Chaturmasya, Kartika and Purnima

Some Points by Gaura Keshava dasa prabhu:

There are two systems of lunar month in India. Purnamanta (ending on   purnima) and Amanta (ending on amavasya). The Gaudiya Vaisnavas follow the Purnamanta system. For example the day after Gaura Purnima starts the new Gaurabda or year for Gaudiya 
Vaisnavas.

Therefore the last day of Kartitika or any other month will be a  purnima or full moon. If you started caturmasya on a   purnima then you will end it on the day before a purnima.

Caturmasya means four months. Therefore Caturmasya ends four  months after it begins. Since you can begin the vrata on Ekadasi, or   Purnima (or perhaps the day after them) it can end on a corresponding  Ekadasi or Purnima four months later. So it depends when you start it.   Karttika/Damodara month is however fixed, it will end on a Purnima  (for those who follow Purnamanta calendars).

Urja vrata is performed in Karttika or Damodara month. Therefore it   ends at the purnima. The next day after purnima will be a new month and NOT Karttika or  Damodara month. Please calculate the end of Karttika or Damodara month  for your location and offer lamps from the day after the previous  purnima (of Padmanabha month) up until and including Karttika purnima. 
 

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