August 2021 Hindu Festival Calendar: Auspicious Dates
By: Future Point | 03-Aug-2021
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The month of August has several auspicious days and festivals as per traditional Hindu calendar, and hence, people will have various reasons to celebrate in this auspicious month. The month of August is also called the Hindu months of Shravan and Bhadrapada. Read on to know the aproaching dates in August 2021.
Aadi Perukku - August 2
Aadi Perukku, also known as Pathinettam Perukku, is an auspicious festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi (mid-July to mid-August). Aadi depicts the Tamil month, and Perukku means to multiply/increase. It is also known as Pathinettam Perukku as it is observed on the 18th day of the Aadi month. ‘Pathinettu’ in Tamil means eighteen.
Astrological significance of Aadi Perukku
The month of Aadi has traditionally been dedicated to the religious practices meant for Goddess Shakti (Mother Nature). The goddess is related to water forces and natural forces. Prayers and Poojas are offered to propitiate the powerful goddesses in order to seek the protection against inauspicious aspects usually associated with the month.
The raising water levels during this month provide an opportunity for sowing and planting. This festival is observed to show respect and gratitude to Mother Nature, rivers, and other water bodies. This festival is celebrated with reverence on the banks of river Cauvery and other prominenet rivers of Tamil Nadu.
Rituals
Womenfolk take a holy dip in the river and wear new clothes on this day and do pooja on the banks of the river. Aadi Perukku Pooja involves water rituals that include floating the special lamps in the river.
Since the festival has deep connections with prosperity, people worship several Gods and deities. People also perform Poojas and homas (fire prayers) for Godess Lakshmi, as the occasion symbolizes fertility and prosperity.
Village people sprout or germinate the nine grains or the ‘navadhanyam’ in a mud pot. This is known as Mulaipari and is a very important ritual, which is celebrated with reverence in almost every village.
Women in the villages carry earthen pots with sprouted grains on their heads and walk in a procession towards the water body where the grains are dissolved towards the end of the celebrations.
The village goddess is adorned with ornaments, and she is also taken in procession. They believe that the prayers will appease the Goddess of rain and fertility and will bless the people and the village with a rich harvest.
Kamika Ekadashi - August 4
Kamika Ekadashi (Ekadashi/eleventh day of the Shravan, Krishna Paksha/waning phase of the Moon) is one of the most important Ekadashis and the day has been dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the devotees may get rid of the Pitru Dosha by offering prayers and holy Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu on this auspicious day. They also keep fasts to attain moksha in this life time on this day.
Astrological significance
As per ancient texts, worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day eliminates misfortunes and brings prosperity to your life. Your miseries are erased as a result of fasting and worshipping Lord Vishnu. There is a mention of both bathing and charity on the day of Kamika Ekadashi. It is stated that the results gained out of the Kamika Ekadashi fast are just equivalent to Ashwamedha Yagya. If the worshipppers adorn the deity Vishnu, as per the texts, they also bear the fruits of worshipping Gandharvas and Nagas.
Rituals
The worshippers rise early in the morning on this auspicious day, they take a bath, perform puja, and offer Lord Vishnu yellow garments, incense sticks, sandalwood paste, tulsi leaves, and flowers. A special bhog is also presented to appease Lord Vishnu and devotees chant different mantras of Lord Vishnu and Satyanarayan Katha is also performed. They break their fast the next day.
During the Mahabharat, Lord Krishna taught Yudhishthir about the importance of Kamika Ekadashi, he said that anybody who prays to Lord Vishnu with a sincere heart on this day gets free of sins.
Pradosh Vrat- August 5 and August 25
Pradosh Vrat is a day dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees observe a day-long fast on the Trayodashi Tithi (thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight) and ay reverence to Lord Shiva during Pradosh Kaal (one-and-a-half hours before and one-and-a-half hours after sunset). Pradosh Vrat comes twice in every month and falls on the 13th Day or Trayodashi date of every month.
Astrological significance
Pradosh Vrat is considered auspicious to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. On Pradosh Tithi, if you worship Lord Shiva as per the religious customs, Bholenath will accomplish all your wishes.
Rituals
The day should begin with cleaning of the worship area after taking bath. Further, you must observe fast during the day and meditate. Sit in the northeast corner and offer Ganga Jal, red & yellow flowers, Akshata/rice, Dhatura, Sandalwood, cow’s milk, hemp, fruits, and incense on shivalinga.
After this read Shiva Chalisa and chant Om Namah Shivaya. After worshiping and aarti of Lord Shiva, distribute prasad to everyone. Break the fast only after bathing the next morning. Whosoever observes the fast get rid of their sin and bad karmas of past life.
Sawan Shivratri - August 6
Devotees will celebrate the Shravan Shivratri on August 6. The month of Sharavan according to the Hindu calendar is considered to be a significant and auspicious day for astrological reasons. In this month, sun enters the sunsign Leo. Legends narrate that on this day Lord Shiva remarried Goddess Parvati after she observed strict penance on the moonless nights for Lord Shiva.
Hence, following the folklore, unmarried girls are advised to observe fast on all Mondays of sawan to get a good husband. Shravan Shivratri is observed as the union of Shiva and Shakti. People called ‘Kawariya’ carry the holy water of Ganges to various Shiva temples and perform the Rudrabhishek a secial puja on this day.
Hariyali Teej - August 11
Hariyali Teej, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, it is a celebration of the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva acepted Goddess Parvati as his wife this day and that is why Goddess Parvati is also called as ‘Teej Mata.' However the festival is observed in various parts of the country but it is sspecifically observed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Bihar and Jharkhand. Married women dressed in their best fineries, observe a day-long fast for the well being of their husband.
Hariyali Teej 2021 Tithi timings:
Sunrise 11 August, 2021 06:05 AM.
Sunset 11 August, 2021 06:58 PM.
Tritiya Tithi Starts 10 August 2021 06:06 PM.
Tritiya Tithi Ends 11 August 2021 04:54 PM.
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Nag Panchami - August 13
Nag Panchami which falls on the fifth day of Shravan, Shukla Paksha/waxing phase of the Moon is one of the important festivals of Hindus. They observe the festivities to seek the blessings of the God of serpents. Snakes are believed to be powerful as they are associated with Lord Shiva. The festival is considered very important in Vedic astrology as natives with Kal Sarpa Dosha (which brings ill fate and sufferings to the native), are advised to perform special rituals to appease the Serpent God on Nag Panchami.
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There are many legends that have been associated with the festival and have mention in ‘Agni Purana', ‘Skanda Purana', ‘Narada Purana', and Mahabharata. On Nag Panchami, the Serpent images or idols are first bathed with water and milk and then offerings are made to the Serpent God.
Women offer milk, sweets, flowers, and ghee filled lamps to snakes, usually owned by the snake charmers, in the belief that their prayers would proitiate the Serpent Gods. Digging the earth is not considered auspicious on this day as it could disturb the snakes residing there.
The significance of this festival in a farmer’s life is even more who always remain under the threat of a snake bite while working in the fields. And so, they worship the snakes for protection.
Book Rudrabhishek Puja on this Sawan for Health and Wealth Blessing
Tulsidas Jayanti - August 15
The 524th birth anniversary of one of the greatest devotees of Shri Rama, Tulsidas, is celebrated on the Saptami Tithi (seventh day), Shravan, Shukla Paksha. It will be observed on August 15 this year. He is a celebrated author of several hymns including the Ramcharitmanas and the Hanuman Chalisa.
Shravan Putrada Ekadashi - August 18
The devotees of Lord Vishnu will observe a day-long fast on Ekadashi Tithi to seek his blessings and attain Moksha. Lord Vishnu removes sins of his devotees and bless them with proserous lives.
Varalakshmi Vratham - August 20
A significant Tamil festival of Varalakshmi Vratham will be celebrated by Tamil women on August 20. On this day, women keep fasts and pray for the wellbeing of their families.
Onam - August 21
Onam is a ‘harvest festival’ and is generally celebrated in Kerala. Onam festivities are observed for ten days with people organizing special pujas and rituals. This year, this auspicious harvest festival will begin from August 22 and continue till September 2.
This is considered the biggest festival in Kerala. It is observed when Thiruvonam or shravan Nakshatra ar ruled by the moon prevails in the sky in the month of Chingam, also known as Simha or leo. This is a nakshatra of learning as owned by lord Vishnu.
People in Kerala believe that their beloved King Mahabali (who was sent to the netherworld by the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu) visits his kingdom on this day. Mahabali was a demon, though was loved by people for his generosity and kind-heartedness. The festivities begin when Atham Nakshatra begins and culminates ten days later on Thiruvonam.
The festival falls during the harvest season and is celebrated with a diverse range of spectacular activities like boat races, cultural programs, sports competitions, dance events, martial arts.
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Shravan Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Avani Avittam and Gayatri Jayanti - August 22
The full moon day in the month of Shravan is a significant day as people celebrate Raksha Bandhan, Avani Avittam (sacred thread changing ceremony), Goddess Gayatri's birth anniversary, as well as Hayagriva Jayanti on this day. This day is also celebrated as Sanskrit Diwas.
Kajari Teej - August 25
Kajari Teej is celebrated by unmarried and married women alike. On this day, Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati are worshipped with due reverence to seek their blessings. Women observe fasts and pray for the wellbeing of their husbands and unmarried girls wish for an ideal life partner.
Herambha Sankashti Chaturthi - August 25
The Sankashti Chaturthi, which falls in the month of Bhadrapada, Krishna Paksha is called Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi. The devotees worship Lord Ganesha on this day to seek his blessings. Sankashti means liberation from miseries and life troubles.
Krishna Janmashtami and Dahi Handi- August 30 and August 31
Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami Tithi in the month of Bhadrapada, Krishna Paksha, in Rohini Nakshatra. In the year 2021, Krishna Janmashtami and Dahi Handi will be celebrated on August 30 and August 31.
Janmashtami is observed with colours and fervour all over India. Singing, dancing, praying and chanting of Krishna mantras from Bhagavad Gita are some of the religious observances. Some people observe fasts and stay until midnight, offering prayers.
In some places, a cradle with infant Krishna’s idol is placed and swung, symbolizing his birth. Conducting Janmashtami processions is another common observance. Kids dressed as little Krishna enacting the instances from Krishna’s life is a major attraction of this procession.
Temples organize reading sessions of the holy text Bhagavad Gita. Dahi handi festivities will be observed the same day.
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