Worshipping God after understanding the significance of the various festivals is Gyana-yagnya the sacrificial
worship of knowledge. The Maharishis who knew the inner meanings of these festivals have made these known to the world for the benefit of humanity.

The first month of the lunar year is Aswayuja. The stars Aswini and Bharani fall under this month, which
signifies the time when the Supreme Being alone existed. Consequently the first ten days of this month
are famous all through India as the festival of nine nights for the worship of Sri Sharada and Durga. The
worship of Sri Devi during these nine nights carries the interpretation that the principles of the creation
of the universe enter the womb of the Supreme Goddess or Parasakthi who carries them in her womb for nine
months.

The Month of Karthika includes the stars Krittika and Rohini which signify the creation of the universe and the greatness of the the Lord of the Universe. This month begins with the killing of the demon Narkasura, who symbolizes the quality of tamas, and then the world gets into the Hiranya Garbha (Golden womb) stage, wherein the entire universe glitters with luminosity. Hence this month contains the festivals of Vishnu Deepa and Siva Deepa (burning of lights in worship of Vishnu and Siva), and the worship of the Goddess of Wealth. As the greatness of Iswara and Iswari is prominent during this month, the Mondays during this month are of special importance.

The month of Margashira contains the star Mrigashira ruled by Mars and hence Mars (Kuja) finds
prominence hers. Mars is the Lord Subrahmanya. Hence the sixth day of this month is the festival of Subrahmanya.

The month of Chaithra is the period of exaltation of the Sun, and hence the ninth day is the festival
of Sri Rama Navami, corresponding to the day when the incarnation of Sri Rama took place in the solar
race.

The month of Ashadha signifies  the third part of Gaythri Manthra contains the principles for
the attainment of liberation. Important festivals occur during the period commencing from the New Moon
of Ashadha up to the full moon-in Bhadrapada (a Period of 45 days). On the New moon day in Ashadha, Unmarried girls worship pillars of light and offer coconuts, in order to get good husbands. The stars Purvashadha
and Uttarashadha carry with them the processes of meditation to secure the sound of Omkara and the
luminosity. In other words, they carry the processes of opening the doors of the treasure of knowledge.
Also Sri Kundalini Sakthi leaves her virgin state, enters womanhood and goes to join her Lord, the Supreme
Being. These are the prinicples underlying the worship that virgins perform on the New Moon day of Ashadha.

The month of Sravana that has the stars Sravana and Dhanishtha is profound. Sravana is associated
with the period of the moon. And it is in this month that Lord Krishna and Goddess Durga incarnate in
the lunar race for the sake of destroying the wicked. Varamahalakshmi (Goddess-consort of Vishnu, or the
Goddess of Wealth) is worshipped. Dhanishtha is associated with the period of Mars, who is the destroyer
of the qualities of Rajas and Tamas. Hence Tuesdays during Sravana month are auspicious.

The festivals Nag Panchami and Siriyala Shashti also are related to Mars. Saturday of this month are auspicious as well, for saturn who is the Lord of the constellations of Makara and Kumbha is helpful towards the destruction of Avidya or ignorance. The full moon day in Sravana is the festival of Upa Karma. The rituals of Upakarma include
the means for the destruction of all sins performed by body, by mouth, bymind, and for the attainment of the purity and fitness to reach the stage of Supreme Lord. All these priniciples are also contained in the significance of the stars Sravana and Dhanishtha.

The month of Bhadrapada has the stars Purvabhadra and Uttara bhadra stars are indicative of liberation during lifetime, or Jeevan mukthi, and liberation after death. Bhadra means ‘auspicious’ the third and fourth day of this
month are consecrated to the festivals of Gauri and Ganesha. These festivals are indicative of the clearance
of the actions of Rajas and Tamas. The fourteenth day of Bhadrapada is the festival of Sri Anantha
Padmanabha. This is the last festival. Thereafter the fortnight of destruction’ commences.
At the festival of Anantha Padmanabha, the devote begs of the Lord as follows:

O! Vasudeva! Lift me up from the ocean of Birth
and Death, and Grant me the kingdom of Liberation.

Excerpts from Sri Gayatri Jyotisha Shastra