Chaturmas Vrat

A period of time spanning four lunar
months, beginning on the festival of
Devshayani Ekadashi (June–July) and
ending on the festival of Devotthayan
Ekadashi (October–November). The
four months in between these festivals
are considered ritually inauspicious,
since during that time the god Vishnu is
considered to be sleeping, and the protective power in the universe is less
attentive. Thus people generally do not
perform auspicious life cycle rites such
as weddings during this period. This
time also coincides with the coming of
the monsoon, which is essential for
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Chaturmas Vrat
helping crops to grow but also brings
danger from waterborne infections and
venomous snakes. Chaturmas Vrat’s
inauspicious qualities and the difficulty
of travel caused by the monsoon make
this a time when wandering ascetics
should stay in one place. Religious worship during this period tends to stress
rites of protection, to shield one from
these ritual and physical dangers. See
also inauspiciousness.