The ceremony for obtaining command over Kāl Bhairav is performed in perfect silence at midnight on the Kālichaudas, that is the fourteenth day of the dark half of Ashvin.[34]
Silence and secrecy are also essential in the ceremonies which are performed for subjugating such evil spirits as Meldi and Shikotar and Mātās.[35]
When Vaishnavas make offerings to their gods, the doors of the shrine are closed.
The initiating ceremonies of the Shakti Panthis and Margi Panthis are also performed in close secrecy.[36]
The Shrāvaks have to observe perfect silence at the time of performing the Shāmag Padakamanu[37] (a form of devotion to god).
Some people observe a vow of keeping silent while taking their meals either for life or during the monsoon.[38]
There are various legends current among the people regarding the origin of the Holi holiday. The chief versions are as follows:—
1. In ancient times there lived a demoness named Dhunda who preyed upon children. Her misdeeds caused great misery to the people, who went to Vasishtha, the preceptor of Rāma, and implored him to tell them of some remedy for the mischief wrought by the demoness. Vasishtha told them to light a pyre in honour of the goddess Holika, which he said, would consume the demoness. The people accordingly lighted a huge fire, into which the demoness was driven by boys who led her to the spot by abusing her and troubling her in many ways. She was reduced to ashes by the fire, and the people were saved.[39]
2. A demon named Hiraniāksha had a sister named Holika and a son named Prahlād. Hiraniāksha bore great enmity to Rāma, while Prahlād was his devotee. Hiraniāksha did not like his son’s devotion to Rāma, and told him several times to give it up, and even threatened to take his life. But Prahlād did not swerve an inch from the path of his devotion. At last, being desperate, Hiraniāksha decided to kill him, and entrusted his sister with the mission. Holika raised a big pile of cow-dung cakes, set it on fire, and seated herself on the pile, taking Prahlād in her lap. But through the grace of Rāma, Prahlād escaped uninjured while Holika was reduced to ashes.
3. A demoness called Dhunda had obtained a boon from Shiva to the effect that she would not meet her death during any of the three seasons of the year, either by day or by night. At the same time she was warned to beware of injury from children between sunset and nightfall at the commencement of a new season. To prevent any possibility of injury from children, she began to destroy them by preying upon their bodies. This caused a great panic among the people, who went to Vasishtha and asked his advice as to how to kill the demoness. He advised them to kill her in the way described in legend No. I above, and she was killed accordingly.[40]