Chaturmasa- being mindful
Chaturmasa is a period of four consecutive months in a year when Lord Vishnu is believed to go into yoga nidra. It is also believed that this is a period for self reflection and spiritual progress. It is observed primarily by observing some food restrictions though there are other rituals also. Out of the many types of vrats that are followed, the one I followed is quite commonly followed. In the first month starting from ashada Shukla dwadashi, shakha vrata is followed, which means that fruits and vegetables are restricted for one entire month. It may sound easy to avoid vegetables, thinking that you can just do away with dal and roti or rice, it's not so easy. Vegetables include chili, lemon, tomato, tamarind and the like. So basically, you are left to savour only two of the primary tastes- sweet and salt. No spices, no sourness, no bitter. When you actually come to practice it for one month, it gets difficult. The second month is dadhi vrata where in you just have to avoi...