Traders revive custom – Day Off as per the Gujarati Hindu calendar

Traders, shop owners and businessmen in North Gujarat’s Gabat village have unanimously started a new initiative to observe a day of rest on 11th day of Hindu Gujarati calender month. On Tuesday, all bazars were closed in Gabat as it was the 11th day of Hindu Gujarati month.

Observing a day of rest(holiday) as per the Hindu Gujarati calendar is age-old custom that nearly vanished during the British period.

The Britishers brought to India a Christian custom of observing Sunday as a holiday. Christians say Sunday a Holiday because this is the day they go to the church, pray and do holy activities according to their religion.

There are still some villages left in Gujarat where commercial activities do halt on 8th and 14th day of Gujarati month. Saurashtra’s Sayla is one them. All construction activities halt in entire state on no-moon-day.