s over to a festive mode. People begin to plan holidays or new purchases. Be it clothes, consumable items or a property, everyone thinks of buying it in October or November. This is because four most auspicious Hindu festivals fall in these months. These are Dusshera, Karwa Chauth, Deepawali and Bhai Dooj.
Dusshera is the first to occur either in mid October or in any of the following weeks. It is preceded by nine Nawratras. Nine days of fasting and worship. The eighth of these nine days is celebrated as Kanya Pooja. This is when girls (not married women) are worshipped. Early in the morning, all unmarried girls in the locality are ready for a day of special treatment. For they are invited in every household. One by one they visit every household in the locality where they go through a ritual of worshipping. Thereafter, they are presented with special dishes and gifts. The tenth of these auspicious days is called Dusshera. It is believed that Lord Ram liberated his wife Seeta after killing her tormentor Ravana on this day. That is why Dusshera is celebrated as a victory of good over evil. Effigies of Ravana are made, decorated and then set afire around every Muhalla or locality across India. Children dress up either as Lord Ram's soldiers or Ravana's aides and pick up mock fights with cardboard swords and dummy bows-and-arrows.
Dusshera and Deepawali are separated by 18 days. The ninth day following Dusshera is Karwa Chauth. All Hindu wives undertake a fast for the health, long life and well being of their husbands. The day begins early with a nourishing diet following which the wife shall consume nothing. Not even a drop of water until she has viewed the rising moon through a sieve and performed various rituals. The husbands pamper their wives by presenting expensive silk Sarees or jewellery that day. It is a festival that binds the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law because both have rights and obligations towards each other.
Deepawali falls on the 19th day following Dusshera. It is believed that Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and uniting with his wife. People of Ayodhya greeted him and his followers with Deepmala or extensive lighting. That's why Deepawali is a festival of lights, fireworks and distribution of sweets. Two days after Deepawali falls Bhai dooj or Tilak, which is festival of brothers and sisters. Sisters put a Tilak on the forehead of their brothers. They in turn greet their sisters with gifts.
Dusshera is the first to occur either in mid October or in any of the following weeks. It is preceded by nine Nawratras. Nine days of fasting and worship. The eighth of these nine days is celebrated as Kanya Pooja. This is when girls (not married women) are worshipped. Early in the morning, all unmarried girls in the locality are ready for a day of special treatment. For they are invited in every household. One by one they visit every household in the locality where they go through a ritual of worshipping. Thereafter, they are presented with special dishes and gifts. The tenth of these auspicious days is called Dusshera. It is believed that Lord Ram liberated his wife Seeta after killing her tormentor Ravana on this day. That is why Dusshera is celebrated as a victory of good over evil. Effigies of Ravana are made, decorated and then set afire around every Muhalla or locality across India. Children dress up either as Lord Ram's soldiers or Ravana's aides and pick up mock fights with cardboard swords and dummy bows-and-arrows.
Dusshera and Deepawali are separated by 18 days. The ninth day following Dusshera is Karwa Chauth. All Hindu wives undertake a fast for the health, long life and well being of their husbands. The day begins early with a nourishing diet following which the wife shall consume nothing. Not even a drop of water until she has viewed the rising moon through a sieve and performed various rituals. The husbands pamper their wives by presenting expensive silk Sarees or jewellery that day. It is a festival that binds the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law because both have rights and obligations towards each other.
Deepawali falls on the 19th day following Dusshera. It is believed that Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and uniting with his wife. People of Ayodhya greeted him and his followers with Deepmala or extensive lighting. That's why Deepawali is a festival of lights, fireworks and distribution of sweets. Two days after Deepawali falls Bhai dooj or Tilak, which is festival of brothers and sisters. Sisters put a Tilak on the forehead of their brothers. They in turn greet their sisters with gifts.
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