Rituals and Festivals: Logic Behind Indian Festival Dates

The  Logic Behind Indian Festival Dates

 Vrat and Utsav

India’s rituals (Vrat), individual and collective, as well as festivals (utsav), follow a mix of calendrical systems, regional customs, and religious rules. The words "Vrat" and "Utsav" are used in Vedic texts. Many scholars have written treatises to explain the evolution of these words.

 It is difficult to draw a strict line between vrat and utsav. What are called utsav also have an element of religious rites, and conversely, many vrat have some component of being a festival/ utsav. Dharmasindhu describes Vrat as a kind of religious rite/ pooja, with a resolve or a Sankalp. Utsav is more of a collective observance of Vrat.

These vrat connect the practitioner to the divine through discipline and help in spiritual and physical purification. 

Annual change of dates of these festivals, with respect to the Gregorian calendar, creates confusion and gives an impression that there is something mysterious and difficult to comprehend. Actually, it is not. The Hindu calendar is primarily lunisolar. The Hindu calendar dates are tithi, which do not conform to day and night.

From the Vedic times, rules and procedures have been written on how to perform and observe a vrat or an utsav.  Lunisolar and Hybrid lunisolar Panchang and calendars are used to determine dates of most Hindu festivals. Regional conventions and historical practice produce the familiar local variations. The event is based on Tithi, Muhurt, Nakshatra, and other elements of Panchang. Astrological calculations are inserted for spiritual benefit.

For Tithi, Nakshatra, Muhurt, etc, see my blog series “Hindu calendars 2of 5” onwards

All these events are, primarily, Tithi-based. Tithi is a lunar day in the Hindu calendar. The duration of the Tithi varies from 26 h 47 m 24s to 19 h 59 m 24s. A Change of Tithi takes place at any time during 24 hours.

The Tithi for the day is decided by the rule “उदयन पद्धति/ उदया तिथि”. That means the tithi current at sunrise is considered the tithi for the day.

For example, if Panchami tithi is current at sunrise (0615h) and if it ends any time after 0615h, throughout the day, Panchami tithi will be observed till next sunrise. Since the duration of the tithi is not constant, tithi for the day may repeat (Panchami ends after the next day’s sunrise), or a tithi will skip altogether. In this example, Panchami will be followed by Saptami (Shasthi is skipped).

The majority of vrat or utsav are observed as per the tithi. However, to observe a utsav, there should be a perfect match with the other conditions specific to that utsav; these are

• Muhurt
• Yog
• Kaal, (timing)
• Day and night
• Solar transit

Therefore, the vrat or a utsav decides what priority to be given to these aspects along with the tithi.

 Tithi being the primary element, the existence of two overlapping tithis (वृद्धि तिथि) or the case of missing tithi (क्षय तिथि) gives rise to numerous combinations, divergent views, differences of opinion and disputes.

Having realised this predicament, our ancient texts have elaborated the procedure to be adopted for a particular vrat or utsav, with various combinations. This is done to ensure uniformity in observing these events. Some of these texts give a detailed explanation of every element. In fact, these are SOPs on how to observe and perform a Vrat or an Utsav

•  निर्णय सिंधु
•  धर्मसिंधु
•   तिथि निर्णय
•  तिथि तत्व
•  मुहूर्त चिंतामणि
•  मुहुर्त मार्तण्ड
•   पुरुषार्थ चिंतामण

It is truly remarkable how our ancient scholars envisioned nearly every possible combination. These texts give out detailed procedures to be followed for rituals and observances in case of any mismatch with tithi, kaal, Muhurat, and so on.

For example, a  few conflicting requirements could be to observe a vrat or a utsav.

If a Tithi ends within 3 hrs, 6 hrs or 9 hours ( 1प्रहर,2 प्रहर, or 3 प्रहर) after sunrise?

A tithi is missed (क्षय तिथि) or repeats (वृद्धि तिथि)

 Muhurat/ kal and tithi do not match.

 Mismatch of tithi with day/night …

And so on …

For example, to observe Dattatreya Jayanti, धर्मसिंधु says

मागशीषपौणेसास्यां दत्तात्रेयोत्पत्तिः । इयं प्रदोषव्यापिनी ग्राह्या । मार्गशीषंशुक्लचतुर्देश्यां पौर्णमास्यां वा प्रदोषे अश्वालयनेः प्रत्यवरोहणं कार्यम्‌ । तत्र कर्मकालव्यापिनी तिथिः । तत्प्रयोगः प्रयोगरत्नकोस्तुभादौ ज्ञेयः ।

Meaning-

The birth of Lord Dattātreya is observed on the मार्गशीर्ष पूर्णिमा, provided it overlaps with the प्रदोष काल. Onमार्गशीर्ष शुक्ल चतुर्दशी or  पूर्णिमा, the Śaivalāyana tradition prescribes the प्रत्यावरोहन ritual, where the tithi must coincide with the ritual time. This rule is detailed in classical works like प्रयोगरत्न और कौस्तुभ.

Some of the popularly known vrat and utsav, 

Ram Navami- Observed on चैत्र शुक्ल नवमी (Observed at Noon, since Lord Ram’s birth was at noon time). Condition-Tithi should be active at midday.

Krishna Janmashtami- Observed on भाद्रपद शुक्ल अष्टमी (Poornimanta system) /श्रावण कृष्ण अष्टमी (Amanta System), observed at midnight, since Lord Krishna’s birth was at midnight. Condition- Tithi should be active at midnight. presence of रोहिणी नक्षत्र is not essential, but if it is present, then it creates a  विशेष जयंती योग.

Ganesh Chaturthi- Observed on भाद्रपद शुक्ल चतुर्थी. The installation of the idol usually happens during a specific Madhyahna muhurat /Mid-day. (मध्यान्ह-व्यापिनी चतुर्थी)

 Navratri. 

There are two Navratri’s

 Chaitra Navratri -Starts with चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा, new year day for Hindu calendar.

 Brahma was entrusted with the responsibility of creating the universe on this day. It culminates with Ram राम नवमि

Shardiya Navratri -Starts with आश्विन शुक्ल प्रतिपदा. Since it occurs in  शरद ऋतु, it is also known as Shardiya Navratri. This Navratri culminates with Vijaya Dashami/ Dusshera. (विजया दशमि/ दसरा)

In both  Navratri, all forms of Durga goddess are worshipped.

Karva Chauth Observed on कार्तिक कृष्ण चतुर्थी (Poornimanta system)/ आश्विन कृष्ण चतुर्थी (Amanta System) This vrat involves a fast throughout the day till the Moon is sighted. The condition is that चतुर्थी तिथि should be active during Chandra darshan. Kaal vyapani tithi rule is applied here.

Diwali is A 5-day utsav. The main day is  on आश्विन अमावस्या (Amanta System)/ कार्तिक अमावस्या (Poornimanta system). Amavasya should be overlapping Pradosh kaal or in continuation. Dharma gurus have listed out various possibilities and combinations of tithi, Muhurat, Pradosh kal, etc, and stated when Diwali utsav is to be observed and celebrated.

Chath Pooja छठ पूजा. A four-day ritual (चतुर्थी से सप्तमी ) observed to worship the sun god. the main day is on कार्तिक शुक्ल षष्ठी

Maha Shivaratri: Observed on फाल्गुन कृष्ण चतुर्दशी (Poornimanta System) माघ कृष्ण चतुर्दशी (Amanta System). Condition – Tithi should be active at night covering midnight.

Holi (Holika Dahan): Observed on फाल्गुन पूर्णिमा The Holika bonfire lighting is to be done in Pradosh kaal, avoiding Bhadra kaal. 

Sankranti / Sun-based Utsav and Vrat

Sankranti-based utsav is a time when the sun transits from one zodiac to another.

Actually, there are 12 Sankranti’s, the sun’s transit through 12 zodiac signs. A ritual is earmarked for each Sankranti. Though not all are celebrated or observed.

Most of the Sun Utsav align with agricultural cycles, marking the end of harvest or the beginning of new agricultural seasons. 

Some of the significant utsav are

Makar Sankranti. This is one of the primary festivals^2, this marks the transit of the Sun into मकर राशि  (Capricorn). It also marks the commencement of northward travel of the sun (the Sun’s actual travel starts after some time), known as Uttarayan. This utsav is celebrated and observed differently in various parts of India in accordance with local traditions and rituals.

Ratha Saptami (Surya Jayanti) रथसप्तमी

Observed on माघ शुक्ल सप्तमि. It marks the change of season and approaching harvest time, and the commencement of the northerly travel of the Sun. It is also celebrated as the birth of Surya, the sun.

New Year-based Utsav³

New Year's Day is also celebrated and observed as a utsav across India with different names. They are based on astronomical positioning and regional traditional cultures. There is no religious or spiritual sanctity to this Utsav.

Today, social media amplifies awareness of cultural and social events, but often leads to confusion and polarisation instead of constructive dialogue. To address this, we should look to ancient texts for time-tested wisdom. By following these traditional teachings, we can foster uniformity and coherence in observing festivals and rituals, preserving cultural practices across communities.

When in doubt, consult a panchang maker 

Trivia

1. In India, practically every day there is a vrat or a utsav!

2. Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India under various regional names.

• Pongal – Tamil Nadu
• Uttarayan- Gujarat
•  Lohri / Maghi- Punjab
• Magh Bihu / Bhogali Bihu- Assam
• Maghi / Sakraat- Harayana
• Suggi Habba / Makar Sankranti- Karnatak
• Khichdi Sankranti-UP
•  Sankranti / Pedda Panduga- Andhra Pradesh/
• Makara Sankranti / Makara Vilakku- Kerala
• Poush Sankranti- West Bengal
• Dahi Chura / Khichdi Parv- Bihar
• Magha Saaji- Himachal Pradesh
• Makar Sankranti- Maharashtra, Odisha
• Maghi Sangrand / Shishur Saenkraath-  Kashmir
• Sukarat- MP/ Chhattisgarh

3. New Year's Day across India under various regional names.

All those following the Lunisolar Calendar, the new year is in the Chaitra month, March- April

All those following the Solar calendar, the new year is in mid-April (13-15). This is the time when the sun transits into मेष राशि (Aries sign)

 

Ugadi/Yugadi - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, typically falling in March or April (Chaitra month).

Gudi Padwa is celebrated in Maharashtra and Goa 

Bestu Varas is the Gujarati New Year, celebrated the day after Diwali (in October/November).

Navreh - Kashmiri Hindu New Year, March or April (Chaitra month).

Sajibu Cheiraoba -Manipuri New Year, (April-May. Hybrid Lunisolar Calendar).

Cheti Chand - of the Sindhi community, March or April (Chaitra month).

Losar -Tibetan Buddhist communities in Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. (Mid-February)

Nowruz - Iranian/Parsi/Zoroastrian New Year, Commences on the Vernal Equinox, March 21. It is also called Jamshed Nowruz

Nowruz- Parsi New Year (Indian), was around the summer solstice. Now observed on 15 August by the Parsi community in India. 

Vishu - Kerala and the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, mid-April.

Chingam Onnu, Official Malayalam New Year (Kollam Era calendar). Mid August

Puthandu –Tamil Nadu, Tamil month of Chithirai, around April 14.

Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal and Tripura on April 14 or 15.

Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu) Assamese New Year mid-April.

Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) Punjabi and Mid-April

Pana Sankranti Odisha, April 14.

 Sangken- Arunachal Pradesh and some parts of Assam. Mid-April

4. Why two Navratri were recognised (in Chaitra and Ashwin) is a matter of conjecture. It is quite possible that these two pujas and rituals arose from the fact that spring crops and autumn crops became ready at these two times.

5. We do not have a common calendar for the nation. Regional traditions and rituals take priority. Therefore, we find the same utsav being observed differently in different parts on the same day, and that day is known differently in different calendars!

6. Calendar reforms committee,1952, did try to make one calendar for the nation. But it did not succeed. What is adopted by the government of India is unfortunately not followed.

The need of the hour is to reconstitute a calendar reforms committee to have some sort of commonality in calendar, festivals and rituals.

E & O E

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References

1.  History of Dharma Shastra (Ancient and medieval Religious and Civil Law)by PV Kane
2.  Padma Puran Vol 2, Shristi Khand, describes the method and worship of planets.
3. Dharmasindhu.
4. Contribution from Mr Mohan Date,पंचांग करते