Kartik, one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar, started this year from October 30, 2012. Largest number of festivals, including Diwali, is celebrated during this period of the year. According to Ayurveda, a daily bath during this period promotes good health. Maharashi Patanjali has also emphasized upon the importance of cleanliness of outer body.

In Padampuran, the importance of each of the thirty days has been mentioned. This period is devoted to katha of mahatyam in many temples; devout persons come to listen to it every day. It is believed that those who take bath during this month are freed from all the sins. The proper way is to take bath early in the morning in a water body.

In fact, on Sharad Purnima, that falls a day before the commencement of Kartik, the religious practices like daily bath, listening to katha of Kartik Mahatyam and deepdan in temples start. In the night, the sky is clear and there are no dust particles in the air. So the moonlight is clear and its falling on human body is considered to be good for health.

It is believed that the rays of the moon carry nectar, so Kheer is exposed to moonlight and then taken as Prasad. It was on this night that Lord Krishna performed ‘Raasleela’ with Gopis.

The main deity worshipped during this month is Lord Vishnu who blesses all those who takes up practices like daily bath with cold water, deepdan and jagran (keeping awake throughout night and praying). So people eat once in a day and that too only food products made of wheat, barley, moong, milk, curd and ghee. Some people fast for only three days while some of them fast during this whole month throughout their lives.

Devotees lead on austere life and take only vegetarian food, avoid intoxicating drinks and smoke and sleep on the floor. They try to avoid all sins.

It is also believed that taking bath during this month in holy waters generally enhances the punya which one earns. Places like kurkukshetra, the Ganga, Pushkar, Dwarka, Puri and Mathura are considered very holy for this purpose. So there people who visit all these five holy places. It is also a good time to go on pilgrimage. Special ‘Mantras’ are recited to please Lord Vishnu, the two ekadashis which fall this month are believed to be occasions to earn more punya.

To get rid of several diseases, especially skin problems, the worship of Surya on Sundays and giving of oil and cotton clothes in charity is recommended.

The month-long austerities conclude on Kartik Purnima and this year, astrologers have said that a combination of constellations and the movement of stars on this day will bring good fortune for the people of our country.