Kartikam sakalam maasam nitya snaayi jitendriyah, japan havishya bhuktaancha sarva paapaih pramuchyatetye/ Smritwaa Bhaageeradheem Vishnum Shivam Suryam Jalam vishet, Naabhi maatra jaley tishthan vratey snaayaadyathaavidhi/
One should perform formal bathing by entering water waist deep through out the entire Kartika Maasa by observing piety after the morning duties and Japa-homaas consuming only the ‘havishaanna sesha’ or the left over offerings to Agni Deva and praying to Bhaagirathi, Shiva, Vishnu and Surya Deva). Thus Kartika Snaanaas should be accomplished each morning and evening in the rest of Kartika month. In case however the Kartika snaanaas are not possibe althrough, these may be executed at least three days in the month.