Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/83

Rh grandest in Southern India. This feast takes place in the month of Krittika (November— December) when the constellation of that name is in conjunction with the moon, which occurs on the full-moon day of this month. What Shah-e-berat is to Muhammadans so is Krittika to the Hindus—a night of illuminations and lights. This feast is generally supposed to conclude a course of heavy rains that follow the North-East Monsoon. "After Krittika there is no rain" is the Tamil proverb—"Karttikatkkappuram malai illai." As in the Dipavali, there are special presents in the Krittika feast also to the newly married bride in the shape of cloths, vessels, orass or bronze lamps, and others.