Hindus main fast & Festivals Fasting (Religious) As explained in The Mahabharata  Santi Parva, Section CCXXI Translated by Sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli (Abridged) Yudhishthira said: Common people say that fasting is TAPAS (penances). Is fasting, however, really so, or is penance something different?" Bhishma said: People do regard fast, measured by months or fortnights or days, as penance. In the opinion, however of the good, such is not penance. On the other hand, fast is an impediment to the acquisition of the knowledge of the Soul. The renunciation of acts (that is so difficult for all) and humility (consisting in the worship of all creatures and consideration for them all) constitute the highest penance. That is distinguished above all kinds of penance. He who betakes himself to such penance is regarded as one that is always fasting and that is always leading a life of Brahmacharya (celibacy). Such a Brahman will become a Muni always, a deity evermore, even if he lives in the bosom of a family. He will become a vegetarian always, and pure forever. He will become an eater always of ambrosia, and an adorer always of gods and guests. Indeed, he will be regarded as one always subsisting on sacrificial remnants, as one ever devoted to the duty of hospitality, as one always full of faith, and as one ever worshipping gods and guests. Yudhishthira said: How can one practising such penance come to be regarded as one that is always fasting or as one that is ever devoted to the vow of Brahmcharya, or as one that is always subsisting upon sacrificial remnants or as one that is ever regardful of guests? Bhishma said: He will be regarded as one that is always fasting if he eats once during the day and once during the night at the fixed hours without eating during the interval. Such a Brahman, by always speaking the truth and by adhering always to wisdom, and by going to his wife only in her season and never at other times, becomes a Brahmacharin (celibate). By never eating meat of animals not killed for sacrifice, he will become a strict vegetarian. By always becoming charitable he will become ever pure, and by abstaining from sleep during the day he will become one that is always wakeful. That Brahman who never eats till gods and guests are fed, wins, by such abstention, heaven itself. He is said to subsist upon remnants, who eats only what remains after feeding the gods, the Pitris, servants, and guests. Such men win numberless regions of felicity in next life. To their homes come, with Brahman himself, the gods and the Apsaras. They who share their food with the deities and the Pitris pass their days in constant happiness with their sons and grandsons and at last, leaving off this body, attain to a very high end See also http://www.hinduism.co.za/vrat-.htm Fast in various ways. A simple fast may consist of merely avoiding certain foods for a day or more, such as when vegetarians avoid tamasic or rajasic foods or when nonvegetarians abstain from fish, fowl and meats. A moderate fast would involve avoiding heavier foods, or taking only juices, teas and other liquids. Such fasts are sometimes observed only during the day, and a normal meal is permitted after sunset. Serious fasting, which is done under supervision, involves taking only water for a number of days and requires a cessation of most external activities. The major fasts & Festivals Makara Sankranti        Vasant Panchami Maha Shivaratri           Holi Gaura Purnima             Shri Rama Navami Ugadi                             Hanuman Jayanthi Guru Purnima               Onam: Raksha Bandan           Krishna Janmashtami Radha Asthmi:            Ganesh Chaturthi: Teej Festival                 Navaratri Dusshera                       Karva Chauth Deepavali                      Gita Jayanti More information on topics above is available links below: Understanding Hinduism Lakshmi Narayan Temple Hindustan Links Divine Life Society Web Directory of India Karwa Chauth . --------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer Copyright@ Hindu Heritage Society Inc. P.O. BOX 85  Pendle Hill NSW 2145 83 Medley Av  Liverpool NSW 2170 Sydney, Australia  Ph: (02) 9600 7815 Website Designed & Developed by : Sydney Website Design	- Google Australia  - Our Calendar  - Sydney Website Design To advertise your organisation, please contact hhsyd@yahoo.com.au Terms & Conditions Apply