Feb

The Controversy: Which is the correct day to celebrate a holiday

Posted by Donovan Published in Feature

The correct day on which a festival is celebrated is based according to the rules of the Shastras by our Rishis or ancient scientists.

As a (tithi) LUNAR DAY generally covers a portion of two days, it sometimes happens that, though for civil purposes the tithi of a day is that which is current at sunrise, yet for religious purposes, the tithi may have to be celebrated on the (previous) day when it begins. When a tithi is appointed for the celebration of a feast or fast, to be kept at forenoon, midday, late afternoon, midnight, etc., it is obvious that the feast or fast must be observed on the day when the tithi covers the prescribed part of the day. The day for such purposes is divided, first of all, into five portions between sunrise and sunset.

Please Note: 2.5 Ghatikas = 1 Hour

1. Pratahkala	Early forenoon	6 Ghatikas from Sunrise	2.4 hours from Sunrise
2. Sangava	Forenoon	6 – 12 Ghatikas from Sunrise	4.8 hours from Sunrise
3. Maadhyahna	Midday	12 – 18 Ghatikas from Sunrise	7.2 hours from Sunrise
4. Aparahna	Afternoon	18 – 24 Ghatikas from Sunrise	9.6 hours from Sunrise
5. Sayahna	Late Afternoon	24 – 30 Ghatikas from Sunrise	10.4 hours from Sunrise

(a) The 4 ghatikas before sunrise are called arunodaya or rise of dawn.

(b) The 6 ghatikas after sunset are called prasosha or evening.

(d) A festival marked as PURVAVIDDHA is celebrated on the first day of the tithi, not on the second. A festival celebrated on the second day on which a tithi is current is said to be PARAVIDDHA.

AMAVASYA: the Tarpana or minor Sraddha should be in aparahna. If it occurs in aparahna on two days, and is less than 60 ghaitkas in length, it is kept on the first day; otherwise (i.e., if of normal length or longer) on second day. If not occurring in aparahna of two days, it should be kept on the first day. The same rule is observed for sraddhas.

Suklayajurveda.—Amavasya is kept on the third day, before moonrise.

Time for YAGAS (Yajna kala).– The last fourth part of a parva (i.e., either amavasya or paurnami) and first three parts of pratipad are suitable as yagakala. If there is yagakala on two days, then the day on which the kala is current at noon is the proper day.

Chaturdasi (14th tithi).– Krishna chaturdasi in every month is Sivaratri, but Mahga – KRISNA PAKSH

Chaturdasi (14) is Maha Sivaratri.

Chaturmasya dvityas.– Bhadrapada Krishna Paksh Davityas; Phalguna Krishna Paksh (2) & Karttika Krisna Paksh (2).

The Krisna Paksh Davitya in Ashadha, Sravana, Bhadrapada and Asvina is called Asunyasayana vrata and the fast is broken at moonrise.

EKADASI (11th Lunar day) — Every Ekadasi is sacred, like every Amavasya, and receives a special name. It is called Vijaya when joined with the nakshatra ”Punarvasu.” The following are the names of the 24 Ekadasis: (12 in bright halves and 12 in dark halves of the 12 lunar months).

The following Table shows the different Ekadasis for the months in the year…

MONTH	SUKLAPAKSHA	KRISHNA PAKSH
Chaitra	Kamada ekadasi
Chaitre	Kamada ekadasi	Varuthini ekadasi
Vaisakha	Mohini ekadasi	Apara ekadasi
Jyeshtha	Nirjala ekadasi	Yogi ekadasi
Ashadha	Vishnusayanotsava; Sayani or Vishnusayani ekadasi (i.e. going to sleep)	Kamada ekadasi or Kamika ekadasi
Sravana	Putrads ekadasi	Aja ekadasi
Bhadrapada	Vishnuparivartanotsava or parivaritini ekadasi (Vishnu turning on his side) called Vishnusrinkhala, when 11^th and 12^th tithes meet in nakshatra ‘Sravana	Indira ekadasi
Asvina	Pasankusa ekadasi	Rama ekadasi
Karttika	Prabodhini ekadasi (walking of Vishnu), Bhishma panchakavrata commences.	Utpatti ekadasi
Margasirsha	Mokshada ekadasi	Saphala ekadasi
Pausha	Putrada ekadasi or Mukkotti or Vaikuntha ekadasi	Shattila ekadasi
Magha	Jaya ekadasi	Vijaya ekadasi
Phalguna	Amalaki ekadasi	Papamochini ekadasi

(VAISHNAVAS).– If dasami ends after 56 ghatikas, the fast is on dvadasi day. If on ekadasi day, there is any part of navami or dasami day, then also the fast should be kept on dvadasi. If dvadasi touches three days, then the fast is on the day which is wholly dvadasi and paranam on the next day when dvadasi ends. In any other case, ekadasi is the fast day and dvadasi the Day of paranam. Sanyasins and widows of all creeds observe this rule for Ekadasi.

(SMARTHAS).– Even if dasami ends after 56 ghatikas, the fast is kept on ekadasi. If dvadasi touches three days Smarthas observe the first dvadasi day as Ekadasi.

(KAMYA Ekadasi).– Those who observe ekadasi for Kamya purposes (begetting children, etc.) observe the Smartha rule: those who observe ekadasi for moksha (like Sanyasins) observe the Vaishnava rule. If a DEATH occurs on the day of ekadasi fast, whether it be Ekadasi or Dvadasi tithi, then the Sraddha is on the next day. Only Madhvas and Tengalai Vaishnavas observe this rule: Smarthas and Vadagalai Vaishnavas observe the Sraddha on ekadasi fast day also.

GRAHANA.– For 9 hours before commencement of a lunar eclipse, and for 12 hours before commencement of a solar eclipse, neither sraddha nor meals are allowed: they are allowed after moksha, i.e., release of the eclipsed body. On the occasion of a grasthodaya eclipse of the moon (when moon rises in an eclipsed condition), neither sraddha nor meals are allowed during day, and aftermiksha, performers of purnima sraddha must fast and perform sraddha next day but others may have food at night. If the moon sets in an eclipsed condition, (Grasthasthamanam) meals are allowed only after next moonrise, except to the performer of sraddha, who must fast in the night and perform sraddha next day. Pregnant Women are not allowed to use knives to cut anything during this time.

According to Manu, no sraddha on account of a tithi can be performed at night, but sraddas on account of eclipse must be performed during the time of eclipse, even if it be at night.