View source for Ashvin month

{{Short description|Seventh month of the Hindu calendar}}
{{redirect|Ashwin}}
{{Infobox month
| image       = The_Rangoli_of_Lights.jpg
| alt         =
| caption     = [[Diwali]], the major [[Hindu]] [[Diwali|festival of lights]] is celebrated during the month
| native_name = {{Native name|sa|अश्विन्}}
| calendar    = [[Hindu calendar]]
| num         = 7
| days        = 29 or 30
| season      = [[Sharada (season)|Sharada]] ([[autumn]])
| gregorian   = [[September]]–[[October]]
| holidays    = {{ubl |[[Diwali]]{{efn|name=Amanta|As per Amanta tradition, which is officially followed by the [[Indian national calendar]]. The Hindu calendar follows two various systems:Amanta and Purnimanta. As per the amānta tradition, the lunar month ends on the [[new moon]] day and as per the purnimānta tradition, it ends on the [[full moon day]]. As a consequence, in the amanta tradition, [[Shukla paksha]] ([[waning moon]]) precedes [[Krishna paksha]] ([[waxing moon]]) in every lunar month, whereas the reverse happens in purnimānta tradition. Hence, Shukla paksha will always belong to the same month in both traditions, whereas Krishna paksha will always be associated with different but succeeding months in each tradition.<ref>{{cite book|author=V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar|title=The Gupta Polity|publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]]|year=1993|isbn=978-81-208-1024-2|pages=24–35}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Amānta and Pūrṇimānta – Decoding Hindu Lunar Months |url=https://divinehindu.com/hinduism/amanta-and-purnimanta-decoding-hindu-lunar-months/|work=Divine Hindu |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lunar months – Pūrṇimānta and Amānta system |url=https://www.ekohumm.com/article/lunar-months-purnimanta-and-amanta-system|work=Ekohumm |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref>}} |[[Durga Puja]] |[[Kali Puja]]{{efn|name=Amanta}} |[[Karwa Chauth]]{{efn|name=Amanta}} |[[Navaratri]] |[[Sharad Purnima]] |[[Vijayadashami]]}}
| prev_month  = [[Bhadrapada]] / [[Bhadro]]
| next_month  = [[Kārtika (month)|Kartika]]
}}
{{Hinduism}}
'''Ashvin''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|'|ʃ|w|ɪ|n}}; {{langx|sa|अश्विन}}; <!--Do not use any Indic and South East Asian script for this introduction section without Sanskrit, because this Sanskrit based month name use almost 100+ South and Southeast Asian languages. So it's can create confusions--> [[Malay language|Malay]]/[[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]: ''Aswin''; [[Thai language|Thai]]: ''Asawin''), or '''Ashwin''', also known as '''Aswayuja''', is the seventh [[month]] of the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu]] [[lunar calendar]] and the [[Indian national calendar]].<ref>{{cite book|editor=Kenneth W. Morgan|title=The Religion Of The Hindus|year= 1987|publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]]|isbn=978-8-120-80387-9|page=96}}</ref> The name of the month is derived from the position of the [[Moon]] near the [[Ashvini]] [[nakshatra]] (star) on the [[full moon]] day.<ref name="Ety">{{cite book|title=Heavens and Earth: The Story of Astrology Through Ages and Cultures|author=Garima Garg|year=2022|isbn=978-9-354-92705-8|publisher=[[Penguin Random House]]|page=75}}</ref> The month corresponds to the [[autumn]] ([[Sharada (season)|Sharada]]) [[Ritu (Indian season)|season]] and falls in September&ndash;October of the [[Gregorian calendar]].<ref>{{cite book|editor=Helene Henderson|year=2005|title=Holidays, festivals, and celebrations of the world dictionary|edition=Third|location=[[Detroit]]|publisher=Omnigraphics|page=xxix|isbn=978-0-780-80982-6}}</ref>

In the Hindu [[solar calendar]], it corresponds to the month of [[Kanya]] and begins with the [[Sun]]'s entry into [[Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]].<ref name="Siddhantha">{{cite book|title=The Siddhantas and the Indian Calendar|author1=Robert Sewell|author2=John Faithful Fleet|year=1989|publisher=[[Asian Educational Services]]|page=334}}</ref> It corresponds to Ashshin, the sixth month in the [[Bengali calendar]].<ref name="Siddhantha"/> In the [[Tamil calendar]], it corresponds to the seventh month of [[Aipasi]], falling in the Gregorian months of October&ndash;November.<ref name="Siddhantha"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/tamil-calendar.html|title=Tamil Calendar – Months |work=Time and Date |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> In the [[Vaishnav]] calendar, it corresponds to the seventh month of Padmanabha.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/aboutcalendar.htm|title=Vaisnava Calendar Reminder Services – About Calendar |work=Vaisnava Calendar |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isvara.org/archive/on-the-calendar-by-srila-prabhupada/ |title=Something about the Vaisnava Calendar |work=ISVARA |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>

In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month has 29 or 30 days. The month begins on the next day after [[Amavasya]] ([[new moon]]) or [[Purnima]] ([[full moon]]) as per the [[Hindu calendar#Amānta and Purnimānta systems|amanta]] and [[Hindu calendar#Amānta and Purnimānta systems|purnimanta]] systems, respectively. A month consists of two cycles of 15 days each, [[Shukla Paksha]] ([[waning moon]]) and [[Krishna Paksha]] ([[waxing moon]]). Days in each cycle is labeled as a [[thithi]], with each thithi repeating twice in a month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iskconeducationalservices.org/HoH/practice/festivals/the-hindu-calendar/|title=Hindu calendar|work=[[ISKCON]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aryasamajhouston.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=125|title=Hindu calendar|work=[[Arya Samaj]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> In the Bengali calendar, it earlier consisted of 30 days before being [[Bengali calendars#2018 Revision|revised]] to 31 days in [[Bangladesh]] in October 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ashshin in 31 days in revised Bangla calendar |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/191106/ashshin-in-31-days-in-revised-bangla-calendar|work=Dhaka Tribune |date=22 October 2019 |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Govt revises Bangla calendar to match national days with West |url=https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/govt-revises-bangla-calendar-to-match-national-days-with-west-1571292255|work=[[The Financial Express (Bangladesh)|The Financial Express]] |date=17 October 2019 |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref> [[Diwali]], the [[Diwali|festival of lights]], and [[Navaratri]] are major Hindu festivals celebrated in the month.

==Etymology==
The name of the month is derived from [[Ashvini]], which is the first of the 27 [[nakshatra]]s (star). It is based on the position of the [[Moon]] near the star on the [[full moon]] day.<ref name="Ety"/> In [[Indian astrology]], it is the head of the [[constellation]] [[Aries (constellation)|Aries]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nakshatra Ashwini – Vedic Astrology |url=https://vedicfeed.com/ashwini-nakshatra/|work=Vedic Feed |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> In [[Hindu mythology]], [[Ashvins]] are [[divine twin]] horsemen, who are associated with healing and are considered the bringers of dawn.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ashvins – The Hindu Gods of Healing and Medicine |url=https://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/concepts/aswins.asp|work=HinduWebsite |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ashvins: Divine Twin Gods – Hindu Temple Talk |url=https://hindutempletalk.org/2024/08/25/ashvini-kumaras-hindu-twin-gods-of-medicine-dawn-and-healing/|work=Hindu Temple Talk |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref> In [[Thai language|Thai]], Aswin means a warrior or knight, and are described as representing the "blending of light and darkness" during twilight.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jah |first=J.C |title=The Hindu Festival of Divali in the Caribbean |publisher=Mona, Jamaica: Routledge |year=1976 |pages=53}}</ref>

==Festivals==
=== Diwali ===
[[Diwali]] is a five‑day [[Hindu]] [[Diwali|festival of lights]] marking the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil.<ref>{{cite web |title=Deepavali |url=https://www.itslife.in/festivals/deepavali|work=Its Life |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Mead |first=Jean |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJyZKOtHWg4C&dq=deepavali+hinduism&pg=PA5 |title=How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali? |date=February 2008 |publisher=Evans Brothers |isbn=978-0-237-53412-7 |access-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111150755/https://books.google.com/books?id=QJyZKOtHWg4C&dq=deepavali+hinduism&pg=PA5#v=onepage&q=deepavali%20hinduism&f=false |archive-date=11 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Vasudha Narayanan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rdTJJEQsDHoC&pg=PA31 |title=Celebrate Diwali |last2=Deborah Heiligman |publisher=National Geographic Society |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4263-0291-6 |page=31 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102023011/https://books.google.com/books?id=rdTJJEQsDHoC&pg=PA31 |archive-date=2 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dhanteras]] marks the first day of the festival and is celebrated on [[Trayodashi]] (thirteenth lunar day) of [[Krishna Paksha]] ([[waxing moon]]) of the month. It is dedicated to the worship of goddess [[Lakshmi]], lord [[Kubera]] and lord [[Dhanvantari]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Hope-Murray |first= Angela |date= 2013 |title= Ayurveda For Dummies |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DHfCCAAAQBAJ&q=dhanvantari&pg=PA10 |publisher= [[John Wiley & Sons]] |page= 10|isbn= 978-1-118-30670-3 }}</ref> [[Naraka Chaturdasi]] is celebrated on the next day ([[Chaturdashi]]) and commemorates the defeat of [[Narakasura]] by god [[Krishna]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=to_U9I6Ol9wC&q=narakasur+kali&pg=PA89 | title=Prataparudradeva, the Last Great Suryavamshi King of Orissa (A.D. 1497 to A.D. 1540) | publisher=Northern Book Centre | author=Ray, Dipti | year=2007 | pages=89 | isbn=978-8-172-11195-3 |access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref> [[Lakshmi Puja]] is celebrated on the [[Amavasya]] ([[new moon]], and marks the main night of festivities. It is dedicated to welcoming prosperity by worshipping Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. People light lamps ([[Diya (lamp)|diya]]s), burst [[Firecracker|crackers]], and do pujas.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |title=Happy Diwali: Deepavali, Kali Puja, Naraka Chaturdasi, Ramayana, The Legends Linked To Diwali |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/happy-diwali-deepavali-kali-puja-naraka-chaturdasi-ramayana-legends-linked-to-diwali-2120984|work=[[NDTV]] |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

The festivities and traditions vary across regions and commemorate other Hindu gods and goddesses.<ref>{{cite book|author=Suzanne Barchers |year=2013 |title=The Big Book of Holidays and Cultural Celebrations |publisher=Shell Education |isbn=978-1-4258-1048-1}}</ref> [[Kali Puja]] is celebrated in parts of India during the new moon day, and is dedicated to goddess [[Kali]].<ref name="NDTV"/> While primarily a Hindu festival, variations of Diwali are also celebrated by adherents of other faiths. For [[Jainism|Jains]], [[Diwali (Jainism)|own Diwali]] marks the final liberation of [[Mahavira]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sharma |first1=S.P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wPPr9HdmnHcC&q=diwali+mahavira+527&pg=PA79 |title=Fairs and Festivals of India |last2=Gupta |first2=Seema |publisher=Pustak Mahal |year=2006 |isbn=978-81-223-0951-5 |page=79 |access-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126200725/https://books.google.com/books?id=wPPr9HdmnHcC&q=diwali+mahavira+527&pg=PA79 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Upadhye |first=A.N. |date=Jan–Mar 1982 |editor-last=Cohen |editor-first=Richard J. |title=Mahavira and His Teachings |journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society |volume=102 |issue=1 |pages=231–232 |doi=10.2307/601199 |issn=0003-0279 |jstor=601199}}</ref> [[Sikhism|Sikh]]s celebrate [[Bandi Chhor Divas]] to mark the release of [[Guru Hargobind]] from [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] imprisonment.<ref>{{cite book |last=Geoff Teece |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kJO1WIABhPQC&pg=PA23 |title=Sikhism |publisher=Smart Apple Media |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-58340-469-0 |page=23 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102024403/https://books.google.com/books?id=kJO1WIABhPQC&pg=PA23 |archive-date=2 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Newar Buddhism|Newar Buddhists]] also celebrate Diwali.<ref>{{cite book |last=Todd T. Lewis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=whZ5kAPSwl8C&pg=PA118 |title=Popular Buddhist Texts from Nepal: Narratives and Rituals of Newar Buddhism |date=7 September 2000 |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-0-791-49243-7 |pages=118–119 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102030235/https://books.google.com/books?id=whZ5kAPSwl8C&pg=PA118 |archive-date=2 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Prem Saran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5-DfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA175 |title=Yoga, Bhoga and Ardhanariswara: Individuality, Wellbeing and Gender in Tantra |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-136-51648-1 |page=175 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102021020/https://books.google.com/books?id=5-DfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA175 |archive-date=2 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Navaratri ===
[[File:Durga puja in Dhakeshwari temple.jpg|thumb|[[Durga Puja]] is a major festival in [[Bengal region]]]]

[[Navaratri]] is a nine‑day festival dedicated to various [[Hindu]] goddesses.<ref name="Festival">{{cite book |editor=Caleb Simmons, Moumita Sen, Hillary P. Rodrigues |title=Nine Nights of the Goddess: The Navarātri Festival in South Asia |year=2018 |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-1-438-47069-6 |pages=1, 15, 30}}</ref> It starts from the [[Prathama]] (first lunar day) [[thithi]] after [[Amavasya]] ([[new moon]]), and ends on the [[Navami]] thithi on the ninth day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Navaratri – A Guide to Religious Observances |url=https://www.brandeis.edu/spiritual-life/resources/guide-to-observances/navaratri.html|work=Brandeis University – Center for Spiritual Life |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> The festival involves [[fasting]], special pujas, and various cultural activities.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Navaratri: A Deep Dive into Ancient Wisdom |journal=Ayudhasara |date=25 July 2025 |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=277‑282}}</ref>

Saraswati Puja or Ayutha Puja is celebrated on the ninth day of Navaratri. This day involves the worship of various tools, instruments, and books, and is dedicated to [[Saraswati]], the Hindu goddess of wisdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayudha Puja – History, Meaning and Significance |url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2021/10/15/ayudha-puja-history-meaning-and-significance-of-this-navratri-day/|work=Hinduism Today |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref> In households and institutions, materials and implements are cleaned and decorated, with special pujas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayudha Puja Rituals Explained |url=https://www.indianpanorama.in/festivals/ayudha-puja-explained.php|work=Indian Panorama |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref> [[Vijayadashami]] or [[Dussehra]] is celebrated on [[Dashami]] (tenth day) thithi, and marks the end of Navaratri festivities. It commemorates god [[Rama]]'s victory over [[Ravana]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Bhalla |first=Kartar Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WORYY5Vl0ygC&dq=dussehra&pg=PA15 |title=Let's Know Festivals of India |date=February 2005 |publisher=Star Publications |isbn=978-8-176-50165-1}}</ref>

[[Durga Puja]] is major festival in [[Eastern India]] and [[Bengal]] celebrated during the Navaratri period, and commemorates goddess [[Durga]]'s victory the [[asura]] [[Mahishasura]].<ref name="Festival"/> Pujas are performed in homes and public spaces at temporary structures known as ''[[pandal]]s'', along with religious recitations, cultural performances, feasting, and processions.<ref>{{cite book |first=James G |last=Lochtefeld |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch |url-access=registration |year=2002 |publisher=Rosen Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-823-93179-8|page=208}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/whose-goddess-is-it-anyway-119021201344_1.html |author=Arundhuti Dasgupta |title=Whose goddess is it, anyway? |work=[[Business Standard]] |date=12 February 2019|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

=== Karwa Chauth ===
[[Karwa Chauth]] is a one‑day fast observed by married Hindu women for the longevity and well‑being of their husbands. Women break the fast at night when the moon is sighted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Karwa Chauth – Married Women’s Fast for Spouse’s Longevity |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/hindu-married-women-celebrate-karwa-chauth-across-india-2025‑10‑10/|work=Reuters |date=10 October 2025 |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref> Rituals includes wearing traditional attires, communal gatherings, and offering prayers to the moon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/astro/religion-rituals/festivals-and-fasts/karwa-chauth-vrat-katha-in-hindi-karwa-chauth-ki-pauranik-kahani/articleshow/124408828.cms|work=Navbharat Times |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Sharad Poornima ===
[[Sharad Poornima]] is observed on the [[Purnima]] ([[full moon]] day) of the month of Ashvin. It marks the end of [[monsoon]] season. During the festival,  various Hindu gods are worshipped along with [[Chandra]], the moon deity, and are offered flowers and sweets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sharad Purnima – Celebration, Vrat and Divine Story |url=https://samarthgurudhara.org/festival-significance/sharad-purnima-celebration-vrat-and-divine-story/ |work=Samarthguru Dhara |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sharad Purnima Ki Katha: The Divine Moonlight Story |url=https://hindumirror.com/sharad-purnima-ki-katha/|work=Hindu Mirror |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar]]
* [[Hindu astrology]]
* [[Hindu calendar]]
* [[Indian astronomy]]
* [[Indian units of measurement]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Hinduism}}

{{Hindu calendar}}
{{Indian astronomy}}
{{Bengali calendar}}

[[Category:Months of the Hindu calendar|*07]]
[[Category:Months of the Bengali calendar]]