Kartik Snan Samapth

Taking a holy dip in the Ganga River on the day of Karthik Poornima that marks the culmination ceremony of Karthik snan called Karthik snan samapth. Holy dip at Ganges at Prayag and in the ‘Badarikashrama’ in the Himalayas especially on Kartik Purnima is believed to lead us to salvation.

Kartik Snan Samapth 2023

Mon , 27th Nov 2023

Significance

According to the Hindu mythology, it is said in the month of Kartik, Lord Vishnu incarnated as ‘Matysa’ (fish) avatar to restore the Vedas from the demon. Though the actual ceremony of Kartik Snan commences from Kartik Sudda Padyami and continues all through the month, the culmination on Karthik poornima attracts huge crowd in Varanasi, Kurukshetra and Pushkar.

Rituals

Devotees gather at the riverbanks before sunrise and commence taking a bath when the sun rises. People perform Sankalp and offer prayers to the divine waters of Ganga. Both men, women and children perform this sacred holy dip. As part of the rituals of Karthik month, Shiv pooja, havan and jal pooja are also performed. Six different ‘Kritikas’ are worshipped on this night of holy dip, that includes Shiva, Sambhuti, Santati, Preeti, Kshama and Anusuya. After the completion of pooja and worship, a buffalo is also donated to a Brahmin priest on this day. Performing Shiva pooja and donation is believed to take us to ‘Shivaloka’ after mortal death.

Devotees also worship Lord Satyanarayana, the Supreme Preserver on this day and organize Sathyanarayana pooja. Donating lamps, ghee and oil on Kartik Snan is considered to be highly rewarding. Lighting lamps in the temples of Lord Shiva, Surya Bhagwan, and Chandra Bhagwan is believed to ease the relationships and bring light into life. Offering lamps is equivalent to performing an Ashwamegha Yagya.

Mantra

Om Namo Gangayai Vishwarupini Narayani Namo Namah
Gange Ch Yamune Chav Godavari Saraswati.
Narmade Sindhu Kaveri Jale Asmin Sannidhim Kuru.
Ganga Vari Manohari Murariacharanchayut.
Tripurarishiraschari Papahari Punatu Ma.
Ganga Gangeti Yo Bruyat, Yozhanam Shatarapi. Muchyte sarvapapebhyo, Vishnuloke se gachti

This is the mantra to chant while taking a dip in the holy river

Benefits

Since River Ganga is a symbol of sheer purity, taking a holy dip in the holy waters of this river on this day washes away all the sins.
It imparts a crystal-clear conscience and a state of mental purification. Some people also believe that the holy water heals many physical ailments.
Karthik masa is an auspicious month to ease the karmic load and get rid of accumulated sins.