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Ashoka Ekadashi
This is the eleventh day of the Kartika month. According to the puranas, a woman observed a fast on this day and her seven sons came alive. That is why it is called Ashoka – without sorrow.
Akshay Navami or Amala Navami
It falls on the ninth day of the full moon of Kartika. It is customary to give alms on this day and pray for immortality. According to the Puranas, Treta Yuga began from this day. Some people worship goddess Jagadhatri on this day.
Amalaki Ekadashi
The eleventh day of bright fortnight of the month of Phalgun is called Amalaki Ekadashi. According to a legend, A king was attacked by some dacoits but he remained unscathed. After a while woman came out form his body and defeated the dacoits. She declared that he was saved because of the fast he observed on Amalaki Ekadashi.
Some people worship Parashurama in the form of a Kalasha under the Amla tree.
Arundhati Vrat
Arundhati Vrata is observed on Pratipada ie first day, of the Chaitra Month. Accoeding to a legend when Vasishtha was given a place in the skies in the Saptarshi Mandala he accepted it only when his wife Arundhati was allowed to accompany him. In remembrance of the Rishis love for his wife the Vrata is performed.
People bathe in a water body on the first day and take a pledge not to indulge in wrong doings. A fast is observed with an oath of loyalty for the spouse. On second day a Kalasha is put on a heap of rice and worshipped as Ganesha. Idols of Arundhati, Vasishtha and Dhruva are also installed. On third day Parvati and Shiva are worshipped for prosperity.
Akshay Tritiya
This is the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha. It is one of the three and half most auspicious days in a year. In some parts of the country Brahmins are presented with Kalasha, leather shoes or woden chappals and other traditional items. Ladies worship goddess Gauri. This day is special also because of the birth date of Parashurama. Doors of the temple of Lord Badrinath open on this day. Thus people also worship Badrinatha and take holy dip in river Ganga.
Apara Ekadashi
Apara Ekadeshi is the eleventh day of the dark fortnight of the month of Vaishakha (Jaistha according to Northern calendar). It is said that those who observe fast on this day are absolved of all sins. People paint a square with traditional symbols drawn on Ekadeshi and worship it.
Aja Ekadeshi
It falls on the eleventh day of the Krishna Paksha of Shravana (Bhadrapada according to Northern calendar). A fast was observed on this day by King Harishchandra on the advice of Brahmarshi Narada and got rid of all his sufferings.
Ashvini
Ashvini is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Ashvina. The eldest child is bestowed with gifts and Arati is performed. The day is also celebrated as Kojagiri Pournima.
Bhishma Panchak
This is the day when Bhishma injured in the battle of Mahabharatagave advice to the Pandvas, lying on the bed of arrows. According to the advice of Krishna a fast is observed form the Ekadashi (eleventh day) of bright fortnight of Kartika month to the Full moon day of Kartika for prosperity.
Budhva Mangal
It is observed in northern and some of the eastern parts of the country on the first Tuesday after Holi in honour of Lord Hanumana. On this occasion, Malpua, a special type of sweetmeat, is offered to Lord Hanumana. At some places, the festival of Holi is celebrated till Budhva Mangal.
Bahura Chauth
This Chaturthi day is observed in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Calves of Sattu are created and worshipped. A special dish named Bahuri made of Barley is consumed. The legend of Bahula and that of greatness of goddess Manasa are told. Seven types of crops are fried and given as alms. Pictures of Behula, cow and the calf and tiger are drawn and worshipped.
Bada Itvar
Surya, the sun god is worshipped on the Sunday (Itwar) in the month Bhadrapada (according to northern calendar). Salt-less food is consumed only once. A part of the food is kept aside for the cow, and the person, who observes fast, consumes rest of it before sunset. The cow and calf are drawn in a square on a wall and worshipped.
Durga Ashtami
This falls on the eighth day of the full moon of the Ashvina month. Yajnas are performed and unmarried girls (Kumarikas) are food is given to.
Durga Navami
It is an important day for the Bengalis. Sharadiya Navaratra ends on this day. Most of the people observe fast and give food to the girls. At other places Durga Puja is organized and Durga temples are decorated.
Devottama Ekadashi
It falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Kartika month and is also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi. This is when Vishnu sleeping on the Shesha in the middle of Kshirasagara wakes up. This is the day for the people of Varakari cult for a second pilgrimage of Pandharpur. this is the day of Tulasi Vivaha – marriage of Tulasi with Vishnu. The Vivaha is performed on any day after this Ekadashi for a month. After Tulasi Vivaha, marriages in a house is arranged and performed.
Dev-Shayani or Hari Sayani Ekadashi
On the eleventh day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of Ashadha month, Lord Vishnu leaves for his abode where he sleeps for four months on the shesha in the middle of Kshirasagara. This period is called Chaturmasa when pious acts are performed.
Dashavatara Dashami
On the tenth day (Dashami) of the bright half of the Bhadrapada month, ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu (Dashavataras) are worshipped. Various types of food items made of rice and wheat, divided into 20 parts, are offered
Vamana Ekadashi
It falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Pakhsha) of Bhadrapada. According to the Vishnupurana, Lord Vishnu, who goes into slumber in Kshirsagar, changes his side. People worship Vishnu in the form of Vamana (Dwarf).
Ganga Saptami
Ganga Jayanti is celebrated on the seventh day or Saptami of the bright half of the Vaishakha month. According to a legend, king Janhu drank Ganga and took it out through his right ear giving her another birth as Janhavi
Halashasthi
It falls on the sixth day (Shashthi) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Bhadrapada month (according to northern calendar).
Twelve earthen pots are filled with six types of crops. Goddess Shashti is worshipped for the well being of the sons. Trees of Kusha and Palasha are worshipped on the riverbanks. The cows and bulls are spared from work. Milk and food items made using crops needing a plough are not consumed.
Indira Ekadashi
It falls on the eleventh day or the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of the Bhadrapada month (Ashvina according to northern calendar). It is believed that performing vrata on this day liberates the souls of the dead ancestors.
Ishan Vrata
It is observed on the fourteenth day (chaturdashi) of the bright fortnight of the Pausha month. Ishana is installed on an alter in the form of rice heaps. Women observe fast on this day and breaks it with Gomutra. Cows are given away as alms to Brahmins.
Jaya Ekadashi
It falls on eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Magha month. On this day Apsara Pushpavati observed a fast and was relieved from a curse by Indra to become a Pishachcha.
Janaki Navami
It is the birth day of Sita, daughter of Janaka. She was found on this day by Janaka while ploughing the land to make a Yajna Bhumi. Women on this day create an idol of Sita from the ploughed soil. Food items made of paddy jaggery and milk are offered to her. The Ramcharitra manas is recited
Kajri Navami, Jwara Navami
This festival is celebrated on the ninth day (navami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Shravana. On this day, the seeds of Jwar are sown and people worship their field for seven days.
Kartik Pournima or Dev Divali
This day is especially important for people in Varanasi. This is the sacred day when oil lamps are floated in Ganga.
Lolark Shasthi
Lolark Shasthi falling on the 6th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad is another festive occasion of Varanasi. Thousands gather at Lolark Kund, Bhadaini to bathe in the waters and worship the Sun God.
Kartika Snana
Month of Kartika is especially auspicious for a holy dip in Ganga or any other water body. After the holy dip people worship Kartikeya on the bank of the river and listen to the recitations of the Puranas.
Kala Bhairava Ashtami
It falls on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of the Ashvina month (Kartika according to northern calendar). Kala Bhairava is worshipped on this day. It is a festive occasion at the Bhairava temple in Ujjain. According to a legend Kalabhairava cut one of the faces of Brahma in fury and was roaming around aimlessly. Shiva advised him to stay on the banks of Shipra in Ujjain.
Kamada Ekadashi
On the eleventh day of the Shukla Paksha of Shravana falls Kamada Ekadashi which, it is said, fulfills all the desires in life. Like other Ekadashis, people observe fast, perform puja and tell stories from the Puranas.