Chaturmasya (; Pali: Catumāsa), also rendered Chāturmāsa, is a holy period of four months, observed across major Indian religions during the annual monsoon season. The name comes directly from the Sanskrit words , which means "four", and , which means "month". It is a dedicated time for both monastics and lay householders to practice special vows, fasting, and spiritual discipline. The practice originally began with early wandering monks who stopped traveling during the heavy rains to avoid accidentally harming the rapid increase of plant and insect life. During the medieval period, this seasonal retreat became closely linked with wealthy trade guilds and town bankers who funded the housing and care of the stationary monks.
In Hinduism, the period tracks the four months from , when the deity Vishnu enters a spiritual sleep, until he wakes up on . Hindu householders observe these months by giving up favorite foods or keeping special fasting vows, while also celebrating major festivals like , , and . In Jainism, this mandatory stay is called and is strictly required for all monks and nuns to follow their primary vow of nonviolence. The Jain retreat features the reading of the scripture during the festival of and concludes with a formal ceremony for mutual forgiveness. Similarly, the Buddhist version of this retreat is called , which requires a fixed three-month stay that ends with the festival where the community donates new robes to the monks.
Etymology literally means "four months", derived from the Sanskrit (चतुर्), "four", and (मासः), "month".
History The practice of staying in one place during the rainy season began with early Indian religious movements, known as the Śramaṇa traditions. Before formal rules were written down, wandering monks stopped traveling during the monsoon because heavy rains made travel difficult and increased the risk of harming living creatures. Early texts indicate that followers of Pārśvanātha, the 23rd , observed these seasonal stops during the eighth and seventh centuries BCE. This custom developed due to the climate of the Ganges Basin, where the monsoon season caused a rapid increase in plant and insect life. Traveling during this time made it difficult for monks to follow their primary vow of nonviolence.
In the sixth century BCE, Mahavira formalized these traditional seasonal stops into a regular, mandatory rule for monks, called . Traditional accounts state that Mahavira regularized the schedule of the retreat to manage the conduct and safety of his followers. Records indicate that Mahavira spent his 42nd and final rainy season retreat in Pawapuri. The end of this final retreat coincided with his death and liberation, an event celebrated during Diwali. The conclusion of his final retreat was observed by the rulers of the local Malla and Licchavi regions.
The rules for the monsoon retreat were codified in the fourth century BCE by Bhadrabahu in the . This text is part of the class, which deals with monastic discipline and corrections for misconduct. The specific section for the rainy season, called the , contains daily rules for monks regarding how far they can travel, their fasting schedules, and how they should interact with laypeople. These rules were passed down orally by generations of monks before being permanently recorded. The text also outlines specific emergencies, such as floods or famines, when a monk is allowed to temporarily leave their seasonal residence.
The spoken rules were collected and written down permanently during the Council of Valabhi in the mid-fifth century CE. Led by a senior monk named Devardhigani Kshamashraman, the council recorded the traditions of the rainy season retreat on palm leaves. This meeting permanently fixed the timeline of within the scriptures. In later centuries, these written rules became a frequent subject for illustrated manuscripts. From the fifteenth century onward, wealthy families frequently commissioned decorated copies of the , which were read out loud to the public during the annual retreat.
During the medieval period, the practice of became closely linked with the business activities of community leaders in Western and Central India. Trade guilds, called , and city bankers, known as , took responsibility for organizing and paying for the housing of monks during the monsoon. These business leaders regularly invited specific groups of monks to spend the season in their cities. Because the monks stayed in one town for four months, they often helped settle local commercial disputes. This seasonal relationship led to increased donations from merchants to fund local public projects and temple construction.
Duration and Timing The timing and total length of the rainy season retreat depend directly on when the monsoon rains arrive in India. While the name of the period literally means four months, different religious traditions change the exact start dates and lengths of stay to match their own rules.
In Jainism, this seasonal stay is called and is a strict rule for all monks and nuns. Normally, Jain ascetics must keep moving and cannot stay in one town for long. Their standard rules limit stays to a maximum of 29 nights for male monks and 59 nights for female nuns so they do not form local attachments. This traveling lifestyle stops completely for four months during the rainy season. Monks stay in one place to avoid accidentally stepping on or killing the huge number of insects and small bugs that appear in the wet weather. These specific daily rules and fasting schedules for the rainy season were written down in the 4th century BCE by Bhadrabahu in the . The Jain retreat starts during the lunar month of (June–July) and ends in the autumn month of (October–November), allowing the monks to start traveling again.
In Hinduism, the standard calendar tracks the four months from the eleventh bright lunar day of () until it finishes on . However, Hindu (wandering ascetics) follow a shorter calendar that limits their stay to exactly four fortnights instead of four full months. This shorter ascetic stay begins on the full moon of () and ends on the full moon of . Similarly, the Buddhist version of this retreat is called , which requires a fixed three-month stay for monks. This Buddhist retreat starts right after the full moon of and ends with a month-long festival called , where laypeople give new robes to the monks.
Observances and Festivals During , the most important period for Jains is a mid-season festival focused on fasting and spiritual reflection. Jains observe this retreat for eight days as , during which monks read the scripture aloud to the public. Jains observe a ten-day period called immediately afterward, which focuses on ten specific spiritual virtues. Both traditions conclude these holy days with a major ceremony centered on asking for mutual forgiveness from all living creatures. Throughout the entire four months, lay householders also follow strict dietary rules, such as avoiding root vegetables and green vegetables, to prevent harming small life forms.
In Hinduism, the period is filled with several major religious festivals and special fasting vows known as . The season traditionally opens with , a day dedicated to honoring spiritual teachers and mentors. During these months, devotees celebrate the birthdays of important deities, including Krishna and . The period also includes the multi-day festival of before the entire seasonal observance concludes around Diwali. Many Hindu householders choose to give up their favorite foods or limit themselves to one meal a day during this time to gain spiritual merit.
For Buddhists, the rainy season retreat features internal monastic rituals alongside community celebrations. At the end of the three-month retreat, monks perform the ritual to ask one another for forgiveness for any mistakes made during their stay. This leads directly into the festival, where laypeople gather at monasteries to give new robes and essential supplies to the monks. This act of giving strengthens the economic and spiritual bond between the local community and the stationary monastics.
Hinduism
Literature Chaturmasya begins on the eleventh day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha or Devashayani Ekadashi. This is celebrated as the day that the deity Vishnu enters a yogic sleep (yoga nidra) on his serpent, Shesha, for a period of four months and wakes up on Prabodhini Ekadashi. This is associated with the story of King Bali and Vishnu's incarnation as Vamana. Bali, the king of demons, had seized power from the Indra (the king of the gods) and was ruling over the entire universe. The gods sought shelter from Vishnu to regain their power. Vishnu incarnated as Vamana, a dwarf, and asked Bali for three steps of land. As soon as Bali obliged, Vamana assumed a gigantic form. With his first step, he covered the entire earth, and with his second step he covered the mid-world. Since there was no place for his third step, Bali suggested that Vamana place it on his head. Vamana was pleased with him and granted him a boon, and with his third step, sent Bali to Patala (netherworld). According to the boon, Bali requested Vamana or Vishnu to live with him in Patala. Vishnu obliged which worried all of the deities, including the goddess Lakshmi (Vishnu's consort). Lakshmi then devised a plan which only allowed Vishnu to live with Bali for a certain duration. This duration is also known as Chaturmasya or the period that Vishnu "sleeps" while visiting King Bali.
Followers of the Shaivism sect recall the story of the churning of the ocean of milk. The story is recalls how Shiva saved creation by drinking poison called "halahala" which emerged from the ocean while it was being churned by the asuras (demons) and devas (demigods). The poison was held at his throat to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the body, thus turning it blue.
Observances
Performing lifecycle rites such as weddings is considered inauspicious during chaturmasya. Instead it is seen as a suitable time for householders to have an annual renewal of faith by listening to discourses on dharma, and by meditation and vrata (self-control). Penance, austerities, religious observances, recital of mantras, bathing in holy rivers, performing sacrifices, and charity are prescribed. Fasts and purity during this period help maintain health, for which there is likely a scientific rationale, disease spreading more readily with the onset of monsoon. A number of Hindus, particularly those following the Vaishnava tradition, refrain from eating meals that are oily, salty, sweet or that contain onion or garlic, and eggplant during this period. The sanyasis or ascetics observe Chaturmasya for four fortnights, beginning on full moon day of the month of Ashadha, also known as Guru Purnima or Vyas Purnima, and ending on full moon day of the month of Bhadrapada.Sampurna Chaturmas in Marathi Sanyasis are supposed to halt at one place during this period.
Celebrations Major celebrations within this period include: Guru Purnima Krishna Janmashtami Onam Raksha Bandhan Ganesh Chaturthi Navaratri (Dasahra – Durga Puja – Vijayadashami) Diwali Champa Shashthi (Margashirsha bright 6th ) - Per custom in Maharashtra, Chaturmasya ends on this day.
Jainism