Indian Chronology (Solar, Lunar and Planetary): A Practical Guide to the Interpretation and Verification of Tithis, Nakshatras, Horoscopes and other Indian Time-records, B.C. 1 to A.D. 2000 c21: Chapter XVI. Notes on Tithis in Relation to Festivals

Indian Chronology (Solar, Lunar and Planetary): A Practical Guide to the Interpretation and Verification of Tithis, Nakshatras, Horoscopes and other Indian Time-records, B.C. 1 to A.D. 2000 c21

Language: English

Chapter XVI. Notes on Tithis in Relation to Festivals

c21.2

113. Day on which a festival is celebrated.—As a tithi generally covers a portion of two days, it sometimes happens that though for civil purposes the tithi of a day is that which is current at sunrise, yet for religious purposes a tithi may have to be celebrated on the previous day when it begins. When a tithi is appointed for the celebration of a feast or fast, to be kept at forenoon, midday, late afternoon, midnight, etc., it is obvious that the feast or fast must be observed on the day when the tithi covers the prescribed part of the day. The day for such purposes is divided, first of all, into five portions between sunrise and sunset.

c21.3

(1) *Prātahkāla*, or early forenoon, 6 ghaṭikas from sunrise.
(2) *Samjava*, or forenoon, 6 to 12 ghaṭikas from sunrise.
(3) *Madhyāhna*, or midday, 12 to 18 ghaṭikas from sunrise.
(4) *Aparāhna*, or afternoon, 18 to 24 ghaṭikas from sunrise.
(5) *Sāyāhna*, or late afternoon, 24 to 30 ghaṭikas from sunrise.

c21.4

(a) The 4 ghaṭikas before sunrise are called *arunodaya* or rise of dawn.
(b) The 6 ghaṭikas after sunset are called *pradosha* or evening.
(c) The 2 ghaṭikas in the middle of the night are called *nisitha*, midnight.
(d) A tithi is *pūrvaviddha* when it commences more than 4 ghaṭikas before sunset of one day and ends before sunset of the following day; a festival on such a tithi is celebrated on the first day of the tithi, not on the second.

c21.5

N.B.—*Tithi dvayam*:—Two tithis meeting, i.e., one commencing, and the other ending, between 18 and 24 ghaṭikas after Sunrise, when a similar meeting does not take place next day.

c21.6

114. Festivals connected with Nakshatras as well as Tithis.—On the Nakshatra Śravishta (No. 23) in Lunar Śrāvana, the ceremony of Upakarma (Āvani Avittam) is celebrated. Our Table XI shows that this festival would ordinarily fall about full moon in Śrāvana. In the same manner, all festivals associated with particular nakshatras may be equally well connected with particular tithis. In Southern India, however, it is usual to connect nakshatra festivals with certain solar months in which they are celebrated; e.g., *Panguni Uttaram* (i.e., *Uttara Phalguni* Nakshatra in the Solar month called *Panguni*), *Chittirai Mūlam* (i.e., *Mūla* Nakshatra in the Solar month *Chittirai*); *Avani Avittam* (*vide supra*), etc. Tithi festivals are also often connected in Southern India with Solar Months; and if a festival falls, for instance, on *sukla panchami* in a particular Solar Month, and there are two *Śukla panchamīs* in that month, the first is called *Sūnya tithi* and the second only is celebrated.

c21.7

¹¹⁵ Most Hindu festivals are associated in the first place with *tithis*, and the following notes for which we are chiefly indebted to Prof. Kielhorn's article in Vol. XXVI of the *Indian Antiquary*, pages 177—187, will be of interest to Hindu readers as well as to others. Prof. Kielhorn described the Hindu festivals in order of the lunar months: by way of variation, we will discuss them in the order of *tithis*. Our arrangement will enable the reader to locate at once an *ashtamī* or an *ekādaśī*, although the month is, as usual, suppressed in such citations.

c21.8

PRATIPADA (TITHI I).

c21.9

The Chaitra Sukla *pratipadâ*, i.e., that which precedes the Mesha Sankrânti, is the beginning of the Hindu Lunar year, New Year's Day (Lunar) being that on which the *pratipadâ* is current at sunrise. (When there is an *Adhika Chaitra*, that begins the year). The tithi is therefore called *Vatsarârambha* (commencement of the year). It is also *Navarâtrârambha*, there being another *Navarâtrârambha* on Asvina sukla *pratipadâ*.

c21.10

Karttika Sukla 1 is *Balipratipadâ* or *Bali pûja* and it is *pûrvaviddha* as to time.

c21.11

Bhadrapada bahula 1 is *Mahâlayârambha*.

c21.12

Phalguna bahula 1 is *Vasantotsava*.

c21.13

DVITIYA (TITHI II).

c21.14

Ashada Sukla 2 is *Ratha-yâtra dvitîyâ* or *Râma-rathotsava*.

c21.15

Karttika Sukla 2 is *Yama dvitîyâ* or *Bhrâtri-dvitîyâ* (because sisters make presents to brothers), and the time is afternoon.

c21.16

The bahula dvitîyâ in Ashada, Sravana, Bhadrapada and Asvina is called *Asûnyasayana-vrata* and the fast is broken at moon-rise.

c21.17

TRITIYA (TITHI III).

c21.18

Chaitra Sukla 3 is *Gaurî-tritîyâ*; also *Matsa-jayantî*; (afternoon); also *Manvâdi* (forenoon).

c21.19

Vaisakha Sukla 3 is *Kalpâdi* (forenoon); *Tretâyugâdi* (forenoon); *Akshaya-tritîyâ* (especial, when combined with Wednesday and Nak. Rohinî; time, forenoon); also *Parasurâma jayantî*.

c21.20

Jyeshtha Sukla 3 is *Rambhâ-tritîyâ*, when Bhavânî is worshipped at *purvaviddha*.

c21.21

Sravana Sukla 3 is *Madhu-sravâ* in Guzerat.

c21.22

Sravana bahula 3 is *Kajjali-tritîyâ*.

c21.23

Bhadrapada Sukla 3 is *Varâha-jayantî* (afternoon); *Haritâlikâ*, when Parvati is worshipped; *Manvâdi* (forenoon). The tithi is by some called *Sivâ*.

c21.24

Phalguna bahula 3 is *Kalpâdi* (afternoon).

c21.25

CHATURTHI (TITHI IV).

c21.26

The Sukla Chaturthî in every month is called *Ganesa Chaturthî* or *Vinâyaka Chaturthî*, the chief being Mâgha *Chaturthî* (*Ganesa jayantî*). It is celebrated at midday. *Tila Chaturthî* is another name for Mâgha Sukla *chaturthî*. It is performed in the evening *Kunda Chaturthî* is another name for the same festival.

c21.27

Bhadrapada Sukla *Chaturthî* is special when it falls on Sunday or Tuesday.

c21.28

Similarly, the bahula *Chaturthî* in every month is *Sankashtachaturthî* and is a fast day for people in difficulties; the fast is broken at moonrise which is the time. This *Chaturthî* is called *Angâraka Chaturthî* if it falls on Tuesday, and continues till moonrise.

c21.29

Sravana bahula *Chaturthî* is called, par excellence, *Bahula Chaturthî* and cows are then worshipped.

c21.30

PANCHAMI (TITHI V).

c21.31

Chaitra Sukla 5 is *Sri Panchamî* according to some; it is also *Kalpâdi* (forenoon).

c21.32

Sravana Sukla 5 is *Nâga Panchamî* and snakes are then worshipped. If tithi begins within 6 ghatikas after Sunrise of one day and ends within 6 ghatikas after Sunrise on the next day, the tithi is celebrated on the former day and that is *Nâga Panchamî*.

c21.33

Bhadrapada Sukla 5 is *Rishi Panchamî* (midday).

c21.34

Asvina Sukla 5 is *Lalitâ Panchamî* or *Upânga-lalitâ-vrata*, when Durgâ is worshipped in the afternoon.

c21.35

Margasira Sukla 5 is *Nâgapûja* or *Nâgapanchamî*.

c21.36

Magha Śukla 5 is *Vasanta panchami*, when Rati and Kâma are worshipped in forenoon. *Srîpanchamî* is another name.

c21.37

Phalguna bahula 5 is *Ranga panchami*, when colours are thrown about.

Shashthi (Tithi VI)

c21.s1.1

Sravana Śukla 6 is *Kalki-Jayantî* (sunset), the last avatâra of Vishnu.

c21.s1.2

Sravana bahula 6 is *Hala-Shashthî*.

c21.s1.3

Bhadrapada Śukla 6 is *Sûrya-Shashthî* or *Skanda-Shashthî*.

c21.s1.4

Bhadrapada bahula 6 is *Chandra Shashthî*. It is called *KAPILA-SHASHTHI* when it combines on Tuesday with Nak. Rohinî and Yoga Vyatîpâta and the Sun is in Hasta. (See Sec. 54).

c21.s1.5

Karttika Śukla 6 is special for feeding of Brahmans when it falls on Tuesday.

c21.s1.6

Margasira Śukla 6 is *Skanda-Shashthî* or *Mahâ-Shashthî*; *Champâ-Shashthî*, when Siva is worshipped as Khandoba. This tithi is special when it falls on Sunday or Tuesday and combines with Nakshatra Satabhishaj and Yoga Vaidhriti, or either of the two.

c21.s1.7

[N.B.—Our Table XI shows that Nak. Satabhishaj (No. 24) may concur with the tithi in a year in which some month before Margasira is 'adhika'; but Yoga Vaidhriti (No. 27) can never concur with this tithi.]

Saptami (Tithi VII)

c21.s2.1

A *Saptamî* on Tuesday, combined with Nak. Revatî (that is, by Tab. XI, bahula 7 in Âshâdha or Śukla 7 in Pausha or Mâgha) is very auspicious. A *Śukla saptamî*, falling on Sunday, is called *VIJAYA*, and is special for donations. A *Śukla saptamî*, joined with the 1st quarter of Nak. Hasta, is called *BHADRA*. A *Śukla saptamî*, coinciding with a Sankrânti is called *MAHAJAYA*, which, for making donations, is superior even to an eclipse.

c21.s2.2

Vaisakha Śukla 7 is *Gangâ-Saptamî* or *Gangotpatti* (birth of Gangâ—midday).

c21.s2.3

Sravana bahula 7 is *Sîtalâ-Saptamî* or *Sîtalâ-Vrata*, time *purvaviddha*.

c21.s2.4

Bhadrapada Śukla 7 is called by some *Aparâjitâ*.

c21.s2.5

Asvina Śukla 7 : about this tithi *Sarasvatî* is worshipped under Nakshatra Mûla.

c21.s2.6

Karttika Śukla 7 is *Kalpâdi* (forenoon).

c21.s2.7

Margasira Śukla 7 is *Sûryavrata*.

c21.s2.8

Magha Śukla 7 is *Ratha-Saptamî* or *Mahâ-Saptamî* (time, *arunodhaya*); *Manvâdi* (forenoon).

Ashtami (Tithi VIII)

c21.s3.1

An *Ashtamî*, falling on Wednesday, is special and receives the name of *Budhâshtamî*. The *Śukla-Ashtamî* in every month is sacred to Durgâ or Annapuranî; while the *Bahula-Ashtamî* in every month, called *Kâlâshtamî*, celebrated at *purvaviddha*, is sacred to Krishna.

c21.s3.2

Chaitra Śukla 8 is *Bhavânî-utpatti*: when joined with Wednesday and Nak. Punarvasu, bathing on this tithi is special.

c21.s3.3

Sravana bahula 8: *Janmâshtamî*, *Krishnâshtamî* or *KRISHNA JAYANTI* (midnight); special when combined with Nak. Rohinî; less so, when joined only to Monday or Wednesday; *Manvâdi* (afternoon).

c21.s3.4

Bhadrapada Śukla 8: *Jyeshthâ-Gaurî-pûjana-vrata*, when moon is in Nak. Jyeshthâ.

c21.s3.5

Bhadrapada bahula 8 : *Mahalakshmi vrata* (purvaviddha); *Ashtaka-sraddha*. Asvina Sukla 8 is *Mahashtami* and is special, when joined to Tuesday. Karttika Sukla 8 is *Gopashtami*, when cows are worshipped. Do. bahula 8 is *Krishnashtami*, *Kala-Bhairavashtami*, or *Kala-Bhairava-jayanti*.

c21.s3.6

Margasira bahula 8 is *Ashtaka-sraddha* in the afternoon. The same is the case with bahula 8 in Pausha, Magha and Phalguna.

c21.s3.7

Pausha Sukla 8 is special when joined to Wednesday and Nak. Bharani (Rohini or Ardhra, according to some). Magha Sukla 8 is *Bhishmashtami* and is celebrated at midday. Magha bahula 8 is Birth of Sita.

c21.s3.8

NAVAMI (Tithi IX). Chaitra Sukla 9 is *Rama-navami* or *Rama-jayanti*, at midday. Bhadrapada do. is *Aduhkha-navami*. Asvina do. is *Maha-navami* or *Durga-navami*: *Manvadi* (forenoon). Karttika do. is *Kretayugadi* (forenoon). Margasira do. is *Kalpadi* (forenoon). Magha bahula 9 is *Ramadasa Navami*.

c21.s3.9

DASAMI (Tithi X). Jyeshtha Sukla 10 is *Dasa-hara* (expiating ten sins) (see Sec. 54) or *Gangavatara*. Ashada do. is *Manvadi* (forenoon). Asvina do. is *Vijayadasami* or DASARA (afternoon; special with Nak. Sravana); *Buddha-jayanti*.

c21.s3.10

EKADASI (Tithi XI). Every *Ekadasi* is sacred, like every *Amavasya*, and receives a special name. It is called *Vijaya* when joined with the Nak. Punarvasu. The following are the names of the 24 *Ekadasis*:—

c21.s3.11

c21.s3.12

c21.s3.13

DVADASI (Tithi XII).

c21.s3.14

The Dvadasi is called *Mahâ-dvâdasî* in the following circumstances :—

c21.s3.15

11th Tithi current at sunrise on two successive days : the next Dvâdasî is called **Unmilani**.

c21.s3.16

12th Do. do. do. do. : the Dvâdasî is called **Vanjuli**.

c21.s3.17

12th Tithi, to be followed by a full moon or a new moon tithi, current at two sunrises — **Pakshavardhini**.

c21.s3.18

12th Tithi, joined with Nakshatra *Pushya*, is **Jaya** [*i.e.*, by Tab. XI, Bahula 12 in Bhâd; or Sukla 12 in Phâlg. or Chait.]

c21.s3.19

Do. do. do. do. do. *Sravana* is **Vijaya** [*i.e.*, by Tab. XI, Sukla 12 in Bhâd., Asv.; Bahula 12 in Phâlg.]

c21.s3.20

Do. do. do. do. do. *Punarvasu* is **Jayanti** [*i.e.*, by Tab. XI, Sukla 12 in Phâlg. ; Bahula 12 in Srâvana].

c21.s3.21

Do. do. do. do. do. *Rohinî* is **Papanasini** [*i.e.*, by Tab. XI, Sukla 12 in Pausha, Mâgha ; Bahula 12 in Âshâdha].

c21.s3.22

**Vaisakha** Sukla 12, joined with Nak. *Hasta*, and Jupiter and Mars in *Simha*, Sun in *Mesha*, is *VYATIPATA*.

c21.s3.23

**Ashada** Sukla 12 is the commencement of *Châturmâsya vrata*.

c21.s3.24

**Sravana** do. is *Vishnoh-pavitrâ-ropanam*.

c21.s3.25

**Bhadrapada** do. is *Vâmana jayantî* (midday) ; called *Sravana Dvadasi*, when joined with Nak. *Sravana*, and specially, when further joined with Wednesday.

c21.s3.26

**Asvina** bahula 12 is *Govatsa Dvâdasî* (evening).

c21.s3.27

Kārttika Śukla 12: (1) end of Chāturmāsya vrata, which began on same tithi in Āshādha.
(2) Prabodhotsava or Utthāna dvādaśī (preparation for waking Vishnu).
(3) Tulasi vivāha (marriage of Vishnu with the Tulasi plant).
(4) Manvādi (forenoon).

c21.s3.28

Magha Śukla 12: Bhīshma dvādaśī.

c21.s3.29

Do. bahula 12: Tila dvādaśī or Vijaya, when combined with Nak. Sravaṇa. [N.B.—This can only happen when a month previous to Magha is Adhika—See Table XL]

c21.s3.30

TRAYODASI (Tithi XIII).

c21.s3.31

Chaitra Śukla 13: Madana trayodaśī or Ananga Pūjana vrata (purvaviddha); god of Love worshipped.

c21.s3.32

Bhadrapada bahula 13: (1) Kaliyugādi (afternoon).
(2) Magha trayodaśī, when combined with Nak. Magha.
(3) GAJACHAYA, when joined to Nak. Magha and Sun in Hasta.

c21.s3.33

Asvina bahula 13: Dhana trayodaśī, when money lenders worship money.

c21.s3.34

Magha Śukla 13: Kalpādi (forenoon).

c21.s3.35

Phalguna bahula 13: (1) Varuṇi, when joined with Nak. Satabhishaj.
(2) Mahavaruṇi, do. do. do. + Saturday.
(3) MAHA-MAHA-VARUNI when joined with Nak. Satabhishaj + Saturday + Yoga Subha. [N.B.—Combinations (1) to (3) can happen only when Phalguna or some previous month is Adhika—See Table XI.]

c21.s3.36

CHATURDASI (Tithi XIV).

c21.s3.37

Bahula Chaturdaśī in every month is Śivarātri.

c21.s3.38

Vaisakha Śukla 14: Narasimha jayantī (sunset) : special when joined to Nak. Svāti + Saturday.

c21.s3.39

Sravaṇa Śukla 14: Varalakshmī vrata.

c21.s3.40

Bhadrapada Śukla 14: Ananta chaturdaśī.

c21.s3.41

Asvina bahula 14: Naraka chaturdaśī (moonrise), fasting to avoid naraka or hell. Dīpavali (see Asvina amāvāsyā below), may fall on this tithi if joined to Nak. Svāti.

c21.s3.42

Kārttika Śukla 14: Vaikunṭa chaturdaśī (midnight).

c21.s3.43

Margasira Śukla 14: Pāshāṇa chaturdaśī.

c21.s3.44

Magha bahula 14: MAHA SIVARATRI (midnight, when Nak. Sravaṇa is current). Special, when, combined with Sunday or Tuesday and Yoga Śiva. [N.B.—Yoga Śiva can combine with Śivarātri only when some month previous to Magha is Adhika—See Table XI.]

c21.s3.45

SUKLA PANCHADASI (Tithi XV): Sukla 15 or Full Moon (Pūrnimā).

c21.s3.46

A Sukla 15 or Pūrnimā is called Somavatī when it falls on Monday and is special for donations.

c21.s3.47

It is called Chudamani when it is further joined with a lunar eclipse.

c21.s3.48

Most pūrnimās receive special names, which are given below:—

c21.s3.49

Chaitra pūrnimā: (1) Manvādi (forenoon).
(2) Hanumat-jayantī.
(3) Special for bathing, when combined with Sunday, Thursday or Saturday.

c21.s3.50

Vaisakha pūrnimā: Kūrma jayantī (late afternoon).

c21.s3.51

Jyeshtha pūrnimā: (1) Manvādi (forenoon).
(2) Vata pūrnimā or Vata Sāvitrī (puraviddhā).
(3) Maha-jyaishthi, when Moon and Jupiter are in Nak. Jyeshthā and Sun in Rohinī.

c21.s3.52

Ashada pūrnimā: (1) Manvādi (forenoon).
(2) Sivasayanotsava, or Kokilā-vrata or Vyāsapūjā.

c21.s3.53

Sravana pūrnimā: (1) Rig-yajuh-Srāvanī (i.e., Srāvana for followers of Rig and Yajur Vedas).
(2) Rakshabandhana (tying a string round the arm) or Raki-pūrnimā or Nāralī pūrnimā (throwing cocoanuts into the sea).
(3) Hayagrīva jayantī.

c21.s3.54

Bhadrapada pūrnimā: Praushthapadī pūrnimā or srāddha.

c21.s3.55

Asvina pūrnimā: (1) Kojāgarī pūrnimā or Kojāgara vrata (midnight). Lakshmī and Indra worshipped; games of chance.
(2) Navānna pūrnimā, when new grain is cooked.

c21.s3.56

Karttika pūrnimā: (1) Manvādi (forenoon).
(2) Chāturmāsya vrata ends.
(3) Tripurī pūrnimā or tripurotsava.
(4) Special, when joined to Nak. Krittika.
(5) Maha karttiki, when joined to Nak. Rohinī; or when Moon and Jupiter are both in Nak. Krittika.
(6) Padmakayoga, when Moon is in Nak. Krittika and Sun in Nak. Visākha.
(7) KRITTIKA festival in Southern India.

c21.s3.57

Margasira pūrnimā: (1) Datta treya or Datta-jayantī (evening).
(2) Special for donations of salt, when joined to Nak. Mrigasira.

c21.s3.58

(3) Ardra festival in honour of Śiva at Chidambaram and elsewhere. Śiva, in his incarnation of Nateśa, is said to have been born on Mārgaśīra Pūrṇimā under the Nakshatra Ardra: the combination could take place only when some month previous to Mārgaśīra was adhika. (See Table XI).

c21.s3.59

Magha pūrṇimā: Maha-Maghi, when Moon and Jupiter are both in Nak. Magha.

c21.s3.60

Phalguna pūrṇimā: (1) Manvādi (forenoon).

c21.s3.61

(2) Holikā or Hutāsani pūrṇimā (evening).

c21.s3.62

(3) Kāman Pandigai (destruction of Cupid by Śiva) in South India.

c21.s3.63

Bahula Panchadasi (Tithi XV): AMAVASYA—New Moon.

c21.s3.64

A Solar Eclipse on Sunday is Chudamani, and is special for donations.

c21.s3.65

Amāvāsyā at the end of Sravana and beginning of Bhadrapada: Pithori or Kusotpātini.

c21.s3.66

| Do. | do. | Bhadrapada | do. | Asvina: Sarvapitri or MAHALAYA AMAVASYA: special when Sun and Moon are both in Nak. Hasta. |
| Do. | do. | Asvina | do. | Karttika is DIPAVALI, with previous and following tithis: that on which Nak. is Svāti being the special day. |
| Do. | do. | Pausha | do. | Magha (1) ARDHODAYA, when joined with Sunday in day time + Nak. Sravana + Yoga Vyatīpāta. [N.B.—This can only happen when some month previous to Magha is Adikha, See Sec. 54]. |
| | | | | (2) Mahodaya when any one of these special features is wanting. |
| Do. | do. | Magha | do. | Phalguna: (1) Dvāparayugādi (afternoon). |
| | | | | (2) Special for Śrāddhas, when joined with Nak. Satabhishaj or Nak. Dhanishtha. |
| Do. | do. | Phalguna | do. | Chaitra: Manvādi (afternoon). |

Indian Chronology (Solar, Lunar and Planetary): A Practical Guide to the Interpretation and Verification of Tithis, Nakshatras, Horoscopes and other Indian Time-records, B.C. 1 to A.D. 2000 c21: Chapter XVI. Notes on Tithis in Relation to Festivals

Contents

Chapter XVI. Notes on Tithis in Relation to Festivals

Shashthi (Tithi VI)

Saptami (Tithi VII)

Ashtami (Tithi VIII)