The start of the bath of the Naga Sect
14 January – Makarsankranti According to Hindu Astrology, on this day the Sun enters the constellation of Capricorn. This day is celebrated all over India with various festivals and pilgrimages. 15 January - Mauni Amavasi - Surya Grahan Snan This is the "New Moon of the Saints." For the holy men and women this is a main bathing day where they participate in the various gilded processions of the Nagas, the naked ascetics. It is also a day when new members to various holy monastic orders receive their first initiation. 20 January - Vasant Panchami This is the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month and is the beginning of spring in the North of India. Traditionally people wear yellow on this day as a symbol of prosperity and pray to the Gods for a bumper harvest. 30 January - Magh Purnima This is the full moon in the month of Magha (January - February). Winter becomes a memory and the moon shines over the holy river. 12 February - Mahashivratri - Shahi Snan This is the Great Night of Shiva, the Naked Ascetic from whose dreadlocks flows the Ganges. He married Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas on this day. Shiva has many followers, none more so than the naked Naga sadhus who live life in imitation of him. 15 March - Somvati Amavasi - Shahi Snan On this auspicious day the river Ganga, the divine cosmos, along with all the revered pilgrimages on this earth shower exceptional spiritual blessings on anyone who performs worship, japa, or meditation. 24 March - Ramnavami A famous Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Shri Rama, the seventh incarnation. Many devotees fast for nine days before with the objective of increasing their will power and in this way develope their virtues as a human being. 30 March - Chaitra Purnima Snan/Vaishnav Akhara Snan The full moon day of Chaitra month is particularly sacred to the Chitra Guptas, the angels of the Hindu pantheon. A special worship is offered to these celestial representatives of the god of death, and an offering of spiced rice is prepared and later distributed as prasad or holy sacrament. This is also the birthday of the monkey God Hanuman, who symbolizes strength, unparalleled devotion, and selfless service. It is a fast day observed by all Hindu married women for their husbands' good health and longevity. In the early morning, women take a purificatory bath and wear new clothes. 28 April - Vaishakha (Shakh) Purnima – Snan The full moon day and last auspicious bathing date of the Kumbha Mela festival, marks the three major events in the life of Shri Buddha, the ninth divine incarnation: His birth, enlightenment and death.
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