Lunar month 8 of 12 · Sharad (autumn)
Kartika Maas कार्तिक
Kartika, the eighth month, is the most sacred of all to Vaishnavas. It holds the five days of Diwali, and its Shukla Ekadashi - Prabodhini (Kartiki) Ekadashi - is when Vishnu awakens and Chaturmas ends.
- Presiding deity
- Vishnu (Damodara) & Lakshmi
- Season (ritu)
- Sharad (autumn)
- Order
- Month 8 of 12
Significance
Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja), Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj fall in quick succession, followed by Tulsi Vivah and Kartik Purnima (Dev Diwali). Karwa Chauth opens the month's dark fortnight.
Festivals in Kartika
- Karwa Chauth
- Dhanteras
- Naraka Chaturdashi
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)
- Govardhan Puja / Balipratipada
- Bhai Dooj
- Tulsi Vivah
- Kartik Purnima
Observances
A month of light, charity and Vishnu-Lakshmi worship: Kartik snan (holy bathing), lighting lamps (deep-daan), the Diwali cluster, and - with Chaturmas ending - the return of weddings at Tulsi Vivah.