January Fasts

Kalashtami Fast

The eighth day of the second half of the month of Kartik is observed by fasting and the night is spent in prayers. As the legend goes that on this day Kala Bhairav, a creation of Lord Shiva, in his wrath chopped off one of the five heads of Lord Brahma and returned to Banaras. Since then Kala Bhairav has been the presiding deity of the sacred city (Banaras). The local Hindus observe this day annually in his honour. Pooja is held at 12:00 am. The next day is also followed by pooja in noon. This celebration is held for one and half day.

Bheemasthami

The eighth day of the Shukla Paksha of the Magha month is known as Bheemashtami. It was on this day when Bheesma Pitamah passed away. Any person who like Bheeshma Pitamah performs rites and offers sesamum to pacify ancestral souls is blessed with fortunate progeny or child.

It is mentioned in the Padma Puran that a boy whose father is alive should also observe Bheeshma Tarpan.

Som Pradosh Vrata

Generally people observe Pradosha Vrata on every Trayodashi tithi (i.e. 13th Lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) during Sandhya Kaala (i.e. during or after sunset).

Satyanarayana Vrata

Satyanarayana vrat is generally observed on the full moon day, particularly during the Kartik, Vaisakh, Sravan or the Chaitra Purnimas and the Shankranti day. It can also be done on new moon days.

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh, is considered one of the four most sacred days of the year. The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes - hence fresh or new beginnings made or valuables bought on this day are considered certain to bring luck and success. Thus, people plan weddings, new business ventures, long journeys and other events on this day. It is believed that by doing a good deed on Akshaya Tritiya one can earn Punya (merit) for life.

Apart from Dhan Teras, Akshava Tritiva is also reserved for buying gold, silver and other assets.

Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is traditionally the birthday of Parshurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu. The icon is decorated with an axe, to depict him in a heroic pose.

It is believed that barley, one of the main ingredients of our kitchen shelves, was also created on this day. Ganga devi descended to earth on this day. Special puja is performed on this day. One should try to bathe in a sacred river, give charity, perform japa and offer barley in a sacred fire, and offer barley preparations to the deity.

Myth I
Once there was a poor brahmana who had a very good wife but had no children. Whatever little money he earned got spent somehow. As his wife requested him several times, he went to meet Vasishta muni to know the reason for his suffering. Vasishta muni told him that in his previous life he was very rich and also had many children. But he was very stingy, to the extent that he did not spend any money on his own children. This is the reason for his being poor, and not having any issues.

Brahmana also asked Vasishta muni the reason of him having a good wife. To this question, Muni answered and said as he had observed the vrata of Vaishaka month for the last 5 days was the sole reason for having a good wife and him to take rebirth as a brahmana. Then the muni advised him to vrat on at least the last 7 days left of Vaishaka month but with devotion to Lord Krishna.

The poor brahmana heeded to the advise of the muni and observed the vrata of Vaishaka month. The result of this was that he was blessed with sons, became rich and ultimately developed love for the Lord and thus was able to adopt the spiritual world.

Myth II
Parshuram is considered to be the personification of valour and of devotion. His father’s name was Jamadagni, and his mother’s Renuka. Jamadagni was very hot-tempered, and Parshuram inherited this quality from him. One day Jamadagni got angry with his wife Renuka and commanded Parshuram to kill her. Parshuram in obedience to his father’s command killed his mother. Jamadagni was satisfied and told his son to ask whatever he wanted. Parshuram asked that this mother be brought back to life. Thus Renuka became alive again. In this way Parshuram proved his devotion to his father and mother.

Myth III
Kartavirya Sahashrarjun was a kshatriya king who killed Jamadagni. Because of this Parshuram vowed to exterminate all the kshatriyas from this earth, so he saved the earth from the tyranny of the kshatriyas. But Parshuram became proud of his power. Terrorised by him, all the kshatriyas fled, and no one remained to protect this earth. So Kashyap muni called them back and ordered Parshuram to leave this world. Since then Parshuram lived on the mountain Mahendra. Because he made wrong use of his power with his “parshu” (axe) in his hand he caused this bitter fate to befall him.