Dashamaa Vrat

Dashamaa’s Vrat in Leicester
Official name	Dashamaa Vrat
Also called	Dashamaa Na Naurta
Observed by	Hindus
Type	Religious, Cultural
Celebrations	First day, Goddess Dashamaa is installed in homes and devotee worship her for 10 days and then visharjan on the 10th day. Fasting, Garba and Puja also happens during Jagran.
Frequency	Annual

The Dashamaa Vrat is an 10 days Vrat (fast) dedicated to Goddess Dashamaa or Momai Maa. This vrat starts on Amavasya of Ashadha month and last for 10 days. This vrat can be observed by anyone and it is mainly observed in Gujarat and Diu but it is also observed by many Hindus in Leicester and Wembley.

Observance

On the amavasya of Ashadha, on the day of divaso, devotees installs sadhani which is made out of Kachi Mati (Raw Soil) in their homes or pandals along with a murti or a photo of Dashamaa, then devotee light up a ghee Diya which continues until the last day. Installation of Lord Ganesha next to the goddess is also considered as he is the god of removing obstacles and every puja start with the worship of Lord Ganesha. The devotees who observes this vrat wears a thread that has 10 knots on their right hand and also the tie another thread which also has 10 knots on a vessel which has water inside and shrifal (coconut) on top, they are also required to fast, do aarti and read the katha of Dashamaa everyday. Jagaran or Waking up until midnight is necessary for the devotee everyday and on the 10th day, waking up all night is also necessary and then the Sandhani is immersed in a water body which marks the end of the Vrat.