Karthika Masam – October 31, 2025 Your Daily Observance Guide for NRIs

Friday | Day 16 of Karthika Masam 2025 Tithi: Krishna Paksha Dashami Special: Shukravara (Venus Day) – Sacred to Goddess Lakshmi & Devi Color of the Day: White, Cream, Pink, Light Blue Western Context: Halloween – A Unique Opportunity for Balance

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The Beautiful Paradox: Halloween Meets Karthika Masam

Today, tradition and festivity coexist. Honor sacred rituals in the morning and evening. Let children enjoy Halloween with awareness. Teach them: Spirituality and joy are not opposites.

Key Principle: Compartmentalize with consciousness

• Morning: Lakshmi Puja
• Evening: Halloween Fun
• Night: Return to Devotion

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Spiritual Significance of Friday

Shukravara – Venus Day

• Planet of beauty, love, luxury, and prosperity
• Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Santoshi Mata, and Durga
• Perfect for family harmony, wealth, and relationships

Krishna Paksha Dashami

• 10th day of waning moon
• Ideal for releasing negativity
• Prepares for Amavasya (Nov 1) – New Moon

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Morning Rituals (5:30 – 7:10 AM)

Step 1: Early Rising with Lakshmi Consciousness

Wake before sunrise First Thought:

“Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha” Visualize golden light of abundance. Express gratitude for what you have.

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Step 2: Sacred Friday Bath (10 min)

• Shower with intention of purification
• Add rose water or sandalwood essence
• Wear light colors to honor Venus
• Chant while bathing:

Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmiyei Namaha

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Step 3: White/Cream Attire

Traditional: White/cream saree, salwar, kurta Workwear: White shirt, blouse, pants Accessories: Pearl jewelry | Jasmine flowers in hair

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Step 4: Friday Morning Lakshmi Puja (30–40 min)

Essential Items

• White & pink flowers (jasmine, roses, lilies)
• Ghee/sesame oil lamp
• Turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste
• Milk, honey, yogurt
• Coins & new currency note
• White cloth for altar
• Kheer or white sweets
• Coconut, white grapes

6:00 – 6:10 AM: Altar Setup

• Cover with white cloth
• Place Lakshmi idol/photo
• Arrange flowers, coins, kalash

6:10 – 6:20 AM: Invocation

Sankalpa:

“On Friday, October 31, 2025, Day 16 of Karthika Masam, I worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, peace, and spiritual growth. May abundance flow to my family.”

6:20 – 6:30 AM: Light Lamps

• Use ghee, multiple wicks
• Place in North/Northeast
• Chant:

Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Lakshmi Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

6:30 – 6:50 AM: Shodashopachara (16 Offerings)

1. Dhyana (Visualize Lakshmi on lotus)
2. Avahana (Invite Goddess)
3. Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamana
4. Snana (Panchamrutam bath)
5. Vastra, Yagnopaveeta, Gandha
6. Pushpa, Dhupa, Deepa
7. Naivedya (Kheer, sweets)
8. Tambula, Dakshina

6:50 – 7:00 AM: Mantra Chanting

Choose one:

• 108x: Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha
• 21x Lakshmi Gayatri:

Om Mahalakshmiyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Priyayai Cha Dhimahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat

7:00 – 7:10 AM: Aarti & Prasadam

• Sing “Om Jai Lakshmi Mata”
• Ring bell, wave camphor
• Distribute prasadam
• Take blessings over flame

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Step 5: Blessed Breakfast

• Eat kheer/sweets from puja
• Share with family
• Carry prosperity coin in wallet

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Daytime Practices – Friday at Work

Commute:

• Listen to Mahalakshmi Ashtakam or Sri Suktam

At Work:

• Keep desk clean
• Small Lakshmi photo (if allowed)
• Work with excellence – offering to Lakshmi

Lunch (12–1 PM):

• No-salt fast (optional)
• Sattvic vegetarian: white rice, curd, coconut
• Avoid heavy spices

3:00 PM:

• Chant Om Shreem… 11x mentally
• Thank Lakshmi for your income

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The Halloween Balance: Wisdom for NRI Parents

What You CAN Do

• Let kids wear creative, non-violent costumes
• Join trick-or-treating with awareness
• Attend school/community events
• Teach: “We enjoy both cultures with respect”

What to AVOID

• Gory or demonic themes
• Forgetting evening puja
• Breaking vegetarian vow
• Alcohol at parties

Spiritual View

Halloween = Fun & community (not religious for most) Your children need peer connection Balance = Wisdom Evening puja is non-negotiable – adjust timing, don’t skip

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Evening Rituals (6:00 – 8:00 PM)

Option A: Kids Trick-or-Treat Early (5:30–7:00 PM)

• Quick lamp lighting at 5:00 PM
• Kids go with parent/neighbor
• Complete puja while they’re out
• Distribute prasadam when they return

Option B: No Halloween

• Full elaborate puja 6:00–7:30 PM

Option C: Late Puja (8:00–9:00 PM)

• Quick lamps at 6:00 PM
• Halloween 6:00–8:00 PM
• Return, change clothes
• Deep puja 8:00–9:00 PM

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Friday Evening Lakshmi Puja (60–75 min)

6:00 – 6:20 PM: Light Lamps Everywhere

Locations:

1. Main door (2 lamps)
2. Northeast corner (multiple)
3. North (Kubera direction)
4. Altar (5 or 7 lamps)
5. Tulsi plant
6. Safe/wealth area
7. Kitchen
8. All rooms

Chant while lighting:

Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmi Bhyo Namaha

6:20 – 7:00 PM: Full Worship

1. Clean home & altar
2. Ganesh Puja first (Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha 21x)
3. Repeat Shodashopachara
4. Recite Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
5. Offer wishes with white flowers

7:00 – 7:30 PM: Family Time

• Read Lakshmi stories
• Tell kids: Samudra Manthan (Lakshmi’s birth)
• Offer Halloween candy to Lakshmi first

7:30 – 8:00 PM: Dinner

No-Salt Menu:

• Sweet pongal, kheer
• Fruits, milk items
• Jaggery sweets

Regular:

• White rice with ghee
• Paneer, raita, coconut curry
• White dessert

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Home Prosperity Rituals

• Rangoli at entrance (rice flour, lotus pattern)
• Fresh flowers in every room
• Spotless cleanliness
• Sandalwood incense
• North corner activation: Lakshmi photo, blue decor

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Night Meditation (9:00 – 9:30 PM)

1. Sit before altar
2. Gaze at Lakshmi image
3. Visualize golden light, coins, lotuses
4. Chant Om Shreem… 108x
5. Reflect:
   • What abundance do I have?
   • How can I share it?
   • Am I grateful daily?

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For Children After Halloween

1. Gratitude: Offer candy to Lakshmi
2. Teaching:
   • “Halloween = costumes & candy”
   • “Karthika = light & devotion”
   • “We celebrate both!”
3. No guilt – Celebrate their multicultural strength

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Progress: Day 16 of Karthika Masam

Completed:

• 16 days of devotion
• Friday Lakshmi worship
• Balanced Halloween with tradition

Upcoming:

• Nov 1: Amavasya (New Moon)
• Nov 11: Ekadashi
• Nov 12: Karthika Purnima