What do mourners usually avoid during the mourning days?

celebrations, formal pūjā, new purchases, hair-cutting and rich food — the point is simplicity, not punishment.

During the aśauca period the family lives simply so that attention stays on the departed and on each other. Commonly avoided: weddings and celebrations, formal temple visits and pūjā at the home shrine (the deities are often covered), wearing new or bright clothes, cutting hair or nails (until the set day), shaving for those not doing muṇḍana, oil massage, cosmetics, and starting new ventures or buying property and vehicles.

Many families also sleep on the floor or a simple mat, the kartā eats once a day, and people avoid visiting others' homes for social reasons.

These are supports, not rules that bring harm if broken. Medicine, essential travel, children's needs and work duties are not “sins”. Keep what you can, simplify what you must, and let the priest guide anything unclear. Chanting God's name is never forbidden.

Source: Dharmasindhu; common family practice · Chanting God's name is always allowed

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