TULASI VIVAH (WEDDING)

This Friday, October 30th is Karika Sudha Dwadasi , the most auspicious day on which Mata Tulasi weds with Sri Hari.
Tulsi is a sacred plant which can be found in almost every Hindu's home. Tulsi Pooja (Worship of Tulsi) is observed almost every day. Following things are required for Tulsi Puja.The sacred plant, Tulsi is regarded as the incarnation of the goddess Mahalakshmi. Tulsi represents duty, dedication, love, virtue and sorrow of all women. That is why this herb is usually worshipped by women of all age groups. To begin Tulsi Puja, one is required to take a bath. Decorate the pot where Tulsi is grown. Offer water to the sacred plant. Apply kumkum on one of its leaf. A length of red cloth can be wrapped along the stem. Offer red flower to the sacred herb, Tulsi. Offer fruits by placing them near the pot. Light the clay lamp and perform aarti to complete the Tulsi Puja. People usually take a leaf of Tulsi after the Puja and put it in their mouth. It is believed by committing such act; they are taking the spirit of goddess inside them.Tulsi VivahIt is considered that the month of Kartik (October-November) is loved by Tulsi. And on a specific day (Kartik Shukla Dwadashi) of this month there is a tradition when Tulsi plants are beautifully decorated with structures made of sugarcane, mango leaves and flowers and then a puja is offered. In northern India and in Gaudiya Vaishnava communities, it is called the 'Tulsi Vivah' or the wedding day of Tulsi and Shaligram.Tulsi represents honor, virtue and steadfast loyalty. This sacred bush of herbal leaves symbolizes Hindu femininity respected by men and women. Tulsi is regarded as the "Mother of the World."Our Sisters who would like to know more about Tulasi, please click the link below to read
http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/worshiping-tulasi.php

Siser who would like to do Tulasi Pooja please click the link to watch a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jj2JuOGQRc

For Tulasi Arti, please click the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es7C-qNM8_I&feature=related

For Tulasi song, please click the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJq7n47YVUU

And enjoy other divine songs in the same pages with all the family and friends


Here is a short sloka or invocation to the Goddess Thulsi.
"Namaste Tulasi Devi Sarvaabeeshta Palbradhae, Namaste Three Jagadh Vandhyae Namaste Loga Rashiyae".

NAGULA CHAVITHI

Nagula Chavithi, also known as Naagula Chaviti, is a highly auspicious day dedicated to Nagas (Cobras) in Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas. It is celebrated on the fourth day after Deepavali in Kartik month . In many places, it is a three day festival – Nagula Chavithi is followed by Naga Panchami and Naga Sashti on the following days. The day is of great importance in Naga Temples in the state. In 2009, the date of Nagula Chavithi is October 22. Naga Panchami date is October 23 and Naga Shashti date is October 24. It is widely celebrated only in Andhra Pradesh and is associated with the legend of Samudra Manthan. It is believed that Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahala or Kalkuta to save the universe on this day.
The main event on the day includes pujas and prayers in Naga temples across the state.

Worship of Nagas is a constant reminder to humans to live in harmony with Nature. And the ideal way to worship Nagas is by protecting the forests and grooves that are home of snakes and other animals.
Why should we do this ritual? A this time of the year usually early in the morning it is rather cold and snakes in the fields come out of their homes and eat rats which destroy the crops to give us more yield.
Snakes in fresh water kill most of the micro organisms to give safe water for drinking. They are also responsible to make the soil fertile for the crops. We can see how useful these snakes are for humans,and we are very grateful what they do and we need to show gratitude to feed them with milk on Nagula chavithi.
This is our glorious culture recommended by our ancestors.
The way the snakes sit curling downwards and sits straight with a hood which exactly resembles humans sitting cross legs with a straight back (spinal cord) 'Vennu Pusa in Telugu and the hood is our head.
The act of poring pure milk on the hood of snake is in fact the milk which is pure knowledge is being pored on our heads to have good thoughts and to speak good words and act sensibly. This is the spiritual meaning of Nagula chavithi. I hope it makes some sense of the importance of Nagula chavithi.
Nagula Chavithi Puja is celebrated by women for their children. They worship the Serpent God for good health for their children. Women observe fast and perform pooja. Women offer milk as a naivedyam (food offering) at the snake hills or snake pits (Valmeekam / Putta).
In some places, people perform the ritual of Nagula Chavithi Puja at home installing an idol or placing a picture of serpent God. On this day, Seven Hooded Cobra is worshipped.
After breaking the fast, women along with their families gather at snake hills or snake pits. They pour milk and offer eggs on the snake pits and worship the serpent God to bless them with prosperity.
Nagula Chavithi Puja A Ritual For Better Health of Children:While Nagula Panchami (Nag Pachami) is celebrated for brothers good health, Nagula Chavithi puja is observed for children better health. Married women consider the puja as very auspicious occasion of the year for their children.
On the day of Nagula chavithi, our sisters chant Sarpa Mantra or stotra

This mantram or stotram gives an idea of all eight major serpent Gods. Reciting or chanting this mantram everyday makes devotees free from ‘Sarpa bhayam’ (fear from snakes) and ‘Sarpa dosham’
.Sarpapasarpa bhadranthe dooram gachcha mahavishaJanamejaya yaganthe asthika vachanam smaraAnanthaya namasthubhyam sahasra shirasthe namahaNamosthu padmanabhaya nagaanaam pathaye namahaAnantho vasukim sheshah takshakah kaliyasthadah.

Now let us listen a beautiful song about NagAmma by clicking the link below

http://www.raaga.com/play/?id=49155

And I wonder how many of us remember Nagula chavithi Telugu film in 1956? Please click the link below to listen songs from that film


http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/cCK_nZt54zA08DJrGGNRhrIQ1UUvjaWtsGDx.syt3ao3C8J-N.xbRlDEC-AbgJkAOcwbKG4G/?done_detec

And lastly let us less than a minute and to be precise 31 seconds to watch a young Telugu lady praying NagAmma on Nagula chavithi by clicking the link below

http://movies.bollysite.com/videos/cXwpc2cA1kY/Nagula-Chaviti-song-by-Gita-Nov-2nd-2008.html

Really finally the long waited Windows 7 is here for all of us and other good news is our broadband is going to be 10 times faster soon! Yes it is true! Please click the two links before more about these stories

http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/20/tech-microsoft-opens-windows-7-to-re-charged-pc-growth.htm

http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/21/tech-your-broadband-may-soon-become-ten-times-faster.htm

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY-PAKIRAREDDY

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY Dr.Kurri PakirareddyIt was 24th June 2002, my daughter, Madhavi’s birthday. On that day, I just finished reading Mahabharat by C.Rajagopalachari, after watching Mahabharat, the epic; I recorded on tape 12 years before that on B B C television.While reading the last pages of Ramayana by the same author, a desire arose in my mind that I should write my autobiography before I tend to forget about my childhood memories. So I started the same night before going to bed.My first memories of myself went back, when I was 5 or 6 years of age. I was born in Mallayapalem village of Guntur taluk and district, about 12 miles from Guntur by road on the bus route from Guntur to Parchur. I vaguely remember that my parents told I that I was born on a Wednesday. The real date of birth, I do not know. It used to be with the village officer whom it happened to be our relative. When he died, it was difficult to trace. This is not uncommon in those days. At least we were fortunate in India we need to have a date of birth in our Secondary School Leaving Certificate ( SSLC). It was also necessary in those days one has to attain certain age before one leaves secondary school. That is why in India many people have an actual date of birth and also an official date of birth like the Queen of England! So my official date of birth is 1st July 1945. I also vaguely remember that I was born actually in 1944. We get what we deserve in this life.I do remember the places, the fellow boys and girls I used to play at the age of 5 or 6 years of age. For example there used to be a neem tree in front of our house on the main road to the village where I used to spend most of time playing there with other boys and girls. I was very fortunate to have that photograph of the tree with my daughter, son and friends in the village some years ago before it was cut down as it was on the way on the main road. I was saddened not to find the tree recently. I do remember the teacher when I was in primary school in the village. I was also very fortunate to see him unexpectedly in Guntur railway station some years ago and have a photograph with him. Unfortunately I do not know his where about. I am trying various sources to trace him to honour him on my sashti purthi day in Guntur on 26th November 2005. He was a very strict teacher and I still remember the beatings that I had from him.My parents had very little formal education. My father used to sign his name in Telugu and can read some Telugu books. He used to act in local dramas in the village. He played a role as Krishna in Kurukshetra and Gayopakyanam. My mother did not know to read and write. My parents had education of life, which is more important than formal education to survive in this world. My parents never objected whatever I wanted to do through out my life. I do remember that I used to stay with my grand parents more than with my parents at that age, their house being just opposite to ours in the same street. My grand parents used to look after me very well with love and affection. He used to be one of the gentlemen in the village in those days and people used to come to him for advice on any matters in the village. We were average family neither rich nor poor. All my primary education was in our village and appeared to join in High school directly into 7th class and my elder sister did even better joining in 8th class and she got married soon after that and that was the end of her education.I joined in the High school in Prathipadu, about 3 miles away from our village on the way to Guntur. We used to walk to school every day up and down in all weathers even without slippers. If I say this to my children, they do not believe me. I was ten years of age at the time of my joining in to High school. There were no proper roads in those days. Some rich pupils used to go on bicycle. After a couple of years, I decided to stay in Prathipadu along with other boys in rented accommodation. We used to cook our food and curries used to come from home every day through local washerwomen. We had a wonderful time away from families and used to feel independent. We rarely went home but our parents used to visit us regularly on their way to Guntur at least once a week. We were very fortunate to have very good teachers in our High school. A noble man from our village donated our High school and it was named after him. We used to be very proud of him and his family. One teacher I used to like very much was our Telugu teacher, Devabhaktuni Rangarao garu. He was an excellent teacher and philosopher but very humble. For me he is equal to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda. He lived for a short time as any other noble people. He left his mortal coil in 1971 and he was 42 at the time. He was my first spiritual guru at that young age. I was very fortunate to locate his wife, Dhanalakshmi a few years ago and got a photograph of my Guru. I am very lucky to be his pupil and devotee. If at all I have any spirituality it is only because of my reverend Guru. I was also very fortunate to have his blessings on our wedding by way of his divine hand writing in 1968. His live image is very clear in my mind. One of my friends who used to live with me at High school passed away in an accident a few years ago. He was very good friend of mine and so many good memories with him are still with me. My High school days passed very quickly and finished in 1959-60.I joined in pre university course (PUC) in Hindu College Guntur. I lived with one of our friend from our village in their house in Guntur. It was a new experience in the college and also from village to a big town with so many activities, many new friends and many distractions as well. One friend I longed with was in my class, son of a doctor. We became very close both in the class and out side and were not able to separate and even the lecturers used to say ‘please sit apart in the class’ because we were sitting so close all the time in the front bench. We both used to buy many books for the same subject and study very hard but I was not able to get good marks in the final examination to get entrance into Medical College. My friend got very high score in all the subjects and joined in Medicine in Guntur Medical College. We both felt very sad for our separation. Good things in life can not last long I learned then. After deliberation I managed to get admission into a pre Medical course in Benaras Hindu University in Kasi. I decided to go and join in the pre Medical course and my parents readily agreed to send me without any problem. So I joined in the course in 1961. It was really an experience to go Benaras and it took a day and half by train at the age of 17. I had a wonderful time for a year going to the Ganges and to visit Lord Viswanatha temple. In those days in Benaras, we had to go physical education classes very early in the morning in biting cold and fog with only shots on the winter mornings but we used to enjoy every minute of it. Sanskrit was compulsory in those days. It was an eye opener for me and turning point in my life. There were quite a few boys and girls in our class from Andhra. No homesickness and in fact very enjoyable 12 months. At the end of the year, I passed all the subjects including Sanskrit but failed narrowly in English, which was very easy. Even if I have passed all the subjects, we have to do another examination, which is very competitive on all India basis to get entrance into 1st year Medicine. Everybody encouraged me to stay on and repeat the pre Medical course but somehow I did not fancy to repeat the course again and decided to go back to Guntur. When I was back at Guntur, my parents asked me to join in Medicine in a private Medical college by paying capitation fee. With the help of my close friend’s, father who was the professor of Medicine at Guntur Medical College, I took an introductory letter to the then Principal at Medical College, Warangal and met him. He kindly agreed to offer me a seat on paying capitation fee of 7 thousand rupees. I was in a dilemma on my way back to Guntur, and after thinking seriously, I decided not to put my parents to sell the land to pay the capitation fee and I told them that after all that I was not keen to join in Medicine and instead I wanted to join in B.Sc in Hindu College, Guntur. As I always believed we get what we deserve in this life rather than what we want, I was very content to join in B.Sc.Those 3 years in my B.Sc in Guntur had a lovely time and met so many friends both boys and girls whom I have contact regularly even now. It never bothered me that I was not able to join in Medicine and I completely forgotten about that.Before I go any further, I should mention one family in Prathipadu during my High school education, where I used to go their house to have food in the evening every day for at least a year if not more. They looked after me very well with affection and love. Even though it was just ordinary food, I still remember the taste of the food and their kindness to me. Unfortunately I lost contact with them, as they were elderly at that time. I still hope to meet some members of the family in my lifetime.While at college in Guntur, I used to have my daily food from a woman who was running a mess. I still do see her in Guntur when I go for vacation. I was so grateful for her affection and love she showed me in those days.During my college days, I met a person through one of my family friends whom I became very close. Even though we talked on the phone and by way of letter writing at times, I have not met that person for at least 35 years. I hope and pray that I will meet that person some time in my lifetime. I did rather well in my B.Sc, may be because of my maturity in life. Life is a mixture of dualities, good and bad, Pain and pleasure, day and night etc. There were times in my life in my college days that I had some financial problems. My parents never said anything against me in their lifetime. If I had any problems, it was my bad planning. There were times fortunately not many when I was not affording to eat my daily food but it never cause me any shame or sorrow. I used to think, whatever happens, it was for my own good in the long term. Everything is God’s will. The poverty never bothered me because it was only my making. Even from young age, I was fortunate to have belief in God and used to think that He is responsible for everything that happens to us. Now I know, I was wrong at that age to think like that. In fact we are responsible for our own fate. It is in our hands to make or break our life, which explains the law of Karma. But God’s grace is essential to reduce or even completely remove the effect of our bad karma. We should not blame God for our fate.After so many years, we were fortunate to meet my close friend of Guntur Hindu College in America in 2003 after I recovered from my brain stem haemorrhage and stroke and stayed in their house for a few days. We revived all our past memories once again and enjoyed very much. We regularly in contact by phone. Here I should mention another important person in my life during my college days in Guntur who was my teacher and friend for the last 40 years. I used to go to their family and knew all of them. We used to go out together in the evenings on our bicycles almost daily and used to discuss our personal problems and used to feel a lot better after our discussions. I had so many good days with him and fortunately see each other every year when I go to India. We were privileged to have him and his wife for a couple of days in our home in Sibsey, England in May 2004. He is very fortunate to serve selfless with devotion to so many people in India. I am very proud of him to be his friend.I passed my B.Sc in first class and applied for M.Sc in Andhra University, Waltair and also I came to know that I could apply for Medicine with my B.Sc qualification directly into 2nd year M.B.B.S. I got M.Sc admission in Botany and joined in Andhra University. Again it is a big city, big institution and with new friends. I had a wonderful time living in the hostel. I also applied for jobs after my B.Sc and I got an interview for the selection of sub inspector of Police, which my parents were not keen, so I did not go for the interview.One day in November 1966 while I was at Andhra University, the postman delivered a brown envelop with the Government stamp on it. When I opened the letter, it was an admission to Medical College either in Guntur or Kurnool directly into 2nd year M.B.B.S but we had to write physics examination and also Biochemistry if I go to Guntur. The Sri Venkareswara University gave exemption for Bio Chemistry as we did it in our B.Sc. I was encouraged by family and friends to go to Medicine for which I was not able to get after my P UC. So I decided to go to Kurnool along with at least 10 other candidates from Andhra University, even though I come from Guntur. So again it is proved everything have its own time and some people have to wait a bit longer than others and also we get what we deserve at the end.I joined in Kurnool Medical College in December 1966. Again it was a new experience, no friends and new challenges. I started to enjoy the course, with the satisfaction of going to become a doctor, which I wanted 5 years ago.It was in 1968, my parents expressed a desire that I should get married foe unknown reasons. I thought about it seriously and agree to get married. The wedding took place on August 10th in 1968 in Guntur with my present wife Dhana Lakshmi. I never forget that day. I should not have got any better life partner than her. It was really a miracle and the wedding went uneventfully. I had the privilege of living with my wife in the last year of my medical student life. I used to study well than before without any distractions! How many people have got this privilege?During my medical student life, I met a man who is somewhat like me and became very friendly and we used to discuss our personal problems and helped each other. In those days we developed an obsession to go abroad after finishing the Medical Course. We tried our best to go any where in the world to survive. At last the time has come and my friend got a posting in United Kingdom with the help of one of our common friend. After about 6 months, I also got a posting in U K with the help of my friend. I am always grateful for his help. We both used to feel that we were brothers, but good times do not last long. That is the way life is. I could not find any reason to be like that. I try my best to be the same way we used, that is all one can do. We get sound only when we clap with both hands. We wish and pray for their welfare.Again in U K, it is a new experience, strange life, strange people, different language and culture. I came to U K towards the end of October 1974 at the age of 30 and my family joined me later. On the whole I would say we had a wonderful time. I never regretted of coming to UK. I found that there are certain things we need to learn from the people of this country. I felt my self as an individual and I can live here the way I want which is somewhat difficult to do back at home. It also helped me to get my full potential of myself. Again met so many people, some are close more than others. We Lived in Belfast most of our life about 22 years and enjoyed every minute of it. We still have so many sweet memories and some close friends. We visit them regularly and spend a week or so with them.A desire came to my mind in 1996 to retire in England as many of our friends are in England and children might settle here eventually. I had regular contacts with my friends in England and used to come regularly to do locum jobs to keep in contact with people. Fortunately I was offered a job where I used to work on locum basis. I always had a desire to retire in the village where we are living at the moment. So we moved to England towards the end of October 1996 and settled very quickly and enjoying my work. My daughter was in London and Srinivas also got a job in England.Children were growing very fast and started to live on their own. They felt a need for their life partners. Srinivas promised to his grand parents he will marry to a girl from India. We all went to India for 6 weeks vacation. One of the families we used to be very close while in Belfast went to India for good in 1994. We always were in touch with them and stay with them when you go to India. They helped a lot to all of our family and we are grateful for their help forever. They also helped a lot for the wedding of Srinivas in December 1998. The wedding went smoothly as planned and they are living on their own. Life is always with full of ups and downs. Otherwise life becomes dull and boring.It was March 5th in 1999, I was at a meeting at Our Trust Head quarters and towards the end of meeting at about just after 12.00 noon, I felt a strange feeling on my left side of the body and I told one of my colleague sitting next to me to call an ambulance and I could not remember what happened after that. Apparently I had brain stem haemorrhage which resulted stroke on my left side. I was admitted in a Neurology unit in Nottingham. My wife told me that on the night I had stroke, the consultant told her that they couldn’t do much and need to be observed for 24 hours and also told her it all depends upon her luck! I am told that I was there for about 10 days and then transferred to Boston where I was working. I vaguely remember being in Nottingham Hospital. I remember a bit clear after coming to Boston and began to recover slowly. I was in Boston hospital almost 3 months. So many people kindly visited me both in Nottingham and Boston and they all were very supportive and kind towards my wife and family. We are really grateful to so many people. While I was in Hospital my wife and family were very attentive and very patient with me. It is not that easy to please a doctor patient! Our daughter Madhavi took off for 3 months unpaid leave to be with me and help her mum. She has done everything for me and being a Nurse herself she has done really a professional job. I never forget her attention and Love towards me when I needed most.After discharge from Hospital, I felt very depressed for almost about 4 months. Being a psychiatrist my self, I knew what a depression could do. I was negative about everything and even I was not able to smile. Fortunately I began to come round gradually and spent most of my time thinking about God, reading the autobiographies of great people and listening devotional music. Slowly I got my confidence back and able to think more positive towards life. I was advised to retire on health grounds from my job, which I was not happy about but I could not do anything. I thought it was God’s will. I had to retire in May 2000 at the age of 55. I was not able to walk properly and I had to use a wheelchair. I also developed double vision and need to wear an eye patch on one eye. I continued my physiotherapy with very slow recovery.I came to know about Arya vaidyasala in Kottakal in Kerala and I wanted to try treatment. In 2001 we went for treatment for 28 days. We enjoyed our stay there and able to stand a bit longer to shave and brush in the morning and also the walking seemed a bit better. I continued that treatment every year so far and I think it is very helpful for me. Now I feel that I am improved more than my expectation and I feel very happy if I continue the way I am. I feel I got more than I deserve and very grateful to my wife and family with God’s grace. My wife put up with me when I needed most and for her it is her salvation to serve her husband when in need. I could not ask for any more than what she has given to me. I pray to God to be my wife as long as I am born again in this world.When we were going to Kerala for treatment in November 2001, both Madhavi and her Boy friend Hari came to our house. It seemed they like each other. I told them that I had a desire that they should get married as soon as possible because of my illness.It was Christmas morning in 2001, when I was about to go to my massage treatment, the phone rang. It was Madhavi and Hari on the phone after midnight on Christmas Eve in England and told me that they both were engaged on Christmas Eve. I blessed them both. By the time we came back to England in January 2002, they fixed the date of their wedding and venue as well. How lucky we were and I thanked God for his grace. The wedding took place on July 21st in 2002 and everything went smoothly as planned. Hari’s father used to say; they were made for each other. How true it is.Another family, which I knew from our village for a long time, came very close in my life. I always felt we are all one family. I feel it is bondage from previous lives and I hope and pray we will be together in the same family in future lives. Even though they live in America, we have contact almost every week and see each other as frequently as possible.I was very fortunate to celebrate my sashti purthi (60th birth day) on 2nd July 2005 in the presence of so many of our friends and well-wishers in the sacred place of Sri Venkateswara Balaji temple near Birmingham, United Kingdom. Our family from America came with our two grand children. We had a wonderful time together for a week in Paris and London.There are so many friends and relatives in India whom I know for a long time. So I had a desire to celebrate my sashti purthi again in Guntur in the presence of all the people and friends I know in India. So God willing we will celebrate on November 26th in 2005.Life is beautiful and it is up to us to make it a successes or a failure. It is our entire making. We decide our fate and nobody else or not even God. God is the director and we the actors in the play obey His commands, we do our role in the play to be appreciated by the audience. What all we see, hear, eat and enjoy is god’s creation. Nothing belongs to us in this world. Even if we feel that we own something, it is only temporary. So whatever we have, be money, knowledge or anything, we need to share with other people. Then only we feel real happiness. We cannot have everything for our selves.We are living in a rented accommodation. The owner of the house may ask us to leave at any time without much notice. We need to prepare to vacate at any moment. We do not know when the final call arrives. We must be prepared all the time to answer the final call.What I learnt in my life is, there are three things important to achieve anything.1. Human effort: without human effort, nothing happens. 2. Everything has its time. Nothing happens until that time. Some people may have to wait longer than others and this depends upon ones previous life and actions (purva janma sukrutam) 3. God’s grace: Nothing happens without God’s grace. Again it depends upon ones own purva janma sukrutam. All the three are equally important.We often wonder why the things happen the way they happen? Why some people always get a raw deal in their life and why the so-called bad people enjoy everything in life? There is nothing in this world explain why it happens except the Law of Karma which is one of the cardinal principle of Hinduism. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nobody can escape from it including God.According to the Scriptures, the main aim of human life is to attain Moksha i.e. not be born again and merge with the paramathma. I always felt it is selfish because, it is only useful for that individual and nobody else. To be honest, I do not want Moksha yet, I want to born again hopefully as human and that depends upon my previous lives and the present life. I want to be born in a family to learn Sanskrit and able to sing the glories of God and able to serve the needy, disabled and less fortunate people than I am without expecting any reward and not to hurt anybody by thought, word and action. That is my aim of life for the future!I am grateful to God for inculcating this idea of writing my own autobiography before I tend to forget my past life.LOKASAMATHA SUKHINO BHAVANTHUAum Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi Hi
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KARTIKA MASAM

Karthik masa (Kartik month) is the most auspicious month amongst all Hindu months. According to Hindus, worshipping of God during this month fetches the Moksha (salvation). Hence, devotees worship God and perform various rituals and customs very strictly.
Karthika Puranam details the rituals and customs to be performed during the month of Karthik. Various Hindu sacred texts have mentioned the list of basic rituals and customs of Kartika masam.
During this month, we need to observe certain dos and don'ts and please try to observe at least on the sacred days of Kartika Mondays & Kartika Fridays and On Kartika Poornima and Kartika Amavasya.


Devotees should not eat non vegetarian food for whole month of Karthik. Eating non vegetarian food is considered as ‘Brahma Hathya’ (Killing Lord Brahma).
For the whole month, devotees take meal only once a day. They will have breakfast at nights. If devotees are not able to do so, they follow this rituals at least on auspicious days like Karthik Monday, karthika Pournami etc.
Devotees take ceremonial or spiritual bath everyday for the whole month.
Devotees light diya every evening and perform Karthika masa puja.
Devotees recite at least one chapter of Karthika Puranam everyday. Those who would like to read Kartika Purana, please click the link below to read in English


http://www.astrojyoti.com/skandapurana.htm

FOR TELUGU SISTERS: those who prefer to read Kartika Puranam in Telugu, please click the link below to read

http://www.teluguone.com/bhakti/shivastutulu/index.jsp?filename=kartika.htm

And another useful link in English

http://www.astrologyforu.com/puranas/skanda-puranam/kartika-puranam/index.php

Yet another link about Kartika somavara vratam

http://www.ammas.com/ar/home.cfm?r=va&qid=180768&bid=0&topicid=9

Devotees perform rituals very strictly on most auspicious days of Karthika masam such as Karthika Mondays, Kalashtami, Kushmand Navami, Akshay Navami, Hari Bodhini or Prabodhini, Vailunth Chaturdashi, Vyasa Puja, Karthika Poornima or Tripura Purnima, Tulasi Vivah (Marriage of Goddess Tulasi).
As Kartik month, is the eighth month in a traditional Hindu calendar followed in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Kartika Masam 2009 begins on Monday, October 19 and ends on Monday, November 16 for Telugu and Kannada calendars. The month is considered auspicious by both Lord Shiva and Vishnu devotees.
In Today's world people start talking about the differences between Shiva and Kesava even by learned swamis. Even Shiva & Keshava themselves declared there is no difference of whatsoever and those who differentiates will never feel happy in their lives. At least during this sacred month of Kartik, please do not differentiate between Shiva and kesava.
This year Kartika Masam starts on a Monday and ends on a Monday which is not very common, hence it is extra special this year.

In South India, the month is also dedicated to Lord Muruga (Subrahmanya Swami) who is also known as Kartik and Skanda

Kartika Masam Purnima (full moon day) is on November 2 and Kartika Masam Amavasi is on November 16 (No moon day).
Kartika Masam Shukla Paksham in 2009 begins on October 19 and ends on November 2.
Kartika Masam Krishna Paksham in 2009 begins on November 3 and ends on November 16.


Some of the important festivals and auspicious days in Kartika Masam in 2009 as per Telugu and Kannada Calendars are -
October 19th – Bali Padyami
October 22nd – Nagula Chavithi
October 22nd – Trilochana Gauri Vratam
October 23rd – Naga Panchami
October 24th – Naga Shasti
October 29th – Utthana Ekadashi
November 1st – Vaikunta Chaturdashi
November 12th – Uttpatti Ekadasi

This Kartika masam 2009 as per Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra calendars is very auspicious because during this month Kartika Pournami and Karthika Amavasya both come on Mondays. The performers of Kartika Somvara vratham are very lucky to observe the vrata on Pournami and Amavasya along with other three auspicious Mondays.

As per Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu and Kannada calendars, the dates of Kartika Somavara vratham in 2009 are – October 19, October 26, November 2, November 9 and November 16.
It is highly desirable to spend our free time listening sacred chants of Lord shiva by clicking the link below
http://www.raaga.com/player4/?id=67549,67550,67551,67552,67553,67554,67555,67556,67557,67558&mode=100&rand=0.46593608257545865
Some more sacred chants by clicking the link below
http://hinduism.about.com/od/shivamp3downloads/Shiva_MP3_Downloads_Devotional_Songs_Shiva_Bhajans.htm
Another divine link for Shiva songs
http://www.devotionalsongs.com/lord_shiva.htm
For some divine videos of Lord Shiva, please click the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBCz59EWemg
And more
http://music.galatta.com/entertainment/music/newgalattamusic.asp?songs=,14922&sing=hai
And finally a link for various aspects of the holy month
http://www.salagram.net/parishad76-k.htm

Kartika Puranam in TELUGU

http://www.mypurohith.com/Telugu/kartika_purana1.asp