Festivals in the Month of Ashwin

1) Saraswati Avahan Ashwin Shukla Paksh-5

The first day of Saraswati Puja during Navratri Puja is known as Saraswati Avahan. Avahan
means invocation of Goddess Saraswati.

2) Upang Lalita Vrat Ashwin Shukla Paksh-5

Lalita Panchami is a fasting day for Goddess Lalita and also known as Upang Lalita
Vrat. Upang Lalita Vrat is observed on the fifth day of Sharad Navratri. Goddess Lalita is
also known as Tripura Sundari and Shodashi and one of the 10 Mahavidhyas.
Fasting on Lalita Panchami is more famous in Gujarat and some parts of Maharashtra.

3) Saraswati Puja Ashwin Shukla Paksh-6

The second day of Navratri is known as Saraswati Pradhan Puja day. Pradhan Puja day is
the main Saraswati Puja day.

4) Durga ashtami Ashwin Shukla Paksh-8

Mahashtami, also known as Durgashtami, is second day of Durga Puja.

On Maha Ashtami nine small pots are installed and nine Shaktis of Durga are invoked in
them. All nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja.

Young unmarried girls, being treated as Goddess Durga itself, are also worshipped on Maha
Ashtami. Worshipping of young girls during Durga Puja is known as Kumari Puja. In many
regions Kumari Pujais done during all nine days of Durga Navratri. Kumari Puja on a single
day during Durga Puja is preferred on Maha Ashtami.

5) Maha Navami Ashwin Shukla Paksh-9

Mahanavami is third and final day of Durga Puja.

On Maha Navami Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasuramardini which means the
Annihilator of the Buffalo Demon. It is believed that on Maha Navami day Durga killed the
demon Mahishasura.
6) Dussehra Ashwin Shukla Paksh-10

Vijayadashami is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana and also triumph
of Goddess Durga over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura. Vijayadashami is also known
as Dussehra or Dasara.

7) Paapankush Ekadashi Ashwin Shukla Paksh-11

8) Valmiki Jayanti Ashwin Shukla Paksh-15

Sharad Purnima
Sharad Purnima is one of the most famous Purnima in the Hindu Calendar. It is believed that
Sharad Purnima is the only day in the year when the moon comes out with all sixteen Kalas.
In Hinduism, each human quality is associated with certain Kala(art) and it is believed that
the combination of sixteen different Kalas creates a perfect human personality. It was Lord
Krishna who was born with all sixteen Kalas and He was the complete incarnation of Lord
Vishnu.
Hence, worshipping God Chandra on the day of Sharad Purnima is considered very
significant. Newly wed women, who take pledge to do Purnimasi fasting for the year, begin
the fast from the day of Sharad Purnima. In Gujarat Sharad Purnima is more popularly
known as Sharad Poonam.

On this day not only Moon shines with all sixteen Kalas but also its rays have certain
healing properties which nourish the body and the soul. It is also believed that the moon
rays on the day of Sharad Purnima drip nectar. Hence to take advantage of this divine
phenomenon, traditionally on the day of Sharad Purnima, Rice-Kheer a famous Indian
sweet dish made of cow milk, rice and sugar, is prepared and left in moonlight for the whole
night. In the morning, Rice-Kheer which is believed to be invigorated and fortified with the
moonlight is consumed and distributed as Prasad in family members.

9) Karwa Chauth Ashwin Krishna Paksh-4

Karwa Chauth fasting is done during Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the Hindu month of
Kartik and according to Amanta calendar followed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Southern
India it is Ashwin month which is current during Karwa Chauth. However, it is just the
name of the month which differs and in all states Karwa Chauth is observed on the same
day.
 Karwa Chauth coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi a fasting day observed for Lord
Ganesha. The fasting of Karwa Chauth and its rituals are observed by married women for
the long life of their husband. Married women worship Lord Shiva and His family including
Lord Ganesha and break the fast only after sighting and making the offerings to the moon.
The fasting of Karwa Chauth is strict and observed without taking any food or even a drop
of water after sunrise till the sighting of the moon in the night.

10) Ahoi Ashtami Ashwin Krishna Paksh-8

On Ahoi Ashtami mothers hold a fast from dawn to dusk for the well-being of their
sons. Fast is broken during twilight after sighting stars in the sky. (Some women break the
fast after sighting the moon but it might be difficult to follow as the moon rises late in the
night on Ahoi Ashtami.)

11) Rama Ekadashi Ashwin Krishna Paksh-11

12) Dhanteras Ashwin Krishna Paksh-13

Dhantrayodashi which is also known as Dhanteras is the first day of five days
long Diwali festivities. On the day of Dhantrayodashi, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the
ocean during the churning of the Milky Sea. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord
Kubera who is the God of wealth, is worshipped on the auspicious day of Trayodashi.
However, Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya after two days of Dhantrayodashi is considered more
significant. Lakshmi Puja on Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi should be done during Pradosh
Kaal which starts after sunset and approximately lasts for 2 hours and 24 minutes.

13) Narak Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas Ashwin Krishna Paksh-14

14) Deepavali , Laxmi Puja Ashwin Krishna Paksh-30

On Diwali, Lakshmi Puja should be done during Pradosh Kaal which starts after sunset and
approximately lasts for 2 hours and 24 minutes.