September 17 marked the commencement of a fasting period for all Hindus.
Purtassi
Purtassi is observed by Tamil and Telegu speaking South Indians.
Homage is paid to Lord Vishnu (the preserver) who is invoked as Perumal, Govinda, Venketeswara, Narayana, Srinivasa, and Balaji etc. It is believed that during Purtassi, He comes to earth to guide people out of their misery.

Devotees observing Purtassi, perform a month long fast beginning on September 17 and ending on October 17. During this time, devotees eat only vegetarian foods and abstain from all pleasurable activity.

Although devotees observe an entire month of fasting, prayers are performed each Saturday during that month. The reason prayers are performed on the Saturday’s during Purtassi, is that Saturday is believed to be free from the influence of planet Saturn.

On the Saturday, devotees observe a dry/saltless fast (if manageable). Prayers are observed in the afternoon so that the fast can be broken at sundown. Lots of preparation goes into the prayer. A drawing of the namam is placed on the forehead. The prayer begins outside the house/temple, first to the sun then to Lord Ganesha to remove all obstacles and then to Lord Perumal. Camphor is lit as devotees enter the house/temple, while shouting ‘’Goinda Govinda ‘’. This is done to lead Lord Venkateswara into our home and into our life to brighten it and remove all impurities. Inside the house, various dishes are prepared which include Maviluku (lamp made with rice flour), Vades, Golgoolas, Sweet Rice, Chick Peas, Sweet meats etc. These items are offered whole heartedly to Shri Venkateswara. Hymns are sung during the prayer. It is believed that those who worship Shri Venkateswara will be freed from their sins and blessed with an abundance of happiness, joy and spiritual wealth.

Pithra Paksh
Pithra Paksh is observed by Hindi speaking North Indians.

Homage is paid to the souls of ancestors and departed ones for a period of 15 days. Donations of uncooked food grains and items of clothing are made during this time to one’s ancestors and departed ones to gratify their souls.
Devotees observing Pithra Paksh eat only vegetarian foods and abstain from all pleasurable activity. It is also believed that this is not a good time for new beginnings and ventures.

As per astrologers, getting married, celebrating the birth of a new born, settling down in a new home, starting a new business and other such important events should be postponed or advanced so as to not to fall under the period of Pithra Paksh.It is believed that it is during this 15 days period that one’s ancestors and departed ones come down to earth to bless their kin. Tarpan and Shraddha are performed in order to please them. Performing these rituals is also important because it helps one’s the souls to reach moksha or freedom.
Tarpan is the ritual of offering water with sesame seeds to the souls of the departed. After taking a bath , a ring made of kush grass is worn, and the water together with sesame seeds and sometimes flower petals is offered with both hands to the ancestors. The kush grass is symbolic of benevolence and is used to invoke the ancestors. Shradda is the ritual of offering food that is specially prepared in memory of one’s ancestors. The food is placed outside and a crow, which is considered the messenger of Yama ,eating the food, is considered an auspicious sign.
According to Hindu mythology, the tradition of offering Shraddha (food donations) during Pithra Paksh is attributed to Karna, who was a charitable person and had donated gold and other precious things throughout his life to help the needy and downtrodden.

When he died, his soul went to heaven, where he was given gold and jewels to eat. Bemused, he went to Indra, the Lord of the Heavens, to know the reason for this. Indra told him that despite donating many things, particularly gold during his life, he had never donated any food to his ancestors. Karna reasoned that since he wasn’t aware of his ancestors, he never donated anything. So Indra, allowed Karna to go back to earth for 15 days, to do Shraddha and seek redemption.
Following the last day of Pithra Paksh, North Indians commence the 10-day long fast for Navarathri. During these 10 days, homage is paid to the Mother Goddess in her forms as Durga, Laxmi and Saraswathi.
The Dundee Hindu Temple wishes all Hindus, North and South Indian, a blessed and fruitful fasting period.