All About Karttika
—The Month of Damodar
Chaturmasya is the four-month period, consisting of the rainy and autumn seasons in India, during which Vaishnavas perform austerities to invoke the mercy of the Lord.
Traditionally, itinerant priests and preachers would take a break from their travels during this time. Nowadays, observers refrain from eating certain foods. The last month of Chaturmasya is known as Karttika, and is the holiest month of the year for Vaishnavas.
Two major festivals during Karttika are Diwali and Govardhan Puja.
Itinerant priest and preacher Sacinandana Swami has this to say about Karttika:
"During the month of Karttika, which falls across October and November in the lunar calendar, devotees of Lord Krishna are advised to increase their concentration on His worship by dedicating their daily devotional hearing and chanting to Srimati Radharani, His eternal consort. . . anyone can apply this principle anywhere by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, which addresses both Radha and Krishna: 'O energy of the Lord (Radha), O Lord (Krishna), please engage me in your service.'"
—an excerpt from the article
Kanai Natashala: Where Sri Chaitanya's Ecstasy Awakened
More about Kartikka:
Photo by Vrindavan-lila devi dasi
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