Karthika Masam 2025 Celebrations and Events in Australia

Overview

Karthika Masam 2025 begins on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, and ends on Thursday, November 20, 2025, during the Telugu Year Viswavasu Nama Samvatsaram (Shaka Samvatsaram 1947). This sacred month is one of the holiest periods in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Kartikeya.

Key Dates & Phases

Shukla Paksha (Bright Fortnight): October 22 to November 5, 2025

Krishna Paksha (Dark Fortnight): November 6 to November 20, 2025

Major Festivals During Karthika Masam 2025

October 2025:

• October 22 (Wednesday): Bali Pratipada, Govardhan Puja, Gujarati New Year (Vikram Samvat 2082 begins)
• October 23 (Thursday): Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej/Bhaiya Dooj)

November 2025:

• November 1/2: Prabodhini Ekadasi (Kartik Ekadasi) – Tulsi Vivah Begins
• November 5: Kartika Purnima, with auspicious timing beginning at 10:36 PM on November 4 and continuing until 6:48 PM on November 5

Spiritual Practices & Rituals

Devotees observe various spiritual practices including lighting oil lamps at dawn and dusk (especially near Tulasi plants and temple entrances), Karthika Snanam (holy bath before sunrise, preferably in rivers or temple banks), and fasting practices such as Ekabhuktam (one meal a day) or Naktha Vratam (eating after sunset).

Important Observances:

• Karthika Somavara Vratham: Special vows observed on Mondays during this month
• Deepa Daanam: Donating ghee or oil lamps to temples or placing them around homes
• Tulasi Puja: Daily worship of the sacred basil plant
• Damodar Puja: Offering lamps and singing Damodarastakam to Lord Krishna

Australian Temple Celebrations

Melbourne – Hare Krishna Melbourne:

The temple observes Kartika month (also known as Damodara month) from Tuesday, October 7 to Wednesday, November 5, 2025, offering lamps at 7 am and 7 pm daily, where devotees gather to chant the glories of Lord Damodara.

Combined Diwali & Govardhan Puja Festival: Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the Timber Yard in Port Melbourne:

• 2:30 pm: Enlivening Kirtana
• 3:00 pm: Govardhana-puja, Circumambulating Giri-Govardhana’s Hill of Sweets, Chanting
• 4:30 pm: Drama & Dance
• 6:30 pm: Offering of Lamps to the Deities
• All-day: Prasadam Stalls, Jumping Castle

Sydney – Sri Mandir Auburn:

Govardhan Pooja will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Sri Mandir, 286 Cumberland Road, Auburn NSW 2144.

Australia-wide Coordination:

The 2025 festival calendar is coordinated by the Australian Council of Hindu Clergy (ACHC) in collaboration with Hindu Organizations, Temples, and Associations (HOTA), with a Unified Lunar Month Panchang tailored to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Spiritual Significance

This sacred month offers devotees an excellent opportunity to deepen their spiritual practice through vrathas, temple visits, lamp lighting, and holy baths, bringing divine blessings and spiritual growth. Important pujas include Karthika Snanam (Karthika Nadhi Snanam, Samudra Snanam), Karthika Maasa Vratham, Nakta Vratham, Kartika Deepadaana Vratham, Lakshavarthi Nomu, and Akashadeepa Vratham.

Additional Information

For location-specific panchang timings and detailed schedules, devotees are advised to check with their local Hindu temples or consult the Australian Council of Hindu Clergy’s unified panchang, which provides accurate timing for all regions observing Australian Eastern Standard Time.