Fasts Feasts and Festivals

384 Pages·2017·7.53 MB·English

by  Pundit Roshan Singh

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Jyotishacharya Shastri Pundit Roshan Singh
Gold Medalist and Recipient of Award of Honour from the All India Federation
of Astrologers Societies and
Akhil Bhartiya Saraswati Jyotish Manch (India)
His work on planning the birth of a child astrologically was recognised and
published in the research journal of India
Ayurvedic Health Care Practitioner – American Institute of Vedic Studies
Jyotishacharya Shastri – Banaras Hindu University
Marriage Officer : Licence No –Dept of Home Affairs Q22548
Justice of the Peace / Commissioner of Oaths – Department of Justice
Served as a Language and Culture promoter in the Department of Education
and Culture
Served as a registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the Department of
Indian Affairs
Served as a Maintenance Officer in the Department of India Affairs
Was elected as a City Counsellor in the Pietermaritzburg Municipality
Was part of a deligation to travel to India to be received by the
Prime Minister of of India Mrs Indira Gandhi
Conducted the wedding of film producer Anand Singh in the presence of
President Nelson Mandela
Played the role of the Pundit in the TV Soapie Isidingo
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Dedication

This most humble presentation is
dedicated to my most dear mother

Bhanudevi Singh

Who has been a tower of strength and
inspiration
In the journey of my lifetime
Experience on this planet

Thank you for all that you have
done for me

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The intention in compiling this almanac is to provide the reader with dates and
times when the various fasts feasts and festivals are to be observed.
In addition simple explanations are provided of why and how they should be
observed.

We do request your forgiveness for any errors or omissions as this is the first of
our publication of this sort but pray that you will benefit spiritually from our
attempt. Your suggestions of how to better the presentation will be
appreciated.

CONTENT

Ecliple dates
Full moon dates
Auspicious Marriage Dates
Sankranti
Sathyanararan Pooja Dates
Pitar Paksha Dates
Panchak
Ekadashi dates
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Amavas dates
Pradosh dates
Masik Shivrathri dates
Masik Durga Asthami
Masik Kaalasthami
Pitar Paksha Shraad dates
Fasts Feasts and Festivals for :
 January
 February
 March
 April
 May
 June
 July
 August
 September
 October
 November
 December

2017

ECLIPSE
11 February Lunar Penumbral
Visible in South Africa 00h32 to
04h55
This should be strictly observed by
expectant mothers.
Avoid the use of any sharp
instruments.

26 February Solar Eclipse Partially
visible in South Africa. 14h11 to
19h36
07 August Lunar Partial visible in
South Africa 17h48 to 22h53
21 August Solar Eclipse not visible
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in South Africa

FULL MOON DATES
12 January (Thursday) Paush Purnima
10 February (Friday) Magh Purnima
12 March (Sunday) Phalguna
Purnima
11 April (Tuesday) Chaitra
Purnima
10 May (Wednesday) Vaishakha
Purnima
09 June (Friday) Jyeshtha
Purnima
09 July (Sunday) Ashadha
Purnima

07 August (Monday) Shravana
Purnima
06 September (Wednesday) Bhadrapada
Purnima
05 October (Thursday) Ashwin
Purnima
04 November (Saturday) Kartik Purnima
03 December (Sunday) Margashirsha
Purnima

AUSPICIOUS MARRIAGE
DATES
January 1 5 6 10 12 15 16 17
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18 19 20 22 23 25 28 29 31
February 1 2 3 6 7 10 11 12 13
14 16 17 19 21 23 24 28
March 1 4 5 6 10 11 12 13 14
15 18 20 23 24 25
April 1 7 8 9 11 12 16 17 18 19
20 21 23 24 28 29 30
May 4 6 7 8 10 14 15 16 18 21
22 23 26 27 28Evening 31
June 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 17
18 19 20 25 27 28 29 30
July 1 2 3 9 10 11 15 16 17 20
21 38 29 30
August 2 4 7 17 19 22 24 26
27 28 29 30
September 2 3 4
October 1 2 5 6 7 10 11 14 15
17 20 21 22 25 27 28
November 2 4 6 11 13 14 15
16 19 21 23 25 26 29 30
December 1 3 4 9 12 13 14 21
23 26 27 28 31

SANKRANTI
In Hindu calendar there are
total twelve Sankranti in a
year. All twelve Sankranti can
be divided into four
categories which are known
as Ayan, Vishuva, Vishnupadi
and Shadshitimukhi Sankranti
Among all Sankranti, Makar
sankranti is the most
significant one and it is
observed throughout India.
Due to the popularity of
Makar Sankranti, it is just
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known as Sankranti. In South
India, Makar Sankranti is
observed for four days.
Sankranti days are considered
good for charity activities and
all auspicious ceremonies are
avoided on the day of
Sankranti(s)
2017

14 January (Saturday) Pongal, Makar
Sankranti
12 February (Sunday) Kumbha
Sankranti
14 March (Tuesday) Meena
Sankranti
13 April (Thursday) Solar New
Year, Mesha
Sankranti
14 May (Sunday) Vrishabha
Sankranti
15 June (Thursday) Mithuna
Sankranti
16 July (Sunday) Karka Sankranti
16 August (Wednesday) Simha
Sankranti
16 September (Saturday) Kanya
Sankranti,
Vishwakarma
Puja
17 October (Tuesday) Tula Sankranti
16 November (Thursday) Vrischika
Sankranti
15 December (Friday) Dhanu
Sankranti

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Auspicious dates to perform the Shri Satyanarayan Puja

Shri Satyanarayan Puja is performed to seek blessing of God Narayan which is
one of the forms of Lord Vishnu. The Lord in this form is considered an
embodiment of truth. Although there is no fixed day to perform Satyanarayan
Puja but doing it during Purnima or Pournami is considered highly auspicious.

Devotees should observe the fast on Puja day. The Puja can be done in the
morning as well as in the evening. However performing Satyanarayan Puja in
the evening is considered more appropriate as devotees can break the fast
with Prasadam in the evening. The Satyanarayan Vrat Katha comprises of 18
000 verses that were spoken by Suta Goswami Maharaj in the presence of 88
000 learned Rishi’s and Sadhu’s. The assembly was attended by the great
monarch and ruler of Bharat (India) and Dev Rishi Narad in the forest of
Naimisharanya.
In this day and age people listen to 5 stories of persons who heard the
Satyanarayan Vrat Katha and what became of them in their next lives. One is
therefore encouraged to listen to the Vrat Katha that these persons listened
to. For example the poor brahman know of Sadanand became Sudama, the
friend of Bhagvan Sri Krsna in his next life. The wood cutter (ladrihara) became
Nishad or the boatman that crossed Lord Rama over the Ganga River.
Tungadwaj the very charitable and kind person became Maharaj Dasharat (the
father of Lord Rama) in his next life. All of these persons returned to the
Kingdom of the Lord after having seen and taken personal darshan of the Lord.
In this way one is encouraged to listen to that great Katha that crossed these
persons over and delivered them back home, back to Godhead.
2017

12 January (Thursday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Paush Purnima)
10 February (Friday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Magha Purnima)
12 March (Sunday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Phalguna Purnima)
10 April (Monday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Chaitra Purnima)
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10 May (Wednesday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Vaishakha
Purnima)
08 June (Thursday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Jyeshtha Purnima)
08 July (Saturday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Ashadha Purnima)
07 August (Monday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Shravana Purnima)
05 September (Tuesday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Bhadrapada
Purnima)
05 October (Thursday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Ashwin Purnima)
03 November (Friday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Kartik Purnima)
03 December (Sunday) Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Margashirsha
Purnima)

PITRU PAKSHA
Pitru Paksha is a 15 lunar day’s period when Hindus pay homage to their
ancestors, especially through food offerings. This is done by the sons and
family members to open up the passage for the soul to return to the Kingdom
of the Lord.

According to South Indian Amavasyant calendar it falls in the lunar month of
Bhadrapada beginning with the full moon day or day after full moon day.

According to North Indian Purnimant calendar this period falls in the lunar
month of Ashwin beginning with the full moon day in Bhadrapada or next day
of full moon day.

It is just nomenclature of lunar months which differs and both North Indians
and South Indians perform Shraddha ritual on similar days.
Panchak
The passing away of the soul from the physical body has to be during an
auspicious time to determine its onward journey. The exact moment of death
occurs according to ones accumulated Karma. The meaning of Panchak is –
Five (Paanch), Panchak is decided by looking at the position of the moon.
When moon transits through Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces), then it is
known as Panchak, during this time the moon passes through the five
Nakshatras. We can also say that the second half of Dhanista Nakshatra,
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