Chaturmasya 2023

Sannyasis are typically expected to travel all over the country preaching, however during India's four-month rainy season, from July to October, they do not travel but instead take shelter in one place and remain there without moving. The sannyasi's non-movement is known as Chaturmasya

vrata. The local populace benefits from the sannyasi's presence to grow spiritually while he remains in one place for these four months.

Saintly people who often travel from one place to another to spread Krishna consciousness stay in one place during these four months; this place is typically a sacred pilgrimage site. There are some rules and regulations that are closely adhered to during this time.

The Skanda Purana states that at this time, if someone circumambulates the temple of Vishnu at least four times, it is understood that he has travelled all over the universe. By performing such a circumambulation, one is said to have visited all the sacred places where the Ganges river flows, and by adhering to Chaturmasya's regulative principles, one might quickly ascend to the platform

of devotional service.

“The Chaturmasya period begins in the month of Ashadha (June-July) from the day of Ekadashi called Shayan-ekadashi, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kartik (October-November) on the Ekadashi day known as Utthana-ekadashi, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This four-month period is known as Chaturmasya. Some Vaishnavas also

observe it from the full-moon day of Ashadha until the full-moon day of Kartik. That is also a period of four months. This period, calculated by the lunar months, is called Chaturmasya, but others also observe Chaturmasya according to the solar month from Shravan to Kartik. The whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place during the rainy season. Chaturmasya should be

observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grihasthi or a sannyasi. The observance is obligatory for all ashrams. The real purpose behind the vow taken during these four months is to minimize the quantity of sense gratification. This is not very difficult. In the month of Shravan one should not eat spinach, in the month of Bhadra one should

not eat yogurt, and in the month of Ashvina one should not drink milk. One should not eat fish or other nonvegetarian food during the month of Kartika. A nonvegetarian diet means fish and meat. Similarly, masura dal and urad dal are also considered nonvegetarian. These two dals contain a great amount of protein, and food rich in protein is considered nonvegetarian. On the whole,

during the four-month period of Chaturmasya one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment.”

*Chaturmasya Vrata is not observed during Adhika Masa ie. From 18th July to 16th August