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Observing Chaturmas

This year, the Chaturmas period falls between July 18 and November 12, 2005. It is the four-month period, based on the Hindu lunar calendar, during which the subtle tamasik yama frequencies reach the earth in higher proportions.

Foods good (sattvik) to eat during Chaturmas

During Chaturmas one should eat rice, green gram (moong), sesame, peas, wheat, sea-salt, cow-milk, curd (yogurt), ghee (clarified butter), jackfruit, mango, and coconut.

These things are called as Havishaannya, meaning things fit for consumption (“havan”).

Foods to avoid (rajasik-tamasik) during Chaturmas

During Chaturmas one should avoid eating lemons/limes (idlimbu), red gram (masoor), meat,, the Citron fruit, white beans (pavte), kidney beans (chawli), pickles, brinjal (eggplant), watermelon, multi-seeded or seedless fruits, radish, ash gourd, berries, gooseberries, tamarind, onion, garlic, gelatin (limestone-like substance made from animal bones), and water kept in leather vessels.

Along with this, one should avoid sleeping on a bed/cot (instead one can sleep on the floor with some bedding), having intercourse with a woman without season and time (in a period excluding the sixteen nights after the first menses following marriage), and eating outside food (cooked by others).

[Reference: Holy Festivals, Religious Festivals and Vowed Religious Observances, compiled by H. H. Dr. Jayant B. Athavale and Dr. Mrs. Kunda Athavale, published by the Sanatan.]