Month 7September – October
Ashvin
आश्विन
Presiding Mantra
ॐ पद्मनाभाय नमः
Om Padmanabhaya Namah
Ritu (Season)
Autumn
शरद ऋतु (Sharad)
Presiding Aditya
Tvashta Aditya
Deity
Padmanabha
Gregorian
September – October
Significance
Sharad Purnima — moonlight believed to confer healing, Lakshmi visits awake households. Vijayadashami marks Rama's victory over Ravana.
Major Festivals
Sharad Navratri, Dussehra (Vijayadashami), Sharad Purnima, Karwa Chauth (Krishna Chaturthi)
Major Vrata
Sharad Navratri (9-day Devi worship, Shukla Pratipada–Navami), Karwa Chauth (Krishna Chaturthi — wives fast for husband's long life)
Ritual Character
Devi's prime month. Durga's 9-day battle against Mahishasura culminating in Vijayadashami. Most-celebrated Navratri.