Kartik month also called Kartik Maas in Hindu calendar. North Indian calendar dates kartik month from 5th October 2009 to 2nd November 2009. In South India Kaartik maasam is celebrated from 19th October 2009 to 16th November 2009.

Festivals in Kartik maas:

Kartik month is considered as the most auspicious month of the Hindu year. It is the month which acknowledges the maximum number of festivals. Here are the few important festivals that fall in the month of kaartik:

These festivals and the welcoming winter makes the month flavored with devotion. All over the India people observe some or the other ritual and poojas and rever this month of Kartik. There is no distinction. All of them take part in the celebrations of the Holy month of Kartik.

Pastime of Damodara in the month of Kartika

Kartik month is popular as Damodara month in Vaishnava calendar. It is said that in this month of Kartik Lord Krishna had His childhood pastime with Mother Yashoda and got the name Damodara. Damodara means the Lord tied with a cord (daama) around His waist (udara).

Once Mother Yasoda was boiling milk on a stove and Little Krishna demanded Her breast milk. As She was brest feeding Him, the milk on the stove spilled over and Yashoda ran to the kitchen. Little Krishna annoyed by this threw a stone at the milk pot and ran to save Himself. Mother Yashoda ran behind Krishna but could not catch Him for a long time. Lord Krishna seeing that Mother Yasoda is tired allowed Himself to be caught.

After catching Lord Krishna Yasoda tied to a mortar with ropes. But everytime She tried the rope was two inches small and She could not tie Krishna. Finally She pleaded Krishna to get tied. Naughty little Krishna allowed Himself to get tied. This tieing up of Krishna is revered by Vaishnavas and the devotees call Krishna as Damodara – Lord tied up with rope. This pastime also mentions the deliverance of Neelagriva and Nalkubera in form of Ashoka trees by Krishna.

In this month the above pastime, Damodara Lila is recited. Devotees of Lord Krishna show lamps to the Deties of Lord Krishna bound by Mother Yasoda and recite Damodarashtaka.