Karthika Deepam on Amla: Divine Significance, Benefits & Mantras for Hindus

Introduction

Karthika Deepam, celebrated during the sacred month of Karthika Masam, is one of the most auspicious festivals in the Hindu calendar. When combined with the worship of the Amla (Indian Gooseberry) tree, this celebration becomes even more spiritually powerful. The practice of lighting lamps around the Amla tree during Karthika Masam holds deep religious and cultural significance for Hindu devotees.

What is Karthika Deepam?

Karthika Deepam is a festival of lights observed mainly by Hindu Tamils, celebrated on the first full moon day of the month of Karthigai coinciding with Krittika nakshatra, falling in November or December. The festival is a celebration of Lord Shiva’s infinite light and Lord Murugan’s divine birth, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance.

The Sacred Connection: Amla Tree in Karthika Masam

Spiritual Significance of Amla

It is believed that on the auspicious day of ekadashi during Karthika month, Lord Vishnu resides in the Amla tree. It is said that lighting eight lamps around the Usiri (gooseberry) tree and offering prayers to Tulasi Devi grants divine blessings.

Amalaki Ekadashi Connection

Amalaka Ekadashi falls during the Karthika month, when devotees ceremonially bathe and water the tree and then worship it with a puja ritual. The worshipping of amla tree on this day is a symbolic representation of the elaborate Hinduism practice.

Importance & Benefits for Hindus

Spiritual Benefits

Moksha (Liberation): By observing this Ekadashi, the person reaches to the abode of lord Vishnu, ‘Vaikunth’
Sin Destruction: Vana Bojanalu (eating food) under the amla tree will remove off the sins committed
Divine Protection: The observance of the Ekadashi vrata, without any desire and just pure devotion, results in the grace of Vishnu, in this and next lives
Spiritual Merit: Lighting a deepam and performing Pooja every evening during Karthika Masam brings immense blessings

Material Benefits

Prosperity & Wealth: Lamps are lighted everywhere to bring in wealth and well being in the family
Family Harmony: The woman worship to bring happiness in the lives of their children and ward off all the troubles in life
Health & Longevity: The Amla tree itself symbolizes health, and worship grants good health and abundance
Protection from Evil: The oil lamps are considered auspicious symbols and is believed to ward off evil forces, and usher in prosperity and joy

Rituals & Practices

How to Perform Karthika Deepam Around Amla Tree

Morning Rituals
- Wake up before sunrise and take holy river baths or at least perform a well bath at home
- Visit the Amla tree with clean clothes and pure mind
Worship Procedure
- Offer water, sandalwood, roli, chawal, flowers and incense sticks to the sacred tree
- Light eight lamps around the Usiri (gooseberry) tree and offer prayers to Tulasi Devi
Lamp Lighting
- Light diyas next to a tulsi plant with a gooseberry or amla plant growing inside
- Use sesame oil to light diyas
Fasting
- Devotees observe a strict fast all day long and only food made from amla can be eaten
- The observer should have a ritual bath in the morning
Evening Rituals
- Light deepam with 365 wicks at Lord Shiva temple or at tulasi plant on Karthika Pournami
- Stay awake and chant bhajans in praise of Lord Vishnu

Sacred Mantras to Chant

1. Vishnu Mantras

Om Namo Narayanaya

Devotees begin the day with a purifying bath before sunrise, accompanied by chanting Om Namo Narayanaya
Benefits: Invokes Lord Vishnu’s blessings and protection

Damodara Prayers

In Karthika Masam, Lord Vishnu is called “Damodara” and special prayers are offered

2. Shiva Mantras

Om Namah Shivaya

Chant Om Namah Shivaya during the purifying bath before sunrise
Benefits: Removes negativity and brings spiritual awakening

Rudra Gayatri Mantra

Chant the Rudra Gayatri Mantra 108 times to worship Lord Shiva: “Aum Tatpurushaya Vidmahe, Mahadevaya Dheemahi, Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat”
Benefits: Dispels darkness and brings wisdom

3. Tulasi & Amla Mantras

Tulasi Mantra

“Om Tulasyai Vidmahe Vishnu Priyayai Dheemahi, Tanno Vrinda Prachodayat”
Benefits: Devotion and fertility blessings

Deepam Lighting Mantra

Traditional mantra: “Subham Karoti Kalyanam, Arogyam Dhana Sampadah, Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya, Deepa Jyotir Namostute”
Translation: I salute the light that brings auspiciousness, prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and destroys negative intellect

4. Karthikai Deepam Specific Mantra

Arunachala Mantra

“Ohm Salutations to Vaalai Manonmani, Ayur Devi, Angala Parameswari, Unnamulai Thaai and Arunachala Thiru Annamalaiyar”
Chant while lighting lamps and getting darshan of the sacred flame

5. Purnima Invocation

Wholeness Mantra

“Om Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornat Poornamudachyate”
Benefits: Affirms wholeness and completeness

Complete Karthika Deepam Day Schedule

Morning (Before Sunrise)

Wake during Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn)
Holy bath with mantras
Visit Amla tree
Light morning lamp near Tulasi plant

Day Time

Observe fasting
Read Karthika Puranam
Perform puja rituals

Evening (After Sunset)

Light lamps around Amla tree (8 lamps)
Light a lamp before the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu, chant devotional hymns, and offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and tilak to the deity
Arrange lamps in rows (Deepam)

Night

Moon viewing on Pournami
Stay awake all night and chant bhajans and rhymes in the name of Lord Vishnu
Break fast after moon sighting

Scientific Benefits

Lighting lamps attracts insects towards their light and heat, preventing them from entering homes and villages, acting as natural pest control. The Amla tree itself is known for its incredible health benefits, being rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants.

Special Observances

Do’s During Karthika Deepam

Perform kartika Snan, including your hair, and light a deepam every evening
Read one chapter of the Karthika Puranam daily
Prepare prasadam on auspicious days
Maintain vegetarian diet

Don’ts

Abstain from eating non-vegetarian cuisine, onion, and garlic throughout the kartika month
Avoid Urad dal consumption
Do not take naps during fasting days

Conclusion

The celebration of Karthika Deepam around the sacred Amla tree combines the spiritual power of lamp worship with the divine grace of Lord Vishnu. The functioning of lamp implies a great spiritual notion – the flame, the spiritual knowledge has the capacity to blaze our ego, the wick by emptying our innate tendencies.

By observing these rituals with devotion, chanting the prescribed mantras, and maintaining purity in thought and action, devotees can experience profound spiritual transformation and receive abundant blessings from the divine.

Contact & Resources

For more information on Hindu festivals, rituals, and spiritual practices, visit www.hindutone.com

May the divine light of Karthika Deepam illuminate your life with peace, prosperity, and spiritual wisdom!

Om Namah Shivaya | Om Namo Narayanaya | Om Saravanabhavaya Namah