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In Sanatan Dharma, ‘Kartik month’ is considered to be the last and best month among the four holy months falling under Chaturmas. In the scriptures, this month has been called the door of salvation and the most favorite month of Lord Shri Hari Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi. Ashwin month ends with Sharad Purnima and from the next day the sacred rituals of bathing, charity, penance and restraint of Kartik month begin. It is clearly mentioned in Padma Purana and Skanda Purana that just as there is no era like Satyayuga, there is no scripture like Vedas and there is no river like Ganga, in the same way there is no other auspicious month like Kartik. The results of chanting, penance, lamp donation and bathing in holy rivers done in this month are many times more than in other months.
According to religious and astrological calculations, in the year 2026, the festival of Sharad Purnima of Ashwin month will be celebrated on 26 October. After this, Kartik month will start from Pratipada date. In this month, the biggest festivals of Sanatan culture like Karva Chauth, Rama Ekadashi, Dhanteras, Roop Chaudas (Nark Chaturdashi), Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, Devuthani Ekadashi, Tulsi Vivah and Vaikuntha Chaturdashi are celebrated. During this period of spiritual awakening which lasts for a whole month, devotees reach all the pilgrimage centers of the country, especially the ghats of Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Kashi, Haridwar and Prayagraj, with the resolution of Kalpavas and morning Kartik bath.
According to almanac calculations, Kartik month will start in the year 2026. Tuesday, October 27, 2026 It is happening since. This holy month will last for 30 days and will end with Wednesday, 25 November 2026 Will conclude with the holy bath of Kartik Purnima (Dev Diwali):
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Kartik month starts (Krishna Paksha Pratipada): 27 October 2026 (Tuesday)
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Kartik bath and Kalpavas start: 27 October 2026
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Kartik month ending (Shukla Paksha Purnima): 25 November 2026 (Wednesday)
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Dev Diwali and Tripurari Purnima: 25 November 2026
In the states of North India (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana etc.) following Purnimant Panchang, the month of Kartik will be valid from 27 October to 25 November. Whereas in South India and Gujarat, according to Amant Panchang, the beginning of Kartik month is considered to be from the next day of Diwali i.e. Kartik Shukla Pratipada.
The most important and essential ritual of Kartik month is considered to be ‘Deepdan’. According to the scriptures, Lord Vishnu remains in Yoganidra in Kshirsagar for four months and wakes up on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Devuthani Ekadashi). During this entire month, there is a special ritual to remove darkness and light lamps to welcome God.
Devotees should light a lamp of pure ghee or sesame oil every evening in the temple, on the banks of the holy river, Peepal tree, Tulsi plant, door frame of the house and under the sky (Akash Deep). There is a story in Skanda Purana that a person who lights a lamp in the temple of Lord Vishnu or near Tulsi in the month of Kartik, his accumulated sins of many births are destroyed and after death he does not have to endure the tortures of Yamraj.
In the month of Kartik, there is a tradition of taking bath in the shade of stars before sunrise i.e. in Brahma Muhurta. If possible, one should take bath in any holy river like Ganga, Yamuna, Saryu, Narmada or Godavari. If it is not possible to go to the river, then taking bath at home by adding a little Ganga water to the bath water also gives the same virtue as taking a pilgrimage bath.
After bathing, offer Arghya to the rising sun with a copper pot and chant the mantra ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay’. The devotees who do Kalpavas at pilgrimage sites sleep on the ground for the whole month, consume sattvic food only once a day and continuously listen to Bhagavad Bhajans and Srimad Bhagwat Katha.
There is a very deep spiritual connection between the month of Kartik and Tulsi Mata. According to mythological belief, Tulsi ji is the most beloved of Lord Vishnu. In this month, offering water to the Tulsi plant, circling around it, applying tilak with turmeric and sandalwood and lighting a ghee lamp in front of it in the evening attracts the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
On the day of Kartik Shukla Navami (Amla Navami), there is a tradition of preparing and consuming food under the Amla tree. Along with this, the divine marriage of Lord Shaligram and Mother Tulsi is organized on the day of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi and Dwadashi. It is believed that the family members who perform Tulsi Vivah with devotion get the reward of great virtue like Kanyadaan and there is happiness and prosperity in their married life.
In the month of Kartik, special emphasis has been laid on purification of body, mind and food. Some strict rules have been prescribed in the scriptures for this month which every devotee should follow:
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Abstaining from Tamasic food: There is complete prohibition of Tamasic substances like meat, liquor, egg, garlic and onion during the entire Kartik month. Only satvik and light food should be consumed.
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Avoiding brinjal and pulses: According to Ayurveda and religious rules, eating brinjal, urad dal, lentils and gram is prohibited in this month. Especially brinjal is considered contaminated in the month of Kartik.
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Land sleeping and celibacy: Those who take a pledge to do special sadhana in this month should give up luxuries and sleep on their bed and follow complete celibacy.
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Prohibition of diphtheria and oil massage: One should avoid daily oil massage on the body during Kartik (only on the day of Narak Chaturdashi, oil massage and bathing is allowed).
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Control over speech: Avoid backbiting, slander, anger and speaking untruthful words. Keeping your mind calm, regularly recite Vishnu Sahasranama, 11th chapter of Geeta or Gajendra Moksha.
Kartik month is the best opportunity for spiritual purification, transmission of positive energy and connecting with God. By following the rules mentioned in this 30-day spiritual festival starting from 27th October to 25th November, any seeker can make his life happy, healthy and virtuous.