Kartik Snan is an important ritual in Hindu religion which is celebrated from the first day of Kartik month. This day falls during the months of October and November. Kartik Purnima is considered very auspicious.
During Kartik month both man and woman should take bath before sunrise and should do so throughout Kartik month.
According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that during the month of Kartik, Lord Vishnu incarnated as 'Matyasa' to restore the Vedas. The actual ceremony of Kartik Snan begins first day on Kartik Month and continues throughout the month of Kartik. Haridwar, Brajghat, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kurukshetra and Pushkar are important Hindu pilgrimage sites, where lakhs of people visit for Kartik bath.
The most important ritual during Kartik Snan is bathing in holy rivers or water bodies. On this day the devotees wake up at sunrise and take a religious bath. Both men and women take this holy bath and should do so throughout Kartik month.
Taking a bath in the Ganges on Kartik Month is considered very sacred. It is believed that bathing in the Ganges on this day leads to salvation. Even if it is not possible to bathe in the Ganges, then one should go to any nearby reservoir or take bath by mixing Ganges water in his bathing water.
Some devotees also observe a fast on this day to please Lord Vishnu. The person observing this fast should also feed the Brahmin.
On the occasion of Kartik Snan, devotees worship the supreme protector Lord Satyanarayana, while some devotees also worship Goddess Ganga Mata of the holy rivers.