Chaturmas 2014 : Rituals during Chaturmasya Vrat

By Priyanka Mahajan

Chaturmas or Chatur Mas, as the name itself suggests, is the holy period consisting of four months of a Hindu calendar year. The Chaturmas 2014 date is July 08. It will end on November 03, 2014. The Hindu religion is a mix of both spirituality and the nature. In every ritual and in all occasions, nature plays a very significant role. The monsoon season marks the beginning of the Chaturmas period. For some Hindu communities, the Chaturmas period commences on the Poornima day. The concept of this festival is quite similar to Shiva Shayan Chaturdashi. Many vital festivals associated with the Hindu religion are celebrated in this period. Hindus hook up to fasting during these four holy months.

Generally Chaturmas commences on the Devshayani Ekadashi or Ashadi Ekadasi day in Shukla Paksha and ends on the Kartik Ekadasi in the Shukla Paksha. Since Chaturmas comes in monsoonal period, most of the poojas are associated with agriculture and the harvest. The monsoonal rains spread freshness and happiness everywhere. The joy, the greenery and the fresh air marks the arrival of the highly auspicious four months- the Chatur mas.

Significance of the four months of Chaturmas

The first month of Chatur Mas is Shravan, which is devoted to god Shiva. Particularly on Mondays, people observe fast and begin new works. Some people avoid green leafy vegetables in this month. The second month is Bhadrapad. It is a month filled completely with festivals. The magnificent festival of the arrival of Lord Ganesha i.e. the Ganesh Chaturthi and the beautiful festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna - the Janamashtami come in this month. Some people avoid curd during these months. The third month is Ashwin. The colourful festivals of Navaratri followed by Durga Pooja and Dushhehra are celebrated in this month. People usually avoid milk in this month. The fourth and the last month is Kartik, which marks the end of the festival of lights - Diwali. Some people avoid pulses during this month.

People also take different resolutions during Chaturmas. The vows include things like ignoring non-vegetarian food and austerity etc. Some believe in reading the ancient mythological Puranas or epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana or Bhagvad Gita etc. Some vow to visit temples every day.

The first priority during these months is given to one's health. More emphasis is given on avoiding garlic as well as onion. These are avoided as it emanates unnecessary excitement. Eating onions and garlic may also lead to indigestion, which may create problems for the disciples to peacefully and thoroughly engage themselves in rituals and pujas.

Rules while Observing Fast during Chaturmas

1. The person performing vrata must wake up early in the morning. It is considered good if one wakes up before sunrise. Then the vrata saadhak worships the eternal god Vishnu.
2. Sadhak must observe fast avoiding all leafy vegetables, spices and sweets.
3. Sleeping on the floor is considered very good.
4. Keeping mauna vrata (vow to remain silent) is also considered highly auspicious. One must keep away all the anger, greed and bad feelings. One must avoid talking false and slang language.
5. Enchanting Lord Vishnu's prayers is also considered highly valuable.
6. On the last day of observing vrata during Chaturmas, the saadhak must gift clothes, food and other important things as dakshina to Brahmins and get their blessings.