The Extraction of Determinations for Lunar Days

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...if the lunar day is observed on both days, the vow for Ekadashi Ekadashi: the eleventh lunar day, dedicated to fasting and Vishnu should be observed on the first day by the Smartas original: "smārtaiḥ"; followers of the Smriti scriptures/orthodox tradition, while the latter day is recommended for others, according to the Nirnaya Sindhu a 17th-century authority on Hindu law and ritual timing.

Thus concludes the month of Chaitra. Now begins the month of Vaishakha.

Regarding the third lunar day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha Vaishakha typically falls in April–May; the third day is known as Akshaya Tritiya: it should be accepted when it pervades the forenoon original: "pūrvāhṇa"; the first part of the day. If it pervades the forenoon on both days, the latter day is preferred. For the Vow to Ashvini original: "aśvī vrate", even if the lunar day lasts only for a Muhurta a unit of time equal to 48 minutes, the latter day is certainly to be taken.

This rule also applies to Yugadi Yugadi: the anniversary of the start of a cosmic age (Yuga). The Ages' Beginnings are as follows:

• The fifteenth day (New Moon) of Maagha
• The thirteenth day of Nabhasya another name for the month of Bhadrapada
• The third day of the bright fortnight of Madhava another name for the month of Vaishakha
• The ninth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwayuja another name for the month of Ashvin

These four are the Yugadi days, and they should be accepted when they occur in the forenoon. Even if the Yugadi day only prevails at sunrise, it is valid. However, according to the Smrityartha Sara, for the performance of Shraddha Shraddha: ritual offerings to deceased ancestors on Yugadi or Manvadi anniversaries of the start of a Manu's reign days during the bright fortnight, the day where the lunar day pervades the sunrise is chosen, whereas in the dark fortnight, the day where it pervades the afternoon original: "aparāhṇa" is to be accepted.

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If the lunar day pervades the relevant time on both days, the latter is chosen, according to Hemadri a 13th-century scholar and high official whose works are authoritative on ritual law. However, the author of the Nirnayamrita states that for the Vow of Shravana, the afternoon should be the deciding factor. This is currently the accepted view.

The festival of Parashurama Jayanti the birth anniversary of the sixth avatar of Vishnu should be observed when the lunar day pervades the Pradosha Pradosha: the period of twilight just after sunset. If it pervades that time on both days, or neither, then the latter day is chosen.

Similarly, Narasimha Jayanti the birth anniversary of the man-lion avatar of Vishnu occurs on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha. This also must be accepted when it pervades the Pradosha time.

Thus concludes the month of Vaishakha. Now begins the month of Jyeshtha.

Regarding the full moon of Jyeshtha Jyeshtha typically falls in May–June: for the Savitri Vrata Savitri Vrata: a vow observed by married women for the longevity of their husbands, the first day original: "pūrvā" should be accepted. If the lunar day pervades the necessary time on both days...