The people observe a fast on the 13th (Pradosha) and the 14th day (Shivarátra) of the dark half of every month.[56] On the 15th day of the bright half of Chaitra, a fair is held in honour of the guardian deity of a village, and hens, goats, etc., are offered as a sacrifice.[57]
The following are days of special importance.
Gudhi-pádva, i.e., the first day of the bright half of Chaitra:—This being the first day of the year, gudhis and toranas are hoisted in front of every house and are worshipped.[58]
Bháu-bij:—On the 2nd day of the bright half of Kártik every sister waves round the face of her brother a lamp, and makes him a present.[59]
The ceremony on the Bháu-bij day has come into vogue on account of Subhadra having given a very pleasant bath to her brother Krishna on that day. The Court of Yama is also said to be closed on that day, since he goes to his sister; and consequently persons who die on that day, however sinful they may be, are not supposed to go to Yamaloka, i.e., hell.[60]
Akshya Tritiya:—On the third day of the bright half of Vaishákh cold water and winnowing fans are distributed as tokens for appeasing the Manes of ancestors. On this day is also celebrated the birth of the god Parashurám.[61]
Ganesh Chaturthi:—On the 4th day of the bright half of Bhádrapad, an earthen image of Ganpati is worshipped and a great ceremony is held in his honour.[62] The fourth day of the bright half of every month is called Vináyaka-Chaturthi; while that of the dark half is called Sankasti-Chaturthi. On the Vináyaka-Chaturthi day, people fast the whole day and dine the next day; while on the Sankasti Chaturthi day, they fast during the day time and dine after moon-rise.[63] That Sankasti Chaturthi which falls on Tuesday is considered the best.[64]
Nágpanchami:—On the 5th day of the bright half of Shrávan, pictures of serpents and snake holes are worshipped.[65]
Champá-Shashti:—On the 6th day of the bright half of Márgashirsha, some ceremony relating to the family-deity is performed.[66]
Ratha-Saptami:—On the 7th day of the bright half of Mágh, the sun is worshipped and milk is boiled until it overflows.[67]