Karthika Masam is one of the holiest months in the Hindu lunar calendar, observed with deep devotion across India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Subrahmanya. Devotees observe strict vratams, light lamps (deepam), visit temples, and perform charity.
Karthika Masam 2025 Start & End Dates
- Start Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
- End Date: Thursday, 20 November 2025
This period includes:
- Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon): 22 October – 5 November 2025
- Krishna Paksha (Waning Moon): 6 November – 20 November 2025
Special & Auspicious Days in Karthika Masam 2025
| Date | Occasion | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Oct 2025 | Karthika Masam Begins | Holy start of the auspicious month |
| 25 Oct 2025 | Nagula Chavithi | Serpent worship, women's vratam for children |
| 27 Oct 2025 | 1st Karthika Somavaram | First Monday vratam for Lord Shiva |
| 01 Nov 2025 | Prabodhini Ekadasi | Lord Vishnu wakes from Yoga Nidra |
| 02 Nov 2025 | Dwadashi (Tulasi Vivah) | Marriage of Tulasi and Lord Vishnu |
| 03 Nov 2025 | 2nd Karthika Somavaram | Second sacred Monday of the month |
| 05 Nov 2025 | Karthika Pournami | Full Moon, lighting 365 lamps, spiritual climax |
| 08 Nov 2025 | Sankatahara Chaturthi | Ganesha puja for removal of obstacles |
| 10 Nov 2025 | 3rd Karthika Somavaram | Third Monday vratam, fasting & prayers |
| 15 Nov 2025 | Utpanna Ekadasi | Important Ekadasi, fasting for sins removal |
| 17 Nov 2025 | Dwadashi Parana | Breaking Ekadasi fast |
| 17 Nov 2025 | 4th Karthika Somavaram | Last sacred Monday of the month |
| 20 Nov 2025 | Karthika Amavasya | New Moon day, concluding Karthika Masam |
Ekadasi & Dwadashi Tithi Details
1. Shukla Paksha Ekadasi & Dwadashi
- Ekadasi (Prabodhini/Devutthana):
- Date: 1 November 2025
- Tithi Begins: 09:11 AM (01 Nov)
- Tithi Ends: 07:31 AM (02 Nov)
- Dwadashi (Tulasi Vivah):
- Date: 2 November 2025
- Parana Time (fast-breaking): After 07:31 AM (region-specific)
2. Krishna Paksha Ekadasi & Dwadashi
- Ekadasi (Utpanna Ekadasi):
- Date: 15 November 2025
- Tithi start/end depends on region (consult local Panchangam)
- Dwadashi Parana:
- Date: 17 November 2025
- Observed for breaking the Ekadasi fast on Dwadashi morning
Rituals & Traditions of Karthika Masam
- Deepa Daanam: Lighting of oil lamps (morning and evening) is the most important ritual.
- Karthika Snanam: Holy bath during Brahma Muhurta (4:30–6:00 AM) believed to purify sins.
- Shiva Puja: Mondays are especially sacred. Devotees perform Abhishekam with water, milk, and Bilva leaves.
- Vishnu Puja: Ekadasi fasts, Tulasi Vivah, and Vishnu Sahasranama chanting.
- Charity (Daanam): Donating lamps, food, clothes to Brahmins, poor, and temples.
- Temple Visits: Visiting Shiva and Vishnu temples daily or especially on Mondays and Pournami.
Significance of the Observances
- The month is considered extremely auspicious for Śiva and Viṣṇu worship performing simple rituals yields multiplied spiritual results.
- Ekadasi fasts are believed to cleanse sins, bring spiritual merit. Properly breaking the fast on Dvādaśī is essential.
- Lighting lamps during Kārttikā is symbolic of driving away darkness (ignorance) and bringing in divine light.
