One of the most important religious practices observed by the Tamil community, is fasting during the month of Puratassi, which commenced on Wednesday, September 17 and will end on October 17. The month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Narayana, Venketeshwara, Perumalswami, Strinivasa and Balaji. Devotees consider this month as one of thanks to Lord Vishnu for preserving the universe. The fast is an abstinence of eating meat, smoking, consuming alcohol and restrictions of certain pleasures. In addition, various prayers are held to compliment these sacrifices, such as reciting Mantras in praise of Lord Vishnu. Saturdays are most auspicious days during this month. A strict Viradham (dry fast) is observed, up to the observation of the prayer, with a variety of vegetarian cooked meals and various delicacies, such as Vadhai, Payasam and Kadalai, offered to Lord Vishnu, prior to the breaking of the fast.
The festival of Navaratri will be observed from Monday, September 22, until Wednesday, October 1, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) to be celebrated on Thursday, October 2. This notable Hindu festival lasts nine nights and ten days and marks the triumph of good over evil, by honoring the divine feminine, particularly Goddess Durga. The festival involves fasting and prayer, with non-vegetarian food, alcohol and tobacco, prohibited. Each night, a different incarnation of Goddess Durga is worshipped, with the main celebration culminating in Dussehra or Vijayadashami.