Karthika Puranam · Day 1 of 30
Karthika Puranam Day 1
Chapter 1 — Janaka asks about the glory of Karthika
Read on (2026)
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Shukla Paksha Pratipada · శుద్ధ పాడ్యమి
Also on this day: Karthika Masam begins · Bali Padyami
Chapter 1 — the story
At Naimisharanya, Suta begins the Karthika Puranam for the sages led by Shaunaka. He recalls how Shiva once told Parvati of a conversation in Mithila, where King Janaka asked Sage Vasishtha why Karthika is held above every other month.
Vasishtha describes the Karthika vow: rise before dawn, bathe in a river or tank, offer arghya to the Sun and tarpana to the ancestors, worship with lamps, and read or hear this Purana. Anyone may keep it, whatever their age or station, and even bowing to those who keep it brings merit.
What this chapter teaches
Karthika's practices are simple and open to everyone — a dawn bath, a lamp and a few minutes with the Purana each day.
How to read the Karthika Puranam
- Read or listen to one chapter each day of Karthika Masam, usually in the evening after lighting the deepam.
- Many families read together after the pre-dawn Karthika snanam or at the Tulasi kota.
- These are short summaries; for the full text, read a printed Karthika Puranam or listen to a pravachanam.