Chāturmās 1943/2078

[mangalavara]

I wish a peaceful and meaningful Chāturmās to all of you who observe it.

If you observe it, do you mind sharing with us what you do during this time?

In my case, my vow is that during this year's Chāturmās, I will read from either the Vedas or the Devī Bhāgavata Purāṇa every day for at least 15 minutes, and that I will abstain from consuming chocolate and not watch videos on a particular YouTuber's channel.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Not a general practice of Hindus, mainly restricted to monks. I am always slow to take vows (won't smoke, won't drink, won't have non-vegetarian food in particular, is like a torture to me), in case I do not fulfill them. But I will have to bear it. For the month of Shravana, no non-veg is allowed in our house-hold (by the authority of my wonderful wife). I can disobey Gods (easily) but will not dare to disobey my wife. I appreciate your vows.

"The period corresponds with the rainy season in India.": There were practical reasons for it. No travel, stay at one place, the rivers may be in floods, roads will be slushy. Pests and mosquitoes, and consequently diseases, will abound. No feasts, food will turn bad quickly in heat and humidity, etc.

 

[mangalavara]

I can disobey Gods (easily) but will not dare to disobey my wife. I appreciate your vows.

"The period corresponds with the rainy season in India.": There were practical reasons for it. No travel, stay at one place, the rivers may be in floods, roads will be slushy. Pests and mosquitoes, and consequently diseases, will abound. No feasts, food will turn bad quickly in heat and humidity, etc.

My father is the same way when it comes to his wife/my mother. So, I think I might know why you dare not disobey your wife.

Thank you for your kind appreciation regarding my vows.

Taking into consideration the information that you shared, I think I now know why the devas are said to go to sleep during the four months: nobody does anything special for them, so they might as well take the time off.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Or you can say that climate puts devas to sleep. But then, many pilgrimages happen only in rainy season. The high-altitude Himalayan pilgrimates of Amarnath, Nandajat, Mani Mahesh. These pilgrimages happen in August (Raksha Bandhan), because this is the only time when the chances of snowfall are the least. Then the "Kawar Yatra" (not in the mountains but a long journey 500 kms or so on foot over many days) which would have started today. All these pilgrimages are banned this year because of Covid-19 fear.

Amarnath (12,756 ft.), Nanda Jat (16,470 ft.), Mani Mahesh (13,390 ft.), Kawar Yatra

 

[Viraja]

I do not observe chaturmas. But I know highly religious people observe it, including Gandhiji's mother.

If you want very thorough information on observing Chaturmas, you can contact Kanchi mata, as Sankaracharyas are living example for those who observe(d) it.

By the way, what do the years (I think) 1943 or 2078 have to do with the topic?

 

[mangalavara]

By the way, what do the years (I think) 1943 or 2078 have to do with the topic?

Those are two different years occurring right now according to two different Hindu calendar eras: Shaka and Vikram, respectively.

 

[Aupmanyav]

There are some 28 more, but these are the two most popular. Saka, a solar calender adopted by Government of India, and Vikrama, a luni-solar calendar, adopted by a majority of religious Hindus. Of course, the Gregorian calendar is the calendar of normal usage.

"The Committee had to undertake a detailed study of thirty different calendars prevalent in different parts of the country. The task was further complicated by the integration of those calendars with religion and local sentiments."
Indian national calendar - Wikipedia