March Fasts

Amala Ekadashi Vrat

On Amalka Ekadashi Amla tree is worshipped. If the amla tree is not available in the neighbourhood then tulsi tree is worshipped. It is believed that God resides in this tree. This day is observed on the eleventh day of the waxing moon of Phalgun.

After the morning ablutions, Amalaka tree is ceremonially bathed and watered, and then worshipped. A fast is observed on this day and Brahmins are given gifts. It is believed that from the piety observed on this day flows happiness, prosperity and beatitude. This day also marks the beginning of Holi festival.

However, it is believed that those who observe the fast will attain enormous wealth, get free of the effects of all kinds of sins, and obtain liberation. It is also believed that fasting on this Ekadasii is more purifying than donating one thousand cows in charity.

Myth I
Once King Mandhata asked Vasishtha Muni to tell him of a holy fast that would benefit me eternally. To this Vasishtha Muni told him a story of a hunter who daily engaged in killing innocent animals for his living. But the hunter achieved liberation by observing Amalaka Ekadashi fast.

Under Maharaja Chitraratha of Vidisha's reign people rendered loving devotional service to Lord Vishnu and everyone observed fasts twice a month on Ekadashi. Everyone also observed fast on Amalaka Ekadashi in the month of Phalguna.

After bathing in the river, the king and all his subjects went to the temple of Lord Vishnu, where an Amalaka tree grew. First the king and his leading sages offered the tree a pot filled with water, as well as a fine canopy, shoes, gold, diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, and aromatic incense. Then they worshiped Lord Parashurama which was followed by offering prayers to Amalaka tree (that is considered the actual form of Brahmand and once Lord Rama had offered his worship to it) to free the worshippers of their sins.

King Chitraratha and his subjects remained awake throughout the night, praying and worshipping when a hunter hid himself nearby the king's gathering to see the extraordinary sight. All night long he saw the celebrations and listened to the glorification of the Lord.

Soon after sunrise, the King and his royal retinue completed their observance of Ekadashi and returned to the city of Vidisha. The hunter then returned to his hut and happily ate his meal. In due time the hunter died, but the merit he had gained by fasting on Amalaka Ekadashi, by being forced to stay awake all night, made him eligible to be reborn as a great king. His name was Vasuratha, the son of King Viduratha, and he ruled over the kingdom of Jayanti.

One day, while hunting in the jungle, King VasUratha strayed from the footpath and lost his way. Wandering for some time, he eventually paused beneath a tree and fell asleep. As he slept, some barbarian tribesmen came upon him and remembered their longstanding enmity with the king. They then began discussing among themselves various ways to kill him because he had killed their fathers, mothers, brothers-in-law, grandsons, nephews, and uncles and they were forced to aimlessly wander in the forest.

So saying, they prepared to kill King Vasuratha with various weapons, including spears, swords, arrows, and mystic ropes.

But none of these deadly weapons could even touch the sleeping king and soon tribesmen were frightened. Suddenly a beautiful woman appeared from the king's body, startling the aborigines and killed all the tribesmen, who had tried to slay the king.

Just then the king awoke, and seeing all the dead tribesmen lying around him, he was astonished. As he was wondering who had killed his enemies, he heard a voice from the sky that said Sri Krishna saves all who takes shelter under him without any selfish motive.

Upon hearing this King Vasuratha became over-whelmed with love for Shri Krishna. He returned to his capital city and ruled there without any obstacles.

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. The ninth day in this month is also celebrated as Ramanavmi.

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.

Sindhara

Sindhara is celebrated just a day before Teej i.e. in the month of July-Aug. It is the festival of the daughters-in-law - for their prosperity and long life. A day prior to the festival daughter-in-laws go and stay at their mother's house or at any of her own relatives' house.

On this day, mother-in-laws send baskets of fruit, boxes of mithai, cosmetics, perfumes, toys and games like chaupar to their daughter-in-laws. Since many people do not know how to play chaupar, Ludo can be substituted with it. Of course, one special item of mithai during this season is antharse-ki-goli.

The daughter-in-law returns to her-in-laws' house in the evening to perform the puja. When the daughter-in-law returns in the evening she gets with her baya that is sent by her mother. Baya consists of kachori, khand, puri (maida-ki-puri filled with besan and sugar), antharse-ki-goli, fruit and mithai.

It is expected, that on this day not just the daughter-in-law but most women on this day decorate their hands and feet with henna. And would also wear new clothes with zari and gota, and wear bangles.

The puja is done in the same manner as on the day of Karva Chauth. In the puja, offerings are made ot Gaur Mata, who is none other than Parvati. Her image is placed on a patta. This patta has been previously decorated. But the traditions suggests placing of a figurine of mud in place of Gaur Mata’s picture. A diya is lit in front of the goddess, the women wear their chunri and then sit around Gaur Mata. Pujan is done first by sprinkling the water, this is followed by tying of roli and offering of rice and flowers. Covering their heads for the married is essential during the puja.

Baya consists of: 1) Four kachoris, 2) two khand-ki-puris, 3) four antharse-ki-golis, 4) four types of fruit, 5) some money Rs.5 to Rs.20.

An elderly lady helps perform the puja. It is essential for an elderly lady to perform the puja. This baya is given to the mother-in-law or any other elder member of the house, if the mother-in-law is not present. However, there is no fasting on this day.

Shitala Saptami

Goddess Shitala is worshipped on the seventh day of the new moon. Food and other items, to be offered to the deity of Goddess Shitala, are prepared on the previous night. Next day, the people perform the puja of Goddess Shitala. A type of Epan (a paste made of rice and turmeric) is put on the door. On the walls of the kitchen the epans are put in such a way that five of water come down to the floor.

According to the Puranas, people pray to Holika for longer, happy, prosperous and sinless life. At the time of worshipping Holika when people move around it, they also throw coconut, branches of wheat and barley into the fire. These things offered to Holika are distributed as prasad.

Next day, the people throw dust on one another, play colour and after this they take bath. Also, the people put on new clothes. In the evening, they embrace each other, forgetting all bitterness and enmity. Sweets are also distributed on the occasion. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born on the occasion of Holi. And, some people make flower-swings, put his picture in them and take out procession, performing Kirtan. There are many legends about Holi and swastika is also drawn on the earth, which is known as Chauk.