Kartik Snan

 

Among the twelve months of the year, some are regarded specially holy and sacred, and as such they are most suitable for the acts of piety. These are Vaisakh, Kartik and Ma-ha.

All through the month of Kartik, the early morning bath in some sacred river, stream, pond or at a well is considered highly meritorious. On the sacred rivers like Ganga. Yamuna, etc. a month long bathing festival is held. Some people camp near the banks of rivers for the purpose, and at the termination of the month-long bathing festival they return to their distant homes. During the month the aspirants observe strict continence, have regular morning bath in the sacred streams, take a single simple meal every day and spend their time in prayer, meditation and such other acts of piety and devotion.

Women-folk in villages and towns get up quite early in the morning, and go to the sacred streams in groups, singing hymns, and after ablutions visit the nearby temples. They observe fast and hang lamps in the sky in small baskets from the bamboo tops at their houses or on the riverbanks. These sky lamps are kept burning all through the month of Kartik to light the path of departed souls across the sky. Tulsi is also worshipped in the evening, and an earthen lamp is placed near it.

 

Tulsi Vivahotsva

Tulsi plant is sacred to all Hindus and is cultivated homes and temples. It is considered to be the wife of Vishnu and shown respect accordingly. The women worship it by lighting a lamp near it. Tulsi leaf is put in the mouth of a dying person along with Gangajal and this facilitates easy departure. Watering. cultivating and worship of Tulsi plant ensures happiness. When its leaves are put into any water it becomes as pure as Gangajal. Tulsi leaves offered to Vishnu in the month of Kartik (November) pleases him more than the gift of a thousand cows.

Tulsi is generally grown on a small square pillar, hollow at the top, with its four sides facing the four cardinal directions. Since Tulsi is Vishnupriya (beloved of Vishnu), their marriage is celebrated during Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, i.e., the eleventh day of the bright half of Kartik (October-November). In Padma Puran we find the details of the ceremony. On this day she was married to Vishnu. The image of Vishnu is richly decorated and then carried to the place where Tulsi plant is grown, and there the marriage is ritually solemnized. Fast is observed on this day.