Karthik Somavaar
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Karthik Somavaar - The Most Auspicious Mondays for Shiva
Karthik Somavaar, also known as Karthika Somavara or Kartik Somwar, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the Mondays of the Karthika month. Karthika is the eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls between October and November. It is considered one of the most sacred and auspicious months for the devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Karthik Somavaar is dedicated to worshiping Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of Hinduism and the destroyer of evil. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction on a Karthik Somavaar. He also granted a boon to his devotee Nandikeshwara on this day, who asked for the welfare of all living beings. Therefore, Karthik Somavaarm is believed to be a very auspicious day to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and attain his grace.
Dates of Karthik Somavaar in 2023
There are four Mondays (Karthika Somavara) in Karthika month. The dates of Karthik Somavaar in 2023 are as follows:
- November 20
- November 27
- December 4
- December 11
History and Mythology of Karthik Somavaar
Karthik Somavaar has a rich history and mythology associated with it. There are many legends and stories that explain the significance and origin of this festival. Some of the most popular ones are:
- The Legend of Nandikeshwara: Nandikeshwara was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and served him as his vehicle and gatekeeper. He was also the leader of the Ganas, the attendants of Lord Shiva. Once, he asked Lord Shiva to grant him a boon that would benefit all living beings. Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion and asked him to choose any desired boon. Nandikeshwara requested that whoever worships Lord Shiva on the Mondays of Karthika month should be blessed with happiness, prosperity, and salvation. Lord Shiva agreed and granted him the boon. Since then, Karthik Somavaar has become a special day to worship Lord Shiva and receive his blessings.
- The Legend of Kartikeya: Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, Skanda, or Subrahmanya, is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is the god of war and the commander of the celestial army. He was born to destroy the demon Tarakasura, who had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that he could only be killed by the son of Lord Shiva. However, Lord Shiva was in deep meditation and was not interested in creating a son. The gods were worried and sought the help of Goddess Parvati, who agreed to create a son from her power. She created six sparks of fire from her third eye and placed them in the Himalayan Lake called Saravana. The six sparks turned into six beautiful babies, nursed by the six Krittikas, the stars of the Pleiades constellation. Later, Lord Shiva came out of his meditation and embraced the six babies, who merged into one child with six heads and twelve arms. He was named Kartikeya, the son of the Krittikas. Kartikeya grew up as a brave and mighty warrior and defeated Tarakasura and his army. He also became the leader of the gods and the protector of the world. Karthika month is named after Kartikeya and is celebrated as his birthday month. Karthik Somavaar is also dedicated to him, as he is the manifestation of Lord Shiva's power and glory.
- The Legend of Damodara: Damodara is another name of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is also known as the butter thief, as he loved to steal butter from the houses of the cowherds in his childhood. Once, his mother, Yashoda, caught him red-handed and decided to punish him. She tied him to a wooden mortar with a rope and left him alone. However, Lord Krishna was not an ordinary child. He was the supreme lord who had taken a human form to save the world from evil. He dragged the wooden mortar with him and reached a pair of Arjuna trees, two cursed demigods named Nalakuvara and Manigriva. They were the sons of Kubera, the god of wealth, and were very proud and arrogant. They had offended the sage Narada, who cursed them to become trees and remain in that state until Lord Krishna freed them. Lord Krishna knew their plight and decided to liberate them. He pulled the wooden mortar between the trees and uprooted them with divine strength. The trees fell loudly, and the demigods emerged from them. They bowed down to Lord Krishna and thanked him for his mercy. They also praised him as Damodara, the one bound by the rope of love. This incident happened on a Karthik Somavaar, and since then, Lord Krishna has been worshipped as Damodara on this day. He is also offered a lamp made of flour and ghee, which symbolizes the light of devotion and the bond of affection.
Rituals and Customs of Karthik Somavaar
Karthik Somavaar is a day of fasting, prayer, and charity. Devotees observe various rituals and customs to please Lord Shiva and seek his grace. Some of the everyday rituals and customs are:
- Fasting: Devotees fast on the Mondays of Karthika month and abstain from eating any food or drinking any water. They break their fast in the evening after performing the puja and offering the prasad to Lord Shiva. Some devotees also observe a partial fast and consume only fruits, milk, and water. Fasting is believed to purify the body and mind and increase the devotion and concentration of the devotees.
- Puja: Devotees perform a special puja to Lord Shiva on Karthik Somavaar. They wake up early in the morning and bathe in a river or a lake. They also wear clean and fresh clothes and apply sacred ash (bhasma) or sandalwood paste (Chandan) on their forehead. They visit a nearby Shiva temple or set up a Shiva altar at home. They offer water, milk, honey, curd, ghee, sugar, and flowers to the Shiva linga, which is the symbol of Lord Shiva. They also light a lamp and incense sticks and offer bilva leaves, which are very dear to Lord Shiva. They recite the Shiva mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" and the Shiva stotras, such as the Shiva Tandava Stotram, the Lingashtakam, and the Shiva Mahimna Stotram. They also read or listen to the Shiva Purana, which narrates the stories and glory of Lord Shiva. They also perform an aarti and distribute the prasad among the family members and people in need.
- Offerings: Devotees make various offerings to Lord Shiva on Karthik Somavaar. They offer clothes, ornaments, fruits, sweets, and other items to the idol or the priest of Lord Shiva. They also offer food, clothes, money, and other essentials to people experiencing poverty and those in need. They also feed the cows, birds, and animals, as they are considered Lord Shiva's forms. They donate oil, lamps, and wicks to the temple or light them at home. They believe that these offerings will please Lord Shiva, and he will fulfill their wishes and desires.
- Mantras: Devotees chant various mantras to Lord Shiva on Karthik Somavaar. They chant the Shiva mantra "Om Namah Shivaya," which means "I bow to Lord Shiva." They also chant Shiva Sahasranama, Shiva Ashtothara Stotra, Sri Rudram, Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, and other sacred mantras and verses.
Tips and Suggestions for Karthik Somavaar
Karthik Somavaar is a day of devotion, dedication, and discipline. Devotees should follow some tips and suggestions to make the most of this day and avoid any mistakes or pitfalls. Some of the tips and suggestions are:
Dos: Devotees should do the following things on Karthik Somavaarm:
- Wake up early in the morning and bathe in a river or a lake. If that is not possible, the devotees can sprinkle some holy or Ganga water on their heads and bodies.
- Wear clean and fresh clothes and apply sacred ash (bhasma) or sandalwood paste (Chandan) on their forehead. They can also wear rudraksha beads, the seeds of a tree that are sacred to Lord Shiva.
- Visit a nearby Shiva temple or set up a Shiva altar at home. They should offer water, milk, honey, curd, ghee, sugar, and flowers to the Shiva linga. They should also light a lamp and incense sticks and offer bilva leaves, which are very dear to Lord Shiva.
- Recite the Shiva mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" and the Shiva stotras, such as the Shiva Tandava Stotram, the Lingashtakam, and the Shiva Mahimna Stotram. They should also read or listen to the Shiva Purana, which narrates the stories and glory of Lord Shiva.
- Perform an aarti and distribute the prasad among the family members and those in need. They should also offer food, clothes, money, and other essentials to people experiencing poverty. They should also feed the cows, birds, and animals, as they are considered Lord Shiva's forms.
- Donate oil, lamps, and wicks to the temple or light them at home.
- Meditate on the form and qualities of Lord Shiva and seek his guidance and protection. They should also express their gratitude and devotion to Lord Shiva and ask for his forgiveness and blessings.
Don'ts: Devotees should avoid the following things on Karthik Somavaarm:
- Eat food or drink water before performing the puja and breaking the fast. They should also avoid eating non-vegetarian food, garlic, onion, or alcohol on this day.
- Speak any harsh, rude, or harmful words to anyone. They should also avoid arguments, conflicts, or violence today.
- Engage in any sinful, immoral, or harmful activities on this day. They should also avoid any distractions, laziness, or ignorance on this day.
- Cut their hair, nails, or beard on this day. They should also avoid wearing any black or dark-colored clothes on this day.
- Touch the Shiva Linga with their bare hands or feet. They should also avoid touching the Bilva leaves with their feet or throwing them away after the puja.
- Break the fast without performing the puja and offering the prasad to Lord Shiva. They should also avoid breaking the fast with any sour or spicy food.
Conclusion
Karthik Somavaarm is a festival that celebrates the power and grace of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of Hinduism and the destroyer of evil. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and charity, which can bring the devotees happiness, prosperity, and salvation. It is also a day of devotion, dedication, and discipline, which can purify the body and mind and increase the concentration and devotion of the devotees. By observing Karthik Somavaar Vratam with faith and sincerity, one can attain the blessings of Lord Shiva and fulfill their wishes and desires.