Chaturdashi

The fourteenth lunar day (chaturdashi) is associated with Rudra. (The reason for this association is not stated.) Fasting and hearing about Rudra on chaturdashi frees one from all one’s sins.

Amavasya

Amavasya is the night of the new moon and is set aside for honouring the tanmatras. The tanmatras were born from Brahma’s body. They lived in the sky, meditated and survived on the juice of the soma herb. Brahma requested the tanmatras to take upon themselves the role of being ancestors (pitris) to all living beings. On amavasya tithi, people therefore make offerings of water, sesame seeds and sanctified grass to their dead ancestors. This ceremony is known as tarpana and it brings contentment and the attainment of desires.