalaram Bapa". JalaramMandirs.org.
  32. "Jalaram Jayanti 2025: Date, Significance & Observance". Gujarat Connect.
  33. Gopal, Madan. (1990). "India through the ages". Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
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