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Karkidaka Masam 2024 – Importance of Karkidakam Month in Kerala - Karkidakam 1 2024

Karkidaka Masam, is also known as Ramayana Masam, in Kerala. It is also the last month in a Malayalam calendar. Karkidaka Masam 2024 begins on July 16 and ends on August 16. Karkidaka Vavu Bali (August 3) a ritual dedicated to the dead ancestors and relatives is also performed in this month. Karkidakam 1 2024 is on July 16.

Karkidaka Masam Ekadasi Fasting are on July 17, July 31 and August 16
Karkidaka Masam Pradosham Fasting are on July 19 and August 1

The Muruga Sashti Fasting is on August 10

Important Festivals Rituals
Karkidaka Vavu Bali is on August 3

Full Moon and No Moon Day
Velutha Vavu or full moon day (Purnima) – July 21
Karutha Vavu or Amavasya – August 3

Importance of Karkidaka Masam

Karkidaka Masam, or Karkidakam Month, is the last month in the traditional Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala. The month is also known as the Ramayana Masam – the epic Ramayan is read in the month in homes and temples. The monsoon rains are at its peak in Karkidakam month.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali a ritual dedicated to the dead ancestors and relatives is performed on the Amavasya or no moon day in the Karkidaka Masam. Thousands of people visit the seashores and riverbanks to perform the ritual.

Two decades ago, Karkidaka Masam used to be one of the difficult months due to heavy rains and floods. Majority of the people depended on agriculture and this month used to be the month of scarcity. With the farm fields flooded, there used to be no work and the economy used to come to a stand still. In some places, due to the rains, it was even hard to venture outside the house. To ward off nature’s fury people used to read the Ramayana in the month.

But things have changed and the there are no heavy rains and agriculture in Kerala. But still people follow certain rituals in Karkidakam month.

New ventures and auspicious functions are not held during the month by Hindus.

Another highlight of Karkidakam month is the specific ayurvedic treatments followed by people. Some people drink Karkidaka Kanji, a gruel mixed with herbs and medicines, in the month.

Many devout Hindus conduct pujas and rituals dedicated to Goddess Bhagavati (Shakti) like Bhagavathi seva in their homes during this month to ward of evil. The Lalitha Sahasranamam is chanted to invoke Goddess Devi and archanas are offered. In most Devi Temples there is Sahasranama Archanai every day in the evening of Karkidaka month. Special payasams are prepared in some homes and temples.