Dashama Vrata

On the amavasya (new moon day) of the Hindu month of Ashadha, which is also known as Divaso (Diwaso). Devotees observe Dashama Vrata by installing a Sandhani^{[clarification needed]} made of raw soil in their home on a Bajot (prayer table). On top of the bajot, red cloth is layed out, the sandhani, made out of raw soil should be installed on the cloth. Devotees also install a murti (icon) or image of the goddess Dashama with an icon of the Hindu god Ganesha. On the bajot, a copper pot (kalash) is also placed with shriphal and mango tree leafs and it is worship with colored powders including abhil, gulal and kanku. This practice also includes taking Kautuka which has 10 knots and mixed with vermilion power, and it is placed on the kalash. Devotees who observe this vrata wear the 10 Kautuka (red-coloured thread) or sometimes 9 with 10th thread taking from their saree (for women) making it ten with 10 knots on their right hand on the first day and eat once a day (ek tanu). Daily, devotees perform puja (ritual worship), arti, reads the katha (legend) and then eats prasada (food offering). Devotees also participate in jagarana, a night vigil of prayer and worship.^[3] The vrata is observed for 10 days. On the last day, devotees observe the jagaran and around 4–5 AM, the murti is immersed into a water body like a river.^[4][5][6] The vrata is observed for 5 years. On the fifth year, the observer performs the ujavanu (the final completion ceremony), which typically includes inviting and feeding goranis (ritual female guests). As part of this concluding ritual, the observer is prescribed to make a Sandhani made out of silver and donate it to an auspicious Brahmin.^[7]

The dates of the vrata can vary as it is based on Gujarati Calendar of Vikram Samvat and observed on the amavasya of the Ashadha month. It is usually observed between July–August.