Karthika Masam 2025: Complete Festival Calendar, Dates, and Spiritual Significance

Introduction: The Sacred Month of Karthika Masam

Karthika Masam, also known as Kartik Maas or Karthikam, is one of the most auspicious and spiritually significant months in the Hindu calendar. This sacred month spans from October 22, 2025, to November 20, 2025, in the Telugu Panchangam year Viswavasu Nama Samvatsaram (Shaka Samvatsaram 1947). This comprehensive guide provides all the essential information about Karthika Masam 2025, including festival dates, rituals, and spiritual practices.

Karthika Masam 2025: Key Dates at a Glance

Start Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
End Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Duration: 30 days
Telugu Year: Viswavasu Nama Samvatsaram
Position: Eighth month in Telugu Panchangam

What Makes Karthika Masam Special?

Karthika Masam derives its name from the Krittika Nakshatra and is deeply associated with Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Kartikeya. It is considered the most auspicious month for devotion, fasting, and purification, where lighting lamps symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.

Spiritual Significance

Holiest Month: Kartika Masam is the holiest month for Hindus as it is the favorite month for both Lord Shiva and Vishnu
Multiplied Merit: Scriptures say that any good deed performed during this month yields multiplied spiritual merit
Path to Liberation: The Skanda Purana extensively praises Karthika Masam as the best time to worship Lord Shiva and Kartikeya

Major Festivals and Important Dates in Karthika Masam 2025

Week 1: Beginning of Karthika Masam

October 22, 2025 (Wednesday) – Karthika Masam Begins

Bali Pratipada
Govardhan Puja
Gujarati New Year (Vikram Samvat 2082 begins)

October 23, 2025 (Thursday)

Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej/Bhaiya Dooj)

Week 2-3: Mid-Month Observances

All Mondays in Karthika Masam

Mondays in Karthika Masam are considered most auspicious by Lord Shiva devotees, with special rituals and fasting observed. The Mondays falling in October-November 2025 are:

October 27, 2025
November 3, 2025
November 10, 2025
November 17, 2025

Karthika Somavaram Vrat: Somvar gets its name from one of thousand names of Lord Shiva – Someshwara, referring to the crescent moon on the matted locks of Shiva.

Week 4: The Sacred Five Days (Panchaka)

November 1-2, 2025 – Prabodhini Ekadashi (Kartik Ekadashi)

This date marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his cosmic sleep and the beginning of Tulsi Vivah. The festivities of Kartika Purnima begin on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, lasting for five days.

Special Observances:

Nakta Vratham (fasting until evening)
Tulsi Vivah Utsav begins
Bhishma Panchaka fasting begins on Ekadashi day

November 5, 2025 (Wednesday) – Kartik Purnima (Full Moon Day)

The Purnima Tithi starts at 10:36 PM on November 4 and ends at 6:49 PM on November 5.

Major Celebrations:

Kartik Purnima – The spiritual climax of the month
Tripurari Purnima
Temples host Deepotsavams, and devotees light hundreds of lamps
Tulasi Vivah culminates on this day, marking the symbolic marriage of Tulasi Devi to Lord Vishnu
Bhishma Panchaka fasting ends on the day of Kartik Purnima
Kartika Snan (holy bathing) concludes

November 8, 2025 – Sankatahara Chavithi

Dedicated to: Lord Ganesha (Vinayaka Chaturthi)
Moonrise/Chandrodaya: 8:59 PM IST
Special prayers to remove obstacles

Nagula Chavithi

Nagula Chavithi is one of the most important rituals dedicated to Nagas or Snakes. This festival honors serpent deities and is particularly significant in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

November 20, 2025 (Thursday) – Kartik Amavasya

The Amavasya begins at 9:44 AM on November 19 and ends at 12:17 PM on November 20.

End of Karthika Masam
New moon day for ancestral worship

Daily Rituals and Practices During Karthika Masam

1. Karthika Snanam (Holy Bath)

Holy bath before sunrise, preferably in rivers or temple tanks. The rivers have received fresh water during the rain season and completely settle by the time Karthika Masam starts.

Best Practice: Bath during Brahma Muhurta (approximately 90 minutes before sunrise)

2. Karthika Deepam (Lamp Lighting)

Lighting oil lamps at dawn and dusk, especially near Tulasi plants and temple entrances.

Where to Light:

Near Tulasi plant (sacred basil)
Main entrance of the house
In front of deity photos or idols
Temple premises

3. Fasting Traditions

Many observe Ekabhuktam (one meal a day) or Naktha Vratam (eating after sunset).

Popular Fasting Options:

Ekabhuktam: One meal during afternoon
Naktha Vratam: Eating only after sunset
Phalahar: Fruits and milk diet
Complete Fast: On specific auspicious days

4. Special Worship Practices

Tulasi Puja

Worshipping the sacred basil plant daily is an essential ritual. The Tulasi plant is considered the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi.

Damodar Puja

Offering lamps and singing Damodarastakam to Lord Krishna is a special practice in Vaishnava tradition.

Scripture Reading

Reading scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Siksastakam enhances spiritual growth.

5. Charitable Activities

Deepa Daanam involves donating ghee or oil lamps to temples or placing them around homes. Other charitable acts include:

Food donations (Anna Daan)
Clothing distribution
Feeding the poor
Temple contributions

Popular Vratams (Vows) in Karthika Masam 2025

Karthika Somavara Vratham – Monday fasts dedicated to Lord Shiva
Kartika Deepadaana Vratham – Vow to light lamps daily
Lakshavarthi Nomu – Lighting one lakh (100,000) lamps
Akashadeepa Vratham – Lighting sky lamps on tall poles
Nakta Vratham – Fasting until evening throughout the month

Famous Temple Celebrations During Karthika Masam

Major Pilgrimage Destinations

Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple This temple attracts more than 2 million devotees during the month
- Special pujas and rituals
- Maha Pashupatha Homam
Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple, Vemulawada This Telangana temple attracts more than a million devotees during Karthika Masam
Tirumala Tirupati
- Sri Padmavathi Devi Brahmotsavam at Tiruchanoor
- Special darshan arrangements
Kapilateertham Kapileshwara Swamy Temple
- Karthika Masam special pujas
- Sacred water source for holy bath

Scriptural References and Significance

Ancient Texts on Karthika Masam

Skanda Purana: Extensively praises Karthika Masam as the best time to worship Lord Shiva and Kartikeya
Padma Purana & Narada Purana: Highlight the benefits of Karthika Snanam and Deepa Daanam
Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 8): Recommends reading Gajendra Moksha and Damodarastakam during this month
Brahma to Narada: Declares Karthika Masam as the supreme month for attaining moksha through devotion

Health and Wellness Benefits

Physical Benefits

Early morning bathing improves circulation
Fasting detoxifies the body
Regular prayer reduces stress

Spiritual Benefits

Enhanced devotion and concentration
Inner purification
Karmic cleansing
Progress toward liberation (moksha)

Tips for Observing Karthika Masam 2025

For Beginners

Start with lighting one lamp daily
Take early morning bath at least on auspicious days
Visit temples on Mondays and Purnima
Read or listen to spiritual texts

For Regular Practitioners

Observe complete fasting on Ekadashi and Purnima
Light multiple lamps throughout the house
Perform Tulasi puja daily
Complete reading of Bhagavad Gita or Bhagavatam

For Advanced Devotees

Observe Nakta Vratham throughout the month
Undertake pilgrimage to sacred temples
Participate in temple seva activities
Organize group lamp lighting ceremonies

Tulasi Vivah: The Sacred Marriage Ceremony

Tulasi Vivaham marks the symbolic marriage of Tulasi Devi to Lord Vishnu or Krishna, marking the start of the Hindu wedding season. Tulasi Vivah can be performed on any suitable day between Ekadashi to Purnima in the month of Kartik, though many choose Kartik Purnima.

Tulasi Vivah Rituals

Decorating the Tulasi plant as a bride
Installing Shaligram (Lord Vishnu’s representation) as groom
Performing marriage rituals with mantras
Offering traditional wedding items
Distributing prasad to devotees

Regional Variations

Telugu States (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana)

Karthika Masam is the 8th month in Telugu Panchangam
Strong emphasis on river bathing
Nagula Chavithi is prominently celebrated
Large gatherings at Srisailam and Vemulawada

Tamil Nadu

Known as Karthigai Masam
Karthigai Deepam festival is major celebration
Special focus on lighting lamps at temples

North India

In North Indian Hindi Calendar, Kartik Month begins on October 8 and ends on November 5, 2025
Includes Diwali celebrations
Chhath Puja is major festival
Kartik Purnima snan at Ganga

Gujarat

Kartik Month is the first month in Gujarati calendar marking Gujarati New Year with Vikram Samvat 2082 beginning on Kartik Sud 1
Focus on business and new beginnings

Common Mantras and Prayers

Daily Mantras

Om Namah Shivaya – For Lord Shiva worship
Om Namo Narayanaya – For Lord Vishnu worship
Damodarastakam – Special for Karthika Masam
Tulasi Stotram – For Tulasi worship

Lamp Lighting Prayer

Shubham Karoti Kalyanam
Arogyam Dhana Sampadah
Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya
Dipa Jyotir Namostute

(I salute the light that brings auspiciousness, prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and destroys negative intellect)

Do’s and Don’ts During Karthika Masam

Do’s

✓ Wake up during Brahma Muhurta ✓ Take holy bath before sunrise ✓ Light lamps twice daily ✓ Visit temples regularly ✓ Perform charity ✓ Maintain purity in thoughts and actions ✓ Read sacred texts ✓ Offer prayers with devotion

Don’ts

✗ Avoid non-vegetarian food ✗ Refrain from consuming alcohol ✗ Avoid harsh speech and anger ✗ Don’t skip daily lamp lighting ✗ Avoid negative thoughts ✗ Don’t waste lamp oil or ghee ✗ Refrain from unnecessary gossip

Karthika Masam 2025: Calendar at a Glance

Date	Day	Festival/Observance
Oct 22	Wed	Karthika Masam Begins, Bali Pratipada, Govardhan Puja
Oct 23	Thu	Bhai Dooj
Oct 27	Mon	First Monday – Somavara Vratam
Nov 1-2	Sat-Sun	Prabodhini Ekadashi, Tulsi Vivah Begins
Nov 3	Mon	Second Monday – Somavara Vratam
Nov 5	Wed	Kartik Purnima, Tripurari Purnima
Nov 8	Sat	Sankatahara Chavithi
Nov 10	Mon	Third Monday – Somavara Vratam
Nov 17	Mon	Fourth Monday – Somavara Vratam
Nov 20	Thu	Kartik Amavasya – Karthika Masam Ends

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the most important day in Karthika Masam 2025? Kartik Purnima (November 5, 2025) is considered the most significant day, representing the spiritual climax of the month.

Q2: Can working professionals observe Karthika Masam? Yes, even with busy schedules, you can light lamps morning and evening, maintain vegetarian diet, and visit temples on weekends.

Q3: Is it mandatory to take river bath daily? While river bathing is highly recommended, if not possible, you can take bath at home with devotion, ideally before sunrise.

Q4: What type of oil is best for lamp lighting? Sesame oil or cow ghee are considered most auspicious. Coconut oil is also acceptable.

Q5: Can women observe Karthika Masam during menstruation? Women can continue most practices except entering temple sanctums or touching Tulasi plant during those days, as per traditional beliefs.

Conclusion: Embrace the Divine Light

Karthika Masam 2025 offers a precious opportunity for spiritual growth, purification, and divine connection. Beginning on October 22 and ending on November 20, 2025, this sacred month invites devotees to deepen their spiritual practice through lamp lighting, holy bathing, fasting, and temple worship.

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to these traditions, Karthika Masam welcomes all who seek the light of divine wisdom. By observing even simple practices like daily lamp lighting and maintaining purity in thought and deed, devotees can experience the transformative power of this holiest month.

May this Karthika Masam 2025 illuminate your life with peace, prosperity, and spiritual progress!