Chaturdashi

Chaturdashi (Sanskrit: चतुर्दशी, romanized: caturdaśī) is the 14th day (tithi) of the waxing phase or waning phase of the moon in the Hindu calendar.[1] This is the day prior to new moon (amavasya) or full moon (purnima).

Etymology

Chatur means four and dashi means the tenth day in Sanskrit, literally meaning, "fourteenth".[2]

Festivals

• Naraka Chaturdashi is observed before the amavasya of the month of Ashvina.[3]
• Maha Shivaratri or Magha Bahula Chaturdashi is observed before the amavasya in the month of Magha.
• Ananta Chaturdashi is observed on the shukla paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.
• Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is observed on the chaturdashi of the month of Kartika.[4]
• Holika Dahana is celebrated in the fourteenth day of the month of Phalguna.

References

1. Klostermaier, Klaus K. (2007-07-05). A Survey of Hinduism: Third Edition. SUNY Press. p. 493. ISBN 978-0-7914-7082-4.
2. Garg, Gaṅgā Rām (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. Concept Publishing Company. p. 173. ISBN 978-81-7022-374-0.
3. Claus, Peter; Diamond, Sarah; Mills, Margaret (2020-10-28). South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. p. 160. ISBN 978-1-000-14353-9.
4. Vidyarthi, Lalita Prasad; Jha, Makhan; Saraswati, Baidyanath (1979). The Sacred Complex of Kashi: A Microcosm of Indian Civilization. Concept Publishing Company. p. 71.