Ashvin

According to the lunar calendar, by
which most Hindu religious festivals are
determined, Ashvin is the seventh
month in the lunar year, usually falling
within September and October. In
Ashvin the monsoon rains usually
taper off, and the weather becomes a
bit cooler.
The dark (waning) half of this month
is the Pitrpaksha, one of the most
inauspicious times of the year. The
bright (waxing) half contains one of
the most important festivals of the year,
the fall Navaratri, culminating in
Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami. Other
festivals during this month are Indira
Ekadashi, Papankusha Ekadashi, and
Valmiki Jayanti.