Ans. The fasts, the full moon nights, the new moon nights, or the first day of a month of Bikrami calendar have no place of any significance in Sikhism.
The fasts, prevalent in the Hindu society, are all associated with a god or a goddess. These gods and goddesses themselves are trapped in attachment of Maaya and are not considered of any significance in Sikhism.
Gurbani enjoins:
ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਕੋਉ ਹੋਰੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਕੋ ਨਾਹੀ ਵਿਣੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਰਣਾਇ॥
(SGGS, P. 558.)
“The mind is not controlled by any discipline other than seeking refuge of the holy preceptor”.
The new moon and full moon nights are related to the moon (a god considered by Hindus). But a Sikh daily recites Jaap Sahib where the words of the tenth Master.
“Namo Chandra Chandre”,
(I bow to the Almighty God who is the moon of moons), enjoin us to bow only to one God.The first day of a month (Sangraand) is related to the Sun (also a god for Hindus). When the sun goes from one ‘raashi’ (zodiac sign) to another that time is considered auspicious, and is worshipped. A Sikh, on the contrary, is the worshipper of Fearless, one God, and all these so-called gods like stars, moon and sun are under His fear. It is enigmatic that a worshipper of ‘Nirbhau’ (fearless God) is afraid of these gods and goddesses who themselves are under His fear (control).
ਭੈ ਤੇ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਡਰਤਾ ਫਿਰੈ॥
(SGGS, P. 900)
Bhagat Kabir has very clearly said so in Gurbani:
ਜਉ ਡਰ ਡਰੈ ਤਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਡਰੁ ਲਾਗੈ ॥
ਨਿਡਰ ਹੂਆ ਡਰੁ ਉਰ ਹੋਇ ਭਾਗੈ॥
(SGGS, P. 341)
“As long as one has fear in ones mind, one is afraid. As soon as one casts off this fear, one becomes fearless”.