In this month the sun moves into Mesha rasi (Aries), and the new
year begins according to many calanders.
Keshava Vrata starts; for one month one should control the senses,
sleep on the earth, bath twice daily in a river, worship the Lord
and give cloth, sugar, sesame, rice, and gold to the brahmanas. If
one worships Madhsudana in this month one gains the benefits of one
years worship.
While Keshava Vrata lasts one may hang a pot with a hole in it,
fill it with water and drip water over Tulasi and a Shalagrama
Shila.
As it is getting hot by this time of the year in the northern
hemisphere it is pleasing for the Shaligram to receive cool waters
dripped upon Him. How to do this? Suspend a waterpot that has a
small hole in it over Tulasi and over the Shaligram and allow to
drip, some places they make a frame to facilitate this some will
suspend the pot by a string or chain from the ceiling.
For Tulasi this is especially done in the now hot northern
hemisphere when water becomes a vital asset for the growth of
Tulasi Devi. In the southern hemisphere be careful not to overwater
as we come out of Summer and into Autumn.
