Kartik Mas is the eighth month of the Hindu calendar. This year, it began on October 10 and will end on November 8. Also known as the Damodara month, these days are observed with sincere prayers towards Lord Krishna and Karthikeya.
While the Kartik snan ritual is predominantly practiced in the southern states of India in an attempt to worship Lord Murugan (Karthikeya), other devotees seek blessings from their beloved Krishna Bhagwan through deep daan. During the latter stated ritual, devotees offer a lamp to the Lord Krishna and also the basil plant.
On the fifth day of the auspicious month, Kartik Panchami, people sing bhajans, holy chants, in addition to the lamp-lighting ritual. The day is considered to have divine significance in one's life. This year, Kartik Panchami falls on October 14.
It is believed that offering prayers to the Lord on the Panchami thithi brings peace, prosperity, and good health to the individual. A person who sincerely worships the Lord on the Kartik Panchami is likely to advance on the spiritual path of devotion.
Some devotional hymns you can recite to please the Lord on this day include Damodara Ashtakam, Dashaavatara Strotram, Skanda Shashti Kavacham, and chants such as the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
