Note 78 — Chapter I · NATURE POWERS.

On the 15th day of the bright half of Ashvin, people keep themselves awake the whole night and amuse themselves in a variety of ways. On the 15th day of the bright half of Kártika houses are illuminated. This day is called Tripuri-Paurnima. On this night people illuminate with earthen lamps all temples in the village, but particularly the temple of Shiva. This is done in commemoration of the triumph of the god Shiva over the demon Tripurásura. The full-moon day of the month of Mágha is called Chudi Paurṇima. On this night people light chudies torches and with them slightly burn certain flowers, trees and plants. The full-moon day of the month of Fálguna is called the Holi or Holi-Paurnima and is the biggest holiday of the lower class Hindus. On this night the Hindus kindle the Holi-fire and worship it.78 On the 15th day of the bright half of Ashvin people eat grain of the new harvest. On the full-moon day of Shrávan they perform the Shrávani ceremony and give a lamp in charity. On the full-moon day of the month of Chaitra, Vaishakha and Márgashirsha, the births of Máruti, Narasimha and Dattátraya respectively are celebrated.79 The Kunbis of the Ratnágiri District believe that on the 15th or full-moon day of Pausha, the Hindu gods go out hunting and that they return from their hunting expedition on the full-moon day of the month of Mágha. During this period the Kunbis abstain from worshipping their gods.80