Surya Sashti

Surya Sashti

October-November; sixth day of the waxing half of the Hindu month of KartikaThe observance of Surya Sashti includes a three-day fast for married Hindu women with children. They must abstain even from drinking water, and yet they must make offerings of food and water as they worship Surya, the sun god, and keep an all-night vigil.
On the following day, women bathe before sunrise, worship the rising sun, and break their fast. Brahmans, who are members of the highest Hindu class, are fed and given gifts on this day. Hindu women believe that by keeping the fast and observing the festival's other rules, they will be guaranteed good health, longevity, and the happiness of their children and husbands.
SOURCES:
DictHindu-1977, p. 291
RelHolCal-2004, p. 178