Digital Rare Book:
An Alphabetical list of the Feasts and Holidays of the Hindus and Muhammadans
By Imperial Record Department
Printed by Superintendent, Government Printing, Calcutta - 1914

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INTRODUCTION

The festivals, snd in fact almost all the ceremonies of the Hindus, are regulated according to the lunar day or tithi. A lunar month consists of 30 lunar days, and begins on the day of the full-moon or the new-moon. In Bengal and in Telingna (North-eastern portion of the Madras Presidency) the latter mode of computation prevails, and in Hindusthana and in the Tamil countries of the South the former mode obtains.

Vaisakha is the first month of the year in Bengal, corresponding to April-May, then follows Jaistha corresponding to May-June, Asarha to June-July, Sravana to July- August, Bhadra to August- September, Asvina to September-October, Karttika to October- November, Agrahayana to November-December, Pausa to December-January, Magha to January-February, Phalguna to February-March and Caitra to March- April.

The fortnight ending with the full-moon is known as the bright fortnight, and that ending with the new moon is called the dark fortnight.

Almost all the gods, as well as the rites observed in worshipping them, have two aspects, i.e., they are capable of two distinct interpretations ”the esoteric and the exoteric” the philosophical and the popular. What described according to popular ideas may appear inconsistent, will wear a different aspect when interpreted according to the philosophical ideas of the Hindus. Persons who worship a god in order to obtain mundaneblessings do so in one way, whereas those whose object is salvation, to know Brahma to be absorbed in him or to attain the other forms of salvation, worship the same deity in another light and in another way.

According to the teachings of the Sastras, in the essence or spirit, there is no difference between the various manifestations of the Deity, whether male or female, so whoever may be the god or goddess worshipped the object of worship is God.

The accounts given herein apply particularly to Bengal. An endeavour has been made to give the accounts of festivals etc. as they are observed in other parts of India also.

The system of transliterating names etc. as laid down by the Asiatic Society of Bengal, has been followed in this work.

Image:
Women with lanterns and fireworks celebrating the festival of Diwali
Attributed to: Nainsukh
Pahari School
Guler Style
1760-1763 (circa)

Nainsukh (about 1710-1778) is one of the few Indian artists whose names we know from before the modern period. This painting comes from the early period of Nainsukh's work, when he was at the court of Guler, where his father and his brother were also painters.

Image and text credit:
© Trustees of the British Museum