1. Early Morning Preparation
- Wake up before sunrise.
- Take a head bath (shubhra snanam).
- Clean the puja area and entrance of your home.
- Draw a small rangoli / muggu at the door or near the puja place.
2. Deepa Preparation
Prepare these lamps:
- Nuvvula Nune Deepam (Sesame oil lamp) – most auspicious
- Cow ghee deepam (optional)
- Panchamukha deepam (optional)
- Lamps for Tulasi & Outside Deepas
Place wicks (vattulu) and fill with oil or ghee.
3. Puja Items Needed
- Oil lamps (deepam)
- Agarbatti, camphor
- Flowers
- Fruits / Prasadam
- Water in a kalasham
- Bilva leaves (for Shiva)
- Tulasi leaves (for Vishnu)
- Naivedyam (payasam, fruits, jaggery, poha, etc.)
4. Karthika Pournami Puja Steps
Step 1: Lighting the Lamp
- Light all the diyas before starting the puja.
- Place one lamp in front of Lord Shiva, one near Tulasi plant, and some outside the house.
Step 2: Sankalpam
Close eyes, join hands, and mentally pray:
“Today on Karthika Pournami, I perform this puja for peace, prosperity, and blessings for my family.”
Step 3: Lord Shiva Puja
- Offer Bilva Leaves (Bel Patra).
- Offer flowers.
- Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” 11 or 21 times.
- If possible, perform rudra abhishekam with water or milk.
Step 4: Tulasi Puja (Vishnu Puja)
- Light a lamp near the Tulasi plant.
- Offer flowers and pray for wellbeing.
- Chant “Om Namo Narayanaya” 11 times.
Step 5: Deepa Daanam
In the evening:
- Light rows of oil lamps outside the home, balcony, or entrance.
- Lighting lamps near water bodies (river, lake) is highly auspicious—but optional.
Step 6: Naivedyam
Offer fruits, sweets, or payasam to the deity.
Step 7: Harathi
- Show camphor harathi.
- Pray for protection, health, and happiness.
5. Fasting (Optional)
Some devotees observe:
- Full-day fasting
- Only one-time meal
- Fruits & milk fast
Choose according to your health.
6. Evening Special
- Light maximum lamps around the home.
- Visit Shiva temple if possible.
- Chant any Shiva stotram or Vishnu stotram.
