Hindus throng Ayodhya during auspicious month of Kartik

Close to 100,000 devotees are thronging Ayodhya during the auspicious month of Kartik.

Ayodhya, Nov 21 : Close to 100,000 devotees are thronging Ayodhya during the auspicious month of Kartik.

Devotees congregate on the banks of the River Saryu for worship. The month of Kartik lasts from October 26 to November 24.

"I come here every year. I have been coming here for the last eleven years. We come to keep a fast here for a month," said Krishna Swaroop Dixit, a devotee.

Hindus believe their wishes would be fulfilled by observing 'Kartik-Kalpawas' the one month long fast, during which they take different types of diets that include a fruit-only diet and another one is a specific meal along with fruits.

"We have come from Gwalior for Kalpawas. We will stay here for one month and worship. Our wishes will be fulfilled if we do this," said Kalawati, another devotee.

Kartik-Kalpwas is believed to ensure salvation for the fasting devotees .evotees are also visiting Haridwar, Varanasi and Mathura to perform rituals associated with the auspicious month. But visiting Ayodhya has its own significance.

Kartik is the eighth lunar month of the Hindu year when the sun is in the Krittika or Pleiades phase.

Kartik is perhaps the holiest of all months in the Hindu calendar and is characterised by many religious festivals.

ANI