Ashwin is the third month of the Chaturmas when Devas go for Harishayana. The month of Ashwin is the month of donation, religion and ancestors. This month is primarily known for worship, charity, service and fast. During this month, Shradh and Navratri of Sharad Paksha both the festivals fall together, this makes the month special. Let’s look at festivals this month in detail:

Pitru Paksha Shradh

Ashwin Krishnapaksha is called Pitru Paksha. In this Paksha, people make donations (Pind Daan and Tarpan) and offerings with sesame seeds, grass, flowers, rice and Ganga water to their ancestors as per their date of death. After that, they also donate food, fruits and clothes to the Brahmins.

Ashwin Amavasya or the fifteenth day of dark lunar phase is called Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya.This holds utmost importance in most parts of India. It is considered very auspicious to carry out the ritual of Shradh on this day. Maha means great and Laya means devastation.

It is believed that during the churning of the sea for the divine nectar, demons killed many saints and Devas. There may well be a chance that we may not know the exact date when our ancestors departed or we may want to perform Shradh for our entire ancestral lineage. In both these cases Shradh can be performed on the day of Ashwin Amavasya. This day is considered pious for Shradh offerings.This day is dedicated to all our ancestors. It is believed that many a times the departed are bound by their Karma and hence their soul is not free. On this day we pray for their Moksha and hence perform Shradh which will set the should free.

Lord Ganesha is worshipped on this day to for peace, good health and Moksha.On this day we donate food, clothes and money in the name of our ancestors and take blessings from Brahmans or Pandit who performs the Puja.

It is believed that when our ancestors are pleased by the offerings they bless the person with good health, long life, wealth and happiness. It is believed that all the deities too are pleased when we satisfy our ancestors.

Shri Mahalakshmi Vrat

Women observe the Mahalakshmi fast for the longevity of their children on the eighth of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin. This Yoga strengthens the possibility of getting a child. Apart from this, worshiping Mahalakshmi can be beneficial. It brings wealth and prosperity.

Gaja Chhaya Yoga

Gajachhaya Yoga is formed twice in Shraddh Paksha. Bathing, recitation and donation of food, Tarpan, and Shradh are especially important during this Yoga.

Vishwakarma Puja

Vishwakarma Puja is done on Kanya Sankranti day in Ashwin month.Vishwakarma was a creator and is considered a divine Hindu God. He constructed the holy city of Dwarka, Maya Sabha for Pandavas and created many fabulous weapons for God. In Rig Veda he is credited with Sthapatya Seda, the science of architecture and mechanics.

This festival is more popular in eastern India and Nepal than other parts of India. This is primarily celebrated in workshops and factories where Puja of Lord Vishwakarma is done after washing and cleaning the tools.This day workers don’t use their tools and pray for a bright future.In North India, Vishkarma Puja is celebrated on the next day of Diwali.

Indira Ekadashi

This falls on the eleventh day of Ashwin Krishna Paksha. During this day devotees observe fast and pray to Lord Vishnu. Devotees seek salvation of their departed ancestors from their Karmas. This Vrat gains a lot of importance as it falls in Pitru Paksha.

Navratri and Durga Pooja

This festival starts from Pratipada. This is also called as Navratra Vrat. Barley is planted on this day. Durga Saptasati is recited regularly for nine days. The eighth of this month is also known as Maha Ashtami.

Worshiping Goddess Durga is considered very important in this month. This is also called Sharada Navratri. The festival is celebrated in the bright half of Ashwin month.

The festival begins from Ashwin Pratipada and lasts for nine days. The importance of Navratri Puja lies in the Matri Shakti and we celebrate it in the following manner for nine days:

First day: Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana which is done on the first day i.e. Pratipada. Goddess Durga is invoked and Puja of Maa Shail Putri is done.

Second day: Puja of Maa Brahmacharini is done

Third day: Puja of Maa Chandraghanta is done

Fourth day: Puja of Maa Kushmanda is done

Fifth day: Puja of Devi Maa Skandmata is done

Sixth day: Puja of Maa Katyayani Devi is done

Seventh day: Puja of Maa Kaalratri

Eighth day: Puja of Maa Mahagauri or Durga Ashtami is done

Ninth day: Puja of Maa Siddhidatri is done

On this day after the establishment of pot and lighting Diyas, recitation of Durga Saptasati is started. People kefast for all seven or eight days. On eighth Durga Pooja day worshiping young girls by washing their feet and taking blessings from them is considered pious. Prasad and gifts are offered to the girls. Donations during Navratri play a significant role.

This pious month is celebrated across India either in the form of Navratri or in the form of Durga Puja. Especially Durga Puja is a very popular in Bengal and eastern part of India. Celebrations start from Shashti and last for up to five days. Pandals are erected in every nook and corner. Maa Gauri Puja is done on all days and holy Prasad is distributed among the devotees. Maa Gauri killed the demon Mahishasura, this is depicted in all the pandals. The death of Mahishasura signifies the victory of good over evil.

Festival of Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami also popularly known as Dussehra is a major hindu festival. It is celebrated on the tenth Tithi of Ashwin bright half in the Pradosh Kala by the burning the effigies of Ravana. After worshipping Lord Rama, the idol of arrogance and anger signified by Ravana is burnt to remind the human race to desist from such evils. The festival of Vijaya Dashmi is the symbol of triumph of good over evil. On this day, Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana and set his wife Sita free from Lanka.

Papan Kusha Ekadashi

This Ekadashi falls in Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. People observe fast on this day and dedicate it to Lord Padmanabha an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. By observing this fast and seeking blessings of Lord Padmanabha devotees are bestowed with good health, wealth and all the luxuries of life.It is also believed that by keeping this fast, devotees are liberated from the sins they have committed in a previous life as well.