October Fasts

Navratri

Literally ‘nine nights’, this nine-day period from the new moon day to the ninth day of Ashvina is considered the most auspicious time of the Hindu calendar and is hence the most celebrated time of the year. Although it has different names in different parts of India, it is celebrated by Hindus from all regions. From Kashmir in the north to Tamil Nadu in the South and from Gujarat in the west to Sikkim in the east, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm as the conquest of good over evil. Every region has its own myths and reasons to explain this.

The nine different aspects of Devi are worshipped over the nine days. These are the most popular forms under which she is worshipped: Durga - Goddess beyond reach, Bhadrakali - the auspicious power of time, Amba or Jagdamba - mother of the world, Annapurna - giver of food and plenty, Sarvamangala - auspicious Goddess, Bhairavi - terrible, fearful, power of death, Chandika or Chandi - violent, wrathful, furious, Lalita - playful and Bhavani - giver of existence.

The festivities culminate on the tenth day or Vijayadashmi when people burn the effigies of Ravana, Meghanatha and Kumbhakarna. The nine-day period from the first to the ninth day in the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra is also known as Navaratri. These nine days are however popular in north India only.

Some people fast on all nine days, eating fruit and milk dishes. Some fast only on the eighth or the ninth day. As the festival is dear to the mother Goddess, on the eighth or ninth day many people invite over nine young girls from the neighbourhood. These girls are treated as the Goddess herself. People ceremonially wash their feet, worship them and then offer food to the “girl-goddesses”.

On the first day of the puja, grains of barley are planted in the puja room of the house. A small bed of mud is prepared in which barley seeds are sown after a small puja has been performed. Every day some water is sprinkled on it. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3-5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from God. The seedlings are placed on their caps, behind their ears, and inside books to bring good luck. This custom suggests a link to harvesting. The sowing and reaping of barley is symbolic of the first fruit. Soon after this, festival the sugarcane crop is harvested and the winter crops are sown.

Myth I
According to one hypothesis, in ancient times, this was a festival intended for the Kshatriyas. After the four-month long monsoon when military activity was not possible, this was considered a good time to start afresh on one’s conquests. For nine days before starting on the war journey, kings prayed to the nine different aspects of Devi or Adishakti. They also prayed for their arms and ammunition. The tenth day was when the journey for the conquest began. The origin of this custom can be traced back to Ramayana. According to it, Rama had to pray to the nine different aspects of Devi to be able to kill Ravana. He then accumulated enough power to kill Ravana on the tenth day, which was called Vijaydashmi. Since then the tradition of praying to Devi for nine days has continued and was especially pronounced amongst the Kshatriyas who believed that by doing so, they too would be able to defeat the most powerful enemy.

Though several communities of Hindus are staunch vegetarians, Navratri is one exception. On the eighth day, an animal is sacrificed by many communities, special Gurkhas and other hill tribes who are believers in the Devi cult. This blood sacrifice is a form of thanksgiving to the goddess for a wish that has been granted. People often sacrifice a buffalo, symbol of Mahishasura

In Bengal, this period is celebrated as Durga Puja. In Gujarat, this is the time for the joyous Garba and Dandia dances and people pour out at night to participate in this community festival. In Tamil Nadu, the first three days of the festival are dedicated to Lakshmi, the next three to Durga and the last three to Saraswati.

Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat

It falls on the Ekadashi of the new moon of Falgun.

The idols of Lakshmi and Narayana are kept on a pitcher filled water. On the pitcher pancha pallav (five new leaves) of Mango Tree, are kept. The idols are installed on the pancha Pallav.

Lord Rama celebrated this festival on the advice of the saints, after defeating Ravana.

Kalashtami

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.