Vrata
Kartik Vrata
A special devotional vrata observed until the full moon of Kartik, symbolically a month of austerity. This month brings together sacred baths, charity, conch-bathing, and the evening-lamp vrata; in Vrindavan the Rasa Yatra occurs, and to Gaudiya Vaishnavas the Kartik month is holy as 'Damodara month'.
Rules
The practice is to bathe early in the month (conch-bathing), worship Vishnu or Krishna, and light a lamp in the evening; many keep a vegetarian diet for the whole month and observe vows of restraint. The vrata concludes on the full moon with the Rasa Yatra or Lakshmi puja.
Benefits
Devotees believe that spending the month of Kartik in devotion, restraint, and purity aids self-purification and the attainment of Vishnu's grace.