Ashwin month is starting from 27th September: Pay special attention to these things on Pitru Paksha and Shardiya Navratri, you will be blessed by Mother Durga.

In Sanatan Dharma, astrology and calendar calculations, Ashwin month is considered to be the most sacred, energetic and spiritually fruitful month of the year. According to the Hindu calendar, Ashwin is the seventh month of the year, which this year will start on Sunday, 27 September 2026 and end on Monday, 26 October 2026. With the beginning of this holy month, major changes are also seen in nature, where the intense heat of the sun gradually starts reducing and a slight coolness is felt. The biggest feature of Ashwin month is that its first fortnight is dedicated to our ancestors in the form of Pitru Paksha (Shraddha), while the second fortnight is drenched in the joy of ‘Sha Sharadiya Navratri’ and Vijay Dashami (Dussehra), the holy festival of worship of Adishakti Maa Durga. The glory of Ashwin month is also described in detail in the famous book ‘Devi Mahatmya’ (Durga Saptashati) of Markandeya Purana.

Sanctity and historical importance of Ashwin month: Why is this month considered special?

Ashwin month is very important from the religious and astronomical point of view because during this period, on the full moon day, the Moon is situated in Ashwini Nakshatra, whose presiding deity is ‘Ashwini Kumar’, the god of health. The fasts, donations and rituals performed in this month have a direct positive effect on the body, mind and soul of a human being. It is during the month of Ashwin that great fasts and festivals like Indira Ekadashi, Pitru Visarjan, Sharadiya Navratri Ghatasthapana, Durga Puja, Kanya Puja, Papankusha Ekadashi, Karva Chauth, and Sharad Purnima (Kojagara) are celebrated. In this month, lighting Akhand Deepak or Ghee Diya regularly in the evening brings special blessings of the ancestors and destroys the negative energy in the house.

What to do in Ashwin month: Daily rules and rituals to follow

• Regular bathing and charity: In the month of Ashwin, take bath every morning before sunrise in Brahma Muhurta and donate food, clothes or fruits as per your capacity.

• Evening prayers and lighting of lamp: During this entire month, light the evening lamp at the main entrance of the house and in the puja room in the evening.

• Remembrance of ancestors: In the first fortnight, following the rules of Pitru Paksha, perform Tarpan and Pind Daan with true feelings.

• Worship of Ishta Dev: Chant the mantras of your family deity and favorite deities and perform their aarti regularly.

What not to do in the month of Ashwin: Which rules should you pay special attention to?

• Abstention from auspicious functions and festivals: During the first fortnight of Ashwin month i.e. Pitru Paksha, purchase of new property, new vehicle, house warming, mundan, engagement or organizing any kind of auspicious festivals should be avoided.

• Abstaining from Tamasic food: Since Shardiya Navratri begins in this month, one should completely avoid garlic, onion, meat, liquor and any kind of Tamasic food for the entire month or at least during Navratri.

• Avoid cutting hair and nails: According to religious beliefs, cutting of hair, beard and nails should be avoided on the special days of Pitru Paksha and Navratri.

• Respect women: Do not insult any woman in this holy month, because in Sanatan culture all women are considered the form of Mother Shakti.