Note 60 — Chapter II · HEROIC GODLINGS

The temple of Swāmi-Nārāyan at Charadwa contains the images of Shrikrishna, Baldev, Rādhā, Rāma, Lakshman and Sītā. The ceremony of ārati is performed before the images five times every day. The first is called mangalārati or the auspicious ārati and is performed early in the morning. The second is Shangār (Shringār) ārati, when night garments are taken off the images and new ones are put on for the day. The third Rājbhog ārati, takes place at the time when dainties and cooked food are offered to the gods. The Sandhyā ārati follows the offering of milk, sugar and cakes to the gods in the evening. The last, Pidhān ārati, is performed at night, when night garments are substituted for the rich dresses of the day. There are five occasions during the year when a fair is held at this place: (1) the Annakūt fair on the first day of Kārtik; (2) Vasantapanchamī fair, on the fifth day of the bright half of Māgh; (3) Hutāshani or Holi fair, on the 15th day of the bright half of Phālgun; (4) Rāmanavamī fair, on the 9th day of the bright half of Chaitra, (5) Janmāshtamī fair on the 8th day of the dark half of Shrāvan.60