Paush month

Pausha month is considered as the tenth month in the Hindu calendar. It is different from other months. Pausha is considered as both auspicious and inauspicious month. This month is not only for conducting functions of marriage, house warming etc..but also to perform religious and spiritual practices. People who wished to perform any puja or prayers on this month, it will be very effective. Pausha month consists of different festivals such as Pash Amavasya, Banada Ashtami, Pausha Purnima etc.. Pausha Purnima is starting with Magha month austerities and ends with Shakambari Navratri. Hindu belief is that, at the beginning of Pausha Purnima, bathing in Triveni Sangam will assure Moksha or Salvation. Devotees are celebrating the end of Pausha Purnima as Shakambari Purnima. On that day, all the people are praising Shakambari Devi, goddess of fruits, vegetables and greens. In Paush month, there are two major important Ekadashis such as Sapahala Ekadashi and Putrada Ekadashi or Vaikunta Ekadashi. Devotees are praising Lord Vishnu on Sapahala Ekadashi. They are using flowers and Tulasi leaves to worship Mahavishnu. Yet, people are conducting puja and they are practising a fast in Sapahala Ekadashi. It is considered as the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha. Mainly Putrada Ekadashi is celebrating for the people who suffer childless feelings. The person who grants a son will have to practise Putrada Ekadashi. In the North, Putrada Ekadashi is in two different types. Putrada Ekadashi is in Shravana month and Putrada Ekadashi is in Paush month. Hindu belief is that during the time of Putrada Ekadashi, one who wishes for a son will pray to God for a son. As stated in the Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equal to 23 other Ekadashi. Devotees are worshipping the different incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi like Saubhagya Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi and Dhana Lakshmi. Pausha month is also known as Sahasya month. Based on the old beliefs, Lord Sun is worshipped in Paush month. The purpose of worshipping Sun in Paush month is to keep the person healthy and prosperous. People should avoid some food items during that period. First is to use jaggery instead of the intake of white sugar. Avoiding celery, cloves and ginger in this month is the second necessary rule to avoid. The third is to avoid overstored food in this month at night.