List of Agents F Or Thesaleof

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LIST OF AGENTS F OR THE SA LE OF GOVERNM ENT PUBL ICATIO NS.

All oo s ub ish ed b y the Su eri nten en t of Government rintin mi s can b k p l p d P g, I , b e urchased ei ther i r t or p d ec ly t hrough the following or an y other booksellers 1

IN THE UNITED KINGDO M

essrs ons ta e dz Co 10 ran e Street essrs . uz ac dz Co . 46 rea . b , g , , , G t Russell Stree t M C l O M L ,

ar W . C . ondon . eices ter S u e W C . L q , L , 65 e an aul rench T ril b n er Co essrs . W . h r essrs . g , , ac e a; Go 2 reed an e M K P T M T k , C L , - r ne E C . n r e a E. 68 74 a t o don C . , C L , L , e t ua r on e Ne w Mr . M r. ernard itch 11 Gra t Str . . lac we 50 and 51 roa Q , , , H k , , Street B f B B ll B d ,

on d Street W . x ord . B , O f n d 4 r a S i ei n So 2 an G e t h essrs . h on B l . S . mt t e l 00 essrs . m ri e M P Ki g , , M D g Ca b dg . i r r Street W estm nste . M . T . isher nwin No . 1 A de hi errace , F U , , lp T , n Co. 65 ornhi d on n . i 9 do W . C . essrs . . S an M H K g , , C ll, , L , a l a ondon . essrs . iver and o d weedda e ourt P l M ll , L M Ol B y , T l C , r E es rs G rindl a Co 54 a iament Street di nbur h . M s . y , , P l , g ondon S . W . essrs . E. onsonb imite 116 Gra ton L , M P y, L d, , f S tree t u in , D bl .

s ra witz ei z i G erman v . 28 Rue r Mr . t o H ar sso , L p , , ona a te aris . O t B p , P ar W H i erse man n . e i z i G e rman 6 The a u o an M r . l . g, e d. K L p y , H g , H ll ied ander 85 Sohn erli n W . N R . r Messrs . F l , B Carlstrasse 11. ,

IN INDIA A ND CEYLON

S in dc Co . alcutta and essrs . Ram han ra Govi nd Son K a b vi essrs . hac er l ade M T k , p k , C M C d , , m a o b . Simla . B y Su erintendent Americ an a wm an dz Co . a cutta . t st ission ress M essrs . e , N , C p p M , l F B i P

m ra Co . a cutta . Ran oon . essrs . R . a g M C b y , C l - - Lali i ri dz Co . a cutta. Rai S ahi . G u a S n h dz Sens und i Am rs . S . . g M ess K , C l b M l b i , M Ban er ee dz Co. a cutta . Pfess ahore an d a cutta . M essrs . B . j , C l , L C l T he a cutta Schoo oo an d Use u terature Mr . N . . athur, Su eri nten en t az r anun C l l B k f l Li B M p d , N i K r in ress A aha ad Societ 309 Bow az ar St eet , a cutta . d , . y, , B C l H P ll b essrs. A . hand Co . ahore un ab n a m t M C , L , P j . utterworth 00 . di ) e essrs . ( , , M B I Li i d a alu dar u S . . ro ri etor Students and B b C T k , P p , a cutta . C l om an ooch eha . y, p - - C p C B S arcar ahadur and Sons 75 1 1 i . . Ra M C , , B essrs . A . . J . F er uson e on g . M M , C yl arr son Road a cutta . H i , C l ana er Educationa Book e o a g , ts ur - n M l D p , N gp ee oa T he W e don rar 18 5 Chowri gh R d, ‘ L b y , , an d ub b ul ore l i J p . a cutta . C l ana er of the m eria oo e ot 63 hando M g I p l B k D p , , C r r ‘ Hi i n b otham dz Co . ad as . ne ha u St e et e h . Messrs . gg , M y C k , D l i dc Co r a r E t N e s V ‘l V Ka l anaram a er . ad as. na e as oast w izra a atam . M essrs . . y Iy , M M g , C , g p

Co . adras. ana er T he A ra edical a rs G . A . Natesan g , g and Co M ess . , M M M H ll ” o a mi urth dz Co . adras . o erati ve Ass c tion ted S uccessors S . Messrs . M y , M p i , Li ( to n dz Cc r ! hom son Co . adras . A . J oh . A a) Messrs . T p , M , g r Mr T Seetharam Ai ar mb on am ‘ m e Co . ad as . . . . u a . srs. T e y Mes pl , M K , K k u rin n t is sr Cow ri d e dz Co . adras . S e te de n ase s on oo and ract Mes s . b g , M p , B l M i B k T ‘ ma er Co . adras . e osit or M an ai ore . . R . Ra , y , g Messrs . P Iy M D p ‘ Ld om a . e srs . . Varadachar Co . adr dz Co . . s as . essrs . hac er y y M T k , , B b M P , M m Mr d e inter Comb rid c dz Co . o ba . . . r etc . 7 South Road M essrs . A . J . y , , g , B H Li d ll P , , , ‘ la Sons Co A aha ad . D. . T ara ore va Messrs . B p , ll b ‘ srs D. . A nan dz Sons es w es . ha ar. m ay . Bo b M C d , P Radhab ai Atmaram Sa oon omba . Mr Ram aya Agarwalla, 184 atra A llaha M rs . g , B y D l , K ‘ M r Sundar Pan duran om ay b ad . . g, B b n a er ewa ishore ‘ r Go a ara an dz Co omba . a g , ress uc now. M ess s . p l N y B y M N l K P , L k ati v r n u li Agents for sale of the Legisl e D epa tme t p b cati ons .

G /emu u ru P REF A C E

TH E prese nt m an ual has b e e n pre pare d w ith the obje ct of me e i n - f h i t g a lon g e lt want. W e w o l v e in I n dia a re ofte n i n doubt or ign ora n ce as to the e xact sign iﬁca n ce or i n ciden ce of the v ario us Hin du and Musulman fe sti

a s man of whi h ar bse r ed hrou h u h v l , y c e o v t g o t t e

un r This i rcums n co t y as publi c holidays. c ta ce led m e to thi n k that a sm all han d-book con ta i n i n g a b rie f accou n t of the le adi n g feasts a n d fe stivals of the

fo ow ers of he se tw o rea re i i on s o e he r w h a n ll t g t l g , t g t it

in di a ion of the e riod i n whi h he fa w ou d b e c t p c t y ll , l of u tility to all w ho are e n gaged i n the admi n ist ration

f the u n r and e rha s a s of i n ere st a a r er o co t y, p p l o t to l g pub l ic outside .

w m en i n the Re ords Ofﬁ e on e in d I sele cte d t o c c , H u

he her u ham m ada n to a rr out m lan an d an d t ot M , c y y p , I tr ust that the little b ook w hich i s due to the i r j oi n t labours m ay prov e of interest to the p ub lic at large fﬁ ia s la s aim to and of practical ser vice to o c l . It y cl

ri n a i b ut it is h ed hat its a ura m a no o gi l ty, op t cc cy y

n p rov e b eyon d questio .

DENISO N ROSS .

r 14 F eb r ua y 19 .

PA RT I

F ea sts a nd H olidays of the H indus

I N T R O DUC T I O N

s an d i n fac t al m s all the e re m n ies T H E festival , o t c o

he i ndus are re ul a e d a ordin to the un ar da of t H , g t cc g l y

i hi A un r m n h n sis s of 30 un ar da s an d or t t . l a o t co t l y ,

- - b e gin s on the day of the full m oo n or the n e w moon . In Be n gal an d in Telin gan a (North-e astern portion of the Madras P reside ncy) the latter m ode of computation

re ai s an d i n H in dusthan a and in the Tami un rie s p v l , l co t

A E RR TA .

‘ ’ ‘ ’ Pa e 12 ast li ne A n ame sb ould be 3 A n ame l . g ,

’ 54 l ast l i ne ros rat on , p t i )

’ 54 7M l i ne lese where e se where , l

‘ 62 2nd l i ne rom bottom n sa sb ould be n asa , f y

‘ ’ l i ne from b ottom sb oul d be one s cherised wi shes

‘ ’ ‘ 68 l ast lime n the sb ould be i n th , e

vv u a o u r r u u n u c u r u cw o e w u a b UU b S b 6 . 1; a r e ca a oi e t t s , P , . , q p — of two distin ct i n te rpre tatio n s the esoteric an d the

e x eric— the hil s hi a an d the u ar W hat ot p o op c l pop l . describ ed accordin g to popular ideas m ay appear i n con

si s e n wi w ear a differe n as e t W hen inte r re e d t t , ll t p c p t

a or i n to the i n cc d g philo sophical ideas of the H du s. P erson s who worship a god in order to obtain mun dan e

I N TR O DUC T I O N

s an d i n fa a mos all the ere m n ies T H E festival , ct l t c o

f he i ndus are re u a e d a ordin to the un ar da o t H , g l t cc g l y

i hi A un r m n h nsis s of 30 un ar da s an d or t t . l a o t co t l y ,

- - b egi n s on the day of the full m oon or the n ew moon . In Ben gal an d in Telin gan a (North-e astern portion of the Madras P residen cy) the latter m ode of computation

re ai s an d i n H in dusthan a and in the Tami un trie s p v l , l co

i n s of the Sou th the form e r m ode obta .

Vai akha is the ﬁrs m n h of the ear in Be n al e t o t y g ,

rre s n din to A ri -M a then fo ws Jai ha co po g p l y, llo st

rre s n din M a -J un e A arha J un e -J ul co po g to y , s to y,

ravan a J ul -A u us Bhadra A u us - Se em er C to y g t, to g t pt b ,

A vi n a to S e em er - Oc e r K arttika O er c pt b tob , to ctob

No em er A rab an a to N em er - De e m er ausa v b , g ay ov b c b , P

De e m e r - J an uar a ha to J an u ar - e ruar to c b y, M g y F b y, Phalguna to Feb ru ary -March an d Caitra to March

r l A p i . The fortn ight e n di n g w ith the ful l- moon i s kn own

as the ri h f rtn i h an d hat en din w i h he n b g t o g t, t g t t ew

m oon is called the dark fortn ight .

A m os all the ods as we as the ri es ser e d i n l t g , ll t ob v

w rshi i n he m ha tw as e s i he re a e o a . a a e o pp g t , v p ct , . , t y c p bl — of two distin ct i n te rpre tatio n s the esoteric an d the

e x eric— the hi s hi a an d the u ar W hat ot p lo op c l pop l . de scrib ed accordin g to popular ide as may appear i n con

si s e n wi l wear a differe n as e when inter re ed t t , l t p ct p t

a rdi n to the i s hi i e h i n u s cco g ph lo op cal d as of t e H d . P erson s who worship a god in order to obtain mundan e viiil

essin s do so i n on e wa whereas h se wh se e t bl g y, t o o obj c

sa a i n kn w Brahma— b e a s r ed in him r i s lv t o , to o to b o b o — a ain the her f rm s of sa a i n w rshi the . to tt ot o lv t o , o p same deit i n an her i h an d in an her wa y ot l g t ot y.

A rdi n to the ea hi n s of the astras i n he cco g t c g C , t

sen e or s iri there i s n o differen e e wee he es c p t , c b t n t

ri us m an ifesta i ns of the Dei whe he r m or va o t o ty, t ale

e ma e so wh e er m a b e the od or dde ss or f l , o v y g go w f hi i shipped the obj ect o wors p s G od. The accoun ts gi v e n here in apply particularly to

n endea ur has een made Be n gal . A vo b to giv e the f f i a etc as the are accoun ts o est v ls . y ob ser ved i n other parts of I n dia also .

s of ran s itera in n am e The sy te m t l t g s etc. as laid dow n

the A sia i So ie of Be n a has e n n by t c c ty g l, b e followe d i k this wor . F easts a nd H oliday s of the H indas

AK SAYA TRITIYA.

R A KS AYA = IM PERIS HA BLE AND T ai ri ra= rs n R [ F OM , THI D LUNAR n an ]

This vrata 1 fall s on the third lun ar day in the light half of

V ai akha A r - M a when offer n s are m ade to the an es a n d c ( p il y) , i g M

al to ﬁ K F 9 3 i the su se d an n versar of the Crea on so Q $ It s ppo i y ti , 2 or the rs d of the a a u a hen ce rea san c is a ached ﬁ t ay S ty Y g , g t tity tt

' t h a In the ahra a coun r uz era or on s of o t is d te . M tt t y , G t, p ti s r rde d a h r S outhern I n dia an d K ashmir the day i ega s t e an n iv e 3 3 s r of the re a u a an d of the r hda of Para urama w hen a y T t Y g bi t y e , e n r oblation s are oﬁ ered in his n ame . E arth pitche s ﬁlled w ith the

w a er of the an e s fru s an d o her h n s are at rs ded ca e d t G g , it t t i g ﬁ t i t

m a an n d h to Qri K rsna an d then offered to Brah ns. M y Hi u s ops

n ear on h s aus c ous da e h b egi their ofﬁcial New Y t i pi i t . T is vrata “ has to b e perform ed con secutively for eight years . H avisya i s

1 - rata is a vow a fast an se f m ose re ous o ati on . V , , y l i p d ligi blig

3 u a i s an a e es e c a a sub - v s on of a reat a e The rst is ca e the Y g g , p i lly di i i g g . ﬁ ll d

- a h e n n rs he s Krta yu ga ( S atya Yug ) to whic th H i dus assig yea . T econ d r - u a aste a o s The hir ca e Dv r which they call T eta y g l d b ut year . t d ll d apa a

aste a out ears. And the ast in wh ch w e are n ow v n is ca e yuga l d b y l , i li i g, ll d

- u a or the A e of se r . It shou ast for a out ears K ali y g g Mi y ld l b y .

3 r th In r er Paracurama i s re ga ded as the six in carnation of Visn u . o d to avenge ’ hi s father s death b y a K satriya Kin g he is said to have extirpated the r ace of tri as twent -one t me s H e w a r t w K sa y y i . as g ea arrior an d i s said to have taught the art of w ar to the re at warr ors of the aha hara ta—Bhisma Dron a and arn g i M b , K a . at s s th The Bhagav a ay at the K satriyas of the time greatly oppressed the Brahmans an d were vor ce from the re on of the e as G od ecomes in carnate to save di d ligi V d . b the ous and to un sh the w c e so the K atri as ha to suﬁer for the r w c pi p i i k d, s y d i i ked ness.

R ce m e w th hi c ar te i ix d i g ( l iﬁed but r) . 2

1 n f he ra a is o er the vra a- a ha has een s en ed to take a ter t v t v , t k t b li t Th m er o a n e d hma ns. e a n d prese n ts hav e b ee n oﬁ ere d to Bra it bt i ‘ h s da 18 m er sh from taki n g a bath an d from oderi n g alms on t i y i p i ’ a aches to the offer n h e th n m . r a er a so a ble , e n c e a e G e t m it l tt i g

2 - Kr na s n o n ed w h san da as e an d of wat r on h s da . ri a g t i y Q s ! i i t it l p t

' ' ‘ ‘ 3 a n Vi nul oka . the worshippers hope b y ga zi ng on his im age to att i s

he a r u ura ear in or hern n d a (See Can dan otsava . ) T g ic lt l y N t I i

e n s n h s fe s va is ro a o served ever w here . b gi o this day . T i ti l p b bly b y

i s n s l ama a n in the Carna c w here Valarama It know a V a ar J ya ti ti , , the ro her of ri na 1s worsh ed. b t C Krs , ipp

' ALAKSM I PUJA.

i ‘ Al aksmi is worshipped bn the day of the n ew-moon in Karttika

- m r d She is the oddess of ad o er ove e at us . rs . (O ct b N b ) k “ g ve ity She

i s r resen ed as the lder s s er to ( a mi the oddess of ep t h e i t L ks , g

ros r S h am e eu of t - oce n of m at its churn “ p pe ity . e c t ; he a ilk z in g

b y the s an d a ras dem s b ut n on e wo d rec iv ih su ' n ) u e e er . q ( q , ‘ l

“ ‘ T he ods at as ot ed o h r a e w h re r fe an d d g l t all t ;,t e a pl c e st i iscord .

' h r d h shes of the c r ma l re n w e the ones a n t e e ed e . w ig , e b a t i , here

h r e er men alw ays Speak falsehood an dw e e v ythin g is im pure i an d

uc ean H er de 1s e w h r the hu s an d a n d r n l . abo ﬁx d e e b the a w ife “

a a s uarrel he s w orsh ed w h ac owe rs an d a lwy q , S i ipp it bl k ﬂ ,

' - h r h d c e . S e s oll ade f ow dun s offered. to i a so some m s m q g i , ( l ti e

‘ r er co ou is b lack an d her rep esented by this doll . ) H l r , garm ents

a re a so o ha co ur her orn am en s are m ade of ron l f t t lo ; t i , she i s oﬁ eredpaste made out of brick- dust i n stead of the usual san dal

s S he h al s a ro m a stiek in her han d an d pa te . e b o she r1des

1 Near ever vrata has its katha or rec tat on of a narrat ve nters e rse . ly y , i i i i p d with

‘ mus c an d s n n of the act ons of the o s“ U sua l the or n of the i i gi g, i g d l y igi vrata and

the mer t accru n from its erforman ce are se for i i g p t th. 1 3 At the t me when th s v rata comes oif 1the roun 18 arche d i i , g d p d an it is very hot throu hout n a so it is c on s ere me r tor ous to o g I di , id d i i ffe r w ater to wa fare rs y , to rahma s or to househo ers an d sometimes tan r w B n ld , k s o ell s are dug for the publi c good . 3 The abo e of s u d Vi n . 4 The churn n of the ocean of m b the s i g ilk y god an d asuras was undertaken i or er to o ta m s n n a ta am ro a At the churn n . d b i r ( b i ) . i g Vi sn u in the Tortoise form ' K ii rmma A vatars acte as the vot on his ac the mo n t ( ) d pi , b k u ain M andzi ra was placed as the c urn i n -st c and the na e - u g , s god Vasuki w as use as the r e i k k d op . Nectar w as o ta n e and ta en b the o h s, w o thus o ta ne mmortal t b i d k y g d b i d i i y. 3

a eo e ro e her n o d r to b e red her on n ass . P pl p pitiat i r e spa ore h od ess a is worsh ed lak mi visitation . Bef t e g d L ksmi ipp A s s w me mes she is e en nvo ed ou s de the house is e n t a ay . So ti v i k t i r so as to avoid the n ecessity of her en te ing it .

AM V UVACI. = R AM VU WATE A m es S AY . [F OM B, ND ]

The rai n y se ason comme n ces ab out the period when this

i o r m e festival occur s and this s supposed t b e the o igin of the na .

A mvuvaei i s a er od of four da s i n A arha un e- u the p i y s (J J ly) ,

l 0th to the 13th nc us ve in the dark ha f of the m on h i l i , l t w hen the ear h i s re a ded as u c ean an d a r cu ure an d t g r n l , g i lt

h u d of th e das are r dde n w dow s t e s e fo . evo ees t y V bi D t , i ,

‘ ‘ 1 b rahmacziri n s an d B rahm a ns are forbidden all ki n ds of cooked

o dur n he s four da is for dde n a s t u n der a e fo d i g t e ys. It bi l o o t k

' n u rne duri n th r a d o r The a y j o y g is pe iod n for s m e da ys afte . z ‘ Sm rtis en j oin that milk should b e taken duri n g these days i n 3 order to b mmun e fr m th f r o e - ec a e i o e ea f snak bite . Sp i l pilgrimages to the temple of the goddess K amakhya in the f m r s f s district o K a u p in A sam are un dertake n duri n g this a t.

The reason u nderl n the e ef hat the ar h IS uncle an see m s [ yi g b li t E t , t b e ha the ra n is re arded as hav n fer z ed the o , t t i g i g tili it, e ar h is herefore re n an t an d w ul ma e r n for h . t t p g ill . ti t ly b i g t oﬁ s rin in th sha cre s tc p g e pe of p e . ]

A A RD N NTA CATU DACI.

F ROM A NANTA z TH E. R A A A E or AND CA R [ ETE N L , N M VISNU , TU

' ’ ‘ r- F R I TH DDA ci j rs r. OU EEN LUNAR mm ]

This vrata comes off on the fourtee n th l unar day ‘ i n the

' h fortn h of the m on h ci v Bhadra Au us - e temb er lig t ig t t ( g t S p ) .

1 A outh dur n his u a e also a erson who has ro on e the er o of y i g p pil g , p p l g d p i d stu en tsh an d has vowe to o se r ve throu h fe the ract ce of stu overt d ip d b g li p i dy, p y,

ont ne n ce and re ous e v t on . c i , ligi d o i 2 The o of the recor e or rememb ered law t e ceremon a an d the l e a b dy d d , , , h i l g l s ute of the H n us i n tit s i d . 3 he o u ar e ef 18 th sn a es mu t i n the rai n s Sur eon en era T p p l b li at k l iply . g G l ‘ ’ se h F a rer 1n his han dia o n a sa s e c r s Sir o ato h f . 7 h ob a J p y T p i I di , p , y T y ( ) ’ s t r e s on n h r an ha m th ra n se ason depo it hei gg ce i t e yea d t t e i y . 41

A n ma of l i ge A nanta deva is b uilt with Laksmi at his feet an d he are w orsh e d w h swee -scen ed o r t y ipp it t t ﬂ w e s . Fourteen kin ds

of fru s w a er ca es m ade of ow dere d r ce r are it , t , k p i o wheat etc .

rs offered to he m hal f the ca es are he n r s n ed to ﬁ t t , k t p e e t rahma ns w h e the o her ha f is eat h B , il t l e n by t e person W ho erform s h m p t is vrata . S o e other g ods an d goddesses are n vo ed the usua e a e ar o r i k , l at bl s e ffe e d a n d the vrata

a ha i s s en e o A n an a C urdd i k t li t d t . t at ac i s a comm on cere m on y . It is perform ed e very year for fourteen years an d af ter the completion of the period the dev otee ties roun d his r h o er right arm a cotton ba n d m a de of 14 threads havi n g M o

no s . A n an a is w orsh ed as s nu an d the c ord roun d the k t t ipp Vi , a rm rom se s er e ua e n o e n of h a e is he d p i p p t l j ym t e v n ly bliss . It l i n great e st ee m by the people as the merit acquired by its “ ” performan ce is eternal ; it obtain s im mun ity from all sorrows a n d in the en d th f f s h m r sua e eet o Vi nu i self a e reached. U lly

h s vra a is erform ed a fe m a e b ut the o he r s x can a so t i t p by l , t e l f er orm . is the o u ar e e f in en al ha w h the p it [It p p l b li B g , t t it a dven f h n r e n s o s fes va the w e season e n s i . a. dew t t i ti l i t b gi , , b gi to fa a t n h a n d ha sn a es e n a ou s er od to see ll ig t, t t k b gi b t thi p i k places where to hibern ate duri n g the winter months ]

ANNA PGRNA PUJA.

[A NNA Pﬁ RN§ = S HE wn o FILLS WITH room]

A nn apurna is usually worshipped on the e ighth lun ar day i n the ri h ha f of the mon h of Caitra arch- A r b ut b g t l t (M p il) ,

m s h s d m a f n i s also in voked at other ti e . T i god ess is a n i estatio r u n akti Sh of the Primeval E n e gy of the S preme B ei g (Adyac ) . e i s represented as a fair woman stan din g on a lotus or sitti n g on

r n In n e han she holds a o d n r ce- ow and in the a th o e . o d g l e i b l other a spoon for stirrin g ri ce w hen it is b ein g b oile d. Civa as a S e is the uard an a mendic n t is receivin g alms from her . h g i

’ 1 me of s u on the t e anse of the w aters on Vasuki s co s A na n . vas Vi Up xp , il Visn u reposes dur in g the inte rval s of creation an d is sheltered b y the thousan d

- hoo s of the sna e n Vasuki w h ch stretch out a ove him e a cano . d k ki g , i b lik py on a otus wh ch s r n s from the um cus of sn u s ts rahma a sor e Up l i p i g bili Vi i B , b b d in me tat on as to how the ne t creat on shou e n La m s ts at the feet di i x i ld b gi , ks i i of s u Vi n .

a n fru s are a en on h s da all other food e n this vrat . O ly it t k t i y, b i g ' r d It is served b Wome n i n order to secure for he r p ohibite . Ob y t i c hildren lon gevity a nd prosperity a n d al so i n the hope of Obtain in g art of the cerem on a con s s s in w a n han dsome children . P i l i t lki g

w od h s da is alSO kn own as the da of J am aisasthi i n a o . T i y y

he fes va i s on serve d in Ben a . In the (w hich see) . T ti l ly Ob g l

' D ravida an d Telin gana cOuntries a festi val n ame d A ra nya Gauri ‘ Iii r a al a i h h see i s observed on the dayb em . O i ss Cit a S sth (w ic ) i s o served on h s da w hen a hi or aur is w orsh ed b t i y, S st G i ipp by

w omen .

‘ ARDDH DAYA YOG AM O .

' Thé ArdhOdaya Y oga is the ri si n g of the sun an d the moon in 1 c on un c on at the e n n n of wh ch the sun is in Ca r corn j ti , b gi i g i p i 4— 2 M akara 0n a Sundayi n the m on th of Pu sya (J an n ary- Fe bruary)

‘ an d the m oon in the 22n d asterism (Crava na) an d the 3 en h o a hese ﬁve eve n s d n o oc u r in con u sev t y g . T t o t c j n c

on f en er han once in we nt or w en - ﬁve ears or o ti O t t t y t ty y m re . T he most im portan t circumstan ce in the Ardhodaya is the half risin g of the sun with which are con n ected the four e ven ts

n n n o h s - r n ab ove m e tio ed. O wi g t t i half i si g of the sun this

ccas on is ca e d the A rdhoda a wh ch m ean s ha f- r n O i ll y , i l isi g . A b ath In the Ganges on this day a cqu ires the merit of takin g ten million ba ths durin g Solar eclipses all sheets Of w ater assu me the

virtues of the w aters of the Ganges all Brahmans are regarded as

ure In s r an d e u a in san c to rahma an d p pi it q l tity B , whate ve r i s

ven awa in char on h s ccas on secures ever as n gi y ity t i O i l ti g m erit .

It is a so he d sacred for ro a n the s r s Of the forefa r l l p piti ti g pi it the s .

1 The sun an d the moon are in con un ct on on the da Of the new m j i y oon, m on th once every . 1 here are 27 28 un ar aster sms. he r nam [ l i i es are Acvi ni A ri es T T ( ) , haran i M ii sca K ttika the e a es Roh n i A l deb aran M - a ir ( ) , r ( Pl i d ) , i ( ) , 1g a Orion B c ( ) , n n A r ra Punarvv asu Pus a Ne u a 1 Ca cer) A l e a, M a ha Leo Pur d , , y ( b l , c s g ( ) , vvaphalgun i Uttara hal uni H asta Corvus C t ra S ca Vi r in ia S v t p g , ( ) , i ( pi g ) , a i Arctu ru s ( ) , V i akha L ra An uradha J es b a u a Purv vasarha q ( ) , , y t , M , , ravan a Dhani stha ib l Q , s a tab i a A uar us Purvvab h r De h n u , h s , ad a ada Uttarab hadra ada ( lp i ) Q ( q i ) p , p , Re vati

and Ab hijit (Lyra) .

8 A ccor n to some author t es it is the 1 t di g i i 7 h A strological Yoga ; thi s a ha en s when the da of the new moon fal s Yog pp y l on a Sunda in the ra van a y Q , Dhanistha Ar ra A l e a or Punarvvasn unar aster sm , d , c s l i . I

AeOKAsTAM I.

R M A oxA R so A J ONESI A A S A A ND A AM i [F O c , THE T EE C LLED ( OK ) , sr

! G A R DA Y THE EI HTH LUN . ]

The Acokastami i s the eighth Of the light fortn ight of the m on th Of Caitra ( M arch Apr1l) w he n a fe sti val i n honour of l Vis nu is o serve d ar of the cerem on a of wh ch cons s s i n b , p t i l i i t f the o drin ki n g w ater w ith eight b uds o ae ka In It . A bath i n the w aters Of the Brahmaputra on this day js considere d ca a e of w ash n aw a all s n s s1n ce i s e e ved ha th p bl i g y i , it b li t t e c u ed b si bath obtains the m erit a q ir y w ti n g all the places of a r pilgrimage and In bathin g in ll holy 1y ers . (See B rahmaputra

3 ‘ i h n o ‘ O n h s . da a w e c n n ed va na S n an a . a in t i y . S t ﬁ by R ) . the aooka forest at La gka is said to have Offere d some aeoka

to a od w h e ra n for reun on w her or ﬂow ers g il p yi g i ith l d. in du w ves m ar ea n some uds o the a oka ower H i k it by ti g b f c ﬂ , a n d whe n con ven en v s a ree of ha s ec es an d e m race i t i it t t t p i , b it . The n am e of the festival is said to have had its origin from

The erforman ce of the vra a e o n ed on h this story . p t nj i t is day secures imm un ity from all sorrow an d this i s som etimes regarde d

her or1 1n of the n ame . from sorrow a s an ot g . )

O KA sA t HI Ao sr .

h h un ar da This vrata falls on t e sixt l y In the bright fore

th m on h Of Cai ra arc h A r . O n h n ight of e t t (M p il) t is day 3 w ho h v e ch dren n vo e S a thidevi t Hi ndu w ome n a il , i k s o en sure

o heir ch dren an d dr n w a er hav n six the w elfare f t il , i k t i g b uds of

' ; 1 hav n four han s In one he ho s a' Vis11u is represen te d as i g d ld lbtusﬁi n the , a cus i n the fourt h h she in the th r s , a cu e . Th secon d a con c ll , i d di dg l e l otu s

r t on t he concb she sou n a a , the a t r ute of a ea ce . denote s al l c i , ll nd ( d ) t ib sp The e s t me the cu e a s kra ever revolv n , s n ; g a) 1 the e m em discus (ca ) , i g ig iﬁ i d l (g d bl o f the reator tho res rve r t e Des Vi nuu is . thus Q , h tro er on . , H is destru cti s i P e y n is ue n f in that he is w thout ke the comple xio bl , sig i y g i li

° u n 2 e Of Rama the n carnat on Of Visn u a d the hero of the R ama a W 1f , i i y na . rr e aw a to L a ka she Was e t con ne i n an a oka fore A fter she was ca i d y ﬂ , k p ﬁ d c st . ‘

5 s hi . 3 See note under A ranya ast 8

a r in h s i u s the coka ﬂ owe it . T i s s ppo ed to secure for them f all r k i r r See A o a am . i mmun ity om so ow . ( c st )

A STA KA.

The three eighth lun ar days in the dark fortnights of the m on ths of Agrahayana (November - December) or Pausa ( Decemb er J anuary) an d Magha (Ja n uary- Fe bru ary) a n d Phalgu na (February the A aka da th h of March) are termed Astakas . O n st y in e m ont 1 A grahayana the Qraddha ceremon y of the Man es i s perform e d

er n s of ca e s ha in au a wi h ffer n s of m a an d with Off i g k , t t P s t O i g e t,

e n that in Magha w ith Offerin gs of v egetables . Th B rahm a s of

er n d a w ho m a n a n a e r e tua ﬁre an d are hen ce ca ed Upp I i , i t i p p l t ll

n ihotras A n ihotri s are sa d to serve the M an shas aka A g g ) i Ob t , a s do the orthodox Qaivas a n d Qaktas a n d the discipl es Of R aghu n anda h a in B e n gal b ut it is usual to sub stitute cakes of boiled

e an d our m ed w h m an d su ar for the m ea . The esh r ic , ﬂ ix it ilk g t ﬂ oa or a should b e that of a g t deer.

A BH AIM I EKAD oI.

“ This takes place on the eleven th lun ar day in the light half of

- ar h s fes i sa d t Magha (Jan n ary Feb ru y) . T i tival s i o have b een

r ed b hi m a one of the an du r n ces in hon ou r ﬁ rst ob se v y B , P P i , of ﬁ nu accord n to the n s ruc on s of V asu de va A ccord n to Vis , i g i t ti i g

ua the w orsh er on h s occas on i s to fas on the en h the rit l ipp t i i t t t ,

d a he at sun se . H e i s to a he at daw n on the e even h a n b t t b t l t , an d havin g previou sly con structed a temporary shrin e i n the

rd Of his house he is to cause urn offe r n s to m courtya , b t i g b e ade

uru hottam a an d o her form s of snu rahma ns ac u a n to P s t Vi , by B q i t ed w ith the Vedas ; he himself goin g throu gh a complicated

ser es Of ra ers an d es cu a on s . here is n o ma e of nu i p y g ti l ti T i g Vis , s n vo ed ray ers d r ed fr m h an d he i i k by p e iv o t e Vedas. The

1 An obsequial ceremony in which food an d wate r are offered to the decease d

ancestors Of the sacri ﬁce r ca e the Pit s i s the an es co ect e . ll d r ( , M ) ll iv ly 1 A ccor n to the Sm tis on th s da hi ma the secon of the an u di g r , i y B , d P d rothe rs serve a str ct fast for the ur ose of atta nin success a a nst the b , Ob d i p p i g g i

Re at ava host and it has s nce een he as a sacre da . , i b ld d y 9

w r h er ser s s r c fas hrou hou the da an d ee s o s ipp Ob ve a t i t t t g t y, k p n d r s o n n a vigil at n ight w ith m usic a sin gin g i n p ai e f Vis u . O the m orn in g of the tw elfth he dismi sse s the Brahm ans w ith

resen s a he s an d hen ta es a m ea of wh ch e sh form s n o p t , b t t k l, i ﬂ

a he rform an ce of h s cerem on e a es the si n i n p rt . T pe t i y xpi t curred by omi ssion of any of the prescribed fa sts durin g the 1 r n h p ecedi n g twelve mo t s .

BHISM ASTAM I .

This festival falls on the eighth lun ar day in the light half

- ro of the m onth of M agha (Jan uary February) . It p b ably has its sou1ce i n the r m ve n s ut on s of the n dus of p i iti i tit i Hi , w h ch the w orsh of the Pitrs the a r archs or ro en ors the i ip , p t i p g it ,

an es con s u ed a n m or an e em e n . A ccord n to Dii M , tit t i p t t l t i g

Tithi a va h s da is ded ca e d to Bhi ma the son of a a T tt t i y i t s f G gg ,

an d rea - un c e of the an dava an d K aurava r n ces who Wa g t l P p i , s kille d i n the course of the great w ar b e tw e en the Pan davas a n d

the urus an d d n ch d ess ef n o descen dan in the d rec K , yi g il l l t t i t

n e on w hom it w as n cu m en to Oﬁ er him fun era hon ours li , i b t l . In order to supply this defect pe rson s i n gen e ral are en join ed to m ake lib ation s of w ater on this day to hi s spirit an d to offer him s The act e a e s th se amu m seeds an d b oiled ri ce . xpi t e sin of a

h i tha is to s w o e ear. O n e of its ecu ar es s b e o erved l y p li iti , t it b by

1 Ab out this fast W ilson in his Dicti on ary says that on thi s day offe rin gs are ” resen te to M m p d the anes in hon our of Bhi a . 2 Dh s h r De ot on to tr th an ma w as a reat e ne ra an d h oso e . v u d ut i g g l p il p i d y, se f-r estra n t an d se f-sacrifice w ere a ll ustrate b him throu hout his on l i l , ill d y g l g fe i n m n n a H is f li a a n er almost u nparallele d i n the hi story of I di . ather fell i n ove w th the au hter of a she rman who w ou n ot ve her i n marr a e l i d g fi , ld gi i g t l he w as assure of her ssue from the n su ccee n to the ra Bh sm i l d i ki g di g j . i a ’ havi ng come to k now of his fathe r s a ttachmen t for the gi rl wen t to her fathe r an d n ot on renoun ce his ow n c a m to the thron e b ut b ta in a vow of fe ly d l i , y k g li on ce ac cut off his ne of Ofi 8 rin sa n that e ven d n ch ess he l g lib y li p g, yi g yi g ildl w ou atta n h S r w as i hm n to the vow tha w hen ld i to e aven . o fi m h s attac e t t on his ’ step-brother s death no male child was left in the family and he w as earn estly

sol c te b e ven his ste - mother to m ar r an d ru e the n om he re e can i i d y p y l ki gd , pli d , I ” re n oun ce the em re of heave n b ut ruth sha ne ve r ren oun ce . L n on his pi , T I ll yi g death-b ed i n the battle -ﬁeld of K uruksetra he gave advice to the Pandavas upon the ut es of n s u on h oso h ca an d soc a ro e m s and u on uest on s of d i ki g , p p il p i l i l p bl p q i

ol t of the art of war the means of atta n n sa vat on etc. p i y, , i i g l i 10

erso s of all the four or n a cas s Th p n igi l te . e i n te ntion of the rite

‘ a s nOW un derstood i s ressed i n the man a e Cxp tr s utt ered at the. tim i of presen ti n g the Oﬁ crin gs z I pre sent this w ater to the childless

hero Bhi sma . M a Bhi m a the son of an tan u the s ea e r of y s , C , p k

r u h the su u at or of his a ss on s a n h w a r h t t , bj g p i , Obt i by t is te t e ’ o a d oblation s due by s n s n g ran dson s .

R TR DVITIYA O R BHAIPH OTA O R A A I Y BH A Y M DV TI A.

[T H E SECOND LUNA R DAY OBSERVED IN HONOUR OF THE BROTHER]

h s fes va fa s on he secon d un ar da af er the n ew m oon T i ti l ll , t l y t

the mon h of Karttika o er- ovem er on w h ch S s er s i n t (O ct b N b ) , i i t ’ 1 give en te rta inm en ts to b I Others i n c omm em orati on of Yam u n a s 2 rother am a A so ca e d h r m ar e n tertain i n g her b Y . l ll B aiphota o k s of r her w a s The i n g the forehead b ot s ith s n dal an d other cen ts . d has ha on h s da am i or am un a the S s er of am a l e gen it t t t i , y Y , Y , i t Y ,

rd f the ow er re on s offered w e com e to her ro her an d the lo o l gi , l b t

e red for him m mun from dea h a n d i n all ar s Of thereby s cu i ity t , p t

' I n dia sisters on this day i nvite their b rothers an d feast them

resen s of n ew c o hes to hem Accord n to an d m ake p t l t t . i g

an s the rothers a so ma e su a e rese n i n re urn . the ir m e , b l k it bl p ts t The sister utters a form ula i n v okin g Yam a an d Yamu n a

' mi to ro e c her rother wh e w h the ti of the e (Ya ) p t t b , il it p littl ﬁ n ger of her l eft han d she an oi n ts the forehea d Of her brother w ith

- t h s fe s va is a mos u n versa o serve d i n san dal paste e c . T i ti l l t i lly b t is a so kn own as Y amadviti a as s s ers an d ro hers B en gal . I l y , i t b t e xcha n ge gifts an d hon our s i n allusion to the attachm en t of

r ami h fes a as se rv d in the Y am a an d his siste Y . T is tiv l Ob e

n ces i s rac ca the same w h h s e ce on ha Upper Provi p ti lly , it t i x pti , t t r s of m hese m us b e s the b rother has to eat ﬁve g ain gra . T t w al

ho e n ot chew e d. In rav a the Coroman de Coas low ed w l , D id ( l t

d m or n an d r on s f from M adras southw ar s to Cape Co i ) po ti o r th S outhe rn I n dia the day of the R atha Yat a is kn ow n as e

Bhratrdvitiya.

1 i n he uranas as the ste r of ama. A ce e rate r ve r escr e t The twin si Y l b d i , d ib d P n dau ghte r of the Su . 2 — h uto of n u m tho The monarch of the Pitrs and j udge of the dead t e Pl Hi d y

o H e is re re se nte as the son of the Sun . l gy . p d 11

D A BHUTA CATUR D CI.

1 BH UTA = A N S R A ND CA TURDDA i z TH E R [ EVIL PI IT, C FOU TEENTH LUNAR DAY ]

This festival falls on the fou rteenth l un ar day in the dark for n h of the m on h of K arttika c o er- ovem er T t ig t t (O t b N b ) . o o a n del eranc e from all fe ar of he a b a th at su n r se is bt i i v ll, i en join e d

on h s da a t on s of wa e r a nd sesa m u m are Oﬁ ered i n hon o t i y, lib i t ur z of ama an d raddhas are erforme d i n hon our of the a Y , C p M n es. It i s customary on this day to e at 14; sorts of pot- he rb s for the same

h 4« m s e purpose an d to lig t 1 la p i n th e ven i n g in all parts Of 3 d is o n as ra a t rdda i house . The ay kn w Na k Ca u e in m an y parts Of n I dia .

A RA SN A BRA HM PUT AN .

BRA H M APUTRA z TH E R V R so A AND SNANA = A BA [ I E C LLED, TH . ]

This falls on the e ighth l unar day i n the b right half of the

- h a o t e m onth of Caitra (March April) . T is is ls h day of the A oka ami If h s da ha en s to fa on a W e dn esda e st . t i y pp ll v i n the

P un arvvasu un ar as er sm the da is ca e d the rahm u l t i , y ll B ap tra o a an d a a h In the w a ers of the ra hm a u ra u n der y g , b t t B p t such

1‘ n uen ces es ow s the m er ac u red i n a V a a e a a ﬁa i ﬂ b t it q i j p y Y j .

Th Nan alb n dh 5 m e a fa r i s he d du r n h s fes v e g a l ( i ) l i g t i ti al . Its 6 or n i s as fo ow s : Para urama i n order to w ash igi ll o , Off the sin

of hav n ed his mo her u n der the or ders of his fa h r i g kill t t e , w en t

i n search of the rahm a u ra he n a a e ha la f B p t , t l k t t y ar OE con

ceal ed in the m h ran es of the H ma a as a n d ha ig ty g i l y , vin g fou n d

m ou de d the axe w h ch he w e ded n o a ou h an d it, l i i l i t pl g , ploughed

1 In the a u uran a the mothe r of the s r ts is sa to hav e een K rodha an er Y y P pi i id b , g , The Bhut s re tte n an ts of a h a so mean s the t e s of h a a a d i . B uta l yp t e elements

e arth w ater fire air an d e ther or v n e n s , , , , li i g b i g . 3 1 See n ote un der A s tak a. 3 h s fest va is a so e scr e as h h h h T i i l l d ib d t e 14t of t e d ark alf of Acvina when offer n s are ma e to ma nan t r i g d lig Spi its . 4 A sacr ce n cu cate i n the ma e a In th s sacr ce m ifi i l d Sa V d . i ifi elted b utter is ta en va a = hi or me te utter hen e name k ( j g l d b ) ce th . 5 In the str ct of Dacca en a di i , B g l . 5 ee ot n r ksa a Tr i S n e u de A y ti ya. 12 a way throu gh the moun tain s so that the B rahmaputra might

ns N n l n dh ﬂ ow down to the a . U to a a ba came w hen pl i p g it ,

n o O his re u r n Paracuram a w e t n a pilgrim age . n t he foun d that the Brahmaputra had j oin e d its w aters with those of the Cital aksya

f him w hereu on Para urama cursed the r er a an d had le t , p c iv s yin g

ha he had n en de d to m a e the rahm a u ra the ho e s of r vers t t i t k B p t li t i , b ut s n ce w as so u n ra efu w ou d b e ho for on e da on i it g t l, it l ly y ly h r . t e a i n the ea i . a on e h h d of the m oon i he m o y , , ig t y n t nth of

r hosoev er a hes in the w a ers of th C ait a . W b t t e B rahmaputra on this day ﬁn ds shelte r an d forgiveness b en eath the omn ipoten t hma the v n e ee of ra . A t the ver ouch of th r f t B , Di i y t e w ate of

r r all are a so ed from sin a n d he who athes i i r the i ve b lv , b n ts sac ed

a er as n sa v n Se ka mi n s e a o e A o a . W aters att i v l ti g l ti . ( s st )

ANDANA A A OR CA ND S VA C Y TR ANOT A .

R CANDANA = SANDAL AND A RA O R UT AVA = A S A [F OM , Y T S FE TIV L . )

This festival begin s on the third lu nar day i n the light half of the mon th of V aicakha (April- M ay) or the day of the Aksaya

- and as s for w en on e da s is a fe s va of ow ers . Tritiya l t t ty y . It ti l ﬂ are scat ere d e ver where owers are e e d at n e h ours F low ers t y , ﬂ p lt ig b

n ds sw n s an d fan s an d orn ame n s are m ade of owers an d fr ie , i g t ﬂ

th san da - s f th fes va s o se rved an d scen ted w i l paste . It i on e o e ti l b

of a an n atha at ri O n h occas on a dan a i n hon our J g Pu . t i s i M l i or m ohan a comes forth from the temple ev e ry day an d s esc te d 2 t the ar n ra an h a e is hen ace d in a i n proce ssion o N e d t k ; t e im g t pl n The boat an d ca rrie d rou n d the tan k w ith mu sic an d dan ci g .

- d w h san da as and a he d i n sce n ed w a er . god is an oin te it l p te b t t t th a ode A sight of the god thus a n oin ted is supposed to obtain e b

3 i s on o served i n the e vo ee . h va of A cyuta for d t T is festi l ly b In th an an d or on s of outhern B en gal an d O rissa . e D e cc p ti S

da is n ow n as V asa Bur n ma w he n V asa the sa e I n dia this y k y i , y , g h e das m ed the aha hara a is who arran ged t e V an d c o pil M b t ,

fest va s. The wor At P uri he is the proxy of the great J agan n atha in some i l d T a sna is n own b th s name . he mean s he who char ms Cupid ( M adan ) . Cri Kr k y i

ral mean s the L o f he n ve rse . w ord J agaun atha lite ly rd o t U i

2 - - e t te m e at ur . Thi s is a tan k three quarte rs of a mil e n orth east of the gr a pl P i — ’ ﬁrm . A name of Cri Krsna meanl ng the

14:

' ' ‘ ' ~con sider it as an act of piety an d religion in commemoration of the

e t s erfoi m d ama Ba a a n a d da a demon h a ust ri ie p e by Y j ,, ki g n ity ( ) w o by acts Of self- torture an d se lf- den ial obtain ed the special favour

hade a a an d w ho rs n roduced the fes va of a . The M v (i ) , ﬁ t i t ti l cerem on ies at presen t practise d are : the Phala bhan ga or fallin g

h ran ch s of r c an s read On he r .u on t e e ound an p b p i kly , pl t p t g d

n so e u on fru s the a a san n asa or fa n li vi g l ly p it , P t y lli g from a

s caffo d erec e d b efore a u on a r w of a or kn i ves th l t i p o b ti , . e

u a san n a a or co ec n a n d a n w h fue the Ph l y s ll ti g pl yi g it l, Ni la

san n asa w h ch see the J hu a sa nn asa or c m n u on a y ( i ) , l y li bi g, p

s caffo d han n w h the head dow n wards a n d m a a . l gi g it king ﬁre

n w etc . The sa n asa as s dur n the m on h of Caitr e o , a . b l . y l t i g t

With the . exception of the san nyasa the other practice s do not

m uch prevail n ow . CATURM M ASYA

R ATUR = EOUR A ND MASA = A AS A [F OM Q , MONTH, THE F T L STIN G

F OR EO UR M ONTH S J.

h s erm i s a e d to four n ds of sacr ces the Vi a T i t ppli ki iﬁ , v de va c ,

aru na Pra hasa akamedha S un asir i a to b e ffere d V g , Q , y , O i n fou r u v m onths or ever four m on hs or accord n con sec ti e , y t , , i g to some i n

th m on hs of A arha K arttika an d Phal u na corre s e t s , , g ( pon din g to

un e- u c o er- ovem er an d e ruar - arch c on s st J J ly, O t b N b F b y M ) i i n g of

a es of r ce - fl our O fi ere d in the rs to the Vi v 1 roasted c k i , fi t e a devas in , 2 the secon d to aru na w h tw o ure s of shee m ade a so of ou r V , it fig p l fl , 3 . i n the third with ve getables to A gn i (P) a n d in the fourth to 4 rd n ar h s se rvan ce e n s on the w e f I n dra . O i ily t i Ob b gi t l th l un ar f sarha un e - J ul r on day in the light hal Of A (J y) o the day Of the

- n Of ha m on h an d a s s for four m on hs u to th full m oo t t t , l t t p e same s r day in the mon h Of K arttika . V nu is the od worsh lun a t i g ipped.

n hese four m on hs oil r ce ﬁsh v e e a es m curds D uri g t t , , i , , g t bl , ilk,

n d ﬂ esh are n ot a en the che w n Of the e e an d the etc . a t k , i g b t l

f w omen are e schewe d fas n is o served e r compan y o , ti g b ve y

a e da the ha r an d the n a s are a owed to row the food altern t y, i il ll g ,

1 he or . De ities pre sidin g over t w ld

‘ 3 3 er the e eme nt w ate r. See a so footnote on G od presidin g ov l , [ l page 3 ov er the e e men t ﬁre . G od presidin g l ,

t es eve tas the w e der of the thun er o t. Ki ng of the de i i (d ) , i l d b l 15

' a m the a re roun d an d the devo ee is re u re d o is t ken fro b g , t q i t give

u It is ho ever ( e n o n ed tha one O r o h r up speakin g also . w j i t t e of these

tif n d a so u e ss n 1 restri ction s may b e relaxed fou b l t ly e e tial .

A DAOA H RA.

= a SINs A ND H A RA= T TEN i . . H AT W [FROM DAcA , , TEN , HICH E AT REM OVES O R e Es. ]

h da f th a This fe stival falls on the ten t y o e w xi n g moon in the

’ - s . a fes i m on th of J aistha (M ay Jun e) . It i ti val n hon our of the

- ' . h he r t freshes in t e r ver . It is the m on soon s an d t ﬁ s i a nn iversary ‘ 2 Of the - da w he n Bha iratha the an ces or of Ram acan dra rou y g , t , b ght ‘ m eaven . n dow n the river G an ges fro H O t he same day the

' ' 3 ‘ oddess anasa is alsO Worsh ed in the u hor a “ g M . ipp Ep bi plan t,

‘ n d reen me cche M orn ordica 'charan ti ‘ ‘ a twigs Of g li , u ( a,) an d jack

fru are swa lowe d as safe u ards a a n st the en om of s it l g g i v nakes .

‘ a h i th an es on h s da has the m er Of wa h - A b t n e G g t i y it s ingaway

’ 1 m mat c of shn u s s ee on the r Caturmas a is e b e p meva waters w e y l i Vi "l p i l h n ’ th n e se was e stent it i s the uadrimen sial fast n o i g l xi [ ] q duri n g Whi ch ' ~ mfor ous eo e a sta n from m an of the co ts a n d con ve n en ce s of fe pi p pl b i y i li , some a sta n n from r ce some from the use Of e stea s some from ate b i i g i , b d d , pl s an d di shes ,

e ttin the r mea s serve on the are earth . In e c t mes there w g g i l d b V di i as curre nt a rite

of th s n am e wh ch commence from arch or Apr an d aste four mon th i i d M il l d s . The u h sts re serve th s name b ut chan e the tim to the m e dd i p d i g d q iddl of A harha whe B s n

the sett n i n of the rans ren ere t neran c m oss e an d i g i d d i i y i p ibl , an as lum in y a s n mon aster unavo a e . The H n us have ce re v ve it un er th y id bl i d i i d d e Supposition ’ ” that i t i s an servan ce i n commemorat on f shnu s s ee — . R. L M b i p Vi l p . itr O a

A nti ui ti es o O ri ssa vol . . 79 80. q f , II, pp , 2 sn u ecame n carn ate in the person of the sa e a a for the Vi b i g K pil destruction Of the si t thousan w c e sons Of Sa ara ‘ was n . a la e a e i x y d i k d g K pi g g d n deep con te m l ation w hen the son s Of n Sa ara ho were in search f p Ki g g , w o a horse in te nde d f or the so e mn sa cr ce Of A vamedha arr ve n ear him the foun th ’ l ifi c , i d ; y d e sage absorbed n i n ee co tem at on and the stee raz n har b . A ccu n d p pl i d g i g d y si g him of havi n g s en i t the a roache to l him h n r to y pp , w e fi e ashe from his e es and l d ki l fl d y in stantly re uce the w ho e troo to ashes In or e r t p . o e ate the r cr me r d d l d xpi i i , pu ify the ir

rema n s an d se cure ara se for the r s r ts Bha i ratha the re - i p di i pi i , g , g at g randson of

Sa ara, rou ht own b the force Of his auster t es the G an es f g b g d y i i g rom H eave n and l ed her from the H ma a as whe re sh had a h e te to the sea. The s i l y lig d, ons of Sagar a s ncti w ere a ﬁed. 3 an asa is the s ster Of vasuki the n of sna es the w f M i , Ki g k , i e of J aratkaru a l , sa e and e n the Quee n of sna es is re ar e as the rot g ; b i g k g d d p ectress of men fr om o e r e t es th s p il . 4 See n ote un er Arandh nam d a . 16

1 ten sor s of s n s comm ed in ten b r hs. G a a i s w or t i , itt i t gg shipped w h ow ers fru s an d o her Ofl erin s an d som it fl , it t g , etimes an imal s are n also sacrificed i n her ho our . [See also G agga Paja ]

The ten th lun ar day in the light half of the m on th Of o i na

- i a (S eptemb er O ctob er) s lso k n own as the D ussera (which is perhaps a corru form Of the w ord Da aha ra or Vi a ada ami pt e ) j y e . It is said that B rahm a as the head of the gods praye d to the goddess D urga for the protection of Rama an d the destruction of Ravana , when the a er w as en a ed w h the former i n a m or a o l tt g g it t l c mbat . The goddess an swered the prayer on this day an d Rava na w as

ond rad n a s ha ama af l e d. A sec o s er i his f kil t iti y t t R , t S ta, w i e,

n s o en b Hava na came to n ow of the w h rea u had b ee t l y , k e bo ts of the

a er co ec ed his arm an d s ar ed out to rescue her n h s l tt , ll t y t t o t i da con se uen ever n du a a c on s dere d h s da the y, q tly y Hi R j i t i y aus c ous on e for se n out to m a e w ar Th m ost pi i tti g k . e w hole ‘ Of the period of ten day s b e gin n in g from the first day of the li ght half of Aevi na (S eptem b e r- O ctober) i s devote d to the orsh Of ur a in the es an d ou h of n d a where the w ip D g W t S t I i , f n own the n ame of u ser o festival itsel is k by D s a. H w the Dacahara or Gagga Pfija in J aistha (M ay- Jun e) came to have th sam n ame as the ur a Pfi a in A vi na seems to b e n c n e e D g j c u ertai . mi [See also Vijaya Daea . )

DIPANVITA A U A L KSMI P J .

[FROM Di PZNVITA= ADORNED WITH LAM PS J

The day Of the n ew m oon i n the m on th of K arttika (October 2 s a he Di anvita O n h s da rad N ovember) i c lled t p . t i y O dhas are

erformed es c a hose wh ch cou d n ot b e erformed on th p , pe i lly t i l p e M aha da w h ch see ows of am s are h ed laya y [ i ] . R l p lig t i n the temple or hou se of worship an d b ran ches of the plan tain tree are

1 The ten n s of s n s are a n a th n n ot ven b some one or theft ki d i T ki g i g gi y , ,

wan ton e struct on of fe an d 3 a u ter . hese are the three o s ns . ( 2) d i li , ( ) d l y T b dily i s n harsh or un easan t w or s 5 s ea n fa sehoo 6 dece ivm a ( 4) U i g pl d , ( ) p ki g l d, ( ) g

r tua te acher or u c t an d 7 n coherent or e ta . hese are the fou r spi i l , d pli i y, ( ) i idl lk T ’ Des re to ta n ha is n t n s own 9 e re do n r f s eech. 8 w t o o e s to u sins o p ( ) i Ob i , ( ) d i i j y to an other an d 10 attachment for unsta e and trans tor th n s. hese are the , ( ) bl i y i g T three sins of the mind . 1 1 r Astah See note un de i . I 7

1 r c ed Sm r o h f e e t a t the doors . The tis en j i n t e per ormance of the 9 a smi Pﬁ a a n d the a n ras ha of the i P h s a a a On d y . L k j , T t t t K l js t i

' 3 O n the occas on Of h s La s mi e a i n some ace s Alak l i t i k P j , pl , snu

i s rst n vo e out s de the ou se a do m a d f co - dun n ﬁ i k d i h , ll e o w g b ei g

a m de to represe n t he r. Then the goddess Laksmi is w orshipped at

dus ac ord n to r s h s fes a s n han k c i g due ite . T i tiv l i k ow n as D a L aksmi Pnja in Dravida (the Corom andel Coast from Madras south ar r w d to Cape Comorin ) an d po tion s of Southern I ndia . [See L aksmi Paja ]

DIPAVALI OR DEWALI .

4 z R P V L TH E BEAST or AM rs . [F OM DI A A i Rows OF L A MPS . L ]

In B e n gal the Dipavali is usually ob served on the day of the

n e w m oon in the m on h of K arttika c o er- Nov e m b er b ut the t (O t b ) , Hin dus of Upper In dia and S ou the rn I ndia ge n e ra lly Obse rve it on the pre vi ous e ven i n g w hen hou ses an d shops are lighte d

f s v of th ndus n d an d rew or s let Off. is a o u ar e a e a ﬁ k It p p l ti l Hi , i s also celebrated on the last tw o da v s of the dark half of Acvi na

e e m er- c o er the n ew moon an d the four fo ow n da s of (S pt b O t b ) , ll i g y

1 2 S ee note n e v u d r Am uvaci . 2 The pr in cipal r ites and formul as con ne cted with the adorati on of Prakrt ? or k i r v f h o e v n a m f n r s T Qa t are de i e d rom the w ork s kn ow n b y t e c ll cti e e o Ta t a . he fol lowe rs of the Tantras profe ss to conside r them as a fifth Veda and attr ibute to the m e u ant u t and s or l d Pun ts in en a st ma n ta n q al iq i y uperior auth ity. O di B g l ill i i that the an tr a was the ran est re on Of all on it w as e on hu man T ik g d ligi , ly b y d n ature to carry it out ; for it i s base d on the idea that w e should practise e ve ry e cess to the utmost an d et carr a m n e on the Su re me e n i n x , y y i d fix d p B i g s l T s w n r c es th k i the m t of it a l . he ect is v e nto t o ea an h , e Da s n aca id di id d i , l di g b ri s and Vamacari s or fo owers of r ht han an d eft hand r tua It is on fa r ll ig d l i l . [ ly i to a dd t hat the injunctions which l ed to the obj ectionable practices attrib ute d to the Tan triks are ca a e Of the h he st e soter c nterp re tat on and that the p bl ig i i i , abuses are the outcome of v i ce an d ignoran ce a nd not Of the principles enun ciate d in an r s i e the M han irvvan a an tra . the T t a . ( V d a T “ 3 S l k ' ee A a s mi Pfij a. E ve ry e v en i ng whil e it [the feast of Di pavali ] lasts the H i ndus pl ace lighted lamps at the doors of the ir house s Or han g paper lantern s on l ong pole s i n s r et I m s h n on on o es are hte on house to the t e . n e n a a u s [ B g l , l p g l g p l lig d p r The fe ast a ears to b e es ec a e du i ng the whole m on th Of K arttika . ) pp p i lly d dicate d to fire But as i t is hel d at a t me w hen most of the cerea crops are ready for ‘ i l harvest n the cu t vators i n man ace s are then i n the ha t of o n to ether i n i g, l i y pl bi g i g g rocess on to the r e s an d there iferin u to the r cro s ra ers and sacri e p i i fi ld , p g p i p p y fic s of rain s and oats i n or e r as it w ere to ve than s to the r cro s for hav n g d , , gi k i p i g ” — r ne a u Ois i . e nd ecome fit for the foo of man . D B , o . c t , 578 579 . ip d b d , p pp , 18

rtt k r - o e r A ro r a c em n s ar a Ka i a (O ctobe N v mb e ) . pp p i te er o i e e ll ot t ed to e ach a b ut on the as the n h i s S en in m errv d y ; l t, ig t p t m a n an d fes v an d um n a on s a re m ade i n hon ou r ki g ti ity, ill i ti

Of de ceased an cestors . The goddess Laksmi or fortu n e i s al so w orshippe d an d in her hon our ga mes of chan ce are play e d durin g t ’ a h o th fe al m n t t s i s he l st n ig t f e sti v . A o g he M a hrat a it the commen ce men of the commerc a vear over w h ch a mi t i l , i L ks e s ec al res es an d ac coun s are o en e d m e rchan s an d p i ly p id , t p by t — — ban kers with i n dividuals for the smallest sum a few rupee s as

n ru r d a d h s s a n . omin ous Of success . Ba k ptcie s a e also e cl re at t i e so

In en a the ow er order Of the u ham madan s i n m a on of B g l l M , i it ti

the n du s a so ffer am s at h s m e to the S r s of the dead. Hi , l O l p t i ti pi it

‘ The Dipanvita L aksmi Pnja a n d the K ali PIIja are celeb rated

on t a f the Di av ali in n a is sa d ha h s he d y o p Be g l . It i t t t i

‘ practice of lightin g houses an d shops arose out of the b elief that

a m i the oddess of ros er has a n for r h n ess L ks , g p p ity, liki g b ig t ,

e n n ss a n d chee rfu n ess hen ce hou s s etc are um n a d a e e . e cl li l ; , ill i t

r h A d n r au to look gay an d b ig t . ccor i g to an othe thority the origin al basi s of the feast seem s to hav e b een the i dea that on

th s n h the s r s Of the de ad r ev s he r hom es w h ch are i ig t pi it i it t i , i

n d h ed for h r rece n h re i clean ed a lig t t e i pti o . T e s a picturesqu e

n n c e h s f i ha Of s n a ce r m on co e d w h t es va v z . e oa e y t it i ti l, , t t tti g ﬂ t

i n h n h e d am s on e on e n a r er or a . I n t e e ve n w hen lig t l p by iv t k i g, t e short as ern oam n is m er n n o n h n um ers of h E t gl i g gi g i t ig t , b girls an d you n g women com e silen tly down to the ghats bearin g

n a fu little earthen lamps w hi ch they light a d c re lly set aﬂoat . Then w ith e age r faces they w atch them carried a way on the ripplin g

f a hou d surface of the w ater. F or i a tin y w v e s l u pset the frail craft or if the light shou ld ﬂick er an d go out it b ode s misfor

h n Bu he h u rn s s ron an d tune in t e comi g y ear . t if t lig t b t g w ell

the am i s orn e far aw a the curren n o mid- s ream till l p b y by t i t t ,

he i t on the a i re for w ho au ched w er . o happin ess is n sto r. l n t R w s of lamps are also lighted on the S te ps of the ghats leadin g to

rivers an d tan k s .

DOL AYATRA OR DOLOTSAVA .

SW G G S A [THE IN IN FE TIV L . )

The festi val can b e celeb rated on an y of the six day s com m en c i ng from the day of the fu ll moon i n the m onth of Phalgu na 19

e ruar - arch to the ft h un ar da af er b ut is u sua (F b y M ) ﬁ l y t it, it lly o serv e d on the da ofthe fu moon w he n ri K r p an d adha are b y ll , C s a R w or d Dola a r accord n to the Va i nava uranas sh e . he t a ipp T y , i g s P , w as the a n n iversary of a grea t feat of heroism which Krsna per form e s r n he - d m Th m os ro su os e d by d t oyi g a s e on . e t p bab le pp i

on howe ver is ha w as des n e d to ce e ra e t e e urn of ti , , t t it ig l b t h r t s r n to f the en a n ue n ce Of s r n u o o h the p i g, typi y g i l i ﬂ p i g p n b t a n ma e an d the n an m he da e v ous to the i t i i ate creation . O n t y pr i da of fu m oon th h ad of th fa f the e ve n n y ll e e e mily asts. In i g

ﬁre - w orsh is erforme d f r h h the f a n rahma na ip p , a te w ic O ﬁci ti g B

r es s r n es u on an a e of r a con secra e d for the (p i t) p i kl p im g K sn , t occas on a e red ow der a n d d s r u s a uan t of the sam e i , littl p i t ib te q ti y a m on the erson s re e n h o der i s erm e d hal u or g p p s t . T is p w t p g

i r r h m On a ab a . A fte t is cerem on y is con cluded a b on ﬁ re is a de s o rev ous re ared a n d a sor of G u aw e s- e efﬁ p t p i ly p p , t y F k lik gy,

e rm e d H olika m ade of am oo a hs an s raw is forma t , b b l t d t , lly carr e d to a n d comm e t e es The m n s er n i it itt d o th ﬂam . i i t i g B rahm a na havin g wa lke d roun d it S e ven tim es sets it on

f - ﬁre . B e ore dav light on the m orn in g of the ﬁfte e nth (i s the fu m oon the m a e of na is carr e d to the swm w h ch has ll ) I g Krs i g, i

een re v ous set u an d ac d on the se a Or cra d e w h ch as b p i ly p, pl e t l i ,

S oon a s the da w n a ears is set en in m o on for a fe w u rn s . pp , g tly ti t h s IS re ea e d at n o n n n a s u r n the da the T i p t o a d agai t sun e t . D i g y m em ers of the fam an d the r v s ors o are n umerous o b ily i i it , wh n the ccas on amu se h m s han dfu s of red O i , t e el ve s by scatteri n g l

owder over on e an o The of r s have n o on re at p ther . people O is a b ﬁ the Dol a atra b ut he serve th n n an d the sca er n y , t y Ob e swi gi g tt i g of the a i ra h s he r b ; t ey have also some peculiar u sage . T i

’ G osaifi s rahma na fo ow ers of Caitan a carr i n rocession the , B ll y , y p i m age s Of the you thful K rs na to the hou ses Of the ir disciple s an d patron s to whom they presen t some of the re d pow de r an d atr Of roses an d rece r A t u r ive p esen ts of m on ey an d cloth in return . P i on this Occasion the ima ge of M ada n am ohan a is b rought to the do a- edi or sw n n a form ou s de the n or h- eas corn er Of l b i gi g pl t , t i t t the em e Th e - m on da on t pl . e f stival i s at its height on the full o y w h ch h r s - s i n i t e e i gen eral m erry rm a kin g which ﬁ n ds expres ion s u r n red ow der h of the G od ri q i ti g p through syr in ges . A sig t O K rs na at the time of swi n gi n g i s con sidered to b e of great m er it . 20

h Am on g the Tamils or people Of Madras an d the further S out the Dol otsa va or swin gin g festi val does n ot oc cu r u n til ab out a mon th later ; b u t on the ﬁfteen th of Phal gu na they have a h c elebration more an alogous to the H oli of H in dusthan a a n d w hic

i s n o dou a ra m f th r m v e n s u on the bt ge nui n e f g e n t o e p i iti i tit ti , f a doration of the person iﬁed Sprin g as the frie n d a n d associ a te o

the de Of v The fes va of the fu m oon of Phal u ua i s ity Lo e . ti l ll g

the am a-dahan am the u rn n Of Kamadeva Cu d w hose cﬂi K , b i g ( pi ) , gy

i s com m d is s osed to commem ora e the itte to the ﬂ ames . Thi s upp t ’ e e n d of m ha en consum e d the am es wh ch l g Ka a s vin g be by ﬂ , i

ﬂ ashed n d nan from the e e of iva w hen the A rcher- od i ig t y C , g presum e d to dire ct his shaft a gai n st that deity an d i n ﬂame

his reas w th ass on for Par vvati the dau h er of the b t i p i , g t

m a a a moun a amade v w as re duced t o a hea of Hi l y t in s . K a p s a shes b ut w as restored to life at the i n te rce ssion of the godde s . f the The b on fire s i n the Decc an are usually m ade i n fron t o

tem es of v s or s m e mes Of nu at m dn h when pl Ci o ti Vis , i ig t ;

e x n c the ash on s the ass s an s w ho ru b ti t, es are distribute d a m g t i t t

them ov er h r rs sca er n of the a ra the t ei pe on s. The tt i g bi , i n er sin gin g an d the ordi n ary pr acti ces Of the festi va l Upp

n d a are a so in u s n h ou O n h s da w as orn the I i l e i t e S th . t i y b

rea re ou s re form e r of ad a ri r na Caita n a an d i s g t ligi N i , C K s y , it

cons dere a d his fo owers the a navas i d ay of special san ctity by ll , V is th d is of B h m ara n etc . e a en a . In M ithila ar han a C a g l (D b g , p ) y 1 See a so o i also k n own as the last day of the K ali Y uga . [ l H l ]

DURG A F UJA.

‘ The ur a Pfi atakes ace on the se ve n h e h h a nd n n h D g j p l t , ig t i t lu na r days i n the b right fortn ight Of the m on th of Acvi na g ‘ e e m er- c er w ho d s e s all ditfi (S pt b O tob ) . Durga mean s she i p l ’ c u ce or she who s a n lti i ttai able w ith di fli culty. She is the con sort

of iva = the ood and is re arded as the r meva n e r Ad O ( G ) , g P i l E gy ( ya akti of the u r e n a She n e O ) S p eme B i g (i ) . Obtai e d th n a me of

1 See note un er Ak a a T riti an u d s y ya d Y gadya. 1 She is re ar e as the o ess Of ros er t i n the home s o f the v rtuous g d d g dd p p i y i , a s the r n e r Of e v for tu ne amon the v c ous as the n te e nce of the wise b i g il g i i , i llig ,

as the faith raddha of the oo as the mo est of the mo e st as osse ss n (O ) g d, d y d , p i g t he t hre e attr utes w h ch cre ate the w or as the Brahmavid a of those w ho w sh ib i ld, y i to ach e ve e manc ati on i ip .

h s n oca on too a ce in vi na e em er - c o er w h ch T i i v ti k pl M (S pt b O t b ) , i n the 1 i s i n the au tumn . I Dvapara Yuga the Gopi s (female cowherds ofVraja) used to in v oke her in the form of K atya 2 n of ah a - ya ni i n the mo th A gr ay na (Nove mb er De cem ber) . 1 In the K ali Yuga she is i nv oked i n the autu mn after the ‘ m anner of ama b ut she is a so worsh d som e i n Caitra R , l ip pe by Z

arch-A r In the a u a the e e ra on of her e a (M p il) . K li Y g c l b ti p j obtain s the merit acquired i n performin g on e thousan d 3 a fi e - ac A gvamedh Y aj as (hors s rifices) . —A cord n to the M arka nde a u rana ur a Tfie image . c i g y P D g posse sses a thou san d arm s ; the K alika Purana attributes to her

on H er r h foo res s on the ac of a on the te n han ds ly . ig t t t b k li ,

h r ef foo resses a a n s the shou der of M ahisasu ra great toe of e l t t p g i t l , w ho w as so n am e d b ecau se he often use d to assu m e the form of

a o h s dem on e an to ress the devatas in a m ahisa (b uff l ) . T i b g Opp

a s e n u n a e to ut u w h his o ress on s he various w y , till b i g bl p p it pp i , t y

d for an d o a n e d re ef from u r a who c ut off the praye bt i li D g , ’ d h ch however n o soon er ou ched the rou nd han dem on s hea , w i t g t

But efore h s w arr or cou d assum it produced a w arrior . b t i i l e the full form of a man he w as pressed dow n with the left foot of the

as ed w h a n a - i a n oose m ade of the co s goddess. H e w ti it g p c ( il

f a ser en cau h ho d of the ha r an d erced hrou g h the o p t) , g t l by i pi t hr e e n . S e has ee s one on her fore heart by a tricula (tride t) h t y ,

n f ha her v s on e ends to the resen a s head. These sig i y t t i i xt p t, p t F r her com an o co our i s o den . o n s she an d fut ure . H er l g l p i a n d ar e a on e h r ha s a mi arasva i G a n eea K ttik y it e side . L ks , S t , s com an on s se ms to b The sign iﬁca nce of havin g them a p i e e that ﬁ the in vocation of the goddess D urga obtai n s Caturvvarga

a ne a the od of w sdom the ver of success in all u n der G g , g i , gi ’ n s estows re ous m er Laks mi s n voca on r n s ro taki g , b ligi it, i ti b i g p

1 d a See note under Aksaya Triti yaan d Y uga y . 2 ‘ See K atyziyan i Pﬁj a.

3 rfor me b s r Thi s sacrifi ce w as only pe d y kings who u ed to tu n a horse loose r a e ar W he re ve r it w e nt the n of that countr was e the r to su m t or fo y . ki g y i b i t o w he n who ow ne the hors f the erator of t he horse s fight ith t ki g d e . I lib uccee de d in o ta n n or e n forc n su m ss on he re turne i n tr um h a reat fe st v b i i g i g b i i d i p , g i al w as wh h the horse was sacr ce e the r rea or urat ve held in i c ifi d i lly fig i ly . 4 The four o e cts of hu man w shes vi z "rel ous mer t ( dharmma wea th bj i , igi i ) , l artha leasure or ower ama and n a e manc at on mok a ( ) , p p ( k ) fi l ip i ( s ) . 23

s er y Karttikeva the comman de r of the arm of the ods re re p it , , y g , p

s e n s a n d e s ows owe r a n d arasvati the odde ss of n owed e t b t p , S , g k l g ,

ves sa va o n s n ce a ccor d n to n du e e f ru e n owe d e gi l ti , i , i g Hi b li , t K l g 1 ﬁan on sa h h ads of all (j a) a l e ca n bri n g lvati on . O ver t e e ’ s s ur a s ord a the u re me e erson ed. it D g L , i , S p D ity p iﬁ Th 2— e N at A n u c the ma e . a va p rika. i n dispen sa b le adj n t to i g A s its n am e implies it con sists of the twigs or b ran ches of ? n n e rees h n m d c n r h r r s hese are e d i t avi g e i i al o ot e vi tue . T ti toge ther w ith a plan t of the aparaj l ta (Clitoria Tern ata A lb a) an d

a t w of th v va i E le ar m i fami ar n own as ig e il ( g M e los) . It s li ly k

K a lab ow or the an a n ree i n the ar of a fe ma e ecause pl t i t g b l , b all these a re tied u p w ith a piece of cloth so as to appear as a f m e a e . is ac s n l It pl e d on the right ide of Ga ces .

The vod —h ods a ur n han a . T e g re said to have their day d i g the six mon ths from Magha to Asarha an d their n ight from 3 rava na to a I th m h f na h r fore C P usa . n e on t o Aevi it is t e e

con s d red un season a e or un m e to n vo e ur a as she i e bl ti ly i k D g , i s su d But ama who rst ose d to b as e a t th e r o . pp e le p e p i R , ﬁ

n vo ed her dur n ha m on h cou d not wa for a et e r me i k i g t t t , l it b t ti ,

as he w a a or com a w th va na So the s e n g ge d in a m ta l b t i Ra . h s is n as th i n v ocation of D urga happen ed un tim ely . T i k ow n e

- a a a vodha n a a z= n m e y an d vodha na nvoca on . k l (ak la u ti l , i ti )

n ce the od s e at the m she is n vo ed a ce re Si g de ss i asle p ti e i k , m on y i s performe d un der a v il va tree (Egle Marme los) i n

rd r n a s the vodh n o e to a wa e h h is ow n a a ceremon . k er . T is k y I n order to c on su m mate the in v ocation of the de ity without an y 4 hitch or hin dra n ce Ca ndi (a holy b ook) is recited a n d other rites

o s r h mme n ce r m e ved. T e u a m a b e sa d to co f o h s wh ch b p j y i t i , i i s k now n by the n am e of kalparamb ha or the b e ginn in g of the

erforman ce of the r es p it .

1 Atma ﬁana or the kn ow e e of Se f. The transcen e ta sc en ce the j l dg l d n l i , kn ow e e of the m t l dg ys eri e s of G od.

3 ’ T he n ne tree s are H ar ra Curcuma L on a ram ha usa Paradisaica i id ( g ) , b (M ) , kacil (Co ocas a Anti uorum a ant Ses an a Ce f tiaca v va E e arme os l i q ) , j y i ( b i yp ) , il ( gl M l d r imb a a ( un ca ranatum a oka J onesia A so a M anakachu Co ocas a ndies P i G ) , c ( k ) , ( l i I ) and han a O r z a Sat va d y ( y i ) . 8 a ha corre S - ponds to J annar F e ruar Asa ha to J une -J ul ray a a M g y b y, r y, G n to J ul -A u ust nd y a aus a to Dece mber- anuar g P J y . 4 S ee n ote un e r Vasanti d P uj a. 24:

— h The pay}? ates Amongst the v ariou s ritual s ob serv e d t e m ore n n d The Na va atri ka is a hed an d important only are m e t io e . p b t cher i s a ced e fore the ma e ov e r wh ch the ghats ( or pit ) pl b i g , i

a d a re en coc oan u w ra ed i n the e av es of ﬁv e t ree s i s pl ce g t pp l , lights fe d w ith ghi a re k ept b ur n i n g a n d vari ous other prelimi n ary 1 m e The rst h n i n a a a is the sa mk l a a rran ge men ts are ad . ﬁ t i g p j a p 2 o re so u ion fo owe d the av aha na wh ch the odde ss is r l t , ll by by i g

o a to a e he fo lo s the rana- rati s b a solicited to c me nd pp ar . T n l w p p t “ a n of fe the m a e w h ch m ean s ha the oddess or in st lli g li i nto i g , i t t g

i s so c ed to a e ar in s r w h n the ma e an d here m a e li it pp pi it , it i i g t by k

z z a ve as w ere rana life an d ra tis ha n sta at on . A f e r it li , it (p p t i ll i ) t

or o o he r c e re on es come s the validan a or sacr ce in w h c h on e . tw t m i iﬁ i

a oa a b uifalo a shee a u m n or a su a rcane is sacr ce d. g t, , p, p pki g iﬁ

n e h hom a or the ab lation of ue e d ut r ﬁre a ndi The com s t e liq ﬁ b te te . C

re a d re sen s are offered to the r es an d u aﬁ ali or offer n s i s , p t p i t p sp j i g

of ow e rs are ve n to the odde ss a n d so on . ﬂ gi g , 3 E ve ry e ve n in g arati take s place in w hic h the godde ss is i n vok ed w ith a w av in g of lights an d rin gin g of b ells a nd other

ceremon ies . Ab stinence is practised on the day previous to the days of the ac ua ﬁ a vi a on the s h da of the wa n m oon a n d on the t l p j , , ixt y xi g ,

ﬁ da s who e or ar a fa t n i s o se rve d es ec a on the p ja y l p ti l s i g b , p i lly secon d da of the u a or the M ahas ami w hen w dows ar cu a r y p j t , i p ti l ly

f O n th n h da y of th w a n m oon w h ee a r d a s . e e e h c k p igi t t t xi g , i i s n ow n as the a a Da ami the m a e is con s n e d to the k Vij y c , i g ig

f r r n w aters after the per orm a n ce of presc ibed ce e mo ies .

i s n o t e — n rder r n G T re ig iﬁca nce f ir p s d . I o to b i g od withi n

the com rehe n s on of man the n du sa es of old con ce ved p i , Hi g i

o r r s a e i n s r the ide a f im age w o ship as the ﬁ st t g pi itua l life .

1 L tera mean s re so v e of the m n w ur ose e n te ntent on i lly l i d , ill , p p , d ﬁ i i i ,

e te rm n at on es re . It i s n o ce r m n i n tse f b ut is a re u e to ev er d i i , d i e o y i l p l d y

ceremon y .

' 3 he re are s t n s of offe n b ut usua on s te e n n s are oﬁ r r s e ed . T ix y ki d i g , lly ly ix ki d ee note un e r M ahas am S d t i . 3 The ara t is erforme w th hte am s w th hte cam hor w th w h te i p d i lig d l p , i lig d p , i i c othes w th owe rs wh ch are racefu move u and ow n e fore the ma e the l , i ﬂ , i g lly d p d b i g ; c onch- she w h ch is n s e n sa le i n a most all ce remon e s is soun e e r ll, i i di p b l i , d d, b ll s a e u a nd e ns i u w m g in c e s b rnt . A fte r the con cl usion of this ce remony the hole fa mily of t he worsh e r a nd others who are re sen t rostr te the mse ves efore h ipp p , p a l b t e

g oddess. 25

he ha ve neve r ceased to ncu ca e how ever ha the ma T y i l t , , t t i ge

tse f is n ot the o e c of Worsh b ut G od is w orsh e d by i l bj t ip, ipp i n s r Wr on /z the m a e w h c h is the re fore n o h n m ore ha n pi it g i g , i t i g t the medi um u pon w hich the m i n d is conce n trated an d throu gh w hic h me n seek to bri n g the I n ﬁn ite w ithi n the rea lisati on of th de vo ee ma e worsh is en o n ed so on as w orsh u re e t . I g ip j i l g ip p ly in s r t i s n ot a ta n e d b ut onc e the a er o ec is a ned pi i t i , l tt bj t g i

ma w ors v an she s Sir v er od e w r e the n ecessity for i ge hip i . Oli L g it s :

If w are t rehe n d G od a t all m u s b e hrou h som h e o app , it t t g et i n g a nthro om or h c m us b e hr ou h som e n carn a on hrou p p i , it t t g i ti , t gh ” 1 f m a w rs the sai n ts an d pin nacle s o the race . I ge o hip seem s to

n th de a m a e w orsh b e a step in e xten sio of is i . I g ip a n d sym b oli c r tua w ere n ev er re arde d a s n d s e n sa e to n du s m b ut i l g i i p bl Hi i , rather as a kin d of spi ritual K in dergarte n to help the m asses to

the a s a de s of n du h os h u n derstan d b tr ct i a Hi P il op y . These a mon o hers see m to b e the deas u n der n m a e w orsh g t i lyi g i g ip .

The m a e of the odde ss or in fa c of an od or oddess is n ot i g g , t y g g , ’ n f fa i a n arbit rary c reatio o m an s n cy . It s b elie ved that the F ormless Brahm a doe s a ssu m e form s w hich are ﬁ rst re ﬂ ecte d on

the m n ds of W isem en an d eers . The ma e of u r a re resen s i S i g D g p t , ’ i n on e as ec the v c or of m an s sou ed as ur a p t, i t y l (typiﬁ D g ) ov e r

h n ma ass on s re rese n ed the asu ra a n d th t e a e on . i l p i , p t by li This v ictory has to b e a chie ved w ith the he lp of kn owledge or in telli

en ce arasva i ros e r or ood ac ua ﬁ h r g (S t ) , p p ity g t l g t o stru e Karttika an d as hrou h de erm n a on to u ggl ( ) , l tly t g t i ti s cceed

( C a neca) . — i T e r ue m n n of rf r T/l e sa cr ﬁce . h t ea i g pe o min g a sacriﬁ ce

eem s to b e h s . M a n is a slave to hi s an ima ass on s he re i s t i l p i , t s

t i d s r h s cr c a sw ord i s m n o e n d o h s e i e s. T e a iﬁ i l e ble matic of true

n ow ed e w h ch accord n to n du e ef r n s sa va on K l g , i , i g Hi b li , b i g l ti . ’ The v c m of the sacr ce is the e m od m e n of a m a n s ass on s i ti iﬁ b i t p i ,

a c u y or erce as the case m a b e . A oa re rese n s bl k , gl ﬁ , y g t p t

a rn a t am a a uffa o es an er krodha a shee is the C li y (k ) , b l typiﬁ g ( ) , p e mble m of cov etousn ess (lob ha) a n d so forth. The b road i n ten tion i s to sa cr c e hese ass on s m ean s of now e d e e fore the a ar iﬁ t p i , by k l g , b lt ofthe oddess i n order to b e u rer a n d ho e r in s r so a s to m ak g , p li pi it, e it possible for the de vote e to e n shri n e a n d truly w orship G od i n his

1 ’ Re son d e ef a an . 125. b li , p 26

heart of hear s The w orsh e r has to con ce i ve the v c m t . ipp i ti as the e mbodimen t of his passion s an d the outward sacriﬁ ce is a

s m o f h h r y b l o the sacrific e m ade W it in . T e t ue spi rit of the sacrifi ce a n d the ho m a ce re m on y is illustrated i n the followi n g — ‘ passage on Atm ayajfia by Ca gka racaryya A n d of the sacrifi ce

e rfor me d the m aste r w ho has u n ders ood h se r uths the p by t t e t , sou is the erformer the heart the sea of the s cr c a fir e l p , t a ifi i l ; se n sua l de sires the ghe e a n ger the sa crifi cia l la m b con te mpl a t ion fire the pe riod of sacri fi ce a s lon g as life shall last w hatsoe ver 1 i s dru n k the Som a- drin k ; a n d deat h the sacre d bath w hich fi n ishes ’ the cere mon y . The person w ho perform s a sacrifice i s called u pon t o b ear i n m i n d a t e ve ry step the w ords of the Gi te

The m as er of the sa cr ce w ho is rahm an has hrow n n o the t ifi B , t i t sa r fire h c h is ra hman the sacr c a r ce w h h is c ific ial w i B , ifi i l i ic B rahm an for the satisfaction of B rahm an an d that w hich that ’ m as te r w an ts to atta i n i s like wise B ra hm an .

r of the ma n ras or formu ae for n vo n the oddess T he spi it t l i ki g g , a n d of the rite s ob ser ved be fore the ce re m on y of i mm e rsion takes

ace n d ca es ha the w orsh e r hav n a a n ed the o ec of pl , i i t t t ipp i g tt i bj t h w orsh vi a to rea iz e G od n o on e r fee s the n ecess of is ip, , l , l g l ity

for rsh h a m e d u m the m a e he w o s er a w a s i n s r . i ( i g ) , ip l y pi it

a o It i s there fore discarded. In this st te the w rshippe r e n j oys

e n eace i n hi s osom he see s the w or d i n a diﬁ e r nt heav ly p b , l e

h for him all s r fe an d d ffe re n ce are at an e n d e cau s lig t, t i i , b e

th r sen ce o f G d he pe rce i v es e p e o i n e verythin g . The

an ti al a or w ater of ea ce w h ch is s r n e d ove r a ll after c j p , i p i kl the mm ers on ce re m on is over es h s s ate of his m n d i i y , typiﬁ t i t i , — he is t eace w h al l the w or d he d s r u es sw e e s sw eet a p it l , i t ib t t , — w ords s w ee a c on to the r ch a n d the oor to ou a n d old , t ti i p , y ng ,

he e mb races all a n d i s loved by all .

The n n e da s e n n n w h the rs da af er the n e w i y , b gi i g it ﬁ t y t

o f A vi na e e m er - c o e r to the n n h a re ca led m on o c ( S pt b O t b ) i t , l

n n h s ur on r o her of t ese d n e . n o a Navaratri (l i t . i ig t ) D i g e t h ys

‘ u r a is w orsh ed i n some w a y or o he r hrou hou n d a b u t D g ipp t t g t I i ,

m f u r a is n ot ors ed ou s d e n a hese da the i age o D g w hipp t i e B g l . T ys

a re sacred e ther to Dur a a smi or arasv a i hrou hou t n dia . i g , L k S t t g I

S ec M ahastai n i M ali anavami an d Vi a ada ami for fu e r accounts of the [ , j y c ll s o o th a festi v al as b se rv e d n ose d ys . ] 1 I . Se e Macdonncl l and e th Vsdi c I n dex etc . v ol . I 474. K i , , , , p 27

M DURV VASTA I.

R DUnvvs or c nass C A A ND [F OM KIND ( YNODON D CTYLON) , — ag A sm a r ra n EI G HTH LUN A R DA Y . ]

‘ In the Bhav isya Pa rana it is re lated t hat ri K rsna on ce said to Yudhisthira that the devote d wife w ho on the eighth l u nar day in the light half of the m on th of Bhadra ( A u g ust- S e ptemb er ) per for ms h s v ra a w l n ever see he r ro e n d m n sh u to the t i t , il p g y i i i p se v e n h e n era o n an d ha her fam w l our sh a n d m u t g ti , t t ily il ﬂ i ltiply

i e the ades of t a i f rm e d each l k bl he durvva g rass . This festiv l s pe r o

ear consecu ve for e h ears an d the o ec s of w orsh are y ti ly ig t y , bj t ip

nu an d a sm i . h sor s of fr u s are offered to hem an Vis L k Eig t t it t , amu e form ed of a e ce of e ow hrea d hav n e h ade s of l t , pi y ll t i g ig t bl the durvva rass e d i is orn on the w r s an d the usua g ti n it, w i t, l vra a- a h is s n t n h s da i n some aces w om e n t k t a li te e d o . O t i y pl 1 m ake a n ecklace of durvv a g rass w hich they pla ce rou n d the i r ' 3 n eck an d after ablution an d w orship giv e it w ith the sarn kalpa as a re n ear n stead a n e c ace of p se t to B rahm a ns . The n the y w i kl silk or ﬁne thre ad a cc ordi n g to their mean s . They also put on

he r ef arm s a race e of hrea w h sev e n n o s n ow n as t i l t b l t t d it k t , k

dora .

DY CT PRATIPA DA .

R DYfIT ==G A M BLI NG AND PRxTI PAb A = r H E RS DA Y O F [F OM , FI T

THE MOON . ]

3 This festiv a l fa lls on the ﬁrst lu n ar day after the full [ ] m oon in t - t s he he m on th of K arttika (O ctober N ov e mber) . I i t n ight of t he last da y of the light half a n d the e ve of the ﬁ rst day of the dar ha f o f Karttika wh ch is s e n in am n i n hon ou r k l , i p t g bli g of smi t e oddess of f u ne The n of a suras de m on s a h or . L k , g t ki g ( ) ,

1 [The B rahman s] make use of it [ the dﬁrv va grass] in all the ir cere mon i es i n he e e f h at i se th A n ann ua fea s t t b li t t pos sse s the v i r tue of purifyi n g e ve ry i n g . l i nstitute d in hon our of the sac red darbha gra ss is cel e brate d on the e ighth day of the

n n the n t h h - s m B m oo i mo of Bhadra ( Se pte mb e r) an d is called the darb a a ta i . y O ffe rin g t he g rass as a sa criﬁce on tha t day immortality an d ble sse dn e ss for te n an ce s ’ tors m ay b e se cure d ; and anothe r re sul t i s that on e s poste rity i n crease s a nd multi e s e the ar ha rass t se f wh ch i s one of the most ro c me m e rs of the pli lik d b g i l , i p liﬁ b ” m — - ve eta e i n o . Du Bois 0 . ci t . 658 9 . g bl k gd , p , pp 1 S ee note u n er Dur a Pu zi 24 d g j , p . . 28

1 Valira a is w orsh ed on h s da . H e w as a devou V n j , ipp t i y t ais ava an d

n er refu s d n h n to a su an S o h r he ev e a yt i g ppli t . is w o ship secu res

n d w e a l h It is sa d ir hea h ha n e ss a . tha t V al a a w as r lt , ppi t i j g a n te d

h s b oon that he w l re ce ve w orshi on h s da as a com en sa t i , i l i p t i y, p

h s d ' f i n om . In h tion for t he loss o ki g t e C arn a ti c I OWS of lam ps

a re h ed i n the house s a n d amadhen u the c e e s a lig t K , l ti l cow w ho

h des res of he r w o rsh ers is a d re n fu s t e o d. I e a an d lﬁl i ipp , N p l z a n a i s or n as m K ashmir G ovarddh w shipped. I K h ir a n d the 3 t n ame d An n akuta is se r v e d o n th s da P un j a b a fe s i val Ob i y . O n the M al a bar Coast a g reat festi val n a med O n a m is held in hon our

O f Valiraja.

C on G RA H THE E LIPSE ANA .

The Hin dus w ere the ﬁ rst to ha ve correc t a n d sci e n tiﬁc ideas

h mihira th r a n c ses . V ara a e e e s n du a s ro om er ab out E lip , g t t Hi t ,

xth c tu r A D h n i e n . a des r e th h w ho ﬂ ou rished i n the | s y . s c ib d e p e o

’ t li se s sc e n cal y as an a s ron ome r of the w e n m en a of c p i tiﬁ l , y t t

r w ou d do B t tieth ce n tu y l . u w ith the gen e ral itv of the Hin du s a n E c lipse is the sw allow in g of the su n a n d the m oon for a tim e

a dem on c a le d ahu the asce n d n de by l R ( in g o ) . D urin g a n E clipse all people be l on gi n g to the four caste s becom e de ﬁled a n d the re storati on t o pur ity c a n onl y b e obtain ed b y a

F or h s ur ose on e a h i s e n o n e d at the ﬁrs c on ta c of bath. t i p p b t j i t t

1 — The Mahabharata giv es the follow i n g l e ge n d ab out Val iraj a z l t came to that a the m ht Ra a of the A su ras co n ue re n r a a n d the ods an d p ass V li , ig y j , q d I d g , o the he rm ta e f Vi v m i ra an d ra e to s n u for succou r the g ods came t i g o c a t p y d Vi ;

sn u w as re - orn on earth i n the for m of a Dw arf Vama n s A v atars an d he a nd Vi b ( ) ,

he re ss of a m e n can t a nd w e n t to the a o e of a a n d as e the atte r assume d t d di b d V li k d l m h e arth as he cou ste v er i n t hre e ste s a n d a ran te to gi v e him as uc ld p o p V li g d he n sn u too u on h m se f a mi ht v form an d too thre e ste s an d his re quest . T Vi k p i l g k p ; . c e re the e rth the se on c v e re the he ave ns an d the th r w a the ﬁrst ste p ov d a c d o d i d s f a n d s a an all his e on s to t he re l m he he a o . A s n u en t d a s pl ace d on t d V li Vi V li l gi n d on ce m ore re store h n ve rse to the ru e of n dra Th h a t e u . e b e low the eart d i l I [

avata sa s t hat s n u out of ov e for his e v otee a i te n a w a hi s n om Bhag y Vi l d V l k y ki gd , he sha e of a ft so as to e n a e him to e v ote his w ho e sou to G od al n i e i n t p gi , ( i) bl d l l ; s n w re s of i a n h t n be cause w ith hi ki gdom e n t away al l the ca t d t e va n ity at achi g t o ki n gship ; an d ( u ) to e n han ce hi s re putation for charity 2 A mou n ta n n ea r M athura w h ch s na he u for se ve n a s and n hts in i , i K r ld p d y ig

w n o orde r to pro te ct the co he rd s from ra i n b rought o b y the an ge r f In dra . A

r a e rc vcse n tation of it occurs u on t he scu t u re ro c s o f aha a ur re ma k bl p p l p d k M b lip .

3 o f fo ” m p od .

r he r r from their si ns. Ne ve t less i n o de that they m ay b e w orthy of so great a favou r I e xpressly forbid the m to e at r i ce on this

da ord n ha in sha dw in the r c i I a S e e . h y . i t t ll ll i T is s the a d a s n t h sha hav h m bo e tha t I s ig o it . W oever ll e t e te erity to e at his food hu s deﬁled its re se n ce w n cor or a e W h , t by p , ill i p t it it

s d al h o r on d v him elf an w ill forfe it l ope f pa d . Wi ow s ob ser e the fas v er r d y som e m es n ot e ve n a dro of w a er i s a ow e d t y igi l , ti p t ll

o O n th Ek da i dav the or hodo n du a he s t pass their lips. e a c t x Hi b t

n f ra e r H m us n t i n the m or in g a n d goes throu gh a seri es o p y s . e t o

al w th hose who have forsa en the n du re on w h ars t k i t k Hi ligi , it li ,

h h e ves a n d h r a H e shou d w it t i ot e s of ban don ed character . l 1 s en d his w ho e t me in worsh n o a w h ow er s fru s p l i ippi g G vi n d it ﬂ , it , n en se an d e d c h m n s m d or crue w ords c . H e us a d a i V i y t voi b l , he m ust fast day an d n ight an d devote the w hole time to pu re — religiou s thou ghts an d prayers all of w hich mu st re late on ly

s n t o the god Kr a .

G ANE A C ATURT HI o RTH I Q n VINAY A KA CAT U .

‘ [G A NEQA PIJJKJ

G a neca caturthi tak es place on the fourth day of the waxin g

- G a ne a h m on h of adr u us e te m er . m oon in t e t Bh a (A g t S p b ) c ,

n d an od of w sdom has the sa me charac er s cs as an us the I i g i , t i ti J

n All sacr f ce s an d re ous cerem on es all ser ou s of the L ati s . i i ligi i , i

ff of m or an ce are c omposition s in w ritin g an d all wordly a ai rs i p t H n du s w h an n voca on to G a ne a a w ord b e g un by piou s i it i ti e , d of I a the overn or or ea der an d a na a com an com pose c , g l , g , p y H e is re resen ed a s a shor fat m an o f e ow or (of deities) . p t t y ll ur hav n fou r han ds an d the hea d of an e e hant w h re d colo , i g l p it

H e i s sa d to b e the son of Parvvati w ho is a sin gle tusk . i , h r d him rom he scu r of h r ody . e e su ppose d to have forme f t f e b T f m a o of his he ad on e a re m an y v ersion s to acc oun t for the or ti n ,

for d so e n his of w hich i s this : that i a de ca pitate d him i b yi g

as a s ed to res ore him to fe wh ch wa s don e orders b ut w k t li , i ’ ad. H e is on ly by the addition of a sleepi n g elephan t s he

1 after he h re se rve the catt e A name of K rsna gi ven to him b y I n d ra ad p d l i h wh n ws n s or ten s rddhan a . ov n da s e o o b y rai si n g the moun tai n G ova G i k , ﬁ d d cattle . 31

1 re presen te d as ridin g a rat H e is the re mover of all ob stac les d i an d is on e of the m ost popul ar of Hin du eitie s . H e s the p atron of learn in g a n d is said t o have w ritten the Mahabharata r sa Th f om the dictation of the sage Vya . e G a neca or Vi nayaka c aturthi is ob se rved to c omm e m orate the an n ive rsa ry of the

rthda of G a ne a In the e r rov n ces h s fes v bi y c , Upp P i t i ti al is he d in h s m O n h s da a n m a n l igh e tee . t i y i age of G eea is m ade i n c a one hun dre d a n d e h d ffe re n n a m es of the od l y, ig t i t g a re repea te d a fter the prelimin ary cere m on ie s an d 108 differe n t

ow r ar n in orsh r im ﬂ e s e throw w ip ove h .

A }; A G NG PUJ .

Thi s paj a takes pla ce on the day of the Dacahara or the ten th of the wa n m oo in he m on h of J ai s ha M a - un xi g n t t t ( y J e ) . G a gga i s sa d to ha ve e en orn of the fe e of s nu an d has e ver i b b t Vi b ee n .

n o of n e r n hr u hou n d a She is the r a bj ect ve atio t o g t I i . iver of the

H er w a ers a re un versa e eve d to b e th gods . t i lly b li e m ea n s of v n e m an c a on to hose w ho a he i n he m dr gi i g ip ti t b t t , i n k them or even ouch he m an d to h s da is the w sh t t , t i y it i of e v ery Hi n du to lay dow n his b one s on the b an ks of m other

rom on d s an ce s the on es of th a d r Gan ges . F l g i t b e de a e daily

rou h to a rdwar a n d o he r ace s on the a n es a n d b g t H t pl G g , throw n i n to the river in the belief that to do so secures the dead a seat

n hea e n . he n the n du d es the w a er of th i v W Hi i . t e Gan ges is pou red dow n his throat if a place i s re n dere d impure Gan ges w ater puriﬁes it ; E uropean chemists dec lare that it i s the on e w ater w hich does n ot admit of the m ultiplication of u n healthy

o a oa h th w r f th a m cro es . e e e s e a e s o e n e s i b P pl t k t by t G g . The “ aha hara a sa s the G i a com r ses all the as ras a r M b t y , t p i C t , H i ” d the a n e all t s c d c 2 ll the ods an s he a re a es. The r a g , G g pl i ver i s

a d to b e rese n in heave n on ear h as w e a s i n th n s i p t , t ll e ether

1 “ ’ The elephant s head an d also the rat are probably e mble m s of the ” r u ence sa ac t an d forethou ht wh ch the H n us attr ute to th s v n t p d , g i y g i i d ib i di i i y. — 3 ci . 6 i s o . t . 8. Du Bo , p , p 2 There is not a ri ve r i n the world w hi ch has i n ﬂue nced human ity or contri . b uted to the growth of mate rial civ ili sation or of soci al ethics to such an e x te n t as

n es The w ea th of n a has een con ce n trate on its va e an d e n e a th the Ga g . l I di b d ll y, b hav een n ou r she b its wate rs t he rofoun e the shade of trees whose roots e b i d y p d st een con ce ve to b e romul ate afar f r h doctrine s of moral philosophy have b i d p g d o t e ” — ttee r vol . . 26 . m er a. az e w r . , guidance of the o ld I p i l G , I p 32

r H er a h i n the he ave n s i s m ar ed b v the m w a an d w o lds . p t k ilky y

n ni O n earth sh s n ow n th a of she i s ca lle d M a daki . e i k by e n m e Bhagi rathi or Ga gga a n d i n the n e the r w orlds by the n ame of 1 va i he n erson e d she is de scr d as a w h e om a n Bhoga t . W p iﬁ ib e it w w ear n a crow n ho d n a w a e r in he r ri h ha n d an d i g , l i g t lily g t

a- s r ca m a ara A t the a c of r idin g a se m on te lled k . puj sacriﬁ es a n im als are som etimes offe re d. [S ee DacaharaJ

S G ANGKSAG A RA NANA .

[B ATHIN G FESTIVA L A T THE S A U G OR ISL A ND ]

Thi s festival ta kes place w he n the S u n en ters the sign Capri

a ara at the e n d of au a ecemb e r- an u ar At c orn us (M k ) P s (D J y) . the w in ter solstic e bathi n g at the con ﬂ ue n ce of the Ga n ge s w ith

an i s ar cu ar m er o r ou s an d accord n a vas the oce p ti l ly it i , i gly t

a n n l a s m c on course of people ua l y se ble at G a ggasaga ra or the h m outh of the H oog ly bra n ch of the Gan ges at the M akara i ’ 2 The a ce w he re the m e a i s he is o the S arnkranti . pl l ld n

e of the s an d of S au or Th m ela a f r e r southern Shor I l g . e l sts o se v a l

a da s b ut hree da s re the m i of the fe s va . The rs y , t y li t ti l ﬁ t a on f t c ere mon y is the propiti ti o he ocean by castin g i n to it various

r th s oﬁerin gs w ith short praye s ; e obla tion are com m on ly

oan u s fru s an d ow ers ; the m os a ro r a e f is ha coc t , it ﬂ t pp p i t gi t t t ﬁve e m s a ncarat n a con s s n of a ear a d am on d of the g , p , i ti g p l, i , ' 3 e a d a o az an d a e ce of cora a on w th a cocoan u t an em r l , t p pi l l g i ,

n d th hrea d w orn rahm a n h r a n arecan ut a e t by B s . T ey a e

in a c o h an d cas n o the un n e of appe d up l t t i t t l the riv er

h com m un ca es w h the sea at a ace ca ed the Dho a w hic i t it , pl ll l 4 an d a so at the con ﬂ ue n ce . O n the rs da ath n is S amudra , l ﬁ t y b i g

’ 1 s es en t from he ven see n ote un r Da F or an account of G agga d c a de cah 2 F ai r . ’ 3 i mon i cora s ver o an d ear are the ﬁve ems s o en of b the D a d, ( ) l , il , g ld p l g p k y

s Rsi s ( sage ) . whe n the offer n s w ere of a ess nn ocen t e scr t on and 4 There was a ti me i g l i d ip i , T h s horri e a nd u n natural ract ce was w ho the se a . child ren w e re cast i nto i bl p i lly i n the H n u r tua an d its su re ss on b the G ove rnme n t u n san ctione d b y an ythi n g i d i l pp i y T e w on u rre n ce of the rahm an s. h act as one i n of B e ngal had the cordi al c c B d s she ma e a vow to off on of a vow as when a w oman had ee n ch e s , e r sati sfacti , b ildl d i n the n en c - G a asa ara or some other ho ace co e that her ﬁrst b orn at gg g ly pl ﬁd

w secu re for he r a t ona ro e n . su ch an offeri ng ould ddi i l p g y 33

erformed some have he r heads sha ed after a h p , t i v b t i ng an d many w h e os pare nts have re ce n tly died celebrate their craddha or o se u a cerem on es on the b q i l i seashore . After ablution s the pilgrims

re a r to the e m e wh ch is ded ca e d to a u n or d v n e sa e p i t pl i i t M i i i g , a n ncarn a on of nu n amed a a . H e i s i ti Vis , K pil s aid to have s a on ed h m f a 1 t ti i sel t this place which was the n upon the b rink of a rea chasm ead n to the r r h g t l i g infe n al egion s. T e pilgrims m m o co n ly w rite their n ames on the w alls of the temple with a hor s t prayer to Kapila or suspe nd a piece of earth or brick to

a ou h of a ree w h some so c a on as or h a h r b g t it li it ti , , f e lt o a fﬁuence

or offs r n and rom se if he r ra ers are ran e d to a a p i g, p i , t i p y g t , m ke

f to o d v n O n h gi t s me i i ity . t e S econ d an d third days of the

assem a e a h n in t e sea adora on of a a an d th bl g b t i g h , ti G gg e

o a c nu s on ‘ w rship of K pil a on ti e a the ﬁrst . [See M akara S am

kranti. ]

G HANTAKA A U RN P JA.

This paja takes place on the last day of the month of

- ” Phal una e ruar arch in e n a . G han i karna one of g (F b y M ) B g l t , ’ i va s anas or a en da n s is worsh ed unde r the form o C g tt t , ipp f

a a er- ar the o ec of h s r e is e ressed in h s ra w t j ; bj t t i it xp t i p yer, which accompan i es the presen tation of fruits and ﬂowers to the jar

Oh ! G han takarna healer of sickn ess do thou. preserve me from ” f h an r a is d s r the fear o f diseases o t e ﬂesh. G h taka n e c ibed in

Kapila was the founder of the satirkhya school of phil osophy and is believed e at e nares a out 00 B C here is a sect of re ous evotees w to have li v d B b 7 . . T ligi d ho el eve th t a a st ves in an slan at the mouth of the an es resuma b i a K pil ill li i d G g , p bly r s an a a howe ver was not one of the ten well nown n carnat the Saugo I l d . K pil k i ions s of n u . hese w ere the n a F sh K urmma orto e arahs oar N simha Vis T Mi ( i ) , (T i ) , V (B ) , r ' - M an on Para urama Rama Valarama u ha and a . ri a is ( li ) , c , , , B dd K lki Q Krsn e ar a h mse f Accor n to some author t es these ncarnat ons r g ded s God i l . di g i i i i see m t o represent the process of evolution from the lowest to the highest forms of

3 Ghantakarna was an atte n ant of a. At rst b e reat d s ike snu d i ﬁ g ly i l d Vi , so much so that he is sa to have e t e s sus en e to his ears est b chance he , id k p b ll p d d l y n a s should have even to hear the me of that god. Thi was the origin of his name = = h n a a b ell and ar a ear . Occas ona he had mmer n s of etter ( g a t , k n ) i lly gli i g b e se n se which he did not fail to take advantage of. E ve ntually he b came a great

evotee and ro tiate a. a howe ver a v se him to ro tiate d , p pi d i i d i d p pi View! , ' ’ — whi ch hff did and u t mate ot hi s rewar viz sa vat on. , l i ly g d , l i 34.

a dowed w h rea erson a eau an d is the i a Parana s en it g t p l b ty , therefore re u ed to s m a h se w th hose w ho suffer an dis , p t y p t i i t y

In H in dusthana here are d rec on s for w orsh n ﬁguremen t. t i ti ippi g h of the h ha f of M ahecvara or i a himself on the fourteen t lig t l n ur n the w ho e mon h of Phal una o s es ec a Phalgn a . D i g l t g b y , p i lly

s en a o a ou from door to door i n the even n i n v illage i n B g l, g b t , i g, sin gin g a quain t son g in hon our of the de ity (G han takar na) and ra n t collectin g small doles of grain or mon ey for celeb ti g he paja.

G OKULASTAM I SEE JANM ASTA M I.

GOVINDA DVADAQI.

e n 1== A or ai KE A AND DvADA i =THE [G o A A N ME Q SN , c D TWELFTH LUNAE A Y . ]

If the twelfth lunar day i n the bright fortn ight of the mon th ’ “2 of Phalgu na (February-March) is atten ded by the I usya lunar

‘ as r sm such a da is ca ed the o n da dvada i . An char te i , y ll G vi c y ity given or a bath taken in some sacre d water on this day is consid

e r d mer or ous a h in the an es e n con s dere d ca a e of e it i , a b t G g b i g i p bl

s n dr d s e xpiatin g the accumulate d si n of a hu e births. Thi i s a

fes i al wh ch as o served in en a is he d in hon our of r na t v i , b B g l, l K s , o ' n w h is w orshipped in his j u ve ile form as a cowherd. In Hin du sthana it is termed the Nrsimha dvadaci an d is dedicated to Krsna

‘ 3 -i m a r - a his avatars. of Nr i h o man o s li n .

’ 1 S note er ‘Ek ee un ada i . H e who el hts the cows i a. s a. d e d ig , . , Kr n

3 The e hth unar aster sm ig l i .

ncarn o n I ati .

Vi sn u assumed thi s form to deliver the world from the tyranny of Hiranyaka u a e mon who b the favo r of r hma ecame nvu nera e an d se cure f Qip , d y u B a b i l bl , rom ’ o s men an d an ma s h s emon s son Prahlada was reat e vote to n g d , i l . T i d g ly d d Vis u . This so in censed his father that he tried to kill him b ut his efforts were all in vain C onten n w th his son as to the omn oten ce an d omn resen ce of snu di g i ip ip Vi , B i ra a i ny kac pu emande to now if Vi s n was rese nt in a stone ar of the ha d d k n p pill ll , a n d struck it v o e nt . To un sh H ira i l ly p i nyakacipu and to v indi cate his own maj esty V s u came for h fro n t m the p ar as the Nar s h f-ma - i ill a irhha, al n half lion, and tore me arro ant da t a dem n to e s g i y ( o ) pi ce . 35

RA ANA SEE EC E G H LIPS .

A ET GR HA P A.

G RAH A = A S AT N A PLANET [ CON TELL IO , J

Certain dates in each m on th are regarde d as a uspicious for

r The ndu n ames n ne con s e a n s o a n the ra as . t o p piti ti g g b Hi i t ll i , 1 ‘ ’ n own as Nava raha the n n e se z ers es e c a in refere n ce k g , i i , p i lly to ahu wh ch r s the Sun an d the oon in c ses an d more R , i g ip M E lip , genera lly i n the astrological sen se of inﬂuen cin g the destin ies of m u n s ar is worsh e d at marr a es a e n . This gro p of n i e t s ipp i g n d ‘ e eve d tln t c r a n other importan t religious rites . I t is b li e t i planet s

h r en ccord n to he r os on an d as ec s on the e xert t ei i n ﬂu ce , a i g t i p iti p t ,

t c a n er ods of he r ves or in o her words destin ies of m e n a ert i p i t i li , t , a man must b e un der the in fluen ce of on e plan et or other at all

r ods of his fe an d from h s n uen ce as is en evo en or pe i li , t i i ﬂ , it b l t o herw se ar ses all his w ea or w oe . en era s ea in hese t i , i l G lly p k g t plan ets are propitiated w hen their in ﬂ uen ce is regarded as adverse

r r a ou r b ut some he are re u ar or to secu e thei f v , by t y g l ly Al h s worshippe d even if they are favourable . l t e e are worshipped w h offer n s of w a er ow er ncen se swee s armen s and it i g t , ﬂ , i , t , g t

o Th r n r arded as s ec acce a t e h m n ey . e offe i gs e g p ially pt ble o ac

a e ar —to he sun a rown cow to he moon a conch-she pl n t e t b , t ll, to Bhauma ars a red u oc to udha o d to V rhas ati (M ) b ll k, B g l , p e ow c o hes an d o d to u ra a wh e horse to an a b ack y ll l t g l , C k it , C i l cow to ahu a sword an d to e u a oa . , R K t g t

H ARERUTTHANAM .

TH E WA OR I [ KING or H ARI V sNU. ]

This festival takes place on the eleven th or twelfth lunar day in the bright fortn ight of the mon th of Karttika (October- Nov ’ e m er w hen u who is as ee for a er od of four m on hs b ) , Visn , l p p i t , w a es u H is ma is n n ar a an or a r er n d here k p. i ge take e t k iv a t

1 ' hese n ne stars are the sun sur a the moon soma can ra the ascen n T i ( yy ) , ( , d ) , di g and escen n no es Rahu and etu and the ﬁve an ets M e rcur Bu ha d di g d ( K ) pl , y ( d ) , n s e u u ra ars Man ala An ar e J u ter V hae ati and Saturn an . V (C k ) , M ( g , g ak ) , pi ( r p ) (Q i) 3 See r Ha icsyanam. 36

n d to w a e u from his s ee f er th i voke k p l p. A t e prescribed ceremon ies have been gon e through he is carried back to the te mple or house 1 a m d s n s un in hi s ra a d d c n i st o g s g p ise n an i g . The eleventh lun ar

da n o a than a kada i h y is k wn s the Ut i c . T is festival is kn ow n in the Pun jab an d K ashmir as H ari Pravodhini or Pravodhini m r aces as De otthanaik da i and in so e othe pl v a e .

H A A A C A RIH R H TRA .

THE SONEPORE A R 2 [ F I . ] h This fair is held at t e con ﬂuen ce of the Gan daka and the m - Gan ges at the Nove ber full moon an d i s probably on e of the a w as o oldest fairs in In di . It at S nepur that Visnu is reputed to f h 3 have rescued the elephan t rom t e j aw s of the crocodile ; an d h n n h it was here that Rama w e o is w ay to J an a kapur to w in Sita

i r de u a em e to H arihara natha ahadeva wh ch is as h s b i b ilt t pl M , i d r m h fa sti ll largely frequen te by pilg i s. T e ir lasts for a fort n ight b ut is at its height for two day s before an d aft er the full

m oon when n dus a he in the an es in order to ac u re , Hi b t G g q i ar haran tha i wor e xception al merit . H i a s shipped an d the waters ce are oured o er him th r m of the con ﬂuen p v by e pilg i s .

A AM H RI QAYAN .

- [THE SLEEP or H AEI on V i aNu ]

’ ' The period of Visnu s sleep lasts from the el eventh or twelfth lun ar day in the bright fortnight of the mon th of Asarha (Jun e

1 a h s forms a art of the evot ona ract ces ntroduced b the Sarhki rtan . T i p d i l p i i y

her and saint of Na a Caitan a . famous pre ac di , y

2 a i n the tr ct of i ran At the Sone ore F Sonepore is a v ill ge dis i S . p air um ers assem e and oo s and an ma s e s ecia e e hants horses and immen se n b bl , g d i l , p lly l p , s s ne ore race -meet n w n e are e ose for a e . In a one b the S o as o e of cattl , xp d l d y g y p i g t f mous on th s s e of n a b ut ma n cause s have com n e to rob the t he mos a i id I di , y bi d I s r e of the easantest s s f rm r or e s. t i t h e ve on ot or me etin g of its fo e gl i s ill ow pl p

- i n n a for Eu e n s. picnic gatheri n gs I di rop a 3 nce on a t me sa s the ha avata an e e hant was attac e b a croco e O i , y B g , l p k d y dil . that there was no ho e of esca e from its c utche s the e e han t ra e to Se ei ng p p l , l p p y d s u for succour and he came and destro ed the croco e w th h s sudar ana Vi n , y dil i i l q s cak ra (discu ) .

HOLI on HORI.

a s u 15 da s erm n a n on the The H oli festiv l l a ts ab o t y , t i ti g

- - full m oon day of the m on th of Phalguna (February March) . A ccordin g to Vaisn ava Puranas it w as the an n iv e rsary of a great feat of heroism which Krs na pe rformed by destroyin g a sh -de n var us nam ed an khacu a ori o i o a e mo i o ly Q d , H , H l , H l , on H olika e dha an d Dhun dha. The m os ro a e su os , M t p b bl pp iti however i s that it w as design ed to celebrate the return of s r n —to f the en a in uen ce of s rin u on o h p i g, typi y g i l ﬂ p g p b t the a n ma e an d n an m a e crea on an d to ex ress the fee n s i t i i t ti , p li g spread by the season an d the delight w hich the revival of n ature i f c m s d u f da s rom ed e . Acc rd n to ﬁ sed. The estival te V i ti o i g the legen d H olika w as the n ame of a she- demon who u sed to devour ch dren w h ch w ere su l ed to her urn s from il , i pp i by t

e he d s a a e ach family of the place w her she l w y . It so h ppe ned ’ ha on e da an old w oman s on ran dson w as to b e the t t y, ly g s m en h r r m sf r un A ho c im an d sh wa a n e e o e . vi t , e l ti g bitt i t ly men di can t happen ed to pass her door and hearin g of the cau se

of her sorrow me d a e d for a i me an d hen sa d ha H olika , it t t t i t t

c d ll ed d her ran dson saved if B o c u m d ou b e an a, o d b e a e l ki g , lik l

to h v an d o sce n e e ress on s for w as orda n d ha ear ile b xp i , it i e t t h a n c u d h t is lo e o l kill er . The w hole village took this holy m an

at hi s word an d when B o a cam e for her re n da h , lik p y ext y s e w as m et by such a chorus of v ile an d ﬁlthy abuse that she

dro ed dow an d d ed as was red c ed. h s e en is u pp n i , p i t T i v t s pposed

to b e commemora ed the fes va an d the free an u t by ti l , l g age used at the H oli feast is supposed to have origin ate d from this h u c le gend. T e act al eleb ration of the H oli does n ot take place t a ou 15 da s b e fore the fu moon of P u n ill b t y ll hal g a . The ﬁrst

tw o da s of hi s erm a re of re ara on s mere n ew armen s y t t p p ti ly, g t , red or e ow are ut on an d families feast and m a e m y ll , p , k erry together ; on the e ighth day images of K rsna ar e set up a n d

worsh e d an d smeared w h red owder or s r n ed ipp , it p p i kl w ith

' w a e r co oured w h th m m r b n s t l it e sa e ate ial . A o ﬁre i lighted an d durin g the w hole period up to the ﬁfteenth day the people

o a ou sca er n the ow d r o r eb o h r s n n g b t tt i g p e ve w t e , i gi g an d 39

d n c n In a r han a e c . m e h of h a t a Ch aran tc . t e da t e i g D b g , p y l o i is n n as th as a f he a u a S so o H l k ow e l t d y o t K li Y g . [ ee al D la

yatra. ]

ITU PUJA.

Thi s puja begin s on the last day of the mon th of Karttika (October- Nove mber) and contin ues up to the last day of the fo l w m 8 s h o n h d . t e T on . ra is the o of da i e . h un . e l i g t Mit g y, , w ord Itu is a d e ra form of h w ord r ra came to eg ne te t e M it a . Mit b e commonl a e r hen o s are y ca lled Mitu n d thence Itu . Small a t p t ed w h w a er an d aced in an ear hen sauce r over wh ch ﬁll it t pl t , i 3 - r l n to the vrata the pan ca gasya is scatte ed. Females iste

a ha a ou the or n of the fes va a s a n from a n ﬁsh k t b t igi ti l , b t i t ki g with their meal an d worship the sun in the hope of obtaini n g the rea isa on of h r ch O n each un da of the l ti t ei erished w ishes . S y m onth Of Agrahaya na (Novemb e r- Decemb er) these ce remon ies are h the o s are mmersed repea ted till on the last day of that m on t p t i u his u a is ar e in a ri ver or tan k after the usual p ja. T p j l g ly observed i n Ben gal .

JAG A DDHATRI PBJA.

on rno'rEc rs s A c A r = N RS DnArRi NURSE q [J U IVE E,

h of the wor d is w orsh ed on the J agaddhatri or the mot er l ipp h for n h of the mon h of Karttika n in th l unar day in the brig t t ig t t t enin - the mornin at noon an d in he e v . (Octob er Novemb er) in g, g ut the ian s um ha an d She destroyed one of the armi es se n t o by g t C b 4 i red arments an d is sea ed on a lion Nigumb ha ; she is dressed n g t , our h d of an ele han . She has f w hich has its forepaw on the ea p t

-shell a d scus a b ow an d an arrow. arms in which she ca rries a con ch , i ,

‘ the 2 r the da ; accor in to the e c te t, Mitra is the god who pre sides ov e y d g V di x

’ ’ da is tra S y Mi . t va M a a ai Del ichos 3 ra ns of a Or z a Sa , s ( F ive sorts of grain . G i p ddy ( y i ) K l nd un n ta e ar e Horde um hexastichon ) , a g Pilosus se samum Sesamum Orie l ) , b l y ( M ) , ( o ( Phaseol us Mung ) . See footnote under Vasanti d s. 40

- She is re resen ed as a fa r eau fu en e ook n ad . a ad p t i , b ti l, g tl l i g l y J g The n dhattri also mean s the supporter of the U n i verse . i furiate d elephant upon whose hea d the forepaw of the lion is placed is the symb ol of the turbulen t human passion s w hich m ust b e con quered h r b efore Jagaddhatri can b e worshipped i n t e t ue Spirit . T he ﬁ as for the hree d s Of S a tami A ami an d Navafni p j t ay p , st ,

ob served in the case of the ur a ﬁ a are erforme d i n on e da D g p j , p y on the occasion of this puja an d all the cerem on ies of the Dur ga

ﬁ a are so em n ed on the same da i n the case of J a addhatri p j l is y, g

u a n a sma ler sca Th w orsh o a n s the four o ec s of p j o l le . e ip bt i bj t

h she vi r u m wea h asure i e . uman w s z e o er e . ower an d i , ligi s it, lt , pl , , p ,

sa a i on i s sa d ha erson s who can n o for some reason r lv t . It i t t p t, o

o her erform the ur a u a nvo e J a addhatri n s ea d who t , p D g p j , i k g i t ,

i s r n r n f ur r rega ded as a othe ma i estation of D ga he se lf. Kumari 1 m a O n th o pfija i s also perfor ed on this d y. e f llowin g day fl attened rice an d curds are ofl ered to the goddess an d after the observan ce of the worship an d other ceremonies prescribed for the f occas on the ma e is a en to a r ver or mmers on . The da i , i g t k i i i y is con sidere d sacred also b ecause in Ben gal it is re garded as the 2 an n versa r of the rs da of the re a u a b ut in th i y fi t y T t Y g , e

ahrat a coun r the Carn a c uz era an d ou hern n d a h s M t t y, ti , G t S t I i , t i day i s regarded as the ann iversary of the ﬁrst day of the Krta 2 hi m . n M t a h n a Cha aran u a I i l ar a etc . the da Y g (D b g , p ) y is w n - as Am a a a r h r Na ami n kn o l k Navami o D at v . I Orissa a vrata n ame d Aksaya Navami i s beg un on this date an d t he Rasa Yatra In n b egin s. the D eccan K rs a is worshipped and pumpkin s are

distrib uted.

AM S J AI ASTHI.

Jmm OR O A JAMAI =TRE SON-I N-LA AND A Ri = [ C LLOQUI LLY w, S sr S X A D THE I TH LUN R AY . ]

Thi s ceremon y is held in hon ou r of the son - in - law it falls on the sixth lun ar day in the b right fortn ight of the mon th of

J ais ha M a - un e w hen a fa her or a her- i — s t ( y J ) , t m ot n la w i e xpecte d to n e the son -in -l aw a nd to ma e him i vit k some presen ts. The latter

See umar P K i ﬁja.

See notes un er Ak a a Triti an Y d s y ya d ugﬁdya. 41

h h d d n n er an d rese s are made to him w c is i nvited to a goo i , p nt i tc f swee s fru s of the season an d arme nts e . usua lly consist O t , it g

t d so the son - in - law a so ma es some rese n s i n If able o o , l k p t r The mo her- in - law on h s occas on in w sh n he r eturn . t , t i i , i i g

- - n d ros er a n s his forehead w h a s ou in law long life a p p ity, p i t it

- he s his h ad w h f w ades Of the sa ndal paste mark an d touc e it a e bl 1 sh a so offers m i n add on to durvva grass and paddy ; e l hi . iti l ch a m an o o h r resen ﬁve en re fru s e . . a cocoan u a t e p ts, ti it , g , t, i i, g

tc an d ronounce s her ened c on on him he ac now ed es e . p b i ti ; k l g In some fam es how e er it is n ot the this with due reverence . ili v

ac ce to ser e an ceremon es at all b ut usua resen s pr ti Ob v y i , lly p t o n lv are e xchanged.

JA NM ASTA M I OR G O KULASTA M I .

‘ z = R J A NM A BrRrH AND A AMi THE G AR DA Y . [ F OM , ST EI HTH LUN E R NATIvrTr OE s A TH ANNIVE S ARr O F THE K sN . ]

This is the a nn iversary of the day of the birth Of Qri K rsna at

a hura h s fes va is served on the e h h unar da in th M t . T i ti l Ob ig t l y e dark fortn ight of the m onth Of Bhadra (Au gust - S eptem ber) in

' Upper I n dia or of Crava ns (July-A ugust) in the South an d

om a an d is one of the mos m or a n Of the fa s o s r B b y , t i p t t st b e ved by

all n dus e s ec a the fo owers of s nu hrou hou n d a Hi , p i lly by ll Vi , t g t I i . It 18 worthy Of note that it IS n ot n e glected by the followers of

or b hos of a n o h r A ne c r a y e e se c . s n e l s act i , t y t t b ti p ised on the r nd n th a day p e vious a o e d y itself ri gid fast IS ob serve d by all pious owers of nu an d a r foll Vis lso by othe Hin dus . Visnu is w orshipped in the form of ri r na at m dn h when he was orn 9 C K s i ig t, b . The homa

s e rform ed an d o her r a s s r i p t ites are l o ob e ved. If libation s of w ater are ffered to the Pitrs On h s da he secure the m r O t i y, t y e it acquired n form n o s u a i per i g b eq i l ceremon ies in the ir hon our at Gaya for a

ars n h ar n - hun dre d ye . It co cludes w ith the e i g of the vra ta katha an d the rea n of the fas on the fo ow n morn n b ki g t ll i g i g . Accordin g

to the ha ava a urana Kamsa an a sura dem on B g t P , , ( ) , vowed to kill all the c h dre n orn of his s ster e va i ecau il b i D k , b se he was told that

his d stro e r ou d b e orn of her . A ccord n e y w l b i gly he imprison ed

1 Se e n ote un er Durvvas tam d i .

See a es 241 and 26 un er Dur a u p g d g P j é . 42

his s ster Bevaki and her hus an d a nd e S ri c uard o r i b k pt t t g ve them . h n r na was o n i mm a W e K s b r Devak i edi tely after her accouchement

fe as ee a nd a enera or or se z e d all the uards at th s ll l p, g l t p i g e pri on , 1 due to the s e n ow n a s Y o ama a of ri a ' p ll k g y Q Krsn . Durin g her s a d - sleep her hu b n Vasudeva carried away the n ew born babe

’ from the r son-ce whe re w as orn to the a ode of Ya oda t p i ll it b , b c , he

w fe of anda on the o her s de Of the amuna a i N , t i Y , n d then ce brought a n ew- b orn female child which he placed by the side of

- his sleepi n g w ife . The serpent kin g Vasuki foll owed Vasudeva t he am un a w h his hood e an ded to ro ec the nfan a cross Y , it xp , p t t i t god from the i ncle me ncy of the weather an d it is said that the

r ver ecam e forda e at the ace w here asudeva crosse d The i b bl pl V it .

w ea ve r comm un of acca se rve h s fe s v a w h rea om ity D Ob t i ti l it g t p p . This day i s known as Crijayan ti or Krsnastami in the S outh of

I n dia .

A A A R SEE A J HUL N Y T A HINDOL .

A U A K LI P J .

The w orship of Kali takes place on the n ight of the new m oon h of Karttika cto er- ovem er is sa d h t in the mont (O b N b ) . It i t a 2 K ali or Kalika w as b orn out of the brow Of Amvika while she w as e n gaged in destroyi n g the army of the asuras (demons) Cumbha a i cc rd n to o a f a mb ha . a o u r e e is a wom n a n d Nicu K l , i g p p l b li , ur arms ha n ac or ue com e on in on e han d w ith fo , vi g bl k bl pl xi ;

a ord in ano her the head Of the an named Ca nda she has sw , t gi t ( )

h has s a n w h the o her tw o she is en oura n her s e l i , it t c gi g he w ars a n ec l ace of s ul her h w h ers. S e s n c o ors ipp k k l , O ly l t in g ’ a rd e made of dead men s han ds an d her on u ro rude s i s gi l , t g e p t

r h h s an ds w h on e foo On th h an from he mout . S e t it t e thig d

a n f a i a n other on the breast of her husb n d. This positio o K l is a ccoun ted for by the fact that in the heat of battle Kali w as carried

a s far ha the ods des aired of the w or d an d sen ve he r a w y o t t g p l t Gi , hu s an d to a ease her . a cre amon the dead so d ers n b , pp i pt g l i lyi g

- a e ﬁ ld an d assed under the fee of a i who n o soon er . on the b ttl e p t K l ,

I Yogamaya or YOgan idra is pe rson iﬁ e d delusion : the great ill usory energy of

sn u b whom as utter norance the w ho e w or is e u e . In the Mdr Vi , y , ig , l ld b g il d

e a uran a she a e ar s as Dur a b ut in the s u Puri a as Vais avi . ke nd y P pp g , Vi n n n 2 no e r n e of Dur a A th am g . 43 perceived her husb an d trampled un der her feet than she became a b ashed nd in the man ner of the w omen of the coun r hit he r , a , t y, n d h m the as ras ton gue i n order to Show her re gre t a s a e . By C t

a i r meva a ure w h n versal K l i s ide ntiﬁe d as one with P i l N t , it U i ti or the r a ure an d all crea e d form s i . a. Prakr meval N t with t , , , P i akti worsh E n e rgy of the S upreme B e in g (Adya Qakti) . C ip i s n othin g b ut the w orship of the creative prin ciple in nature and Kali f She has two as c s h ra ma mse . e t e is nothin g b ut a form of B h Hi l p t ,

l e n ir u na w hou a r u s sa gu na (with att ributes) an d th g ( it t tt ib te ) . d ho e h In her forme r aspect she i s worshippe by t s w o are a ached o d and in her a er hose who are n ot tt t the worl , l tt by t a ac s C the u reme n e l en ce . is tt hed to it . She i iti, S p I t l ig It ! ub -s ra um f n ot the Maya that is worshipped b ut the s t t o Maya

ha is o sh d Accord n to some au hor es the ma e of t t w r ippe . i g t iti , i g — the n versa ou Kali repre se nts this z Civa is Brahma or U i l S l an d ce fro wh K ali is the human soul} who forgettin g the sour m ich she

has co e an h r r a en is mmerse d in the affa rs of h s m d e e l id tity, i i t i

m un d e er w d dance de c s the umu ha re n s an w orld. H il pi t t lt t t ig — i n the human reas where ﬁerce ass on s an er us ha red en v b t, p i , g , l t, t , y,

- sorrow n ora nce etc . etc . ho d su reme swa n ot a ow n , ig l p y, ll i g her to h n of G od the source from wh ch she came or to f t i k , i , ollow

the a h of r h eousn ess The han ds rd n her p t ig t . gi li g wa ist an d the

heads wh ch com ose the ar an d r oun d her n e c are hos f i p g l k, t e o the m h asuras - ﬁerce an d ow erfu des res erson iﬁed— ig ty , p l i p whom

she has s a n w h the wea on s enances aus er es an d l i it p (p , t iti other

rac ces she w e ds in rder to res ore the swa of r h p ti ) i l , O t y ig teousn ess

h d an ce con n ues n o w ithin herse lf. T i s w il d ti till k wledge (j fiana o o d e s She s an s r kn wle g of Self) opens her eye . t d aghast at her

u e r for e fu ness an d n orance and at the m sch ef tt g t l ig , i i she has

wrou ght to herself; she bites her ton gue in very shame an d d sma at the su reme momen when she d sco ers i y p t, i v that she has been tramplin g so lon g u n dern eath her feet her own Oiva

The three u as are satvah ra ah and tamah wh ch erva e ever th n h g n , j , i p d y i g . T e ﬁrst e m races rinc es of truth and ex stence the secon ass on or fou b p ipl i , d p i ln ess an d the th r dar n ess or noran ce i d k ig . 2 The human sou i s Prak ti and the n versa sou Purusa b ut the ar l r U i l l , y e one and the same when a a sa ears a s makes th n s a e r as M y di pp . M y i g pp a real w hich i n re a t do not the ue co our of the sk or a ece of ro e li y bl l y, pi p appeari ng

on o se rpent. supreme good) thinki n g him to b e n othi n g better than a gava = ( a dead b ody) . Whe n on ce she reali z es this She assumes the posi

er The os hu man sou s e tion b eﬁttin g h . l t l peks r un ion with the S upreme S oul ; the image of Kali therefore is the image of the

aw a en n of the human s u 1 true k i g o l . Kali in esoteric Hin duism represents that stage in the e volu

on of the n verse from the u reme e n rahm a efore ti U i S p B i g , B , b “ ve n the ods w ere crea ed as descr e d i n th h n e g t , ib e Bgve da w e

r n ess was h dden in dar n ess un d s n u shed e on e m a f da k i k , i ti g i lik ss o ” he M ahan ir r w a e r. T v vana an a all co ours w e t T t l , hit ,

e ow an d o hers are a sor ed in ac so all e emen s y ll t , b b bl k , l t the creation ) are i n the en d ab sorbed i n K ali an d as the ab sen ce of

all co ours is ac a i is re resen ed as ac in rder to l bl k, K l p t bl k O teach the w orshipper that the goddess is without sub stan ce an d withou t qualities Kali in this aspect therefore i s regarded a s the b en eﬁcen t M other of the Universe an d her n ame mean s ut e darkn ess or chaos . B lik Giv a she has a destructive aspect in

h r n ame i s a en to m ean Kalaharani Sh which e t k , e who destroys ” me m n ha is a i as w fe or akti Ener f Ti , i plyi g t t it K l , i C ( gy) o ” aha e e rea m e who des ro s the who e of crea M k l , G t Ti , t y l tion .

F or h s reason she is re resen ed as ram n on her ow n hus an d t i p t t pli g b , kala on e of the as ec s of iva M aha , p t C .

hen the un verse w as n ot aha a i was w h aha e e W i , M k l it M k l ,

Prakrti w as w h Puru sa G od was w h his Crea ve Ener b u it , it ti gy, t

h s n er w as he n dorman here w as n o h n es d h m t i E gy t t, t t i g b i e t e .

ut G od an d His n er are one is a s h a es B E gy , it M y t at m k them as diﬁerent Puru a i s n ac ve un ess H e w s an d appear , s i ti l ill

takes the help of Prakrti for the purpose Of Creation . In this

ahaka i has an o her n ame Nit a a i or the ver as n a spect M l t , y K l E l ti g ma or a i as ord nar w orsh ed is the es ower Of Kali . Oya K l , i ily ipp , b t

b oon s an d immu nity from all fear to her devotees. When famin e

1 th H n u ea of creat on two sets of v rat ons are constant Accordin g to e i d id i , ib i ly i he n verse the v rat on so to sa wh ch starts w th the W of the at work n t U i ib i , y, i , i ill

C tor Pur u a to mu t H mse f w th the he of His ner Prak ti , t rea ( s ) , l iply i l , i lp E gy ( r ) ill h ocess of v o ut on throu h v ar ous sta es cre at on is accom shed and b y t e pr E l i , g i g , i pli ,

ou nte r -v rat on wh ch starts from creat on u w ar s throu h the rocess of a c ib i , i i p d , g p

nvo ut on to the Creator uruss w th Prak ti . The m a e of Ka i accord n I l i , ( P i r ) i g l , i g to th s theor is the ma e of the human sou at the meet n ace of the se two i y, i g l i g pl

forces - the cre at n force and the s n te rat n force and a is the ner of , i g di i g i g , K li E gy r the Creator which proceeds constantly from creation towa ds G od.

dur n the da an d n h to a e a a h efore e a h in ocat on i g y ig t, t k b t b c v i i s commen ced an d has to b e presen t the w hole night before the o ra i for r a ma e dev u n the e z a on of her w shes . i g , tly p y g li ti i A m on gst the u sual offerin gs toys an d other thin gs are giv en (an the od an d the ma e is u sua con s ne d to the wate r the dav g , i g lly ig

m e n after the pﬁja i n the even in g or so etim s in the m orn i g .

KATYAYANI PUJA.

a na Sh crea ed out K atyayani is n other me of Durga. e was t of the en er of the r nc a ods rahma nu an d y a gy p i ip l g B , Vis Qi 1 rd r to des ro M a i s S m a f at I n o e t y h sa ura . he n ifested herse l Katyayan acrama in the Himalayas on the fourteenth lun ar day in the dark fortnight of the mon th of Kevi n a (September- October) an d i s worsh ed as ur a on the 7th 8th and 9th da s in the ipp D g , y

r h for n h of th same m on h Sh a r w orsh ed b ig t t ig t e t . e w s ﬁ st ipp by

a an l 0t o t od r rr d to the sa ge K tyay a . O n the h f he peri efe e ab ove d m she destroyed the e on (M ahisasura) .

The Katyayani vrata performed in her honour had its origi n

of ri n The l e dau h ers of the co er s at the time C Krs a . ittl g t wh d 2 of Vraja used to perform it at sun ri se eve ry day i n the ﬁ rst 3 n h of the heman a season af er due a u ons i n the mo t t , t bl ti h u d to u f h w aters of the Jamuna. T ey se b ild an image o t e goddess w ith sand on the san d-ban ks of the r iver an d prayed to ‘ a ri r na he r u o her that they might obt in C K s as t i h sban d. T h s a r this day the goddess D urga is in voke d at t i se son . [See D u ga Paja]

1 to the e en as to in the M arka de a ura a D t hav n ost ActBrding l g d ld n y P n , i i i g l

er son s the Asuras in the ht w th the o s, turne herse f nto a uffa o all h , , ﬁg i g d d l i b l She n er en e rr e auster t es to r m . u w t t o tiate h i n order to an n ihilate the d ibl i i p pi Bra ma s a rewa r ot a son name M ahi asura who -treate the o s unt the an d a d g , d s , ill d g d . il y to sn u a and rahma who oint ro uced a ove re resentat on of appeal ed Vi , i B , j ly p d l ly p i

havani who s ew the monster . B , l

2 t a out athura uttra and Vrin davana i the er rovinces The trac b M ( M ) p Upp P , e n e ri sn a the residence of the juv il C Kr .

a t ika Octo er-Nov em er is the rst month of the hemanta season K ar t ( b b ) ﬁ ,

e the w nter e r h t me. which is so calle d becaus i b gins f om t is i

te un er Rasa atra . 68. See no d y , p VA VRATAM K ECA .

A A z ﬂ AVI NG on r uns: m m A A or K s s [KEQ V MUCH , N ME sn j

Thi s vrata is performed from the last day of the m on th of

arch- A r to the as da of Vai akha A r - M a C aitra (M p il) l t y q ( p il y) . h s r od hree a hs are a en da at sun r se at D uri n g t i pe i t b t t k ily , i , 1 su n se b rahmac ar a is ra c se d the usual n oon an d at t ; yy p ti , 2 3 r of a as erforme d e ach da is n cre ased the ha ava a n umb e y p p y i , B g t ’ “ or som e o her devo ona w or is read and sarnki rtana is da t ti l k , ily ,

rformed t ro a e K e ava . ome sesamum hi ri ce su ar pe op piti t c S , g , , g ,

ar ed w h w a er c o h o d s ver a n um re a a fan a 3 j ﬁll it t , l t , g l , il , b ll , ,

of sa nda s a m ch cow w h ca f a b e d an d ar e corns are pair l , il it l , b l y awa to rahmans in order to ease the od who is given y B pl g , d w h the cam a a che a Cham aca the ma i w orshippe it p k (Mi li p ) , ll ka um n du a um or the l o us In the e ven n coo (Jasmin U l t ) t . i g l an d

ref esh n fru a re offered as hi s ti i n af er his mid- da r i g its ﬁ , t y 5 res The u asi an O c mum an ctum an d the a vatth t . t l pl t ( y S ) c a 6 cus e osa are w a ered da dur n h s r tree (Fi R ligi ) t ily i g t i pe iod.

ho e of the mon h of Vai akha i s re arded as aus c ous an The w l t c g pi i , d

a i w orsh e d oun an d old dur n h s mon th es ec a i s ipp by y g i g t i , p i lly b fema es and a a h in the an es is a en e ver da w here , y l , b t G g t k y y,

possible .

1 Lea n a l fe of mend canc se f- en ia cont nence stu and e vot ona di g i i y, l d l, i , dy d i l

r a r ra r h s f r Repeating the name of some god o m nt a (p ye ) . T i o ms a part e w o sh of th da ily r ip.

3 f f ri t i This Purana contains among othe r thin gs a li e o Q Krsna . I s a work of great celebrity i n In dia and exercises a more direct inﬂuence on the Opinions and fee n s of the eo e than erha s an other of the ura as li g p pl p p y P n .

” See note un er H arerutthanam . 36 d , p .

Pfi amust b e ofiered to it a . ost H n us cu t vate it in the r hous s j d il y M i d l i i e . They consider it a pe culiarly meritorious act to carefully water and culti vate the nt an d h women ofi er orshi to it a pla t e w p d ily. 0 The aevattha or pipal havin g roots han ging from above and bran che s hangin g

downwar s is al e or ca . ach tree S r n n from an un erce ve root i s d , l g i l E p i gi g p i d

e m emat ca of the o whi ch rea S r n s from and is one w th the G od-he bl i l b dy lly p i g i ad . It is s n n s re e aid to b e the male of the Ve ts or the Ba ya tree . It i g atly r ve re d and is some t mes marrie and even invested with the tr e cor worn b rahma s i d ipl d y B n . 48

KOJAG ARA A A L KSMI P UJ .

F ROM K o z wn o A ND [ ,

The n ight of the full m oon i n the month of Aqvi na (S eptemb er; r th o ara ﬁ rnim h fe O ctobe ) is calle d e K jag P a. T is sti val is observed

e ver where . O n h s n h a mi the oddess of for une is sa y t i ig t L ks , g t , id

to ass over the ear h n e on offer n fa ours to man n d an d p t i t nt i g v ki , to see how far her devotees are makin g themsel ves w orthy of her blessi n gs by spendin g the night in playin g dice an d takin g the i water an d the kernel of the cocoanut . She s said to have promised r che s to all who shou d o serve a on h s n i l b Vigil t i ight . H en ce she

i s worsh ed on h s n h and the a n es an d the ods ar ipp t i ig t, M g e

ro a ed w h offer n s of the ern e of the cocoan ut cocoan u p piti t it i g k l , t

w ater an d a en ed r ce w h ch are oﬁered a so to fr e ds an ﬂ tt i , i l i n d relatives ; after this the n ight i s spen t in festivity an d ga mes of

cha h Uri n a dd on durin the da a ran n ce . T e yas have i iti g y g d pro

cess on i n honour of the d scus of u the Sudar anacakra w h ch i i Visn , c , i is carrie d ab ou t i n a litter through all the mai n streets of the town l of r h dd s of ea h a mi is e arded as o Pu i . T e o e s r r [ g W lt , L ks , g p

verb iall r s ess m n here ha she does n ot es ow her y e tl , i plyi g t by t t b t She n ra com favours on a man u n iformly through life . ge e lly es h as sudden chan ce as w ere . A ame of chan ce suc d ce or ly , by it g i

o n is ca of h s whoever w shes to w i n other forms f gambli g typi l t i , i b a e an d retain her blessin gs must b e vigilan t an d must n ot e sl ep

sh c m es in order to b e a e to ras the at the time w he n e o , bl g p

- T u n der n dea of the v l and opportun ity of a life time . he lyi g i igi

S mi Pﬁ . the dice playi n g seems to b e this ] ( ee Laks ja)

U A KUMARI P J .

E a [K umz ai rs USUALLY TA KEN TO MEAN AN UNMARBI D G r n ]

z r the h rd da of The K umari Paja takes place on the secon d o t i y mi da an d on the da s the D urga Paja (M ahastami or M ahan ava y) y

1 h not c n the surv va of the u h st r te In this procession W e cann ot elp i i g i l B dd i i ” — i s o O r i ssa art R L . tr a A nti ui t e , f L aw . . , of P rocession of the Wheel o Mi , q f P II

38. p . 1 2 ht b the antras is the worshi of The great fe ature of the religion taug y T p n in the — w e rson e as a fema e an d n v ua z e n ot o y Cakti Di v i n e Po er p iﬁ d l , i di id li d l i er own e rson o ess s of m tho o b ut i n ever woman to whom therefore, n h p , g dd e y l gy, y r se re ligi ous worship may b e and is occasionally add es d . 439

f h a d tri A n na ﬁrna a n d i a a s A o t e J ad ha a . n u n m arr ed? g , p K l p j i

rahma ni r u to her s ee n h e ar ma b e re ard d as a B gi l, p ixt t y , y g e l u mari as is s a ed i n the ama a an ra . But as r s are K , t t Y l T t gi l

‘ u su a m arr e d b e fore ha a e r s of a m ore en der a e ar lly i t t g , gi l t g e

ari A v r n rahma w orshipped as K u m s . i gi B ni as w e ll as a B rahm ani wife are he ld in great esteem an d they are b oth worshippe d as the '

e s of Prakrti the fe ma e roduc n ner of the u reme typ , l p i g E gy S p

n of th her f th f e or a r e o o e n verse erse . Per B i g, p t M t U i H l

formed in h s h u mari Pﬁ a o a n s a ll m un da n e ess n s t i lig t, K j bt i bl i g an d ultim ate ly leads to e tern al peace . Both the follow ers of Visnu

d r ri The mar i s a s an Civa w o ship K u ma s. Ku i ked to sit on a carpet or asana an d the articles ordi n arily offered to her are the padya 2 w ater for w ash n the fee ar h a oil urmer c the n c n e ( i g t) , g y , t i , i e s , the am w a er for ath n cosme cs verm on l ac a m rror a l p, t b i g, ti , ili , , i ,

o e as e con a n n omade r on s a com ha r n s verm on t il t b k t t i i g p , ibb , b, i pi , ili

- ﬂ o as e ot a so ea a es ves men s wers and a ar and. p t p , l t bl , t t , g l

KUMBHA MELA.

KUMBH A = THE S GN or run Z A so NAM ED A AR S A ND [ I ODI C ( QU IU ) , L = A M E A FAIR . ]

This is a bathin g festival of the highest san ctity an d is he ld i n four ac s in nd a in the mon h o ha an n a - ruar pl e I i t n ag (J ry Fe b y) . A n immen se con course of people gathers at those places where it is he d vi a at ardwar A aha ad an d the l , , H , ll b by 3 The fe s a a es f ban ks of the Godavari . tiv l t k pla ce at eac h o these s o s ro a on on ce in 12 e ars an d ha en s w hen u er i s p t by t ti y , pp J pit

s is in A quarius (Ku mbha) an d the sun is in A rie (Mesa) . It

mha . h s also kn ow n as Sirnhasta (bein g in the sign Leo or Si ) T i con j unction in creases the e fﬁcacy of b athin g i n the Gan ge s

r In ou hern n d a the M ahamakham a n d othe sacre d streams. S t I i

o er art of h s fe s v a when a h n in appears to b e the c u nt p t i ti l, b t i g

1 3 un i i La m a a See note der D panv ta ks i P j . 2 a n An obl tio . 3 It i s one of H ardw ar is i n the di strict of Shaharan pur (Un ited P rov ince s) . r ma e i n n ia Pra a a m eans the un ctio n the most sa cred place s of H indu pilg i g I d . y g j he re e r v rs hat of the G an es and the J a mun a at A aha a , w of tw o or mor i e . T g ll b d n or in to o u ar e ef a th r r ve r the Sarasvati wh ch s n s n to the sa s acc d g p p l b li i d i , , i i k i d r i n R utan a rea ears from its su te rr anean course is one of the most a Bhatne ajp , pp , s, b ' 1 a wn in the state of wa or . holy places i n India . Ujjain s to G li 50

1 h s the Mahamakha Saras in Kumbakonam is enj oin e d. T i the S outh I ndian b athing festival appears to b e as sacred as The ane u er a es we ve ears to com e e K umbha Mela. pl t J pit t k t l y pl t

un d h sun and dur n h s course when i s i n on e revolution ro t e , i g t i it f th c n stel con j un ction with the m oon in the M agha asteri sm o e o l ation Leo (Simha) the M ahamakham occurs.

fJ LA KSMI P J A.

' a mi common ca ed ri is the w fe of Vi nu an d u n der L ks , ly ll C , i s various n ames appears i n this relation in his various i n carn a

ons She was orn of the sea of m w en w as churned for ti . b ilk h it ﬁ a mb rosia She i s regarded as the goddess of B eauty a n d Prosperity an d is depicted as a very han dsome lady of golden 3 c ur e on r ou olo s ated a lotus . Usually she is w o shipped w ith t an 4 ma e . om e add a hered at the a es harves a few cour i g S p y g t l t t t, i she s re resen n ro a wea h an d o her em em s of en ll , p ti g p b bly lt , t bl pl ty an f hood a th ace f h ma n her d w i e t ke e pl o t e usual i ge . I w orsh th r n n f s is f r d 5 n m s o h ip e i gi g o b ell o bid en . U like o t t er

ods an d oddesses a mi i s n vo ed mor ha n on ce a ear g g L ks i k e t y . B esides the days of the K ojagara Laksmi Pﬁja an d the Dipanvita Laksmi Pﬁ a er a n da s are set a art for her worsh in the j , c t i y , p ip,

m on hs of au a Decem er- anuar hadra A u ust- e em er t P s ( b J y) , B ( g S pt b ) an d Caitra arch- A r wh ch usua ha en to b e hursda s (M p il) i lly pp T y ,

an d h s da is accord n k n ow n a s Lak mi vara when eo e t i y i gly s , p pl

do n ot usu a ar w h mon e or v a ua es hou h h s b e even lly p t it y l bl , t g t i

n c ssar The K o ara an d the Di n vit da s ma or m a e e y . ( jag pa a y y y

f r In r s a or a n ot all on Thu sdays. ) eve y Hi ndu hou e a b sket n

ar e n vesse wh ch serves as the re resen a ve of ros er e th l, i p t ti p p ity

and wh ch is reasured i n the house as an he r oom is set u an d i t i l , p

1 um a onam is in the an ore str ct a ras. K b k T j di i , M d 2 Se note un den Al ak mi Pﬁ a. e , s j

3 The owl is a so re ar e as the carr er of La smi m n ro a that l g d d i k , i plyi g p b bly owls wh ch are en e ra foun i n arns or ran ar es are e m e ms of oo har vest , i g lly d b g i , bl g d

or e nt . A arti cu ar s e c es of the ow l wh ch is name afte r the o ess is pl y p l p i , i d g dd , sacre to L a mi d ks . The cour or cow r e was in u se as a me u m of e chan e some t me a o and is i i di x g i g , i n c rcu at on even now i l i . 5 It i s inte re st in g to ob se rve that i n the house of i a cymb al s should n ot b e ' ' r un nor the conch- she ow n in the house of Sii r a Sun n or the am oo-ﬂ ute g, ll bl yy ( ) b b

T he r s v i n th m e of rahma. in t ha t of Durga. d um i a oided e te pl B 51

wo h s as e or co -m a ure i s ed w h add rsh ed. t rn e s ﬁll it , ipp T i b k v p y

e n c a ar an d of owers co ered w h a ec of c o h ircled with g l ﬂ , v it pi e l t

an d th ua s of w o sh are on e hr ou h A eremon e us l rite r ip g t g . c y i n honour pf Laksmi is observed by a b ride a nd a bridegroom s h s f h r hu d i 18 when the bride 1 brought to t e heu e o e sban . Laksm 1 ' sa h d A so e K o a ara and Di n ita a mi u niver lly wors ippe . [ l se j g pa v L ks Pajas j

MADANA TRAYODAQI.

t 1 M A DANA = UPID ws oss R A IS KKM A AND Tau ona i [ C , OTHE N ME , c = rns THIRTEENTH LUN AR m m]

Thi s festival falls on the thirtee nth lun ar day in the bright for n h of Caitra a rch- A r adan a w as the son of t ig t (M pil) . M a a the r mar us on or the enera a rac n ow er and M y ( P i y Ill i ) g l tt ti g p , fl is m arr ed to a affec on an d hi osom fr e nd is Vasanta i R ti, ti , s b i K ama is represen ted as a youth with eight arms an d atten de d by four n m hs— leasure Affec on ass on and Pow er ear n y p P , ti , P i ; b i g the she the o us a b ow an d five arrow s an d a b a ner w h the ll, l t , n it — Makara a figu re composed of a goat an d a fish or the sign 3 Ca r o s s p ic rn u . R ati i represen ted as a youn g an d beautiful fema e r ch a re d an d de cora e d dan c n an d a n on the l i ly tti t , i g pl yi g ‘ vi The f na a i da r nfi. estival of Mada Tr yodac tes f om the V e dic i e s e ad nd hi m s. i d d ca ed to the od of o e ana a s consor t It i t g l v , M , t 5 R ati who are w orshipped with offeri n gs of acoka flowe rs (J onesia ‘ as a his fes va i n n u n der h s n ame in n ok ) . T ti l s k ow t i Be gal an d or on s of har b ut in mos aces in the ou h of d a an p ti Bi , t pl S t In i d a A nan s M ysore it is kn own as A na n g Trayodaci . ga i another f a n ame o dan a the od of ove . M , g L

1 ri the r e of snu the mother of the wor is te na m er sha e as Q , d V , d, e r , p b ; b i i , l l i i l he is all ervad n so she is omn resent Y isnu is mean n she is s e ech H ar i p i g ip i g, p ; i s

o t she is ru e nce snu is un erstan n she is nte ect he is r hteous-n p li y, p d ; Vi d di g, i ll ; ig n ess she is evot on ri is the earth H ar its su ort. In a w or of o s , d i C , i pp d , g d an imals an d me n H ari is al l that is called M al e,Laksmi is al l that is te rme d F ema e —there is nothin e se than the l , g l y. 2 n z r Vasa ta the sp ing . 3 K ev r es on the r e mo ster ara or on a arrot amad a id ma in n Mak p . 4 i s a n of st n s r men Vina ki d ri ged i n t u t. 5 After the Vasauta Pan cami see ri Pancami ama the od of ove and ( G ) , K , g l , his r e Rat easure are worsh e w th oﬁ erin s of fru ts and ﬂ owers. In b id i , pl , ipp d i g i general howe ver Visnu and Laksmi now tak e thei r places. 52

MAGHA TRAY O DACI.

If the thirtee nth lu n ar day in the dark fortn ight of the mon th of Bhadra (A ug ust- S epte mb er) i s attended by the Ma gha O lu nar asteri sm it is called the Magha Trayodaci . n thi s day the u sua l ce rem on ies of the Pitrs or M an es are performed w ith

n an r c d o oﬁ erin gs of ho ey d i e c ooked i n milk . This ay is als held sacred as it is the ann i versary of the ﬁrst day of the Dvapara 1 u a and as such a a h in som e ho r ver an d char are Y g , b t ly i ity

“ en o n ed as secur n mer t j i i g i ,

A F Sm G M GHI UREIMA YU ADYA.

M A H AL YA A .

The day of the n e w m oon in the mon th of Bhadra (August 2 S eptember) or Acvina (Septe mb er- Octob er) when the sun is in the an i s c ed h M h l h s n r o a a t e a a a a. Amavas a or t e ig Vi g (K y ) ll y ( y ,

da of the con un c on of the sun an d the m oon is cons dered y j ti , i by all Hin dus to b e especially set apart for the maki n g of oblation s an d performan ce of religious ceremon ies to the Pitre or the spirits of

ar e d a n ces ors . The Itihasa a rea au hor on the re ous dep t t ) , g t t ity ligi

r of the n dus sa s ha t he m omen the sun er the s n ite s Hi , y t t t ent s ig Virgo (K an ya) the departe d Man es leav in g their abode in the w or d e f ama the es ro er come dow n to the w or d of ma n l Y , D t y , l

n d occu the houses of he r d scen dan s i n the w or d here a py t i e t l . T fore the fortnight prece din g the n ew moon of the mon th of Kanya i s con sidered a s specially sacred to the propitiation of the departed

s he cer mon es erform d in he r h ch da f spirit . T e i p e t i on our ea y o this fort n ight are con sidere d to b e equal in merit to those pe rformed 3 ra is th f f th n ear st in the sacred city of G ya. It e special un ction o e e 4 mal e re lative of the deceased to m ake offerings (pi uda) to the

1 n ks a T riti a an See note s u der A ay y d Yugadya. 2 ﬁ n I F or n e anat on of th s di ere ce see n tr od. ad ﬁn a xpl i i . Qf ‘ Every H ind u is required to v i sit G aya at l e ast once i n his life -time to per form the fune ra cere mon ics of his ance stors and to offer indas i n the r hon our l , p i .

The foo rese nte at a raddha to the s r t cons st n of r e or d p d Q pi i , i i g ba l y

r c mike w th se samum our su ar hone fru ts e tc . i e d i , ﬂ , g , y, i

541

some d art h s is a re e ion of the e mi ii a e cep n i n ep . T i p tit Ast p j x ti g The cer mon of immersion of the ma e a es m 1nor details. e y i g t k place on the day followm g .

T M AH AS AM I .

[TH E GRE AT Exam s ]

The second dayﬁf the Durga Pnja as ob served in B en gal an d

’ re 5 n own a s the ah tami as fa s on h h l e sewhe 1 k M as , it ll t e eig th day of the w axi n g moon i n the month of Acy ina (S eptemb er ” r Th da fas in i s re Octobe ) e y is spe n t in t g an d garded as the da of he ii A n oon of the s a l principal y t p ja. t A t m day after the

' ’ ' sacri ﬁces an d other pujas have b een perform ed the wome n of the house havin g oEered han dfuls of ﬂowers to the goddess seat them

urn fran i n cen se on he r a ms an d head selves, b k t i p l s. Small shallow

s are he d on the m an earthen v essel l pal s d overhead an d b u rnin g i r ced n hem . The r es s hrow sti cks a e pla t p i t t poun ded arom atic

n am. hr ce th i nc n g um s O the ﬂ e T i e e se is put in each vessel an d

‘ ' f es e are aced hree m three sets o v s ls pl t ti es onthe palms an d the a h m The am n an head of e c w o an . s are hen oEere d o ur a ﬂ i g p t t D g .

’ ’ r mon a b o ac d o At theen d ofthe ce e y yi s pl e n the la of ea ch woman . p m d h t d s s him . At n he d e w ho ble se i ig t go ss i s w orshipped w ith 1 n n ds of oEerin s an d the sacr e sixtee ki g iﬁc an d the homa ar e made T h s is the da when free- W also . i y ill oEerin gs for the

ros er of each m ember of the fami are made p p ity ly . The San dhi t es ace at the con unc on of the A tami Pﬁja ak pl j ti s an d Navami tithi s or un ar da s when i n add on to the rescr b ed , l y , iti p i puj as a s a sacri ce is oEered an d a hundred an d e h peci l ﬁ , ig t lamps are “ “ hese are h e d at t e me dedicated. lig t h ti of lustratmn a n d the T . d umar u a com e e the worsh hbrriaan K i P j pl t ip.

1 here are s t n s of oﬁ erin s b ut usual T ix y ki d g , ly only sixte en kinds are re — i ssue a seat s e icate . he a , va ata we come a a wa er d d d T y ( ) g ( l ) , p dy ( t for washin g feet acma ni a water for wash n the face madhu arka a the ) , y ( i g ) , p ( be verage contai n

n hone su ar and mi , snani a water for a th n vasana dress ab h i g y, g lk) y ( b i g) , ( ) , arana n s sa n e we s an ha ( sce t , a us a owers hu a ncense i a hts (j l ) , g d d l p p (ﬂ ) , d p ( i ) , d p (lig ) , i d ea m u a ete n a ve a ta es , arccana worsh stotra ta b l (b l) , y ( bl ) ( ip) , patha ( recitation mn s tar a a ati ons of water to e ceased of hy ) , p n (lib d ancestors etc and ) namaskara n prost ratio ) . 55

M AHAVI UVA SA MKRANT I on CAITRA S M S A K RANTI .

’ [Visuva z the sun s e n tran ce i nto A ri es (M esa) an d Lib ra

(Tula) the vernal or the a utu mn al equ in ox . Samkranti is the

n ame ven to the ﬁrs da of the so ar mon h ha is the da gi t y l t , t t , v 1 on whic h the sun passes from one sign of the Z odiac to an o h t er . ]

h s fes va fa s on the as da of the ear i s on t e T i ti l ll l t y y , , h

a f i ra ar h- r T here ar t o v u l st day o Ca t (M c Ap il) . e w is ra samkrantis one a es ace a t the e n d of the mon h of Caitra at , t k pl t

the ern a e u n o wh ch is now n as the M ahavi uva samkranti V l q i x i k s ,

an d the o her at the en d of A vi na at the Au umna e u nox t c , t l q i o a called the J alavisuva samkranti . The f rmer of these d ysis

n own as Caitra samkran ti an d i s con s dered h h aus c ous k , i ig ly pi i .

A a h is a en in some sacred s ream refera the G au es an d b t t k t , p bly g , several vow s are take n an d v ratas performe d on this day ;

' ' an a sarnkranti the a a sarn kranti the ha a sa hkranti etc D , J l , P l r . 5" J ars ﬁlled with w ate r havin g some grain s of b arley in them with e d es a n d o her su a e h n s are oEered to nu to the ibl t it bl t i g Vis ,

Ista devat u e ar ods an d to the an s e ra as (t t l y g ) M e . T h Ca ka puja

a lso takes pl ace on this day.

A A A SA MKRANTI on UTTA RAYANA - SAMK ANTI M K R R .

’ The su n s en ran ce n o the s n Ca r corn u s a ara wh ch [ t i t ig p i (M k ) , i i is iden tical with the Uttarayana or return of the sun to the n ortl 3 c or to the w in ter solsti e . Thi s festival marks the return of the sun to the Northern

mi s he us fa s n the as da of the m on h of a he p re . It ually ll o l t y t P usa

' m r- an r The servan ces en o n ed on h s occas o (Dece b e J ua y) . Ob j i t i i n

‘ ‘ a re ar of a r a e an d ar of a u c charac er . The rs p tly p iv t , p tly p bli t ﬁ t con s s s of o eri n s to the Pitrs or ro en ors whe her enera as i t E g , p g it , t g l} of all man n d or s ec a as of the fam of the w orsh er to the ki , p i l, ily ipp Vastu deva the ares or domes c en the uard ans of , Dii L , ti g ii, g i

1 The twe ve s n s of the Z o ac are e a Ar es) se aurus M ithuna l ig di M s ( i , Vr (T ) , em n K arkkata Can cer S rmha Leo an a r o u a L ra V cika ( G i i) , ( ) , ( ) , K y ( Vi g ) , T l ( ib ) , rc Scor o Dhenu a ara Ca r cornus um ha A uar us and i na ( pi ) , M k ( p i ) , K b ( q i ) M s ( Pi ces) . 2 2 See note n 2 k a Trit a o page under A s ya i y . 3 M akara =~ An a uat c an m a resem n a sh ar hav n a trun e a n q i i l bli g , k i g k lik e e h The n n s m e n M a eer; l p ant. more ancie t name of the sig ee s to hav bee rga; d 56

t he dwe n or the s e on w h ch i s r c lli g, it i it e e ted an d to the a e d Th r n Visvadev s or u n iv rsal go s. e ce emo ies addre ssed to all these are erform e d w h n the a ode of the househo der an d ar o u p it i b l , e c n d ct

e d the fam r es . The r n c a ar c e of the o fer n is la by ily p i t p i ip l ti l f i g ti , or sesa mu m seeds e her se ara e or as i s m ore usua m ed it p t ly, l, ix w h m o asses or the sacchar n e u ce of the fru of th date re it l i j i it e t e , a n d m ade u n o a n d of swe e m ea ca ed tilu a Pis akas or p i t ki t t, ll . t ‘ cake s al so a re offere d c om osed of rou n d r ce m e d w h su ar , , , p g i ix it g a n d ghi w he nce the festival has the den omin ation of Til ua

S a mkranti a n d Pi aka S amkran ti the so a r con u nc on of h st , l j ti t e

s wee m ea or the ca e . I n en a the da is de vo ed to feas n as t t k B g l y t ti g, the da of ha rves - home an d a rea ua n t of u dd n s a n d ca es y t , g t q ity p i g k m ade of r ce m ea the coun e r ar s of Chr stmas u m- udd n i l, t p t i pl p i g,

he G a ar h n at th or a re con su me d. T ggasag a S n an a or bat i g e Sau g

h ar a s ce on s da S e G ar asa a S n an a . I n I slan d t ke pla t i y. ( e j g g ) som e place s small images of ﬂour b aked in sesam um oil or ghi an d made t o rese mble bir ds are strun g as n eckla ces a n d placed roun d

s of ch dren on h s da O n the m orrow or the secon d da the n eck il t i y. y of Magha (Ja n uary- February) the children call the crows an d other

s an d fe ed he m w h the n ec aces an d eat a or on hem e bird t it kl p ti t s l ves. The n ame Phu la Samkranti is derived from the cu stom of placin g

owers es ec a hose of the rhododen dron on h s da at the ﬂ , p i lly t , t i y

‘ thre shold of frien ds an d relation s w ho in return give prese nts of T e h e f rice an d grain . h w ol o Magha is specially devoted to the w orsh of nu an d the S un a n d accord n to the a dma Pur ua ip Vis , i g P a

a h n duri n h s m on h is ar cu ar f c b t i g g t i t p ti l ly e ﬁ ca iou s . At on e of

he m o sa cred aces i n n d a Pra a a A aha ad where th t st pl I i , y g ( ll b ) , e

J amun an d the an es mee a ce e ra ed re ous fa r a a G g t, l b t ligi i (Mel )

takes place at this season . This festi val is calle d P on gal (or P un gal) in the sou th of

m ar s the comm ence me n o the I n dia . It k t f Tamil year an d is the

or s o a n day for con gratulat y v i its . Pe ple purch se ew cookin g pots f e h n he n he s u each o h an d b oil r s ric e i mi lk . T t y al te t er w ith the ” question H as the milk b oile d ? to which the an swer is given

a er I n r a th ou h nd that the boilin g (pon g l) is ov . e lity e S t I ian

to t or ca on of a r u ur festival see m s to b e de dicated he gl iﬁ ti g ic lt e .

d a d w h ar an ds he r horn s co oure d and ma n o Cattle are ecor te it g l , t i l g

a s hu n roun d he r n ec s . he are l ed a ou i n rocess on l e ve g t i k T y b t p i ,

e from all a our an d r ua if n ot ac ua worsh ed e xempt d l b , vi t lly t lly ipp . 57

MAKA RI SAPTAM I.

[THE SEVENTH LUNAR DAY or THE SUN IN CAP RICORNUS

r h The festival falls on the seven th day of the moon in the b ig t

- r r A a h fortn ight of the m on th of Magha (Jan uary Feb ua y) . b t in the Gan ges on this day at day- break e n sures the m erit obtai n ed

on e hun dred a hs in ha r er dur n o ar c ses a n d all by b t t t iv i g S l E lip , s s efore sun r se char itie be tow e d on this day secure special merit . B i

at the me of a h n cer a n ra ers are m en a rec ed dur n ti b t i g t i p y t lly it , i g w hich the bather place s upon his head a platter holdi n g seve n lea ves of the arka plan t (Cal otropis Gigan tea) or satavari (A sparagus

acem osu s or a e oil an d h e d w c k an d s rs the w a er R ) , littl lig t i , ti t

roun d him accord n to some w h a e e of su ar- can e af er , i g , it pi c g ; t his prayers he re moves the article s from his head an d sets the lamp

a oa on h a e H hen ma es the usua a on s o the ﬂ t t e w t r . e t k l lib ti t

an es an d hav n on e home resen s food an d m on e an d M , i g g , p t y c o hes accord n to his m ean s to rahma ns the who e r e is l t , i g , B ; l it

con s dered as secur n him from s c ness rem a u re deca an d i i g i k , p t y,

sorrow . is a so n own as has ara Sa tami the da S ec a It l k B k p , y p i lly

sacred to the S u n a n n d a s n en ce fro s ud ar a so . F sti g a b ti m t y e l ‘ o serve n n h h r no n s a ha b d o this day. I t e S out it is b ette k w a R t Sa tami p .

A A A U A M N S P J .

a is rs n h n asa w o h d o t f D hara . n e e da o the a a i . e o the M ipp y c , ,

en h da of the w a n moon in the m on h of ai ha on the as t t y xi g t J st , l t

da of the mon h of hadra the da of the A ran dhan am an d on y t B , y ,

hose da s i n Asarha rava na or hadra on w h ch the Na a an t y , C B i g p mi ca fa s. an asa is the s s er of Vasuki the n of sn a es the ll M i t , ki g k , w fe of aratkaru a sa e an d e n the ueen of sna es is re ard i J , g , b i g q k g

ed as the ro e c re ss of m en from hese r An o her n a p t t t eptiles. t me

w h ch she i s n own is Vi ahari the des ro er of o s n by i k s , t y p i o . Gen erally offerin gs are m ade to her without an y image b ein g 1 m ade a ran ch of a ree a an of w a er or an earthen sn a e e n , b t , p t , k b i g

her re resen hen h r p tative . W e image is made it is of a woman

1 u hor a Lin ul arum E p bi g . 58

s n on a o us or s an d n on a na e itti g l t t i g s k . In B en gal the vrata I katha or a son g foun ded upon the story of Chan d an d V ehnl a

som et mes conc u des the w orsh of h s de Af r an asa ha i l ip t i ity . te M s

een w orsh ed the A stan a as are n vo d The r f b ipp g i ke . w o ship o

an asa secures mmun from the fear of sna - e M i ity ke bit .

A A N GA P NCA M I.

NAe A z A A ND PA AM I= H E NC T T LD AR D Y . [ SN KE, FIF H N A ]

The ﬁfth lun ar day afte r the full lmoon in the month of Asarha

un e - J ul is ca ed Na a an cami b ut the o ser an ce of the r es (J y) ll g p , b v it performed at this festival i s con tin ued on the sam e lun ar day up to

h ra Au us - e em er O n hes da s i n en a a m B ad ( g t S pt b ) . t e y B g l ilky 2 hedge - pla n t is plan te d on a raise d m oun d of earth in the cou rt

ard of the hou se where M an asade vi is w orsh ed in order to sec y , ipp ure

- mmu n from sn a e e . A erson whose fa her mo her or an i ity k bit p t , t y other relation happens to have died by snake-bite is specially e n o n edto erform h s cerem on ar of wh ch cons s s in oEeri11 j i p t i y, p t i i t g 3 sn akes o a w h h o ec f r a h h milk to pr b bly it t e bj t o p opiti tin g t em . T is fes va is o serv ed in som e form or o her ro a hrou hou n d a ti l b t p b bly t g t I i ,

s c a in ro n ces w here dea hs from sn - e are comm n e pe i lly p vi t ake bit o .

In the u n a on the da of the Na a an cam i a ur is P j b y g p , ﬁg e

c n th a re re n h s a - draw n in bla k o e house w ll . It p se ts t e n ke god

1 Chan d was a merchan t who was inimical to Manasa as a con se quen ce of this al l his sons i e of sna e - te b ut (3t was o urate he w oul n ot ro t ate d d k bi bd , d p pi i

ess. At ast a son was orn t him who w as the a e of his e But that godd l b o ppl yes . anasa w as re ent e ss his son w as tten b a sna e in s ite of all recaut ons on M l l , bi y k , p p i , ’ - the da of his we n . H e e b ut Vehul a the ust we e w fe of Chau s son y ddi g di d , , j dd d i d , w o hi s o b e r he ro ure a f a n ould not all w dead b dy to bu nt . S p c d ra t and pl ci g the n it ot nto it herse f an d had it a ft on the r r Da s se t o o cast r ve . as he b dy g i l d i i y p d, cor se ecame utr b ut Vehnl a wou not eave the o She herse f was a p b p id, ld l b dy. l v otary of Manasa she asked for her prote ction and the restorati on of the life of her husband n ight an d day the want of food and the exposed life on a raft reduced he r to a s e eton b ut she did n ot re a her ra ers and v . anasa at ast re ente she k l , l x p y igil M l l d ’ It is the e an a n se got b ack her husband s life . [ b lief of m y that perso suppo d to b e ea from sna e - te re a ves in a state of sus en e an mat on for a on time d d k bi , lly li p d d i i l g ft r a e . ] 2 r Lin ar m E upho bia gul u . a The eo e a v s ts to the ho e s where sna es es e c a co ras are p pl p y i i l k , p i lly b , en era nown to re main conceal e and ma e offerin s to the m of m l an tains g lly k d, k g i k, pl

et c. 59

- n th h e from i n his dwellin g place an d is b elieved to preve t e ous bein g i nfested with sn ake s.

In the U n ited Provin ces on the day of the festival the people

f se r e n s an d rds on the wa s of he r house s pain t ﬁgures o p t bi ll t i ,

a efore the fes va he s ee a m ure of whea a n d se ve n d ys b ti l t y t p ixt t,

a r O n the morn n of the feast he a gram and pulse in w t e . i g t y t ke

a s of rass tie u in the form o a sn a e di in the wa er w i p g , it p f k , p it t i n w hich the gram has been steeped an d offer it with mon ey an d

o r s In the eas ern d s r c s of the swee tm eats t the se pen t . t i t i t Upper ’ Provinces on this day milk an d dried rice are poured in to a snake s

The feed n of sn a es is don e in mu ch the same wa hole . i g k y in

a n or h rn n d a here are cer a n da s wh n B omb y . I N t e I i t t i y e plou gh

n i for dd n u h s th da f the Na a an cami i g s bi e s c a e y o g p . Turn in g u the so on su ch occas on s d s u r s e an a a the r p il i i t b Q s g , g eat w orld

er n an d er r s pe t Moth E a th. In S outh In dia a story i s curren t that a B rahmana b oy W ho t f n a u w en to etch the ﬂow ers of the ketaki (Pa d n s Fascicularis) on i h da of h s f s a s a co ra . H s s t e y t i e tiv l w a bitten by b isters by the ob servan ce of this vrata were able to brin g their brother back to

f en c a f as n r f ows the rece n e . e e e e a o d fas li H t g lly ll p i g t . The

fou 1t h day of the waxin g m oon in Crava na is also know n as the

fes va of ro h r n d rs n n e s a s s e . o es a h s as he ti l b t i t H l i t ill , t y are con s dere d to b e the hom es of co ras are w orsh d i b , ippe by women in order ha he r ch dr m a from t t t i il en y b e free itch and other skin

“

d seases . h s da is now n as M au ni Pan cami in M ithil i T i y k a. In

the Carn a c a vra a n amed Citran e mi is o serve d on h s da ti t b t i y. In rav a and r ssa the d D id O i ay is k n own as Guru Pancami when , auri an d a mi ar orsh G L ks e w ipped.

NAs' A C r ANDRA .

THE A S S M 00 [ IN U PICIOU N. ]

The moon Wh ch i i s visible on the fourth lun ar day in both the

dar an d r h for n h s i n the mon h of hadr k b ig t t ig t t B a (Au gust e em er is ca e d the a a candra th S pt b ) ll N st or e i nauspiciou s or u n uc moon s n ce 18 con s der d un uc l ky , i it i e l ky to see the face of the m oon n s n o he e h s . But if cha ce a n t ig t by n yb ody happens to see h , e has to ur f h mse f u er n a man a it p i y i l by tt i g tr (prayer) 60

with his face turn ed towards the east or the n orth an d drin kin g

som a er ace d i n the ho ow of a con c - she In e w t pl ll h ll . the Upper Provin ces the fou rth day of the w axi n g m oon in the m on th of Bhadra (A u gust - S eptember) i s sacred to the m oon an d i s k n ow n

a s Cauk Ca n dra . It is very u n lu cky to look at the m oon on

n d ho v r m a n o The ha da a w e e does so w e his am e n fam us . t t y, ill k i

story run s ha Taksaka the n of the sn a e s s o the e ar- r n s t t , ki g k , t le i g of kin g A diti who b ein g u n able to discov er the thief laid it to the

rs n rsna o a a i r charge of K a . K m rtiﬁe d t this false ccusat on recove

e ore d the ea - ri n A h s a h da n h ch rs na e d an d r st r gs . s t i w s t e y o w i K

as w ron fu d s raced the m oon of ha n h is n ves e d w g lly i g , t t ig t i t

o f s c n f n m e f an d in with associa ti n s o pe ial si ul ess . S o e p ople ast

n n eat on r ce a n d cu rd rahm a ns orsh the moon the e ve i g ly i s . B w ip

h offer n s of owers an d swee mea s an d e o e et s on es w it i g ﬂ t t , p pl g t

h h us n h c o - s he r fr en ds throw n at t eir o es. O t is day s h ol b oys v i it t i i a n d m ake a peculiar n oise by kn ockin g together tw o coloured a sticks like cast n ets . NA VAN A N .

= [NavANNA NEW GRAIN on 1110s or THE NEW H ARVESTJ

This is a fe stival usually ob served i n Magha (Ja nuary

r u on rs a her n an d n the co d a her ro Feb rua y) p ﬁ t g t i g eati g l w e t c p. S everal days i n the year are regarded as auspiciou s for taki n g

n ew ra n b ut usua the cer mon i s o serve d i n the g i , lly e y b A grahaya na (November- Dece mber) an d Pausa (Decemb er- Jan uary) he r n c a r ce cr o home fr m th d w hen t p i ip l i op is b r u ght o e ﬁel s . The n ew grain can n ot b e taken w ithou t ﬁrst ob servin g this

The ra n is r o re the ods an d the anes c ere mon y . g i ﬁ st ffe d to g M

hen some of is a en w h m o asses m an a n a n d an d t it t k it l , ilk, pl t i

At Pur th e on other fru its . i e Na van n a Yatra is h ld the last day of the m on th of Pa usa the pilgrim s w alk n in e times roun d the i n n er temple of Jagann atha an d puddi n g an d rice meal cakes are consumed.

S NAVAVA R ARAM BH A .

’ HE W D Y [T NE YE AR S A . ]

The ﬁ rst day of the n e w year i n B en gal is cou nte d from the ﬁrst day of the mon th of Vaiqakha (April-M ay) whe n it is

L VATI U NI A P JA.

D urin g the whole mon th of Caitra (March April) a large n um er of eo e of o h se es who r c a e o to the b p pl b t x , p in ip lly b l ng

ower s ra a of soc e o ser e s n n asa fas n dur n t l t t i ty, b v a y by ti g i g he da a n a m ea of fru at n h v n ab stemioiisl y, t ki g l it ig t, by li i g y

' a n d o serv n aus er es for th ro a on of i a b i g t iti e p piti ti C v . A bout the en d of the month takes place the w orship of 1 Ni lavati a w fe of iva The san n ass v s K ali hat or , i C . y i i it g other em es of akti an d a where he 1erce he r s des the t pl O i , t y p t i i ,

f r h a h c n c c resen s skin s o thei fore eads etc . n d on t is o casio olle t p t an d f s from the s e c ators who far from e ncou ra n hese gi t p t , gi g t self- tortures pay them somethin g to get rid of the sight of

h r e n m s h s elf- or ures are n ew a mos o so e e t ei bl edi g li b . T e e s t t l t b l t , b ut the san n sa is t r c se d Th e ceremon form s a ar ya s ill p a ti . y p t of the Ca a a u a b ut i s suf c en im or an amon hose r k p j , ﬁ i tly p t t g t ra s r r who p cti e it to me it sepa ate n otice.

N S IMH A CATUR IDA I B D C .

[THE F OURTEEN’I‘H LUNAR DAY IN s e rious or Ns srnna j

On the fourteen th day of the m oon in the bright fortnight of the month of V aieakha (A pril - M ay) at the close of the day

~ a s med the form of Nrsimha ha f man ha f on an d Visnu s u ﬂ l l li ,

r ed as h O n h s da nu an d his evou this day is re ga d oly . t i y Vis d t 2 ahl ada are worsh ed i n th e rsimha is follow er Pr ipp e ev n in g . N ’ w orshipped with the object of gettin g on e 5 < 1 : i e wi d The fest va is n ot o serv ed in e a the Coroman de e . fulﬁll i l b N p l, l

rom adras to Ca e Com or n ar han a an d Cham aran . Coast f M p i , D b g p At P uri a local festival is held in hon our of the occasion when J a gan n atha i s covered over with ﬂ owers an d appears with a lion

face .

1 has t or u h forsa en ever h n A man whose who e Literally on e who h o g ly k yt i g . l

z ti n life is devoted solely to the ser vice of G od and nsa ab jura o ) .

Dv a i See note under Gov in da iid c . 63

A I SEE A VAD NRSIM HA Dvan e GOVIND D AQI.

I DA I PARCVA KA Q .

PAR VA = SIDE EKKDA qi z THE V AR mm { Q , ELE ENTH LUN ]

The eleven th or twelfth day of the w axin g moon in the mon th of B hadra (A u gust- September) i s regarded as the day when Visnu 1 i n his sleep turns to the right side . At sun set the god i s w or h d and i a o s ippe h s ima ge is pl ced n the right side . S ometim es the im age is taken to a tan k or river an d w orshippe d i a h r . s a s n ar ar art n i t e e It l o k own as P cv p iv ta aikadae .

A A M P USA SAMKRANTI SEE MA K RA SA KRANTI .

R OB. ULTA A PUNARYAT A RATHA YATR .

h s ceremon wh ch is a ar of the a ha a ra fes a T i y, i p t R t Y t tiv l, takes place on the ten th day of the w axin g m oon in the mon th of Asarha (Jun e- J uly) when the ratha or car on which J a gan n atha

en out on the da of the Ra hai a ra e n s its r urn is tak y t Y t , b gi et

h s fes va comm em ora es the r urn of rsna an j ourney . T i ti l t et K d V ala rama from Mathura whither they had gon e at the in vitation of f an amsa the demon n o the ace . e n ous to K , ki g pl B i g xi kill

na w hom he re arded as hi s m or a en em amsa sen the K rs , g t l y, K t b rothers an i n vi tation b ut Krsna kn owin g his m otive killed him s mar the end of th a ha a r f n h fes va s e a e va . i stead. T i ti l k R t Y t sti l The ru e is ha the who e fes va shou d as n n e da s b ut l t t l ti l l l t i y ,

u su a as s mu ch on er the re urn ourn e a n man da s lly it l t l g , t j y t ki g y y

a u r A hou h the who e of the a ha Yatra‘ festival is e ssen t P i . lt g l R t

t all t/ze fes va of r ssa is n ot oca wherever ri r na or i y ti l O i , it l l, C K s J agan n atha is w orshipped the great festival with its cerem on ials am r h u is ob served m uch in the s e w ay as at Pu i . Alt o gh this festival forms a part of the R atha Yatra it is con side red su fﬁcie ntly

importan t by itself to deserve separate n otice . [See also Ratha Yatra]

1 F r c nt of the ee f u see H ari a nam o an a cou sl p o Visn c ya . 64s

P PADOLOTSAVA OR PHU A D L US L O A .

Pu PA Doraz A SW G DEOORATED W W RS AND [ s IN ITH FLO E , UTSAVA : A FESTIVA L ]

o t This festival takes place n he day of the full m oon in the

kha A ri - M a mon th of V aica ( p l y) . The swi n g on w hich Crl Krsna an d Radha are in stalled is at ﬁrst con secrated by bein g w ashed 1 2 h an ca av a an d an camrta an d w h the rec o w it p g y , p , it itati n ras h a of prescribed m a n t . T en n elab orate course of ablution s

nti n s i s on e hrou h after w h c the od n d an d an oi g g t g , i h g a d god ess

r orsh ed w h a rofus on of owers scen s an d san da a e w ipp it p i ﬂ , t l

he h ma an d o her r tc . t ce em on s n a o n c ud d s e e e e s e . pa t , o t i b i g l i l 3 It i s believed that whoever w orships Jan arddan a w ith a pure

r wh e he is n s a ed on the sw n v er h o a n s res at hea t, il i t ll i g, ily e bt i t

an d all his s ns ar ed a a r i he d h s hi fee e w w . A fa s on s t, i ip y i l t i

a at hardaha a ou ten m es n or h of Ca cu a . See d y K , b t il t l tt [ Dolavatraj RA DH ASTA M I.

‘ [THE EI G HTH LUNAR DAY IN HONOU R or RADHAJ This festival takes place on the eighth lun ar day in the bright

o - fortnight of the m n th of Bhadra (A u gust S eptember) . The ‘ oun of adha as en in the Brahm avaivartta urana acc t R , giv P ,

a th r meva e n hav n d v ded m e f n o two ar s i s th t e P i l B i g i g i i Hi s l i t p t , the r h s de ecame r na an d the ef adha a n d from he r ig t i b K s l t R , t i un on the v a a rs an d mu n dan e e w ere e nera ed adha e n i it l i gg g t , R b i g i n fac the I ccha akti the of the e the ma n fes a on t C , Will D ity, i t ti d n of ha. of which was the Un iverse . This is the esoteric c on ceptio Ra he Paur nic adha is con s dered to b e the same w h h s differ T a R i , it t i e n ce that she took a human form to man ifest herself to her devotees . 5 h Radha was born on the eighth lun ar day in the bright fortn ig t of

1 Signify l i terally the five thin gs or substance s d eri ved from the b ody of the cow vi a mi cur s hi c ar e utter u n and ur ne wh ch are m e , , lk, d , g ( l ifi d b ) , d g i , i ix d r toge the . 2 Com ose of m cur s ue e utter hone and su ar mi e to ether . p d ilk, d , liqfi d b , y g x d g 3 n rdda ra e nes n am e of ri J a a na lite rally means he to whom men p y ; b a. C sn a or sn u It is re ate n he aha harata tha t i s n u i s ca e b th s K r Vi . l d i t M b V ll d y i n ame ecause he ove rawe the as uras e mons b d (d ) , The w ord Radha is thus explain e d

The ette r B re serves ersons from sin the vowe A ( o v ates l (I ) p p , l m ) b i

r e e nerat on Dh shorte ns the er o of morta e ste nce and the g i , (H) p i d l xi ,

se con on vow e A d l g l (En) sunde rs all worldly bonds. 5 Ra ha as o u ar nown w as th au hter of a cowher named d , p p l ly k , e d g d 65

the mon h f dra i n the Vi kh Ab hi it unar as r sm t o Bha qa a j ) l te i . This fe s a r o r of tiv l is the an n iversary of the day of he birth. All foll w e s V is uu are e n j oi ned to observe a strict fa st on this day an d to w orship he r at m dda y whe n she w as orn w h offe r n s of fru s cho ce i , b , it i g it , i e d fo les arm en s e w e s etc . he n ow s the n voca on of ib , g t , j l T ll i ti her re a on s a n d r n c a com an on s a nd the vrat - a h l ti p i ip l p i , a k t a con c ude th f f r The f s i r u a l s e esti val o the da v . a t s b oken as us l on the n e da If the devo ee ca n ease dh w h his or her xt y . t pl Ra a it de vo on th d ri s o i d ti e go C K r na als s please .

RAK AB N HA R B M S A D NA O RAKHI URNI A.

1 A S A = RA R A ND BANDH A NA = TY1NG [R K (LITE LLY) P OTECTION, . ]

O n the full m oon of Crava n a (J ul y - Augu st) is held the

Rakhi b an dhan a fes va w he n w ome n tie a m u e s roun d the ti l , l t

r r f d l ha is u u a d s a n th w ists of the i rie n s . A l t t s lly on e i th t o e se ve n th day of the light fortn ight of Cravana grain s of barley are sow n i n a ot of m a n u re a nd S r n u so ra d ha b the p , p i g p pi ly t t y e n d of the m on th the vessel i s full of lon g yellowish- g re e n

he r r w al v She was marrie to A an a G ho a V r isab han u; the n ame of mothe as K a ati . d y s d hs kn e w that Cri K rsn a w a s an i ncarnation of G od or more corre ctly H e w as G od t H er w s n H imse lf an d she gave he rself u p e n irely to Him . s a o impure l ove

s e v on . i s Pr k ti o N t i n he b ut the highest form of ec tatic d oti Radha a r r a ure m a n . S ‘ i w e e to A an a C hosa a e u n uch who is l iken ed to the attract on s of the wor s dd d y , , i ld She ren oun ce these usor o s i n the ar of A an a Ghosa and of ﬂesh. d ill y j y ( g b y ) s s u n R s erse f u en t re to G od s a see a o footnote er a a at ra . gave h l p i ly , K r n ( l d y ) 1 A ie ce of threa or i or t nse oun roun the w r st on art cu a r p d S lk ( i l b d d i p i l

ions e s eciall on the fu moon of ravan a e ther as an amu l e t and re se r va occas ,. p y ll C , i p

s r n e r as a s m o of mutua e e n en ce or as a mar of res ect t i ve agai nst mi fo tu o y b l l d p d k p . me t m es se nt b a a of ran or fam to A mon g the Raj puts it is so i y l dy k ily a pe rso n rot ct on She i s es rous f secur n a nd wh of i n ﬂue nce or power whose p e i d i o i g om she r h s a o ts as i t w e re as a ma e re at ve or other. t u d p , , l l i b

he ra e e t ma b e se nt b ma e n s it is on on occas on s of u r e n Though t b c l y y id , ly i g t The Ra ut ame e stows w th the Ra h the t t e of a o n ece ssity or dan ger . j p d b i k i i l d pted

‘ he r an d w hile i ts acce tan ce se cures to he r all the rote ct on of a ca va ere b rot , p p i li ’ e ts an the r ti e to th e vot ve n te scan a tse f n e ve r su s o s on . In sha e or se r , d l i l gg y i d i p n oth n m ar 1n Euro e a n d as e fen n the m ost e ic t application there 13 i g Si il p , d di g d l a e t re of the fair it is ecu ar a r o r ate as an e m e m of e vot on part of the stru c u , p li ly pp p i bl d i . ase w th the courte ous e c i [ The Empe ror H u mayun ] w as so pl e d i d li acy n the customs on re ce v n the ra ce e t of the r n cess K arn avati wh ch n veste hi of Raj asthan i i g b l p i , i i d m t e of her rothe r an d rote ctor to he r n fan t that he e e h mse w ith the ti l b p i , pl dg d i lf to

s r ce H e rove h mse f a true n ht an d a an one his con uests in her e v i . p d i l K ig b d d q ” ’ ' e — e on t re ee m his e . o s A n n al s o Ra astﬁé n Vol e n a w hen ca o . B g l ll d d pl dg T d f j , I,

3 12. p . 66

n the rs da of the n e mon h hadra or hadon stalks . O ﬁ t y xt t B B

- e em er the w omen an d r s a e hese out hrow (A u gust S pt b ) gi l t k t , t the earth an d m an u re in to w a ter an d distrib ute the pla nts to thei r

ds w ho n d hem i n he r u r an s an d a ou he r m ale frmn , bi t t i t b b t t i

s dres . q ' khi s r n race e w h ch fr en ds d s r u e to fr e n ds The Ita t i g b l t, i i i t ib t i

n at l se nd t o ro hers i s a race e w h ch is an d sistefs aﬁ ectio e y b t , b l t i h roc d n from i n ten de d to save the m from a n y arm or evil p ee i g

The rava ni r e w as o serve d i n e r rem o e m es serpe nts . [ C it b v y t ti , a o on the fu - moon da of the m on h of ab out years g , ll y t

a a n to ro a e ser en s a n d here is som e d f cu i n Cr v a p piti t p t , t i ﬁ lty d t th hi P nima s re cogn 1s1n g the rite perform e a e R ak ur as a urviva l of the Cravani rite ] L RA M A ILA .

E S R O F A A G S r oe RAM A [LIF HI TO Y R M , THE DIVINE DOIN ]

s a e in e em e r on c o e am a is The Ramali la take pl c S pt b O t b r . R

d m e el s an ncarn at on of G od the ndus b ut n ot regarde r y a i i by Hi ,

amanam a the na m e of am a. aﬁ or ds conso a t on to housan ds R ( R ) l i t , Ramaca ri tra (the life an d characte r of Rama as gi ven i n the

r d o n er ma a na is read a c ed an d onde e u ev where . The Ra y ) , t p p y ’ ’ ar e n for a m s s s i ta am a am a ama is h b egg b ggi g l ay S R , R R t e

ord n ar n du form of sa u a on in the er rov n ces an d i y Hi l t ti Upp P i , ’ ” Ram a s n am e al on e i s true (Ram a n ama satya) is repeated r t on n h w hen the Hi ndu is carried to the c e m a i grou d. T e accoun t of his e xile and his in vasi on of Lagka are acted every year in S ep t ember- Oct ob er u n de r the na me of Ramalila i n alm ost e very place

in e r n d a a n d the crow ds Of e o e shout n w th on e vo ce Upp I i , p pl i g i i

‘ Cri Raj a Ram acan dra ki J aya (v i ctory to R aja Rama Can dua) Show how deep is the hold he has on the mi nds of the I n dian

o e In the er r v nces a nd har the rea es f s pe pl . Upp P o i Bi g t t e tival of the year is the Daeahara or R amli la w he n the S t ory of the Ram a

a na is rec ed an d ac ed du r n the w ee k the na r u m y it t i g , ﬁ l t i ph of am ce r ed h man ﬁr r D R a bei n g leb at w it y ew o ks . [See acaharfr ] M RAM ANAVA I .

[TH E NINTH LUN AR DA Y IN HONOUR or RX M A J 1 R ama w as b orn on the nin th l u nar day in the b right fort night

of th o h f i c - e m nt o Ca tra (M ar h A pril) in the Pu nar vvasu lu n a r 1 R See amal ila. 67

as er sm . h s fe s va i s the an n versar of ha aus c ous da t i T i ti l i y t t pi i y.

O n th s da the ro hers of ama n ame Lak mana h ra a a nd i y b t R , ly, s , B a t

a tr u hna an d his com an on s are n vo d i a a d a C g , p i i ke S t n R m a a re

w orsh ed accord n to rescri ed r es a nd an ffer n lac ipp i g p b it , O i g p ed

i n a con ch- S he con s s n of a n a oka owe r J on e sia A soca ll i ti g c ﬂ ( ) ,

tu asi ea ves c m um an ctu m u a ras s Poa C nosu r de s l l (O i S ) , k c g ( y oi )

a fru t and San a aste are ded ca ed to him A n nvo ti is i d l p i t . i ca on

rec ed e e r four hours his fe his do n s his rth et ar v c . it y , li , i g , bi e

m ed a ed u on a v is e t a t n h s r c fas n is o serve d it t p , igil k p ig t , t i t ti g b ,

a t on s of w a er are oﬁered to the a n e s an d n a the vra a lib i t M , ﬁ lly t

a ha i u r n th s occa s on a n h s s e n e d to. A t o an at a who is k t li t P i i i J g ,

e e ve d to b e a a er ncarn a t on of Ram a is dre sse d as am a b li l t i i , R a n d w or shippe d as such.

A PUR RASA YATRA O R RAS NIM A.

Thi s is an an n ual festival celebrate d i n vari ous parts of In dia from the te nth lunar day in the bright fortn ight of Karttika (O ctobe r- Nov e mb e r) to the day of the ful l moon upon the ’ su s e n ra n ce n o ra T a le n oc urna dan ce s a n d re r n t i t Lib ( ) , by t l p e

s i a r d n s or s of r a e cutation s of the l l s o ivi e p t K sn . T h gopi s (wi ves

of th c o wherds are re rese n e d as e n m ad in o ve w h e ) p t b i g ‘ ly l it 1 K rs na A S he an d Val arama (his b rother) played the ﬂute they

1 Sir w n Arno in escr n the re at on s etwee n Ra ha r n a an d the Ed i ld d ibi g l i b d , K s o s as ortra e i n the Gi ta ov in da wh ch are s m ar to those wh ch e st g pi p y d g , i i il i xi ed at the Rasali l a fe st va sa s Un er the form of r shna an ncar nat o f i l , y d K i , i i n o the G od shnu the human sou is s a e i n its re at ons a ternate w th earth n Vi , l di pl y d l i l ly i ly a d s ce e st a eaut . r shna at on ce human and v ne i rst attracte b h l i l b y K i , di i , ﬁ d y t e pleasures of the sen ses ( person iﬁed b y the she pherdesses of the w ood) an d w astin g

his affect on s in the e hts of th s usor w or . Ra ha the s r t of nte t i d lig i ill y ld d , pi i i llec ua l

a n d m ora eaut comes to free him from the error b e n n n i n his he l b y, y ki dli g art a desi re for he r own surp assin g love li ness of form and characte r and un de r the parable of a human passi on the g radual e man cipati on of K ri shn a from the sen suous dis ” t raction an d his un on w th Ra ha i n a h h s r tua se ha n ess are or tra e i i d ig pi i li d ppi p y d .

- ev e w 234 No CX . Vi de Ca cutta R of 1876 . . X l i , p , III

The m ma s O i s of Vrin dab ana re re sen t the var ous vr1tti ilk id ( g p ) p i s (modiﬁca li n s of the h man m n an d r shna i s the Su re me Se f in whom the io u i d) K i p l , y ﬁnd the ir u t mate rest Ra ha re resen ts the human sou a n d the human sou l i , d p l l ought to ” s f v its or r n — L ’ the v n e ou a ter ea n as e all w t a s. a a see k di i l l i g id ldly ppi g l Baij Nat h s

od . 1 H i n dui sm A n ci e nt a nd M er n, p 27.

— Th hu man sou is ent ca w th the Su rem u N B . e e So when s [ . l id i l i p l di ve ted of M aya ( P rimary 68

’ came to dance w h hem b ut as all could ot h d r na s n it t , n ol K s ha d a s the dan ced he mu ed h m se f n o as m an forms a h r y , ltipli i l i t y s t e e w ere wome n each w om an e ev n she he d t e han d of th ru , b li i g l h e t e ’ r na s h s n c de n in K r na s f K s . It i t i i i t s li e w hich i s celebrated 1 h h ear at the asa a ra. T e a a va a eaches ha the w om e n y ly R Y t B g t t t t , 2 m e le d hou h he w e re ass on a e ove to se e na i p l t g t y by p i t l k Krs , “ o m n n c s btain ed throu gh hi m ﬁ n al e a cipatio (Skt . be au e in 3 w m o h h hatever way a man ay w rs ip him e w ill obtain deliveran ce .

om e n e w an d sou h him a s a son some as a fr en d som e e ve n S k g t , i ,

as an e n em some as a over some as he r all som e as he r ord y, l , t i , t i L , l ed th es n e r s da b ut in the e n d a l obtain e bl si g of d live an ce . Thi y i n ow n as V asa Purnima i n the ou h when V asa i s w or s k y S t , y

h ed In the eccan ve is w orsh ed on h s da wh ch is s ipp . D Ci ipp t i y i

o a Tri ro sava an d hou ses are lum n e in the n n kn w n s pu t il i at d eve i g .

RATHA YATRA.

A A = CA R AND YATRA= A J OURNEY [R TH , J

This festi val ta kes place on the secon d day in the b right

r - h is on e of t r fortnight of Asa ha (J une July ) . T is he g eate st

l th f s v a of th ea festival s of the Hindu s. Of a l e e ti ls e y r held at P uri the g reatest is Ratha Yatra or Car festival which com

1 The j oyful an d te nde r idylls of the groves of V rindavana be came a mystic roman ce of the relations of the soul wit h G od and a pri ncipal source of n ourishme n t

The en thus asm of fa th an d the ne hau st e e ra t of race foun t o piety . i i i x ibl lib li y g d m o In the sensua ar our of the o i s and In the ea e rn ess of the e t to thei r sy b l l d g p , g d i y

them an d to ve h mse f ent re to all at on ce . O r e se In the se S ame re Sporid to gi i l i ly , l w h ch r shn a su rr e n ers h mse f b ut wh ch cann ot ma e him f r amours to i K i d i l , i k o get c e Radha the true o e ct of his affect on s, w e have a tur of the wan er n s of the , bj i pi d i g n n d the n effa e e sse n s soul (for K r ishn a is al so th e u i versal Sou l) a i bl bl d e s which it s f n e in the n v tat on e xperien ces whe n re stored to it el a d yi ld g to i i i s of grace it throws ” — ’ s o I i a . 23 ts f n to the arms of G od. arth R e l i i on s n d 1. i el i B g f , p 2 ame to ear th to ta e The gapi s w er e de ve tas (de ities) who c k part in the li lii s r i ne o n s of ri s a G od . Some of the m we e r eat e vote es w ho from (d v i d i g ) C Kr n ( ) g d , a e s ast in re e ate rths had een tr n to atta n ri sn a as the r over and g p , p d bi , b yi g i C Kr i l The H in u tr es to esta sh some sort of re at onsh w th G od— as that b elove d . d i bli l i ip i e ee n master and servant etween father and Son etween mothe r and ch b tw , b , b ild,

t een fr en and fr en etw ee n hus an an d w fe . etwe en e ove and ove r be w i d i d , b b d i b b l d l

forth. In the Gi ta a so the L or sa s In whate ve r wa e o e esire to and so l d y , y p pl d ’ o ses s M e come to him in that ht. p s , I lig 1l sa v t on i s of fo r n s saru a or ecom n t h Emancipation or l a i u ki d : py b i g e sam e a or ti on i n form w th G od sa u a or e com n o ne to Him Sal ok a or e n ( bs p ) i , y jy b i g j i d , y b i g

m s he e w th Him and sami a o e n near H im. i n the sa e p r i , py r b i g

ashm r the ahra a co n r n d O r ssa u a . In K i , M tt t y i S outhern I n dia the da is now n as Bhr r u y k at Dviti y a. O tside of P uri the R atha

a ra at a a h ur an d ah sh i v r 1 Y t B ll b p M e s e y w ell kn ow n . [Se e also Pun ar r yat a. ]

ANAI OA RA O O VRATA .

[CANA IQOARA z z TH E PL ANET S ATURN ]

O n a a u rda an i vara the da of an in the m on h of S t y (C , y C i ) t Cravana (July- Au gust) a vedi or raise d platform i s m ade of earth

at the foo of an a vattha ree icus re sa s t c t (F ligio ) . O n this rai ed m ou n d i s draw n a ﬁg ure i n the S hape of a b ow a nd over it i s placed

the m a e of the an e a urn ho d n a n oose an d a cu d e i n i g pl t S t , l i g g l

his h d an d a o H is hen w h cc rd n an s d r i i n g a b uff l . e t ors ipped a o i g to due ri e s the eo e w a n roun d the ree seven m e s t , p pl lki g t ti

‘ ra a - a h h a nd lis ten in g to the u sual v t k t a. T e propitiation of this

m n from s c n ss an e se cures m u e an d o her ess n s . pl t i ity i k , t bl i g Rin gs made of iron a re su pposed to in ﬂuen ce the plan et Can i who is proverbially u n lucky an d m alig na n t . H is e vil eye i n

ar cu ar r n s m sfortu ne at n erva s of 20 ears all offer n s p ti l b i g i i t l y , i g to him are ac an d conse uen - om e n e d such as sesam um bl k q tly ill , ,

charcoa uffa oes an d ac sa . l, b l bl k lt

A SEE RI P S A RASV TI PUJA O A NOA M I .

S EE A A ST S ASTHI PUJA CIT LA S HI PUJA.

A A SAT TILA D N M .

S A SIx A SES A A A A R . [ T , TIL MUM , D N M CH ITY ]

z This festival falls on the twelfth lun ar day i n the bright

n u - r h a half of the m on th of Magha (J a ary Fe b uary) . T is m y b e con sidered as in some s ort a con ti n uation of the Bhaim i Ekadaci — and i s i n ten de d for the sam e obj ect the rem oval or expiation

1 n r the town of Seram ore a out 14 m l es from Ca cutta i n the Thes e are ea p b i l , district of H ooghl y. 2 0 11 this occasion the devout are allowed b ut six grains of sesamum seed as e da food for the whol y. 71

of sin . A s the n ame m es six d fferen ac s re erf i pli , i t t a p or med i n

a ll of w h ch a or sesamu m see ds are an e ss n n r i til e tial i g edien t . T he person w ho obser ves this rite is to ba the i n w ater i n which — — the y ha ve been steepe d to an oi n t himself w ith a paste of them to — offer the m w ith clariﬁe d butter u pon ﬁre to pre sen t the m with

w a er— e h m aw a The con se u n c of o ar t to gi v t e y . q e e s s doi n g e

ur ca on from sin e e m on from s c n ess a nd m sfor u n e an d p iﬁ ti , x pti i k i t ’ a so ourn in n dra s heav en for hou san ds of ar A cord n j I t ye s . c i g

to the rahm a urana a ma the de of the n fer n a re on s B P , Y , ity i l gi ,

crea ed sesam um a f er on an d arduous e nance u on h s da t t l g p p t i y,

whence its san ctity .

SATYANARAYA NA PUJA.

This pﬁja is performed usually on the day of the full moon

or the as da of an m on h or som e o her au s c ou s da w he n l t y y t , t pi i y,

a sor of udd n c ons s n of our an a n m coarse t p i g i ti g ﬂ , pl t i , ilk,

s s m d o e her is re ared an d offered to u r or m o as e etc . e s ga l ix t g t , p p

H am Sat an r a na in th ev n n The u Vi s nu u n der t e n e of y a ay e e i g . p ja

o e a ccord n to the rescr ed r es the vra a- a ha i s is d n i g p ib it , t k t

t all m e m ers of the househo d an d fas n is o ser ved li s en e d to by b l , ti g b

h m Af er the cerem on i s over the u ddm i s d s r u ed by t e . t y p g i t ib t

t o all n c ud n n e h ou rs an d re a on s . The erform ance Of , i l i g ig b l ti p

h s vra a r n s w ea h to the oor ro en to the ch dless t i t b i g lt p , p g y il ,

n ma cur m n o health to the sickly a d u lti tely se es e a cipati n . It is

erformed som e m es as a han s v n cerem on an d some m s p ti t k gi i g y, ti e

n d i r o amon ll c s e o h r a nn ua a as a s ve u ar a as es. lik t e l p j , y p p l g l

T DA savITRi CA URD OI.

[TH E FOURTEENTH LUNA R DA Y OB SERVED IN HONOUR OF SAVITRi J

Sav itri is the ideal of a Hin du wife . It is related i n the

aha hara a ha she w as the dau h er of n A va M b t t t g t Ki g e pati .

hen the me of her m arr a e came all the r n ces w ho c W ti i g , p i ame to seek for her han d w ere so m uch daz z led by her purity an d beauty

ha n on e dared h h r s r e Af r w a n on t t ave e a b id . te iti g l g her fa ther w as com e ed to ask her to choose her ow n hus an p ll b d. She w e n t a road for the ur ose an d at as w hen she cam e ac she o d b p p , l t b k, t l he r aren s of a n d n dr en from his hron e a ru h p t bli Ki g, iv t by t less

n sm an v n wi h his w fe in a fores an d Of h f ki , li i g t i t, er choi ce o 72

f h s n a s her hu s an d ada h fa the son o . ar t e mous sa e t i Ki g b N , g ,

who w as a w e - w sher of her fam on com n to arn of he r ll i ily , i g le

c ho ce e n thu s as ca ra sed the v r ue s of the r n ce w ho i , i ti lly p i i t P i ,

w as n a m e d Sat av ana b ut adv sed he r to m a e a n o her c hoic e y , i k t ,

r m or r h ard a ll a s Sat a vana had on on e ea e to ve . av t i e y ly y li S i ,

b u t de c l n e d to a er her cho ce her r a t on s e n r eate d he r b ut i lt i ; el i t , S he simply said that a chaste wom a n choose s her husban d b ut On c e a n d that for e ver ; a dau ghter can b e gi ve n a way i n m arri a ge

b ut on ce a c ha s e w om a n can e he r ove to on e m a n in he r , t giv l

fe she had he re fore m ade her c ho ce on ce a n d for all . S o li , t i ,

rr The ar for h c a n a w as to ve they w ere m a ie d. ye w i h Saty v a li

w as dra w n to a c ose he did n ot kn ow his fate b u t av tri i g l ; , S i

coun ed the da s on e on e as he assed rem in w th n t y by , t y p , t bl g i i

- fu to herself a n d sen di n g up dev out pray ers to the A ll M erc i l r ed r the fe O f her hus an d. hen fa a day ar v prese v e li b W the t l i ,

s om an r hu s a d to the fore s s he e xpresse d a de ire to ac c p y he b n t , m s w here he used to go e very day to ga ther fuel for do e tic

s She had ee n serv n a v an d a fa s a n d o her purpose . b Ob i g igil t t

en an ce s for the hree n h s a n d da s rev ous so her hu s an d p t ig t y p i , b S at avan a s u de t o e d. w ou ld n ot allow it . But he w a pers a d yi l y f sudde n ly complai n ed of a sev ere pai n i n the hea d an d laid himsel

- r his head on her l a an d dow n i n a death ag on y . S avit i put p ra ised her a gonised hea rt i n a m ute appeal to the Al mighty to " f h f r n d h w as fast v ou chsa e to er the life o he husba . Nig t r The approachin g when she saw a dim dark S hape a pproa ch he .

S ha e o d her he w as n on e o her han ama the n of the p t l t t Y , Ki g

a d ho h d com t a t S f he r h s an d e w a e o e awa he r o u . D , t k y pi it b

av ri r ose a n d fo ow e d him a ma as e d wh She fo ow ed him S it ll . Y k y ll ,

she re ed eca use her ace w as a w a s es de her hu s an d pli b pl l y b i b , h h w hereve r e m b e . hr ce did a ma s ruc her re so u e ig t T i Y , t k by l t

de vot on oﬁ er her a n ft e ce the fe of her hus an d for i , y gi ( x pt li b )

wh ch she ed to ask if on he w a H s ou d urn c . e i lik , ly l t b k ’ re s ore d her fa her- in - aw s e es h he rom sed ha her fa her t t l y ig t, p i t t t — should b e ble ssed w ith w orthy son s an d that her father-in la w

S d re a n his n d m Bu s en hou o . t she fo ow ed u n at h l g i ki g till ll , til l gt

ama w as e ra e d in o rant n he r as ra er vi a ha she Y b t y t g i g l t p y , , t t

m h ecom e the m o her of m an dr h cou d n ig t b t y chil e n . T is l o ly

mean ha Sat avan a shou d b e restored to her an d ha he t t y l , t t t y s u n m d fe ho ld o ce ore b e u nite i n li . 73

To this day on the fourteen th lu n ar day i n the da rk fortnight

o a M a - un e n du w om en w or sh at the c ose of the f Jaisth ( y J ) Hi ip, l

da av ri an d Sat avana a s the sa n dea s of a w fe a n d a y, S it y , i tly i l i ’ hus n d an d try t o e m u a e the for mer s e e m l a r de vot o n . ba , l t x p y i They a re w orshippe d u n de r a b a n y an tree (Ficus I n di ca) w he re

m o s w orsh e d the s or of her fe is s e n ed to w h Y a a als i ipp , t y li li t it

rev e re n c a nd the str c e s fas is o serve d. ou r ee n w ve s w ho e , i t t t b F t i a re n ot w idow s are fe d an d the v ow is perform ed a n nu ally for f r The n am e of av ri is he d i n suc h h h e s m ur ee n ea s . ee o t y S it l ig t , ’ that to this day the c hoi cest form of e xpressin g on e s good w ishe s or bl essi n g that ca n b e a ddre ssed to a m arrie d w om an is to w ish he r to b e e av ri a n d ha e m od e s e er h n ha is sa n lik S it , t t b i v yt i g t t i tly,

w o i n a om an h s i on e of th pure a nd m an ly w . T i s e m ost

m or an of n du fes va s at eas in e n a an d is c e e ra e d i p t t Hi ti l , l t B g l, l b t by w om en i n the hope of bei n g alw ays un ite d to their hu sban ds

e c I in the pre se n t life an d in liv s t o ome . n Kashmir an d M ithila f Dar han a Cham ara n etc . h s e s va is n ow n as ata ( b g , p ) t i ti l k V

i n d is o served on the same da as i n en a a a av r a . S it , b y B g l V t

av ri vra a is o serve d in uz era the a hra a cou n ry a n d S it t b G t, M tt t th ec on the da of the fu moon in ai M - e D can y ll J stha ( ay Ju ne) . m t s The Ob servan ce s are S l il ar o tho e of Be n gal .

AY ANA IKADA I SEE H A RI A YA NA M O O O .

V SITA NA A M I.

R H R [T HE NINTH LUNA DAY IN ONOU or Si TA. ]

This festival falls on the n in th lu n ar day of the wa xi n g m oon

r - i n the m on th of V aigakha (Ap il M ay ) . It i s the a n n ive rsarv l of the rthda of i a w ho w as ca ed ear h- orn a s bi y S t , ll t b havi n g

ee n urn ed u from the so a ou h as an a a her fa h b t p il by pl g J k , t er , w as ou h n a s o f r sac c i e eve d h i pl g i g p t o riﬁ e . It s b li t at f the

1 Si ta w as n ot orn of n w n an a oman . J ana a a d se e r rou ht h b y k , ki g , b g er u so he w as re a r s p, e a he r father . Ram a the he ro of the Rama an a w on he r g d d , y , as his r e b re a n b The R m n a i the s or of b id y b ki g a ow . a aya s t y he r life a s we ll

as that of Rama . Rama and S ta are re r e b ll n i ga d d y a H i du s as i n carnation s of s u and La smi and re he i h a n t e reatest venerat on b them. Vi n k , ld g i y 743

w orsh of i a is rform e ip S t pe d accordi n g to due rite s an d with

de vo on the w orsh er w l o ta t ti ipp il b i n he m er it acquire d in giv i n g

l n d i char t a n d w a w a y a n i y ill obtai n acce ss to Vis nul oka i n the

e n d whereas hose w ho do n ot ‘ ob serve , t thi s festi val will rot in

hell .

A A SAS H I CIT L T PUJA.

Thi s festival tak es place on the sixth l un ar day i n the light

a ha - r uar h half of M g (J an uary Fe b y) . T is ceremon y is of a stri ctly private character an d is limited to m arried wom en w ho

ave ch dre n b u t i s som e m es erform ed a so w dow s w ho ha h il , ti p l by i ve

ren The o e es ec a to ro ec ch dr n fro child . bj ct is p i lly p t t il e m the

a - ox The o servan ce how ever see m s to have had r sm ll p . b o igi nally

n such S ec c a ca on b ut to have een n en de d to secu re o p iﬁ ppli ti , b i t ge n erally the healthin ess of in fan ts by the propitiation of a 2 goddess n am e d S asthi} b ut n ow a lso calle d (}itala. Ac cor din g t o the le gen d the cerem on y w as in stitu te d by Kin g Priyavrata in s i Su ta o if gratitu de to S a thi for restorin g h s dea d son vra t l e . Sasthi paja i s celebrated on the sixth day of the light fortn ight s i sa am a i n e very m on th. Sa thi s id to b e so n e d b ec use she is the sixth part of Prakrti (the Creative E n ergy of the Suprem e

Coo n o h s da is n erd c ed v c uals m n . n u s b Bei g) ki g t i y i t i t , i t t e h essed on the da re ced n an d on s ea en co d. m a s dr y p i g , t i , t l I ge

f S asthi are rare made b ut som e mes a do re re e n s o ly , ti ll p s t the

s hen a child is hree w ee s or a mon h ol goddes . W t k t d offeri n gs m de t S a hi an d she i s w orsh ed Th are a o st ipp . e w orship of

i a a as den t ca w h as hi seem s to b e re n o C t l i i l it S t , tai ed n ly i n i u t a e n a . In H n d s h n a u on h s da the Sun is w or h B g l p t i y, s ipped h fas n an d ra ers an d w h offer n s of 3 w it ti g p y , it i g akan d or 4 m an dara eaves when c e i s ca e d the an dara S ast l , it ll M hi . There is however a Qi ta la Pﬁja on the eighth of the dark half

’ 1 See n ote un e r Aran S as hi d ya t . 7 ital a is the o e ss of sma - ox The mean n f th Q g dd ll p . i g o e word i s She who ’ h s - ma es co . o ess is re rese n te as a o en com k ld T i g dd p d g ld plexione d w oman sitti ng on a otus or r n in red c othe s on an ass On eha f of th s l idi g l . b l o e afﬂicte d with sma - ox offer n s are ma e to her ail ll p i g d d y.

3 t a M ode cca rilobat .

Cal otro is an ea p gig t . 75 of Caitra (or Phalgu na ) in w hich case the two goddesses are

ra S distin ct . T his paja i s k n ow n as K uma asthi in the south of

n d I ia .

OIVA RATRI on OIVA CATURDDACI .

IVA = TH E e on so A A ND RKTBI = NIG HT G N MED , THE NI HT OB SERVED IN HONOUR or QIVA J

h s rea fes a w h ch is o served b all n dus fa s T i g t tiv l, i b y Hi , ll on the fourteen th day of the w an in g m oon i n the en d of Magha (Jan u ary- F eb ruary ) or b e gi n nin g of Phalgu na (Fe bruary

a c h s n t m n f th f w 1 M r h) . T i i he e sti atio o e ollo ers of Civa i s the m os sacred Of all he r servan ce s e a n all s n s an d t t i Ob , xpi ti g i s ecuri n g the attain m en t of a ll desires durin g life an d u n i on w ith

m an a r d h r n (j iva or ﬁ n al e cip tion afte eath. T e ce e mo y is said to ha ve b een e n j oi ned by i a him self w ho declare d to his w ife Um a that the fourteen th of the dark half of Phalgu na if observed i n hon our of him should b e de structive of the con sequ en ces of all sin s an d shou d con fer n a r o The hree essen a ser a l ﬁ l lib e ati n . t ti l Ob v n ces on h s da are fas n dur n the w ho e tithi or un ar da t i y , ti g i g l l y, ho d n a v an d w orsh n the n a du r n the n h l i g igil ippi g Li g i g ig t . A fter b athi n g i n the m ornin g the w orshi pper recites his samkalpa

d es h m se f o r hen ca or ple g i l t celeb ate the w orship . H e t s tters m us tard seed w ith specia l m a ntras ( holy te xts) an d offers a n arghya 2 — a fte r w hi ch he goes throu gh the m atrika- n y asa a set of gesti

n d shor ra ers The re et on of n c u lation s accompa ie by t p y . p iti yasa

i s ou ch n ar s of the od w h e re ea n cer a n man ra s ( , t i g p t b y il p ti g t i t )

1 a as the od of en erat on an d ust ce is re rese nte as r n a u w h ch i g g i j i p d idi g b ll , i

i s em e mat c Of re ro uct ve en e r . H is own co our as w e as that of the u is bl i p d i gy ! l ll b ll

wh te referr n ro a to the u n su e u r t of ust ce . H is throat is ar ue i , i g p b bly lli d p i y j i d k bl , he has matte ha r has thr e e e es on e e n in the ce n tre of the fore hea . hese d i , y , b i g d T i me — r n a n are sa to den ote h s v ew of the three v s on s of t ast, ese t d future id i di i i i , p p . H i s tr e n t is the e m em wh ch show s he com n es the att r ute s of creator e stro e r id bl i bi ib , d y n d re ener tor in h mse f A cresce nt on hi s forehea n cates the measu re of m e a g a i l . d i di Ti the hase s of the moon H e i s covere w th se r en ts w h ch are the e m ems of b y p . d i p i bl mmorta t wh e a n ec a ce of human s u s mar s the a se an d revo ut on of a es i li y, il kl k ll k l p l i g h e t n n f ne t ns f man n an d t e x i ctio an d su cce ssion o ge ra io o ki d .

3 An o at on bl i . 76

accompan ies every oﬂ erin g m ade to the Li n ga 1; they are

fru s ow e rs a n d n cen se an d h s a n d the e d r n th it , ﬂ , i lig t lik u i g e

w ho e cerem n Th n i r d w l o y . e Li ga s to b e p opitiate ith differe n t

ach a c of h v a rticles i n e w t h the n ight on w hich t e igil is held. In

the rs i s to b e a hed w h m . n cense fru s owers a n d ﬁ t it b t it ilk I , it , ﬂ

a rt c es of food as o ed r ce an d som e mes e ve n dre ssed esh are i l , b il i ti ﬂ ,

ff h t re n f r the s con i a hed o e red w it he petitio o m an t as . In e d it s b t

I n the h r h a h n f d hi I t c r . d w i h u ds t i t e b t i g is per orme w ith g . n

the fou rth w atch the Li n ga i s bathe d w ith hone v . B rahma ns

r d r se m a The or h a e e n te rtain ed an p e n ts are de to them . w s ip

of a at h s season i s erm e d to a ll cas e s e ven t o Ga n daias i t i p itt t ,

a The e rforman ce of the r es of the i va ratri (the lowest c ste ) . p it (J is possessed of e n han ce d eﬂi ca cy w he n con ducte d at those place s 2 r a a n r c to The ea v s w hich a e i n n e speci l m an e dedi ate d i a . l e of the hilva (n l e Marm el os) an d the ﬂ ow ers of the datura ( Datura Alb a ) an d t he j ati (Murraya Exotica) a n d the rose a re

s n rfo m h s e specially sacred to Giva . Women a w ell as m e pe r t i

vrata .

SNANA YATRA.

S NA z ATH ING T H E A NG S VA or A O A NNar HA [ NA B . B THI FE TI L J J

The S n an a Yatra or the bathi n g c ere mon y in J a istha (M ay

un e u shers i n the rea fe s va the atha a ra w h ch ccurs J ) g t ti l , R Y t , i O

a r a th fu m oon of O n the Sn an a a d t. e . e da s a er . 7 y l t Y t y, , ll

1 a is the reat e str n an d sol n o r But e struct on m e s i g d oyi g di s vi g p w e . d i i pli

r e ro uct on e cause the H n u e e ves in the t an sm r t on of sou s. S o as a p d i , b i d b li r ig a i l i an d Qagkara the auspicious he i s the re productive pow e r whi ch is perpe tually s n tha w h a e n ss n e r s hara te r of rest orer he i s r e tori g t hic h s b e di ol ve d . U d thi c c re re sen te b hi s s m o the L n a or ha us t ca of re ro uct on an d it is p d y y b l i g p ll , ypi l p d i un er th s form a on e or com n e w th the on or fema e or an the re s rese ntativ e d i l bi d i Y i l g , p of his akti or fema e e n er that he is e ve r w he re w orsh e The L n a Q l gy, y ipp d . i g ” the refore re re sen t s fe ou t of eath r f e ve r as n The s r t of th s p li d o li e l ti g . pi i i ( L in ga) w orship i s as littl e i nﬂ ue n ce d b y the character of the type as can w ell b e ” e I s l r t n — ma n . t i a l s ua a d m st H W s n c H . o a . i gi d pi i l y i l . il . ] 2 The re a re te n te mples de dicate d to i a wh i ch are con side re d to b e of the

h he st san ct t . he are Rame varam ne ar Ca e Comor n K edarn atha i n ig i y T y c p i , h r wa M ' G a , ahakal a in a n a kara near oon a O rn kara natha on t he Ne r u a l Ujj i , Q g P , b dd , V i van atha in Be nares Bhuvan e vara i n O r ssa Vaid an atha in om a P Sa nt al c , c i , y B b y ( ’ " l a r a nas i n en a ve vara in K umaou and J va r i n m n g B g l) , V c agec a K u ao .

w h a ro r a e m an ras as n for the oon of now e d e o h it pp p i t t , ki g b k l g , b t

em ora a n d s r u a . A e n era ho da i s o served rea d n t p l pi it l g l li y b , i g

ou e a n d writi n g are prohibite d. Sh ld a n y em erge n cy re quir a w r itte n comm un icatio n on the day it is don e w ith chalk or charcoa l

r The m a e he w a er upon a black or w hite b oa d. i g is con sign e d to t t

T n the o n the day foll ow in g. he ame Vas an ta Pan c a mi con n ects

f st va w h t he adve n of s r n an d the y ou n shoo s of ar e e i l it t p i g , g t b l y ,

h s m e a fe w n che s in e n h are a en u an d w orn i n th at t i ti i l gt , t k p e

- h s da le ear c h of o o r hea d dr ess . O n t i y peop w lot e s a yell w col u i n

f r n a n d n du e i n feas s an d n s t t h r r n ds ho n ou r o sp i g i lg t i vi i s o t ei f ie . This latte r n a me (Va sa n ta Pan ca mi ) is fa milia r in the Upper

The da is n ow n as a smi Pa n cami i n ar s of Provi n ces . y k L k p t S ou thern I n dia an d D ravida (the Coroma ndel Coast from Madras to Cape Com ori n )

M I SEE ORI RAM ANAVA RAM A NAVAM I.

‘ A EE KALi II QYAM A PUJ S P J A.

ULTARATH A YATRA S EE PUNA RYATRA.

UM A CATURTHI.

’I‘ D TO Uma [T HE FOURTH LUNA R DAY DEVO E ]

r hda of Uma v a a w h ch i s the a nn versar of the . This r t , i i y bi t y

- m on i n J a is ha M a u n e . falls on the fou rth day aft e r the n e w o t ( y J ) u r a i n th s da w a s orn Um a w ho Is n on e o her ha n O n i y b , t t D g a ' I he r re v ous n car na on Uma s a se pa rate m a n ife station . n p i i ti o he dau h er f Ba sa . S su me d the name of Sati an d w as the g t k 79

h a use of her ord i va at a sacr ce er died on heari n g t e b L , C , iﬁ p

fa he r to w h ch al l the ods w ere n v e d e ce forme d by he r t , i g i it x pt

a i wa s re - orn as Um a the dau h e r of the her husban d. S t b , g t

- hi ou n ta n n ma a a an d of s w fe e na a. A t a ver M i ki g, Hi l y , i M k y early age she b etook herself to severe aust erities a n d penan ces i n n u s order to Obtai n Civa as her lord a d h b an d. H e r mother asked ’ h r to fore o such seve re e n an ces Parvvati do n ot so e n e g p , l H ce ’

: n . Sh su se n her n am e Uma (Skt . O do t l) e b que tly obtai n ed Civa W om e n are su ose d to ac u re I' a s her hu sba n d. pp q i p OSperity rfor m h r a n d great m erit if they pe t is v ata . In B e ngal w orship i ffer d to Um a on eha f of u n m arr ed fem a es i n referen e s O e b l i l , c to the mean s ado ed b au ri or Uma wh s et a m a de n t pt y G , il t y i , o

a n him for her hu s a propitiate Civ a a nd obt i b n d. This v rata is o serve d on i n en a a n d is a so now n as Um a J a a nti b ly B g l l k y .

UTT ARAYANA SA MKRANTI SEE MA KA RA ANTI SA M K R .

UTT HANAI KADA I SEE H A RERUTTH AN O AM .

A CATURT V RA DA H I.

V A RA DEz TH A T W OR WH O S WS S CATUR [ HICH HE BE TO BOON , TH I R AR DA Y THE FOU TH LUN . ]

This festival falls on the fourth lun ar day i n the light half

- ar of M agha (Jan n ary Febru ary) . V ada Caturthi implies a god dess the ver of oon s who in some of the uranas is ide n ti , gi b , P

ﬁe d w h auri or m ore e s ec a w h Um a the r de of iva it G , p i lly it , b i C .

S he i s on h s da w orsh e d w h oﬂ erin s of ow ers of t i y ipp it g ﬂ ,

n en se or of h s w h a ers of su ar an d n r or m i c lig t , it pl tt g gi ge ilk

h s ar or saffron - n e d s r n s a n d o den or sa w c e rac . lt, it l t ti t t i g g l b ele ts

‘ he is w orsh ed o h se e s b ut e s ec a w om e n S ipp by b t x , p i lly by ; w omen hem se ves n ot e n w dow s are a so rea e d w t l , b i g i , l t t ith

a h m a In the vi urana i n o n ed ha v pecu li r o ge . D e P it s e j i t t arious kin ds of grain an d condimen ts an d con fection s on plate s ma de of b ake d clay should b e given on this day by ma iden s to the 80

o The due o servan ce of the r e is sa d to secure a ﬂ ouri h g ddess. b it i s

o The w orsh of auri at th s season see m s to b e i n g pr geny . ip G i

f A c cord n o e popul ar i n the S outh o I n di a . i g to s m a uthoriti es

f n in dusthan a iva i s w orsh e d on h s da in th ollow ed i H , C ipp t i y e

v n n w h offer n s of asm n e owers w hen ce is a so ca e d e e i g it i g j i ﬂ , it l ll

r hi K un da Catu t .

’ VARA A D A I H VAD O .

O n the twelfth day of the light half of Magha (Ja n uary F eb ruary) a fe stival is Observed in some parts of I n dia in hon ou r 1 of nu as the ara a oar his de scen as a b e ar to f u Vis V b (B ) , t li t p the E arth from b en eath the waters b ei n g supposed to have occu rred

on this day.

A V RUNI .

The Catab hisa lu n a r asteri sm or the twe n ty - ﬁfth l un ar asteri sm z m d aru ni ecau se V a ru na i s its re s d n d is n a e V b p i i g eity . Thi s fe stival falls on the thi rtee n th lun ar day i n the da rk fortn ight

f ai ra - r of the m on th o C t (March Ap il) in the Catab hisa lun a r

If the da ha en s to fa on a a r a sterism . y pp ll S tu day it is calle d a 3 M ahavaru ni when on e m ust fa st till the bathin g is ov er ; an d

1 In the begi nn i n g all was wate r on ly ; it san k an d the e arth e me rged ; the n arose

f- e ste n t the m e r sha e s u rahma the se n . ecom n a oar he ra se B , l xi , i p i bl Vi B i g B i d r an d cre ate the w ho e w or u p thi s e a th d l ld . on f the earth from ene h The ele vati o b at the ocean i n thi s form w as prob ably at r e r se n tat on Of the e r ﬁ rst an alle gorical p e i xt ication of the w orld from a del uge h r e f re i on of in iq uity b y t e it s o lig .

T he b e ar i s e scr e as the Sacr ce erson e his fee t e n the e as his d ib d iﬁ p iﬁ d, b i g V d ,

t us s the sa cr c a osts to w h ch the v ct m is t e his tee th the a k iﬁ i l p i i i i d , s criﬁ ci al offe r

n s hi s mouth the sacr c a a tar his ton ue the fire his ha rs th i g , ifi i l l , g , i e sacrificial s an d n ht hi s he rass his e e da , a t he ace of rahma his m an e the h m n s g , y y ig d pl B , y a is n ostr s all the o at n s of the e , h o s hi s n out the a e of o at on his vo c V d il bl i , l dl bl i , i e f he S ma e a his o he chant n o t a , the ha of sacr ce his o n ts th if t i g V d b dy ll ifi , j i e d

n t ce re mon es an d his ears as hav n the ro ert e s f r fe re i , i g p p i o vol un ta y an d obligatory

r ite s. 2 arun a is the od Of w ate r i n the atmos he re and on the arth In V g p e . the e r t on o f th s e t he has u n m te V e di c d sc ip i i d i y li i d con trol o v e r the de sti nie s of H e ha s a thousan re m e d e s an d is s man ki nd . d i uppli cated to show his wide and e e e n e v ol en ce a n d to r ve aw a e v and si n d p b d i y il . ’ 3 i a te ral means re at M al li ly g . 81

the day is called Maha- Maha- Varu ni w he n in addition to all these — c o nd on a 1 for the da 18 su ha the w e n h rd iti s the yog y b , t ty t i

f tw - n d v s on s of 360 of a rea c rc e m easu re d u o n o e n ty se ve i i i g t i l , p ” t b e e ve d ha a a h in the an e s on the da the Ecliptie . I is li t t b t G g y of the ‘ Varuni e n sure s the merit acqui red in O n e hun dre d baths on

s m ar ha on the M ahavaru ni the occa sion of Solar e clipses . A i il th day secu res the m erit of ten m illion baths at the tim e of so m an y

- -‘ i S olar eclipses ; a bath in the G an ges on a M aha Maha Vi ru h n ra on h d o If bestow s salvation to thirty million ge e ti s of t e e v tee . 1 the conj unction n ece ssary for a Varu ni does n ot come off on the

d h s da is o se rved eve r appoi n te d day Visnu is propitiate . T i y b y

w he re e e in the un a ashm r a nd t he Car n at c . xc pt P j b , K i i

VA SA NTA PA NCA M I SEE cRI PA NOAM I

VASA NTI PUJA.

V S A TI R A [ K N VE N L . ]

The D urga Paja that takes place in the spri n g is kn own as the

V an i Pn s Vasan ti is a so a n a me of u r a. ua th as t j . l D g U s lly e — ur a Pﬁ a is he d i n the a u u mn n ow - a day s b u t former such D g j l t , ly

va a s a dev ou w orsh r f w as n ot the case . Ra n w a t ippe o D urga a n d 3 had the Ca ndi read da when here fore ama a ac ed ily, t R tt k

Con unct on i s of stars an ets etc . j i , , , pl

2 Re r hes Vol I X A siat c sea c . . 365. i , , p

3 The Ca n forms a art of th Mark n de a ur na It is on e of the most di p e a y P a . sacre d b ooks of the H indus and is read in order to propitiate Can di or Durga on ccas ons of an an er or n ess or on s s o cas on s It e a s w th th au c ou c . e O i y d g ill , p i i i d l i w ar etw ee n um ha Ni u mb ha tw o e mon s and havan i or Dur a an d b C b , o ( d ) B g , de picts the tr i umph of Di v in e Love ove r the human passion s in the gui se of an a e or w here in the six foes ass on s of man — ama u st krodha an e r ll g y, ( p i ) k (l ) , ( g ) , l ob ha covetousn ess moha som n o en ce ma a v an t an d matsar a e nv are ( ) , ( l ) , d ( i y) yy ( y) s l a i n as s o man y demon s b y Di vi ne L ove ( Ainy ika) a ssu mi ng diﬁ e rent forms for

the r estruct on . n um ha is the es re to sh n e or an t ma a . The i d i Ki g C b d i i , V i y ( d ) h uman soul has to w age war W i th the passi on s an d subd ue them comple te ly b e fore

I t u“ aS Ire to b e on e w th the n n i te thro u h Di v i ne Love S e e a s o 21 ﬂ p i I ﬁ , g . [ l p 82

‘ him the oddess a ss s ed her ser a n a a , g i t v t R v na . It w as in the

S r n tha ava na serv ed her fes a p i g t R Ob tiv l . Rama seei n g the help

ava na rece ed from h s oddess e an h m se f to w orsh her R iv t i g b g i l ip . h a in the au u m ur a T is w s t n . D g w as pleased w ith the devotion

of ama an d ran sferred her aid to hi r R t m . F om this tim e the

fi a is e nera he d in th au mn p j g lly l e tu . The Vasanti P aja b e gin s from the seven th lun ar day i n the bright fortn ight of Caitra (March-A pril) an d i s c eleb rate d for three days as in the case of the P h d in the au um n Durga nja el t . This pfija is Ob serve d i n B en gal The rs da f th an d Orissa on ly . fi t y o e paja is k now n as San tan a

’ S aptanﬁ i n the E ast Coast a nd as Gan ga S aptami in the P un j ab a so u and Kashmir . [S ee l D rga Paj a ]

A V STU PUJA.

V S TUz THE AR F S A [ I TUTEL Y DEITY O THE HOME TE D . ]

The Vastu Pﬁja usually takes place an n ually on the day of the Uttara a na Samkran ti the as da of the m on th of au a y , l t y P s

ec m er- anuar But ma e o served a so on th o c (D e b J y) , it y b b l e c asi on f n er n a n w house o e t i g e .

The as u a is con s dered a e d c r e an d w hou n o V t s i V i it , it t it

house em e or tan is ﬁt for di ne or human u se . is a , t pl k vi It

ceremon ' that ever n du has to erform and w hou n on e y y Hi p , it t , it

a n ha a us ast i s a rt a Vedic od. H e i c n i bit n e w ho e . V u p ly g s the tute lary deity of the house a n d is regarded by the Hin du w ith a peculiar v en eration for the hom estead has a san ctity i n

r n r hi s eyes which is not perhaps m et w ith in othe cou t ies . To have the privile ge of dwellin g i n the house of his forefathers is

an o ec of r de w h him an d the rea es m sfor une ha can bj t p i it , g t t i t t t

' h to a n u i f ach as u o appen Hi d s the loss o his domi cile . E V t r

dom c e i s e eved to have re resen a ve na e ca e d the i il b li a p t ti s k , ll

as u - ar a h If the s w ch is re ard d w h reat a we . a u V t S p , i g e it g V t

ar a is seen to a a ndon a house is a n un uc omen an d the S p b it l ky , perpetu ity of the h ouse an d the con ti n uity of the race or family '

‘ iS b elieved to b e nd e a n ge re d.

Ac aording to the P uran as Rama afte r hav i n g been foil ed in many atte mpts to ove rcome the te n -he a e mon ste r n of L a ka e vote fourthe n a s to the d d ki g g , d d d y w orship of the goddess Durga an d havi n g propitiate d he r sallied forth on the fte en th da and atta ne his o t The Dur a a is an ann versar of th s ﬁ y i d bj ec . g m i y i orsh w i p. 83

D AM m R VIJAYA AO I [S D U GA PUIA] .

This festival falls on the ten th lunar day in the light fortnight

- c o e i s he da o of Agvi na (Septe m ber O t b r) . It t y n which the

m a e of the oddess ur a i s con s ned to the wa e r 01 i g g D g ig t . 1 the morn in g of the Daqami before imm e rsion in water takes place the goddess is S aid to reside in the hea ps of ﬂowers which ha ve bee n 1 offered to the e i ur a an d whi ch lie n ear the ha a cher D v (D g ) g t (pit ) .

h oddess is a so su osed to res de in the n ir al a or offa T e g l pp i m y ls . It i s usual to observe the last day of the paj a by a martial d s a ormer m l ar e edi on s were se n forth o h s i pl y . F ly i it y xp ti t n t i da is sa d ha success in an en ure on h s da is a r y . It i t t y v t t i y su e r s e of success hrou hou the ear an d e er one in his o p e ag t g t y , v y wn ’ sphere does Somethin g which he hopes will en sure a year s good f l or une is a da of s ec a re o c s to a l ndus . Af t . It y p i l j i ing Hi ter the m mers on cerem on the mem ers of the hous ho d wh r a i i y, b e l , e e

u a has een ce e ra ed a ssem e u n der a can o w here t p j b l b t , bl py he paja is held and receive sprin klin gs of Cantijala (Wa ter of peace )

from the of c a n r es . All eo e oun an d old m e an d ﬁ i ti g p i t p pl , y g , n w omen w ear n ew c o hes on h s da s en d the e ven n in v n , l t t i y, p i g gi i g an d rece n sa u a on s from in smen n d fr en ds emb racin ivi g l t ti k a i , g eac h o her ar ak n of s wee s an d s ddh Can ab s a va an d t , p t i g t i i ( n i S ti ) in en era merr - a n g l y m ki g . The day is know n as VIj ava Dacaml (the ten th day of victory) ” ama s r a on h s a S R obtain ed hi victo y over Ravan t i d y . [ ee also

Da ahar c a. ]

VINAYAKA CAT URTHI SEE cANEeA S ATURT HI.

VIOVA KARM MA PUJA.

. Au This paja takes pla ce on the la st day of Bhadra ( g ust

e em er in n a S pt b ) Be g l .

b a d efore i W here ve r an ma e i s set u a a a a tcher of water must e p ce t . i g p p j , pi l b ’ 9 The Dur P th Rama s w orsh of Du r a ga ﬁj a is said to hav e origi nated w i i p g , o n ce the te n th unar da n his n vas on of L a ka b w h ch he se cure v ctor . H e y i i g , y i d i y l i mi or the te nt h n the b right fortnight of Acvin a i s ca ll ed the Vijaya mne da of v tor y ic y . 84.

r m n rch ec of the n rs Vicvakarmma lite ally ea s the a it t U i ve e .

he av sha e t the n r e H e i s a so sa d to It is said that g e p o U ive s . l i b he r n ma er of the ma e of a an t ri H e is e t o igi al k i g J g n atha a Pu . the tute lary god of the artisan an d lab ou rer classes a n d is w or

h r is shippe d by them in the g ata or pitcher . O n this day all wo k s us en ded th c asse s of w hom he is the ua r de the oo s p by e l g dian ity , t l m at the and i plemen ts of their profession are se cured an d place d fee of the od and the da i s s en in feas n merry - m a n t g , y p t ti g , ki g

n d es - u can a ec a i n e ﬂ in . H e is erm du p i lly kit y g t ed the Hin V l , in and i s repute d to have prepared the various implem en ts used

- w ar the de vatas de t es nc ud n th r o of n dra . by ( i i ) , i l i g e thun de b lt I

A A DVITIY S E B I Y M A [ E H RATB DVIT YA] .

Y UGADYA .

[T HE BEGTNNING OF A YU GA (CYCLE)

Y u ad a i th a s f ach u a g y s e nn i ver ary of the ﬁ rst day o e Y g .

‘ But the full- m oon day of M agha (Jan uary - February) is usually

‘ n s Y u ad a a h n n f esam um seeds to k ow n a g y . B t i g an d Offe ri g o s the Man es are en j oin ed on the day an d it is also held i n hon our l as the an n versar of the comm e n ce men of the a Y u a or i y t K li g , he resen a o th o t is e ec a t e f e w r d the a e of m ur . I s p t g l , g i p ity p i lly en o n ed ha char Shoul d b e r c d o h d j i t t ity p a tise n t is ay.

1 here are four u as or a es the rst of wh ch is Sat a or K ta then fo ow T Y g g , ﬁ i y r , ll Dv ar an d a reta a a . The ann ve rsar of the rst da of the Sat a u a fa s T , p K li i y ﬁ y y Y g ll on the t hi rd l un ar day i n the bright fortn ight of Vaiqakha ( April -M ay) the fou r n carnat ons i n th s a e w ere the ats a or F sh Kar mma or or to se Varaha i i i g M y i , T i ,

' - or oar an d N sirnha or the M an on . The an n ve rsar of the rst da of the B , r li i y fi y Trct a Yuga falls on t he n i nth l un ar day in the bright hal f of K arttika (O ctob e r Nove m er the ncarnat ons i n th s a w ere the aman s or Dwarf Para urama b ) ; i i i ge v , c m D fa s on an d Ra a . The an n i ve rsary of the fi rst day of the vapara Y uga ll the t hi rte e n th O f the wan i ng moon i n the mon th of Bhad ra ( August Septe mb er) of which ri sn a and u ha we re the n carn at on s The an n ve rsa r of the rst da of C Kr B dd i i . i y fi y the a u a is th f - i n w b e the n c rn at o K li Y g e ull moon day Magha . K alki ill i a i n in

t h s a e O n ll the se an n ve rsar a b ath i n some sacre r ve r and ch i g . a i y days d i arity I n o th s s a e e j i ned . On e e days w ate r mix ed w it h sesamu m eeds Should b e reg ularly rese nte to the ro e n tors of m n n t s p d p g i a ki d ( Pi y ) .

I N T R O DUC T I O N

S LA M e in a sim e re i n the s I b g pl l gio , I l amic feasts

and holidays are n ot so n um erous as those of the h Hin dus. Ne it er i s the sam e im portan ce attached to

he m for whi e feas s an d holida s are t , l t y to the Hindus

the essen a s of re i i n the uham m ti l l g o , to M adan s they

are S eakin e n e ra m ere a ide n s ein s , p g g lly, ly cc t , b g a a m atter of fact an ni versaries of som e of the more

im r an e en s i n the ear his r of Is po t t v t ly to y lam .

U A M M A D the foun der of s am was rn M H , I l , bo in the

i h as 5 D. at e a wh w he n year 70 A . M cc c t the home

‘ ’ ’ of idol ator H is fa her was A du ah son of ‘ y. t b ll , A bdu l

M u alib son Of ashim Chief of the u raish ri e tt , H , Q t b .

H is m her w as Amin ah a ad of e di n a . M u ot , l y M ham

m ad e am e an r han in e ar ife . H e w as i n b c o p ly l , i nse uen e ﬁrst rou h u b his ran d fa co q c , b g t p y g ther,

‘ ’ ’ A du - M u al ib an d af er the a er s dea h b l tt , t l tt t by his

i W hi e s i l ad h u n e Ab u Ta . a e a m anie cl , l b l t ll , cco p d his un cle to Syria as a m erchan t an d soon acquire d a repu tatio n for hon e sty an d upright n ess of character

d him k n wn as Al - A mi n the Trus w hi m a e . ch o , ty F or

hi reas n hadi ah a wea h w id w a oi n ed hi t s o K j , lt y o , pp t m the m a n ager of her property an d whe n he w as tw e n ty

She m arried him Duri n ea s of a e . ﬁve y r g , g the

x ﬁf e en e ars he eha e d as an rdi n ar i i n e t t y , b v o y c t z en e x cept that he had the pe culiar habit of spen di n g days a n d days toge ther i n con templation i n a cave not 88

It was i n his f r ie h ear ha he far from M e cca. o t t y t t de clared him se lf to b e a P rophe t an d the bearer of a

n d hi a O n e ni h m ha e e i n s w . as he e ssag e . It pp t y g t

l a i n the a e w ra ed in hi s m an e the a n e y c v pp tl , g l G ab riel spoke to his soul to arise an d pre ach to his

e r n w rs i p ople to aban don idol ato y a d o h p G od.

The ﬁrst pe rson to accept the m e ssage w as Khadi jah ;

‘ ‘ hen fo w e d A li son of Ab II Ta an d se vera n o a e t llo , lib , l t bl

‘ ‘ en su h as Ab u Bakr m ar am z ah n d sman m c , U , H a U .

The m a ori of the e an s w ere h we er h s i e j ty M cc , o v , o t l to the Prophe t an d soon b egan to persecute him an d

his fo we rs s m e Of wh m he r d a t ure d e h. llo , o o y to t to t

an of he m o k refu e i n A ssinia whi e the rs M y t t o g by , l o re mai n ed to suffe r ill - treatm en t an d perse cu tion by

the side of the Prophe t . O n the death Of A b u Talib

an d hadi ah whi h ha e n e d Sh r af er the K j , c pp o tly t ,

uraish red u ed he ir erse u i n s The r he Q o bl t p c t o . P op t ,

de s airi n of su ess am on the e an s e h u ht p g cc g M cc , b t o g him self of some other place for the e xercise of his

m i n is r H or i r eeded a a e ed t y . e acc d n gly p oc to pl c call

Ta f b ut the e e here dr e him fr m heir i y , p opl t ov o t c ty ,

e i n him wi h st n es an d he re turn ed to e a p lt g t o , M cc

s re s ri ke n i n h ar There for som e ime he i e d o ly t c e t . t l v apart from his people preachi ng on ly occasion ally an d the n con ﬁn in g hi mse lf mai n ly to stran ge rs who came

to e a durin the se as n of i rim a e h0 in ha M cc g o p lg g , p g t t some am o n g them m ight liste n to his w or ds an d b e

on ert d Thus he O ain ed a fe w on e r s from c v e . bt c v t

am on th M edi n es These on he ir re urn heir g e it . t t to t homes spr e ad the n e w s that a P rophe t had arise n am o n g

the A ra s an d a ordi n a n u m er of he m am e t e b , cc gly b t c h

e I n he followi n g ye ar to M e cca an d acce pt d Islam . t

edi n a with a ar e arm an d esie ed th i T e M l g y b g e c ty . h

Sie e was ro ra ed b u t i n the h g p t ct , en d t e Meccan s were

om e ed to raise it an d r e ire c p ll t .

A fter this the n e w religion b egan to m ake rapid

ro re ss i n the e ni n su a an d ri e af er ri e a e u p g p l , t b t t b g v p

heir old w a s an d ado te d s am n h r t y p I l . I t e Sixth yea the Prophet dispatched e mb assie s to the Ki ng of P ersia an d the Em peror of Con stan tin ople i n vi ti n g the m to h accept Islam . T e latte r rece iv ed the amb assadors w ith

ur es whi st the form er dro e the e vo fr m his co t y, l v n y o

e with n ume I n h n h the pre sen c co t ly . t e se ve t ye ar

J e ws of hai ar re vo ted b t e re soon re du ed K b l , u w c to

The ir an ds n e subj ection . l an d property w e re gu ara te d to the m with the fre e practice of the ir re ligion upo n

f ﬁx n d- paym en t o a e d la tax . In accordan ce with a tru ce con clu de d with the ’ 1 e an s the s em s i si ed the a ah the e an s M cc , Mo l v t K b , M cc v acatin g their city SO as n ot to com e i nto con tact

i h h r he an d rs f er hree da s w t t e P op t his followe . A t t y the Mosle m s re tire d to Me din a an d the Me ccan s re turn ed

A t his im e the e an s an d s m e of to their hom es. t t M cc o their allie s treacherously a ttacked a t rib e i n allian ce w ith the Mosle m s an d killed a large nu mb er of them .

f r redress The i n j ured pe ople applie d to the P rophet o .

In res n se to the a ea he m ar he d m en po pp l, c against the Me ccan s an d e n te red the city almost

T n s hou h the had erse u ed u n osed. he e a opp M cc , t g y p c t the ro het SO m u h w ere rea ed wi h hu man i . P p c , t t t ty he m O n four A ge n eral am n esty w as gran te d to t . ly

a N 0 h use w as crimi n als w e re conde m n ed to de th. o

h v 1 The famous t emple in Mecca w hich is b elieved b y the M uhammada n s to a e u t b A rah m been b il y b a . 91

n o w man was i n su te d b ut the id s w e re robbed, o l , ol unrele n tin gly destroyed. The n i n t h ye ar of the He gira i s kn ow n as the ye ar of de putation s i n conse quen ce of the large n umb er of e mbassie s which came from all quarters to acce pt Islam . W hen the hosts of A rabia cam e ﬂ ocki n g to join hi s

i h the r he fe t ha his w rk was a om ishe d fa t , P op t l t t o cc pl ,

n d r the re sen im e n of hi s a r a hin e n d he a n d u e p t t pp o c g ,

a m ade a fare we ll pilgri mage to Me cca. H e h d really

the fu u re for he died i n the m idd e of the foreseen t , l 2 3 D. f wi n e r i . e . 6 A . ollo g y a , ,

u Bakr w as e e ed su ess r of the r he or A b l ct cc o P op t ,

3 D D h s f d 63 A . e a e a i h i n 6 2 A . . In 41 . w w C l p , ollo

‘ d i n 644: A . D Um ar who in hi s t urn w as su eede . by , cc

‘ ‘ Duri n hi s a i hate Usm n a ished by Usman . g C l p a l v im r ant s s u n his ki n sm e n the Um a ides w ho po t po t po , yy ,

his l e d n w ere the ri vals of the Hashimites. T to a i n surre ction which e n ded i n the assassination of the t i h t he ha f n 5 . Cal p a n ds o the reb els i 6 6 A D.

‘ ’ ‘ O n U man s de a h A li a v H ashimi te was e e e d s t , , , l ct

E ( ali h wi h ut si ion . H e was son of A ha Ta i p t o oppo t l b , ’ an d hus an d of a im ah the r he s dau hte r an d b F t , P op t g , thus u n ited i n hi s person the hereditary right wi th that

of e e i n The ﬁrs hin ha he did on assumin l ct o . t t g t t g the Caliphate w as to dismiss the wicked and corru pt

Um a ide ffi om of he m a e u h i yy o cers. S e t g v p t e r posts

without re sis an e hers re o ed. Am n the a t c , ot v lt o g l tte r

‘ w as Mu awiyah who held the G ov ern m en t of Syria an d

ho had r of m r n w collecte d a large fo ce e ce aries. O n

‘ ’ ‘ M u awi ah s raisin the s andard of re e i n A li y g t b ll o , n aded ‘ i v Syria . Mu awiyah was defeated i n thre e successive battles at Sifﬁn an d was about to ﬂ y from the 92

ﬁe d whe n a ri k sa e d him A t n l t c v . the i n sta ce of

‘ ‘ A m r son of A l - As he m ade his m er en aries tie o ie s , , c c p of the uran to he r a n es an d ﬂ a s an d shou for Q t i l c g , t

‘ The so die s f A l qu arter . l r o i at o n ce de si sted fro m pursu it an d called upon him to re fe r the dispu te to

‘ li a hr u h t arbitration . A s w t o g he ruse practise d by the

re e s b ut the am our of the arm l ed him to on se n b l , cl y c t T to u rse su e s ed. wo ar i r n d the co gg t b t ators w ere appoi te .

‘ ‘ O n e w as A b u M e sa A l - A sh ari re rese n ti n A li an d p g ,

‘ ‘ the her was the aforesaid A m r son of Al - who ot , As,

‘ represe n ted Mu awiyah . Before the arbitrators gav e

‘ ei r e i si on A li re ired o ards re the th d c , t t w K ufa . He m e n who had be e n m ost clamorou s at Sifﬂ n for the

re feren e ar i ra i n re udi a e d it an d d n un ed it c to b t t o , p t e o c

I the e n d he O e n n n as sin ful . n t y p ly m uti ied a d

‘ him s -to the ar itr i n A m r w h deser ed . A a o o w as an t b t ,

as u e m an ad ised A b ﬁ M esa ha for the ea e of t t , v t t p c

‘ ‘ I slam both Ali an d Mu awiyah should b e pu t aside ;

‘ that Ab u M esa shoul d pronoun ce the deposition of Ali

‘ that he him self w ould then depose Mu awiyah a n d

f er h he sh u d e e a n ew i The that a t t at t y o l l ct Cal ph. simple Ab u Mesa fe ll i n to the trap a n d m oun ting the ‘ ” u i ri e d out de ose A li fr m the a i ha e . p lp t c , I p o C l p t

‘ r m ou n in af er hi m said a e the de osi ion Am t g t , I cc pt p t

‘ ‘ of A li an d appoin t Mu awiyah i n hi s place The audaciou s a n n ou n ce m e n t i n fu riated the followe rs of

‘ A li an d the y re fu se d to abide by the de cision of the

‘ The w ar a i n s u awi ah r e e ded i n a rbitrators . ga t M y p oc

‘ a desultory m a n n e r till 661 whe n A li was struck dow n

by the han d of an assassi n .

‘ ’ O n A li s de ath his e lde st son H asan w as ele cted to the Caliphate by the u n an imous suffrage of Kufa an d

941

the n ﬁn es of ra he saw n o si ns of the f n co I q , g Ku a arm y

hi h h d r mi w a o sed to m e e him . Ex ec in rea her c p t p t g t c y, he e n cam pe d at a place called K arbala n ear the western

an k of the E hr e H s a rehe n n b up at s. i pp sio s of be trayal

ro ed n p v o ly too tru e . H e was overtaken by an Um ayyide army an d m ercilessly bu tchered with all his

’ ‘ m a e f ers O n n of hi s s n s Z ai n - w . o e u l A idi n l ollo ly o , b ,

w ho w as too ill to ea e his e n was s ared to sa th l v t t , p ve e ‘ in ea e of u ham m ad an d Al i fr m ex i n i n A f er l g M o t ct o . t this Y az i d b e cam e the un di spu ted m ast er of the v ast E A ra m ire . H is des en dan s the Um a i des rei n e d b p c t , yy , g ti 50 whe n he were su eeded the A bb asides ll 7 t y cc by ,

‘ de s e n dan s of A s un e of the h Th a r e . e c t bb , cl P op t A b b aside s w ere in turn replaced by the Turks who up till n ow are rul ers of a large portion of the Empire on ce

the ra possessed by A b s. ‘ r m the ime of A li the uhamm adan s ha e een F o t , M v b

di ided i n tw o rea se s the Sun n is an d the Shiahs. v to g t ct , The Su n n i s are b elie v ers of the prin ciple of e le ction an d of the a m i shed fa an d a e the rder i n cco pl ct, cc pt o

h the ifferen a i hs su eeded ea h her as ust w hic d t C l p cc c ot j .

‘ he Shiahs ori i n a l the e e who s u k A li T , g l y p opl t c to thr u h hi k an d thi n e ie e i n the rin i e of o g t c , b l v p c pl

‘ n omi nation an d say that A li had the b est right to the

a i ha e hat he was n min a ed here the r het C l p t , t o t t to by P op

him se f an d ha the ﬁrst hree a i hs w ere u sur ers. l , t t t C l p p The y n aturally refused to acknowledge the authority

erse u d of the Um ayyide s by whom they w ere sorely p c te . They had thei r ow n I mdms or leade rs who w ere direct

‘ de sce n dan ts of A li an d w ere gre atly re ve re d by the m .

‘ The tw elfth I mdm Muhamm ad A b u l - Qasim Al - Mahdi di sa eare d fr m the w r d The Shiahs e ie e ha pp o o l . b l v t t 95

h u h i n isi e he is s i l i in and ru in the w r d t o g v bl t l l v g, l g o l , an d that on e day he shall r eappe ar i n the w orld in ﬂ e sh a n d blood to de liv er the m from the han ds of u n b elie v ers an d oppre ssors .

— Some of the fe asts an d ho a s e scr e i n the fo l owm B . l N . lid y d ib d g page s are n ot ase on re i on an d he r o se r van ce i s a matter of custom on b d lig t i b ly . The y i i or igi n ated i n the In dian e n viron ment in wh ch Isl am has e x ste d so l ong and are therefore e cu r t the uhamma an s of n ia In the ast a s of uh mm a p lia o M d I d . l d y M a ad n ru e at De h and L uc now such feasts an d ho a s had a reat vo ue In the l l i k , lid y g g . rese nt a e however ow n to the nﬂ uence of the W es t the are s ow n p g , , i g i , y l l y dyi g

out.

‘A A A R F H .

‘ 91 e - e t is o c l d a The 55 cf Z a Hay s. I s a le bec use on this day the pilgri ms proceed to M ou n t A rafat Where they recite the mid

da a n af ern oon ra e rs a n d s en to the h tba lz In n d a y d t p y li t L u . I i

‘ ’ the 13th of S/ mba n the 9th of M u arm m the as da of Rama dn , b , l t y g a n d ge n erally the day preceding every festiva l are al so called ‘ Amfaﬁ.

A A A B R H W FAT .

l Bdrat tWe1ve an d We ef dea h . The 2th of the m on h , , f , t t ‘ ’ Ra dZ/ I obse rvedi n commem orat on of the Pro het s dea h O n , i p t . this day food 18 cooked an d after fa tzha /i s have been read ever

r th oor ls it IS d s bu ed to e . A o b o h 1n n vate houses it, i t i t p , t p an d mos ues m e e n s are he d a t wh ch the s or of the bi rth q , ti g l i t y , a h ro m rac e s an d de h of t e he is rec ed. om e eo e i l t P p t it S p pl , how e er ma n tan hat the P1o het d ed on the 2n d of the v , i i t p i m on th an d as here is somedou b on the sub ect m an erson s , t t j , y p re ad a z hafis ever da from the rs to the w e fth n c u s v f f y y fi t t l i l i e . In Ben gal this festiv al i s kn ow n by the n ame F a tzlz afi z

h ra r of the 12th da In m alzum z e . t e e s . so e ar ts of du wa z d , p y y p

n a is more cus om ar to ee h s da n ot as the an n versa r I di , it t y k p t i y i y

dea h of the ro he b ut as the J as/z n - i - M i ldd- zl S/za r of the t P p t, ﬁ

he rac ca du e re the o e B r h. T s a the sa m or the feast of N bl i t p ti l ti e .

' ’ ‘ ’ Is Turkey an d Egypt M i lddl S/Eaﬂ f is k n own as M aul zdu a - Na bi

r of the ro het an d is o served the rec a of his or the b i th P p , b by it l

i u on of ms The ahha i s do n t o s r praises and b y d strib ti al . W b o b e ve fes a as it is e e ved to b e an n n ova on n ot hav n een this tiv l , b li i ti , i g b

‘ s kept by thé early Mu lims.

A A B R T .

r o s on O n the as da of the m arr a e The m ar iage pr ce si . l t y i g ' cere m on y the b ri degroom proceeds to the b r1de s house o n horse

a n fr n s t h b ack w ith a l arge followin g of relatives d ie d . A t e ’ r d h u se af e r the ues s have arta e n of a feast the r e s b i e s o , t g t p k , p i t

' performs the m l ai la ce re mony w hich bi nds the pa rtie s la wfully i n 99

t de r ca lo . oon af e r he ri oom is ed n o th holy w e d ck S t , b g ll i t e z e nana whe re the couple sittin g si de by side on a mas b ehold

‘ a n - a s In the e e n n the r r ea c h other i n looki g gl s . v i g b ideg oom

r h r c c é return s to his OW n house w ith the b ide. T e p ocession a om ’ ' pa nyi n g the b ridegroom to an d from the bride s house as al so the fe stivities of the last day of the marriage collectively are d B design ate ardé .

A B RSI .

' ’ m o s rv n he an n v rsar of a ersoh s death The custo f ob e i g t i e y p .

’ ‘ It is ob served i ii the same man ner as the Si fbmfz or Cfidfififl tm}

‘ BrsM ’ n I L AH .

The ce remon of ron ounc n the eas e of (red It i y p i g . s

o ser ve d w hen the b o ha s a a n ed the a e of four or ﬁve ears b y tt i g y , a n s of h fo own ems After the b o n d co si ts t e ll i g it . y has been

athed an d dressed i n n ew c o hes he is se a ed in fron f b l t , t t o his

ach or s m e o h r arn e a fa mily te er o t e le d man . Ne r them are placed

a sma d or s ver a e a n an d n s a d o ll gol il pl t , pe i k t n t gether with

' o s e s The or h v n offere d the u sua z s me w et . tut a i g l t zl a/z in the

n am e of the ro he wr es on the a e w h the en d P p t, it pl t it p ipped in a ’ ’ ’ ’ solution of saffron or san dal the w ords Bi smi lldlzi r- Ra lzmani r

Rahi m In the n am e of G od the m erc fu the com ass n a ( , i l , p io te ) h O t 15 a c om an d m ak e s the child li c k t em h . I lso ust ary to Write the ﬁ st chapter of the Q ui an on re d paper or on a gold or sil ver

' ' Af r h s th at e n an n a n to t h a e . e e e d s d e er pl t t t i , pl , p i k t g With othe r articles are pi esen ted t o the tutor a n d Sw eets are distributed

ose The same r es are o se am on g th prese n t . it b rved 1n the case of

r his d fferen ce ha her ha r 1s a so a ed for e a gi l wi th t i , t t i l pl it th ﬁrst ’ Th Bi smi ll a/z ceremon i s n o tim e on this day . e y t e hser! ed by o the lower classes of pe ple .

R - Se e . C HAHA UM . SIWUM

CHAUTH I.

h four h da a f er the m ar r a e cerem on O n h s a T e t y t i g y . t i d y ’ early in the morn i ng some n ear relation of the bride s visits the 100

’ ’ r de room s house and escor s the r de to he r fa he r b i g t b i t s. A fe w

' hou rs ater the r d r l b i e g oom accompan ied by his relatives a n d ' ’ fri d en s procee ds to the b ride s hou se where the party is en ter tain e d a to a f s . T e t he c hief rite ob serve d on that day i s the f b attle o ﬂ ow ers an d fru its that take s plac e i n the z e nan a

e w een the art es of the r de a n d th r d b t p i b i e b i egroom .

C A H H TI .

era the s h i r e o Lit lly ixt . It s a it b serve d u sually on the sixth

n d occas on a on the se ven h or n n h da af er c h d r h a i lly t i t y t il bi t . O n thi s day the house is clean e d an d the m other an d i n fant a re

a hed a n d dre sse d i n u a d c o hes . he re ared b t , g y l t Special dis s are p p

on h s da a h - t i y n d t e n ight is passed in sin gi n g a n d m erry makin g .

h s cere m T i on y is comm only kept by the lower orders of soc iety . The h her as ‘ ig cl ses u sually sub stit ute the rite A qi ga/z in its stead.

C H IH UM L .

' The for eth da af er the dea h of a e rson ar cu ar of ti y t t p , p ti l ly

usa n . O n this da a ccord n to som e accoun s the hea d a n d H i y, i g t ,

od of usa n w ere reu n ed an d ur The h ahs o se r e b y H i it b ie d. S i b v it s this day by atten din g maj l i ses a nd listen i n g to marsiyya .

C IL H LA H .

e r e o f h a Lite rally the forti th. The it b serve d on the ortiet d y

‘ f c r h A on the Okka d h s da a o the a er h d . s z a on s t il bi t t y, t i y l m other an d in fan t are bathed an d dre ssed out in gaudy clothes .

' ‘ l “ 2 a d lc/ ur an d lcﬁz r z r o d The fema e Spec ial dishe s c lle cﬁ a e co ke . l g uests W ho are in v ited to the feast gen erally brin g articles of

n h he a nd f n dress as prese ts to t e mot r i n a t .

- - — W M See ARA W A F AT . FATIHA H I DU AZ DA H U . B H

G ARHW IN I .

‘ Th e ven h n h of the m on h Rabi held sacre d in e le t ig t t II , ‘ ’ o ur f the sa n Shail A du - ad r i ani common h no o i t gh b l Q i J l , ly

A mess of r ce a nd mi k i l . A ish of r ce o e w th t u se d i b il d i Spli p l .

102

’ ' commen e s a s soon as t e m on th s fas i n Ra ma gci n i s over an d r h t ,

da of the m on h f Sﬁ d I t is y t o aww l . ” a m s- i n r n out o ur a m s l g vi g B i g y l , ‘ sa d Ib n - i- A as the rad tion is for the ro he t has orda n e d i bb , T i t, P p i ‘ th s d n t n 1 l or as a v ns tu o : on e 362 7 b s . of ar e or da s i i i e i i ti ( ) b l y te , ‘ 1 sé of w heat h s sha ev er e rson free or b on d m an or w om a n } . T i ll y p , , ,

n old or y un do n am el . to ur f hi s fas of a n o scen e la o g, , y p i y t y b ”

ua e a d ve v c ua s to the oor . O n h s da the e o e g g n gi i t l p t i y, p pl hav n d s r u ed the a ms a n d don n e d au d o he s a sse m e i g i t ib t l g y cl t , bl ‘ i n m osqu es or in the Idgci /z outside the city an d bein g l e d by the

‘ ‘ m r t at s of ra Af er ra ei s the Imci m I a m e ci e wo r a t er . t p y t p y , ascen ds the u a n d de vers a n ora on T h eo e hen p lpit li ti . e p pl t d s erse an d s e n d the res of the da i n v s n m errv -m a n i p p t y i iti g, ki g,

t d a s cn c n e c The ho a 1s e for tw o or hree d . pi i ki g . li y k pt t y

‘ ’ f ’ I U - o - D L AZHA n i DU Z ZUHA.

‘ ‘ is a so c ed Id- i u bdn the fea of sacri ce Ba r Id It l all Q r ( st ﬁ ) , g ‘ ’ ‘ he co feas a r a fea In ( t w t) nd Idu l K abar or Barr? Id (the g e t st) .

‘ r e an d 8 I ra d on th Tu k y Egypt it 1 n amed Bam i m. It S cele b te e ’ l 0th day o f Z u t-Hij j a /z a n d is part of the rites of the Mecca n

r ma e a ou h t 1s o serve as we 1n all ar s of s am o h pilg i g , lth g i b d ll p t I l , b t a a cr ﬁ a ea fes v i s foun ded on a n as d y of sa i ce an d s a gr t ti al . It

- h n u n c on i n the uran Cha er X X verses 33 38. Tw o of t e i j ti Q , pt II, verses are Y e m ay obtain advanta ges from the cattle up to the se t time for slayin g them then the place for sacriﬁc in g them

th anc n t hou se n m ean s can he r esh r ach u n o is at e ie . By o t i ﬂ e t im G od e her he r ood b ut e on our ar reache h H . , n it t i bl pi ty y p t t

us ha h H e suh ected hem to ou ha e m a n f G od for Th t j t y , t t y g i y H is guidan ce ; m oreov er an n oun ce gla d tidin gs to those who do ” h n ra h d th ha good deeds . T is festival is ge e lly el by e Mu m ma da ns ’ to have b een in stitute d in commemorati on of A b raham s w illi n gn e ss to olfel‘ up his son as a sacriﬁce an d the y m ai n tai n that the son w as Ish i ae and ot s ac an d ha the sce n e oo ace on n l n I a , t t t k pl na n ear ecca an d n ot i n the an d of or ah a s i s M oun t Mi M l M i ,

th orn n of h s fes va the eo e n n es . O n m stated i Ge is e i g t i ti l, p pl ‘ a s or in h fd a /z where the Imfi m assemble for pr yer i n mosque t e g ‘ Af er ra ers the Ima m o k s of ra e r. l eads the m 1n tw ra a t p y t p y , a scen ds the pulpit an d deli ve rs an oration on the subject of the £03

fes va T r rs e r e rn t e ti l . he wo shippe th n tu o th ir re spective homes

n d off r t s c r e The e a f t a e up he a iﬁc . h d o he fa mily takes a shee p or a cow r a oa or a c m e a n u rn n its hea o d o g t a l , d t i g d t war s

ecca sa s I the n am e f the ea G d v r e rs M , y , n o gr t o e ily my pray ,

m sacr ce m fe m d e o to od the l d o y iﬁ , y li , y eath, b l ng G , Lo fthe

w or ds . H e has o al r ha hat hidde for l n p tne , t t is w I am n , ” w h a e r d d I am ﬁ rst of those o r esigne . An then he slays the n a a n ma . The e sh .of the a m is e n o e or on i l ﬂ i l divid d i t thre p ti s, o n e h rd e n ve n to re a on s on e th rd to the oor a n d the t i b i g gi l ti , i p ,

n r r d r the f 18 s de re m ai i n g thi d eserve fo amily . It con i re d highly m e ritorious to sacriﬁ ce on e a nimal for each memb er of the fa mily

b u t as ha w ou d n vo ve an e en d ure fe w cou d ear i t t l i l xp it l b , it s c h a llowable to sacriﬁce on e vi tim for t e household. In e xtreme

cases m e n m a com ne o e her a nd ma e one sac r ce do f r , y bi t g t k iﬁ o

a ll b u the n u m er of e rson s so com n n m u s n ot e ce d , t b p bi i g t x e m u s n o hor m r t s . seven ty . S o e a t itie limit the u be even Q uite

a ar from its re ous c erem on e s the fe st va is o serv a p t ligi i , i l b ed s a

re at occas on of re o c n an d the ho da is e for two or g i j i i g, li y k pt ‘ ’ h Idu l F r . three days i n a sim ilar w ay to that of t e rt The ‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘ Ida l F i r a n Id l - A zc2 con s u e the I am he two r a t g d a gl tit t d , t g e s a m feasts of I l .

’ E K ANC H H DAN .

n en r Literally the b ori g of the e ats . Wh a gi l a ttai n s to the

a e of o ne or two ears the ob es of e r ears are r ed tha sh g y , l h pie c t e

a w r- s On t da on w h ch h s c e e m on m y ea r ea rin g . he y i t i r y i s 1 erform ed the r i s dre sse d i n n e w c o hes an d af er sa nda l is p , gi l l t t

a e d to her n ec a w om an a s he ho es . oon af e r swe et s ppli k, m ke t l S t

a re d s r u ed am on the ues s who are all w ome h s r i t ib t g g t n. T i ite is also called GM were/t

Q ATNA H .

o is a so ca e d S The custom of circu m cisi n . It l ll u n n at

ra d on nd M usa m i an d is d e te d e e r rmed (t iti ) a l an , ir c to b p fo e ween he a e f e e en an d fou ee n b ut i s usu erform d b t t g s o l v rt , ally p e r r Th m n es a en d n h s r e are as fo ows - The ea lie . e cere o i tt i g t i it ll

1 A 893mm9 15W dal weed 1041

{ b o ha n een decked out in ﬁn e clo hes is sea ed on a ar e y vi g b t , t l g f n ew earthen pot in verted or on a chair w ith a red han dkerchie s re d r h on r t o ho d the b o rm a ove . he n w e e o w o e e p it T il p pl l y ﬁ ly, t r ra n A f er he ba ber take s his raz or an d performs the Ope tio . t dress n the w ou nd he rece ves hi s rofess ona fee a n d some i g , i p i l her re s n s is a da of re re c n in the fam . A n o p e t . It y g at j oi i g ily t

u ee is o se rv d the are n s a wee af e r w hen the w oun d j bil b e by p t k t ,

s i healed an d the b oy em erges from con ﬁ ne men t .

Q W AJ A H ne ws K A BERA.

1 era the raf ofthe ro he wa a/L i r w ho a ccord Lit lly t P p t ﬁ j ﬁ g , ,

in to the M uha mmadan s d scove red the source of the w a er g , i t

f f an f r A s s uch a o e d is e e ve d to b e the a ro o wate s . li b li p t n , fe s v h o In some aces on every ti al is he ld in is h n ou r . pl

hu sda an d in o hers on the as hursda of the e n a T r y, t l t T y B g li

m on h Btadé n eo e hav n re are d a 65 d carr at n h t , p pl i g p p r , y it ig t

to the an of a r v e r w h m an ce re mon e s . here rea a n d b k i it y i T , g t

sm a h m an m a h r res ec ve a v n h ed a s d rs . e e ll, i g lig t l p tape k t i p ti

o a on s wh s a n um er of sw mm ers ush the 65 d n o the bl ti , il t b i p r i t

midd f h m r of sma r s e o t r er . o e mes a n um b d l e iv S ti be ll a ,

m ade of c a are a so l aun ched an d as ach carr es a am the l y, l e i l p,

e ﬁect is r s e i o r h st iki n g . In Mur hidab a d th festival s b se ve d w it ’ rea e cl a t is sa d ha the uhamm a dan s of the a d ve g t . It i t t M M l i

s an ds a so a n n ua aun ch a sm al vesse ade n w h erfum es I l l lly l l l l it p ,

u m an d fra ran owe rs an d ea ve to the merc of th g g t ﬂ , l it y e

w nds an d w aves as n offe n i a ri g to ﬂ ig r.

A KUND .

A feas ven i n hon o r f a n i t gi u o some s i t . It s so calle d because

- the food is ser ed in di s672 6 8 or ear he ots v 4 t n p .

’ LAILAT - A U L Q DR .

o d S a b- - A s ca e t i adr . The n h of o r A h n h l ll Q ig t p w e . oly ig t R in the m onth of a maz an . The rec se da e of is n ot n ow p i t it k n ,

1 O n on s diﬁ er re s ect n ah p p wa 11 . an con s er him the same as K! h i i i g ! j 193 1 M y id h neas the ran son of Aaron others that he is the ro het as P i , g d , p p Eli .

106

' ' l mz ﬁﬂ dz t hi a pp y o s han ds a n d fe e t . H e re mains the re for about

a n hour to le t e d e a c th y t ke e ffe t . Dur in g this tim e the w ome n ’ s n the r de s rai scs a nd e ase him w h he r an r i g b i p , t it t i b te in gs .

G rea is the fun w he n the feed him w h su arca n dy a re se n t t y it g , p

from the r de . A s he ca n no u se his han ds he an a b i t , t y t t li se him by pre sen ti ng a l u mp of sugarcan dy to his m outh a n d the n w ith

dra w n it us a s he o en s his m ou h or sn a s f r th i g j t p t p at it . A te e

97227 d has don e its du his ha n ds an d fe r w ty , et a e ashed and he is

dressed i n the su t of c o hes rese n ed to hi r h i l t p t m by the b ide . T en he c om es out of the z en a n a an d i s c on gratulated by the male

The n h is s n i f - ues s . e n eas n an d e r h g t ig t p t ti g m r y makin g . T e

’ morn n the r da ar e urn t n e xt i g b i l p ty r t s o the b ride s house .

MUHA RRAM .

The name of the ﬁrst m on th of the M uhammadan year i s al so the n am e gi v en to the ﬁ rst te n days of the mon th o b serv ed by the S hiahs in c om me m oration of the m artyrdom ’ f usa n the secon d son of a m ah the Pi 'O he t s dau h er o H i , F ti , p g t ,

A shor a ccoun of th s ra e v n s n ec sar by Al i . t t i t gic e t i e s y to un derstan d the quain t c erem on ie s w hich are ob sel ve d on this “ a z i d w ho succeeded his fa th l M u a w i ah in the a . e y festiv l Y , w as a di u n ka rd an d a de a u h The eo e year 60 b c ee . p pl

ufah w h ch w as the home of heo o an s an d r e s s in hose of K , i t l gi p i t t

a s w ere scan da z ed an d he i n re urn rea e d hem w h m u c h d y , li , t t t t it m At h s e usa n was res d n at e cc a . H e c on tempt . t i ti H i i i g M ‘ ad n ever a e n the oa h of a e an ce to M u aw ah or to a z i d h t k t ll gi iy Y , an d so n ow the people of K ufah b e gged him to com e an d promise d to e spouse his cause if only he w ould pron ou n ce the depositi on of Yaz id an d take aw ay the Ca liphate fr om the house

a Th fr en ds o sa n i v a n u r d ha t of U m yyah. e i f Hu i n i ge t t he

e o e of ufah were a ck e l ot an d ha he cou d if he p pl K ﬁ l , t t t y l , t y o a a s a z i d hi h sa n a she d rev n w hou s e . u cce ed wi , lt g i t Y it t lp H i pt the ca an d s ar ed for u fah w h his fa m an d a sm a e scor ll, t t K it ily ll t

s n d on h n r - s Bu m a n wh of hor em en a e u d e d foot soldier . t e ile

a z i d se n the G overn or of asrah to b ar the w a an d usa n Y t B y, H i o n the plai n s of Karbala fou n d his progress arre ste d by a force of

m h of a s n or n T e eo a id. o e . p ple h gave n o a S ubmis i dea h w as the a e rna ve ace d e f r him H e sai d to his t lt ti pl b o e . 107

d o o cou d do o Bu e s o e who she t s . t th follower that th s wi g , l y refused to leave him sayi n g what e x cuse they w ould gi ve to his

r r n th da of ud m en if he a an done d him g an dfathe o e y j g t, t y b

O n e on e the l e an d fe a nd at as usa n a n d his e by ittl b ll, l t H i littl

I sai n a s o n a m ere n fan alon e re ma n e d. q s t 0 11 the rou n d. , i t, i g

r u ch him o Not on e of the e n e my see med to da e to . H e t ok the ’ l ittle l ad u p i n his a rms ; a cha n ce arrow pie r c e d the c hild s ea r u sa n a o h a n d it die d at on ce . H i pl ce d the corpse n t e g round “ W o n m sa n e come from G d a d we re ur n to H i . G od yi g, t O , ” ve m e s re n h to ea r hese m sfor un es whe n as he s oo e d gi t gt b t i t , , t p to dr n a n arrow ruc him i the ou n coura ed h s n m h. i k, st k t E g by t i , h n r s im a d e d o his f h t e e emy u hed on h n sp e ily put a n e n d t li e . T e

a n of arb a a is n ow a ace of sacred r m a e to h ahs pl i K l pl pilg i g S i , a n d the sad e ve n t w hich took place there is kept alive in their

mor an n u c a o w za m e ies by the al eleb r ti n of the M l rram . The c r n ff m u h in d ff re cou n Th fo o n e emo ies di er c i e n t tri e s . e ll wi g is a gen eral description of the festival as ob serve d i n I n dia . S om e

a s re v ou s to th fe s va the i mamba a house of the I mam d y p i e ti l, r ( ) , ‘ - a so ca ed ds/l zi r M art a/1 ten da house is re are d. A s soon l ll ( y ) , p p as the ne w m oo a ears the e o e a her o e her i n the var ou s n pp , p pl g t t g t i i mdmbdras an d oﬁer fatilz a/t s over som e she rbet or some sugar i n

The at z a/z c u d s hus : 0 G od ra th n am f usa n . i on c e n e e o H i f l l t , g t

r h ou of us n The sher e an d su a r the rew a d of this to t e s l H ai . b t g

The i m dr is en era a m orar are the n distribute d. dmd a g lly te p y

ruc u r s a e ha or th occas on om e st t e or om e l rg ll ﬁtt ed up f e i . S

imes the w a s are dra ed w th ac c o h order d w h e s t ll p i bl k l t , b e it t xt

r m t u s O n e s f o he Q ran w ritten i n a lar g e a n d ele gan t tyle . n o ide ‘ s an ds the ta z i a/ w s ru c ures m ade of am oos covered w h t y , t t b b it

a f er c h n se an d rofuse orn m e n ted an d o en v os . e ti l p ly , t y tly T y a re i n te n de d to represe n t the m ausole um ere cte d on the plai n s of

r t the c f h K a bala over the rem ain s of Husain . A ba k o t e ‘ ta z zya ks several ar tic les are place d sim ilar to those believe d to have ee n u sed u sa n at r a a vi a a ur an of o d a r ch b by H i Ka b l , , t b g l , i ‘ sw ord a sh d an d arro The a l a ms or s an dards e a b ow an w . , i l , t w h ch a re common m ade of cO e r a n d rass hou h occas on i ly pp b , t g i a of o d or of s r ar ce d a a n s th w a s T he u u ve e a e . s a lly g l il , pl g i t ll l s an dard is ha of ha n d ace on a o e h s is e m em a c t t t a pl d p l . T i bl ti 1 of the ﬁve mem ers w ho c om ose the fam of the ro he b p ily P p t,

1 ‘ The ﬁve mem e rs are the ro het h mse f Al i F arna gh asau and usa n . b P p i l , , , H H i 108

i an d is the s ec a s an dard of th h h e a s . p i l t S i Ev ery e ven i n o large cr ow ds of eo e a sse m e i n th i m / e am mi n i s . A - p pl bl t ﬁ rst sﬁz khwé ns

‘ ’ - m ar re d u sa n . h s over the wé i a - ty H i T i , g lz M wé n or b a rl zs Zfl zwé n

a sce n ds the u an d roce eds to re a e the h s or ca fac s p lpit p l t i t i l t , a ddi n g m an y stories a nd a n ecdot es gathered from vari ou s

so rc s A t m s he ecom e s r d an u e . e e e c d the au ti , b v y x ite , die n c e

s rr u t o rea e n hu s a m o i s ti ed p g t t i s a n d w eeps al u d. A fte r thi s

the asse m r se s a m a n chan s a n au z a ﬁ m ourn n s on bly i , t l ( i g g) ,

an d the e o e e n t o ea he r reas s at rst s ow a n d p pl b gi b t t i b t , ﬁ l ly

hen v orou s ca n ou t u sa n usa n h s con t n ue s t ig ly, lli g H i H i T i i

he are w e - n h e haus e d w he n the w ho e ass till t y ll ig x t , l e mb l v

oes aw a t o re ea the erfor m an ce ove a a n in som g y, p t p r g i e other

In som ar s f a ver n h dur n h i mdmbdrd . e p t o I n di e y ig t i g t e fe s va res are n d e d in o e n s aces an d the eo e o h ti l , ﬁ ki l p p , p pl , b t

old a n d oun fen ce a cros s the ﬁre w h sw or ds or st c s a n y g, it i k d j u mp ab out callin g ou t Husai n Husai n These gatheri n gs

a re ca ed aicii drds. ur n h s season W ome n w ho c an rea d ll D i g t i , , v isit the z en a n a a n d c han t marsiyyalzs (elegiac poems) to the ladie s

w f rea earn e s n s F by hom this e stival is celeb rated with g t t es . or the rs six da s n o h n e se a e s ace b ut on the 7th da y ﬁ t y t i g l t k pl , , ‘ ’ the Al a m- i - z m the s andard of as m n e he w of u sa n s ( t Q i , p H i )

t in s i s to e res n h is taken ou public procession . Thi r p e t is gom g

at - ﬁ l T s and rd i su a or e a to the b tle e d. he t a s u lly b n by m an on horse ac If is carr ed a m an on foot he ree s a ou b k . it i by , l b t to

r f A f r e ra m u n the r nc a horou show his e . e a hfare s g i t p b l ti g p i ip l t g ,

r the r a to i s n i é b the pe ople b in g stan da d b ck t ow m m drd . A s th stan dard wh ch re re se n s as m is su osed to b e a m ar r e i p t Q i pp ty ,

i s he n a d dow n covered ove r a n d trea ed as a cor se it t l i , , t p .

h rb e i L am entation is m ade ove r it a s for on e dead. S e t s the n

roduce d an d a dtz aﬁ is read ove r af e r w h ch the s an da rd p , f b it, t i t

n O n the e ve n n efore i s a gai n se t u p i n its ow pl ace . i g b the te n h da w h ch ac c ord n to the M us m m ode of com u n t y, i i g li p ti g

’ ‘ ‘ m e i s the e n h n h all the ta z z a/as an d the al ams are a e n ti t t ig t , y t k

r s f n for m en out i n oc s on . i s a sce n e of rea con u s o a n d p e i It g t i , b oys di s g uised i n all sorts of quai n t ge t- u p ru n a b out fe n ci n g

m n i s th c arn of the ow e r c ass M u ha m a n d j u pi g . It e ival l l

' h fo f r ar rea a dan s . O n t e ow n da a e ri tz ml w e d the m ll i g y , t f l , ‘ ’ ‘ t z u/ man d a / a ms are a e n a w a to a ar e o e n s ace wh c h a z y t k y l g p p , i

A A - C A N M K H SHI .

era the as n of sa The cere m on o Lit lly, t ti g lt . y f givi n g the

ch d season e d food to e at for the rst t me whe n il ﬁ i , it is six or

s h l . e ven m on t s o d On this occasion the parents en tertai n their

relatives an d frien ds to a feast an d distribute food amon g the

oor The e chan e of season e d food etw e n th p . x g b e e you n g m an an d

’ the r de- el eCt af er e ro ha is a so ca ed Na mak- C a z r b i t b t t l l ll ﬁ sﬁ . P ri o

to his ceremon he can acce on swee s from eac o h r t y, t y pt ly t h t e .

A N UROZ .

’ New ear s Da . h s fes va wh ch usua l fa s on th Y y T i ti l, i l y ll e 20th or 2i st of arch i s of reat an u a n d its h r M , g tiq ity isto y , “ ” date s b ack to the days of Ja mshi d of the seven - rin g e d c u p

w ho i s sa d to hav e ﬁ ed the ers an C a en dar orda n n i x P i l , i i g that the Ne w Year should b e gin on the ﬁrst day of the Persian

' n h S n s r m on th of F arvardi n whe t e un e ter A ries . The ﬁ st pu blic c ele brati on of the fe sti val w as on the occa sion of the state en try

o s n w - f u n d d of rs s h f of J a m shi d i n t hi e ly o e city Pe epoli . T e esti ‘ n n as the T r fe va of am sh d In a er v al is thus al so k ow d o sti l J i . l t ‘ - - k tim e s it has com e to b e called by the Shi ahs the fd i L ildfat or ’ ‘ festiva l of succession in hon ou r of the P rophet s son - in - law A li

Ca h a T s a i s w ho su ccee de d to the liphate on t i s d y. he fe ti v l

IVIurshida b a d w h rea c ere mon the m os ictu ob se rv ed at it g t y, t p

' u fe a ure of w h ch i s a on rocess on of m en e e han s re sqe t i l g p i , l p t , h ch a s hro h the r n c a r e of th m s h rses etc . w sse u s e e ca el , o i p t g p i ip l t t

c ity .

- QUL KEWANI .

The readin g of the several chapters of the Quran b eginn i n g

a h s is don e on the h rd or four h w ith the word gul (s y) . T i t i t ’ he m n - wdni is a h. T cere o of ul day after a person s de t y Q ﬁ the same as the Stre am or the Clea ﬁdr um .

‘ - - I See A I M RA . RAJA B . SH B I J 111

RAM AZ AN .

m a r a a f The n i nth mon th of the Muham ad n yea . E ch d y o thi s

s r c f s from daw n to s un se Th mon th is ob served as a t i t a t t . e h obse rva n ce of this m on th is on e of t e ﬁve ca rdin al pra c tice s i n r r h Isla m an d express in j u n ctions ega di n g it a re gi ven i n t e a Qur n .

Q SACH A .

This cerem on y takes place tw o days before the marria ge cere m on a n d e M a n ni con s s s i n ca rr n var ou s y, lik g i t yi g i

rese n ts mi/ mdi hen n a e n the r n c a of he m from the p , f ( ) b i g p i ip l t , The ro r house of the bride groom to that of the bride . p cedu e follo wed on this occasion is the sa m e as is ob se rved i n the case of

f m a b e m e n one d ha is on the da of Sdc/i a M a nga i . It y ti t t it y q that the youn g m an i s design ated Di d/ad (bride groom) a n d the

r e you n g lady Da l/ta n (b id ) .

SALG IRA H .

h om s r n Literally tyi n g the a n n u al k n ot . T e cust of ob e vi g ’ the an n iversary of a child s bi rth: O n this day a feast is pre ' ar d a n d af er the u es s have ar a e n of dti za /z is offe red p e t g t p t k it, f l

m s of the r m m The a e of i n the n a e p ophet Muha ad a n d Noah. n m the latter is i n clu de d in the fdti lzaﬁ ow in g to his ha vi n g li ved

’ a A f r t tz za som ol d t to a gre t a ge . te he fd l ie e d la y sec re ly or

n es a no on a re d hread h s is don e an n ua ope ly ti k t t . T i lly by ’ ’ s r h s r ar n w ay of regi te in g t e b oy s age . The girl yea s e u mb ered

an o u i by a l oop b ein g a dded n u ally t a n ecklace . This c stom s

n ot o serve d the ower c asses of eo e n or is e n o n d b by l l p pl , it j i e by o religi n .

A A R SH B B AT .

‘ h s fe s va is he d on th ath d of the m on h ﬁu t T i ti l l e l ay t S im.

O n this da a swee tm ea t ca e is re a re d a n d cl l t z a /t y ll d bal wﬁ, p p f l s

a re rea d o e r for the n e f d ceased an es ors Sl ub v it be ﬁt o e c t .

r an s h n h o re r is sa d h t Bardt lite ally me t e ig t f the co d. It i t a 112

G od on h s n h r l h t i ig t e gisters a l t e action s men are to perform dur n the e n su n ear uhamm a s i g i g y . M a d n are en j oi ned to fast on

the 14th to e e aw a e the w ho e n h , k p k l ig t a n d to re peat on e ‘ hun dr d k a r e m ts (a series of p ostration s) of prayer ; b ut the re are gen erally g rea t rej oicin gs in stea d of prayi n g a n d fastin g a n d

ar e su ms of m one are S en on rew or l g y p t ﬁ ks. A E uropea n w rite r

ca s h s fes va the G u a w es Da of s a m as is the ll t i ti l y F k y I l , it n h for d s a f r or h /z b ig t i pl y o ﬁ ew ks . T e S a Bardt is said to b e

referred to i n the X LIVth cha er of the uran v erse 2 as th pt Q , , e ” n h on w h ch all h n s are d s ose d in w sdom a h u the ig t i t i g i p i , lt o gh com m entators are n ot a greed as to whether the verse refers to this n ight or the St ab- i - Qadr on the 27th of the m on th of

The St ab Bardt s f en c on f Ra mazan . i requ tly ou n de d w ith the ’ - r i a h S a b- L a i l atu l adr o as is ca e d n nd t e t i adr . Q , it ll I i Q

‘ - I- R SHAB MI AJ .

’ The n ight of the Prophet s a sce n t or n octurn al j ourn ey to

n n a su erna ura hors ca d u ra n on is d v d d heave o p t l e lle B q . Opi i i i e

o w he ther the ascen w as h s ca or m ere s r ua i s as t t p y i l ly pi it l . It ’ said to have taken place i n the tw elfth year of the Prophet s mi ssion on the n ight precedin g the 27th day of the month of

The reference to h s eve n i s c on a n ed in the fo ow n Raj ab . t i t t i ll i g “ verse Praise b e to H im w ho carr ied his servan t by n ight ' ’ from the M ag i da l - Haré m the M eccan m osque) to t he ’ - h m m M asi idu Z Aqsii the m osque of J M u a adan s comm emorate this event by sittin g up all n ight prayin g a n d readin g or liste n i n g to the n umerous n arratives w ritte n c on cern i n g

e da the 27th he ee fas . h s fes a is a so it . N xt y ( ) t y k p t T i tiv l l called Raj abi .

’ - - — ILATU L- A A ee LA Q . S HAB I Q DR . S DR

SIWUM .

O The third day afte r the death of a person . n thi s day the Q uran i s read an d a fci til m/z is offere d for the b e ne ﬁt of the sou l

as d In en a h s cere mon is o s o of the de ce e . B g l t i y b erved n the

th dea h of a r n d is a fou rth day afte r e t pe so an c lled Cﬁaﬁdrum.

115

A P P EN DI X ( A )

A A R THE HIJR H Y E .

The E re /i ear is s r c unar a nd the mon hs ar ad s y y t i tly l , t e j u te d

to the course of the moon m ea n s of a c c e of 30 ears c n by y l y , o

n 19 c ommon ears of 354 da s an d 11 n erc a tai n i g y y , i t al ry years of he c c e herefore con a ns da an 355 days . T y l t t i ys d amou nts

a n 39 da s . a ea r to 29 J ulian ye rs a d y E ch y is divided in to 12

mon hs con a n n a ern a e 30 an d 29 da s w h the e ce t t i i g lt t ly y , it x ption

a mon h of the nterca ar ears wh ch n var a n of the l st t i l y y , i i i bly co tai ns

h n rca ar ars are the 2n d 5 h 30 da s . T e e e , t 7th 10th 13th y i t l y y , , , , h 16th 18th 2l st 24t 26th and 29th of the c c e . The m /i , , , , y l s

n ot on s ruc ed on as ron om ca r n c l e Th m on mon ths are c t t t i l p i ip s . e th

m n ces from the eve n n on w h ch the n ew m oon is seen Th c om e i g i . e duration of the mon th depends on the state of the atm osphere an d

m a ar at d fferen aces n ot far d s a n . No m on h how ever y v y i t pl i t t t , , 9 h 30 con a n ess han 2 or m ore an da s . F or s an ce if can t i l t t y in t ,

moon b e seen on the e ven n of unda the 29th of M u mr the n ew i g S y, l l h m on da w b e the st da of t e n e m on h a e r . hou d m , M y ill y xt t S f S l

k b e c oud an d n o m oon b e seen on u n da e ven n M on the s y l y S y i g,

he the 30th of M ub arm m a ue sda th s f e da w e l t o a r. y ill , nd T y S f The following a re the n am es of the mon ths of the Hai f a/t year

‘ ram. 4. R bi II Ra ah. w a 1. M uhar a . 7. j 10. Sha w l.

‘ f 6. J ma 8. Sha b an . 2. e r u . Sa . da I

‘ a . . Ram z an. 3 Rab i . 6 . J umed I ] 9 a . I

’ ’ d ﬁ i n 4. Gz r w

1919 1920 1920

13th J an. 2md J an . 22nd Dec .

1921 19 22 1923 1924!

11th Dec. 30th Nov . 20th Nov . 8th Ncv.

1927

28th O ct . 7th Oct .

1929 1930 1931 1932

1 th Se t th Se t. 2 th u . th u . 5 p . 4 p 5 A g 14 A g

1933

3rd Aug.

1917 6 h Se t 2 t p .

19 18 1919 1920 1921

15th Se . th Se t 24th A u . 14th Au . pt 5 p . g g

1922 1923 1924 1925 3rd A u 23rd u 12th u l et ul g. J ly J ly J y

1926 1927 1928 1929 20th J une l oth J une 29th M ay 19th May

1930 1931 8th M r ay 27th Ap .

‘ ’ 6 d- i - ﬁadi 1916 . f Q r 16th Octo

1918 1919 1920 1931 24th Se t 2ud Se r Se . t . 3 u . pt . 14th p p 2 d A g

1922 1923 1924 1925

12th Au l st u . 2l st u l oth u g. A g J ly J ly

1926 1927 1928 29th J une 19th J une 7th J une

1930 1931 1932 1 th M a a th 7 y 6th M y 25 A pr .

‘ ’ 19 14 1915 1916 7 . Idu l F itr 23rd u A . 12th A u . l st g g A ug.

1918 1919 1920 1921 10th J uly 30th J uue 18th J un e 8th J une

19 22 1923 1924 28th M ay 17th M ay 6th M ay 119

1932 1933

9th F eb 2 th an . . 8 J

‘ ’ ‘ 1914 1915 1917 d A /zci 8. I u l g 19th O ct . 2 h 30th Oct. 7t Se pt.

1918 19 19 1920 1921 th Se t 5 h Se 6 . 2 th A u 5t h t. . 1 A l 6t p p g ug .

1922 1923 1924 1925 4th u 13th u nd u 4th A ug . 2 J ly J ly 2 J ly

1926 1927 1928 1929 2l st J une 11th J uue 3oth M ay 20th M ay

1931 1932

t A r . 1 th A r 9th M ay 28 h p 7 p .

1915 1916 9 rr m . Yqm a 18th Nov . 6th Nov .

1920 1921

24th Se t. 13th Se p pt.

1922 1923 1924 19 25

S t 23rd Au . 11th Au . 31“ 2nd ep . g g J uly

a é 10. Ram g e

1923 1924 th A r th 17 p . 6 Apr.

1927 1928 1929

5 h M ar . 2 n eb t 2 d F . 11th F eb .

1930 1931 1932 1933

20th J an . l o h . D 3l st J an . t J an 29th ec.

1914 1915 1916 1917 ‘ 8th J uly 27th J une 16th J une 5th J une

1918 1919 1920 1921 2 h A 15th M a 3rd M a rd r 5t M y y y 23 Ap .

1922 1925 2h A r 1 t p . 120

1927 1928

17th F eb . 6th F eb .

1931 1931 1932

4th J an . 25th De c. l ath Dec .

1933 2nd Dec " . - 1915 1 1 - - i 9 6 12. S}m6 i M z r ij 9th J une 29th M ay

1919 1920

2 th A r 15th . 7 p . Apr

1923 1924

14th M ar. 4th Mar.

1927 1928

80th J an . 19th J an .

1930 1931

17th Dec . 7th Dec.

Sk t-i adr 13. a Q

' 14 9 6 1 T alz Té z i 19 1 15 191 4. ér

Bl st Dec. 21812Dec . 9th Dec.

1917 1918 1919 1920

28th Nov. l 8th Nov. 7th Nov. 27th Oct.

1921 1922 1923 1924

l th Oc th Oct . 25th S 3 h 6 t. 5 ept. 1 t Sept.

1925 1926 1927 1928

2n e t 3rd u . 2th . l s . d S p . 2 A g 1 Aug t Aug

1929 1930 1931 1932 21“ J uly 10th J uly 30th J uue 18th J uue

1933 7th J uue

122

K atyayani Pﬁja K e cava Vratam

h atmah C an eca Catu rthi K Vine aka Caturthi h y Q waja Khigr K 5. Bé ra Ga gga Pfij a K oj agara L aksmi Pfij a G aggasagara Sn aua Ku mar i Pfija Ghautakarn a Pfij a K umarotsava G ifirhwi n K umbha Mela G okul as tami Kfi udé D i G ov i nda vadac G rahana G raha Pfij a

Han

H arer utthanam or Uttha n aikadaei H arihara Chatra adan a T r a oda i i M y c u ar icayauam or Qayana Magha Trayodaci kad uci Maghi Pﬁ rn ima Hi n dol a or J b ulana Y atra h l M a a aya o H oli or H ori M ahanavami o

M ahas tami

M ahavis uv a Samkranti or Gai tre S amkrauti ' M akara Sarn kran ti or Uttara yan a Sa rii kranti Mak ari S aptami Man asa P uja M an gni M ihn di M uharra m Mun dan

' J agaddhatri Pﬁja J amai Sas thi au m as tami or G okul as tami J Pan cam " Naga i

hul é ua atra. J - Y Namak Ohashi Nau roz Nasta Candra Navauna

Navavarsaramb ha K e a or ma a a an P j oya P j Ni la vati Puj a Ka n chhé dan Nrsimha Caturdd l QT K ni ttikeya or K arttika P aja Ntsimba Dradaei 123

S naua Yatra Sone pur F a i r Par vaikada c ci ri P C ancami or Saras va ’ ti a usa S amkrauti or Pu a l Makara j or Vasan ta Pancami S a mkrauti Cri Ram a S avami P u na ryatra or Ul taratha oyama Pﬁj a or K al i P uj a Yatr a Pu spadol ot sava or Phuladol a

- erah Tez i

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‘ Radha stami Urs

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Sav tr Ca i i turddaci Cayan aikadaci S hab Ba rat ‘ S hab - i - Mi raj

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8 AS IN r s r , H T G S e a e

FO URT EEN DAY USE RETURN T O DESK F RO M W H ICH BO RRO W ED

T h s b ook i s du e o n the ast date stam e d b e ow or i l p l , o n th a h h n e d te to w i c re e w e d. Re n e w e d

L D 21—l oom ( B 13 9 3 22) 47 6