The Extraction of Determinations for Lunar Days

...should be performed.

The Month of Bhadrapada

Thus ends the month of Shravana the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, usually coinciding with July-August.

Now begins the month of Bhadrapada the sixth month, usually August-September.

On the third day of the bright half of Bhadrapada, the Haritalika Vrata a significant ritual fast observed by women in honor of the goddess Parvati is observed. Even if the lunar day lasts for only a single Muhurta a traditional unit of time lasting approximately 48 minutes on the second day, the later day must be chosen over the earlier one, according to the scholar Madhava Madhava Acharya, a 14th-century authority on Vedic and ritual law.

The fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada is known as Varada meaning "the Giver of Boons". This day should be observed when the lunar day pervades Midday. Midday is defined as the period of two Ghatikas a traditional unit of 24 minutes starting from the seventh portion of the day-and-night cycle. If this condition is met on both possible days, the earlier day is chosen; otherwise, the later day is taken, according to Madhava. This same rule should be understood for the Siddhivinayaka Vrata popularly known as Ganesha Chaturthi, the festival celebrating the birth of Ganesha.

The fifth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada is Rishi Panchami a day dedicated to honoring the Saptarishis, the seven great sages.

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...if it pervades Midday on both days, the later day should be chosen according to Madhava. However, if it occurs on both days, Hemadri a prominent 13th-century scholar of ritual law argues for the later day. If the period pervades midday on both days, or fails to pervade it on either, then the earlier day is preferred according to Madhava.

Because the ritual code ordains worship at the rising of the Star original: "Riksha"; here referring to the rising of the star Arundhati associated with the Sages, the text Rama-kautuka a specialized treatise on ritual timing and astrology states that the day joined with the eligibility of women who have reached menstruation should be chosen.

On the seventh day of the bright half of Bhadrapada, the Muktabharana Vrata literally the "Pearl-Ornament Ritual," a specific vow of worship is observed. It should be taken on the earlier day if it is joined with the previous day, based on the traditional saying regarding the "six and zero" a technical mnemonic used to calculate the overlap of lunar days.

The eighth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada is known as Durva Durvashtami, a day dedicated to the sacred Durva grass, symbolizing longevity and rebirth. This day should definitely be observed on the earlier day. This same day is also used for the worship of the goddess Jyeshtha associated with the star Antares and representing elder energy or seniority based on the specific alignment with the Jyeshtha constellation.