Karthika Pournami 365 Vattulu Pooja

Karthika month is the most auspicious month in Telugu calender. In this month Hindu Devotees offer prayers to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. In this Karthika Masam Devotees offer prayers to god by following shower with cold water, light lamps, charities and fasting. Lord Shiva Devotees do fasting on Mondays, ekadashi and on the most auspicious day of this month Karthika pournami.

There are two significant festivals in Karthika Masam, One is ksheerabdhi dwadashi and the second one is Karthika pournami. Ksheerabdhi dwadashi is 12th lunar day, were devotees offer prayers to Tulasi plant.

Karthika pournami is a full moon day , this is most auspicious, sacred and extremely powerful day. On this day in the evening timings  devotees lit 365 vattula lamps in lord Shiva and lord Vishnu temples. Devotees make the small lamps with rice flour or wheat flour and pour cow ghee or sesame oil in that and place a wick and light the lamps. After 365 vattula pooja Devotees do donations to Brahmins or scholars.

Shivaya Vishnu Roopaya
Shiva Roopaya Vishnave
Shivasya Hrudayam Vishnoh
Vishnoscha Hrudayam Shivaha

Karthika Masam 365 Vattula Pooja Procedure:

Devotees get up at Brahma Muhurtha time.

Take bath with in the river or sea (including hair) if possible or take bath at home before sunrise.

Perform Pooja at home by offering naivedyam. Devotees Visit lord shiva temples on Mondays.

Recite each chapter in Karthika puranam daily for 30 days.Also people recite Vishnu Sahasranamalu.

Daily morning and evening perform light deepam. Light deepam at tulasi plant in the evening after the presence of stars.

Lighitng deepam in Lord Shiva temple is very beneficial.

Eat meal once a day. Devotees Don’t eat non veg food. They Strictly avoid onions and garlic.

Charity (Danam) is done to the poor and the people in need.

Daily Japa(meditative repetition of a mantra or name of God) is performed.

On karthika pournami day  when performing pooja Devotees light deepam with 365 wicks (Vattulu ) at Lord Siva temple or at tulasi plant.

Fasting is observed especially on Naguala Chavithi, Ekadashi, Pournami.

People perform archana and abhishekam to Lord Shiva.

In Many families there will be karthika Masam nomulu , they follow the rituals very strictly.

Vana Bojanalu (eating food) under the amla tree will remove off the sins committed.

Some people use deepam made of rice flour or Gooseberry to light deepam.

On the last Day of Karthika Masam it is also called as  “Poli Swargam” ie Amavasya day.

On the last day lord shiva devotees Light deepam with 31 wicks or Vattulu(mainly with puvvu vottulu 31 mainly because for the whole karthika masam) on a banana trunk or plaintain stem(aarti dimma) and leave in the river.If not possible to light deepam near the river or else if not possible in the river devotees light a deepam near the tulasi plant at home and in a big tub place filled with water and place the deepam.