In the Kolába District, to sit in an open place on a moon-light night, is regarded as drinking the rays of the moon. [51] The elongated part of the orb of the moon pointing towards the north or the south is supposed to forebode scarcity or abundance, respectively. [52] It is a common belief that the moon should not be seen on the Ganesh Chaturthi day, i.e., the 4th day of the bright half of Bhádrapad. Looking at the moon continuously for a short time on every moon-light night is said to keep one's sight in good order. [53] If the Amávásya falls on Monday, Bráhman women of the Thána District walk round a Tulsi plant or a Pipal tree and make a vow to a Bráhman. [54] In the Kolába District a special ceremony is held in honour of minor goddesses on the 8th day of a month. The following things are avoided one on each of the fifteen tithis respectively:-- Kohala (pumpkin), dorli (Solanum indicum), salt, sesamum, sour things, oil, ávale (Emblic myrobalan), cocoanuts, bhopala (gourd), padval (snake-gourd), pávte (Dolichos Lablah), masur (Lens esculenta), brinjal, honey, gambling. [55] The people observe a fast on the 13th (Pradosha) and the 14th day (Shivarátra) of the dark half of every month. [56] On the 15th day of the bright half of Chaitra, a fair is held in honour of the guardian deity of a village, and hens, goats, etc., are offered as a sacrifice. [57] The following are days of special importance. Gudhi-pádva, i.e., the first day of the bright half of Chaitra:--This being the first day of the year, gudhis and toranas are hoisted in front of every house and are worshipped. [58] Bháu-bij:--On the 2nd day of the bright half of Kártik every sister waves round the face of her brother a lamp, and makes him a present. [59] The ceremony on the Bháu-bij day has come into vogue on account of Subhadra having given a very pleasant bath to her brother Krishna on that day. The Court of Yama is also said to be closed on that day, since he goes to his sister; and consequently persons who die on that day, however sinful they may be, are not supposed to go to Yamaloka, i.e., hell. [60] Akshya Tritiya:--On the third day of the bright half of Vaishákh cold water and winnowing fans are distributed as tokens for appeasing the Manes of ancestors. On this day is also celebrated the birth of the god Parashurám. [61] Ganesh Chaturthi:--On the 4th day of the bright half of Bhádrapad, an earthen image of Ganpati is worshipped and a great ceremony is held in his honour. [62] The fourth day of the bright half of every month is called Vináyaka-Chaturthi; while that of the dark half is called Sankasti-Chaturthi. On the Vináyaka-Chaturthi day, people fast the whole day and dine the next day; while on the Sankasti Chaturthi day, they fast during the day time and dine after moon-rise. [63] That Sankasti Chaturthi which falls on Tuesday is considered the best. [64]