Karthika Snana is a special spiritual practice where people take a sacred bath early in the morning during the month of Karthika. It starts from Ashwayuja Poornima (Full Moon in October) and goes on till Karthika Poornima (Full Moon in November).
It is believed that taking a bath during this month removes sins and brings divine blessings.
It helps in getting peace, purity, and spiritual strength.
Start from the full moon day of Ashwayuja month and continue till the full moon of Karthika month.
It’s done early in the morning, before sunrise, when the stars are still visible.
Wake up before sunrise.
Say a prayer (sankalpa) with devotion.
Take a bath in clean water (preferably a river or natural source, if possible).
After the bath, offer water (arghya) to Lord Vishnu with a prayer.
In Sanskrit (Devanagari):
कर्तिकेऽहम् करिष्यामि प्रातः स्नानं जनार्दन।
प्रीत्यर्थं तव देवेश दामोदर मया सह॥
ध्यात्वाहं त्वां च देवेश जलेऽस्मिन् स्नातुमुद्यतः।
तव प्रसादात् पापं मे दामोदर विनश्यतु॥
In English Transliteration:
Kartike'ham karishyami pratah snanam Janardana,
Prityartham tava Devesha Damodara maya saha;
Dhyatvaham tvam cha Devesha jalesmin snatumudyatah,
Tava prasadat papam me Damodara vinashyatu.
“O Lord Vishnu, I am taking this holy bath in the month of Karthika to please You. Please remove my sins and bless me with purity.”
In Sanskrit (Devanagari):
नित्य नैमित्तिके कृष्ण कर्तिके पापनाशने।
गृहाणार्घ्यं मया दत्तं राधया सहितो हरे॥
व्रतिनः कार्तिके मासि स्नातस्य विधिवन्मनः।
गृहाणार्घ्यं मया दत्तं राधया सहितो हरे॥
In English Transliteration:
Nitya naimittike Krishna Kartike papanashane,
Gruhanarghyam maya dattam Radhaya sahito Hare;
Vratinah Kartike masi snatasya vidhivanmanah,
Gruhanarghyam maya dattam Radhaya sahito Hare.
“O Lord Krishna, I offer this water to You with love and devotion, Please accept it and bless me.”
| Category | Other Rituals |
| month | Aashwija |
| paksha | Shukla |
| tithi | Poornima |
| Nakshatra | |
| yogha |
