Bhadrapada

{{Short description|Sixth month of the Hindu lunar calendar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox month | image = Anant Chaturdashi.jpg | caption = Immersion of Ganesha idols during Ganesh Chaturthi | native_name = {{Native name|sa|भाद्रपद}} | calendar = Hindu calendar | num = 6 | days = 29 or 30 | season = Varsha (monsoon) | gregorian = August–September | holidays = {{ubl |Anant Chaturdashi |Ganesh Chaturthi |Janmashtami{{efn|name=Purnimanta|As per Purnimanta tradition. The Hindu calendar follows two various systems:Amanta and Purnimanta. As per the amānta tradition, the lunar month ends on the new moon day and as per the purnimānta tradition, it ends on the full moon day. As a consequence, in the amanta tradition, Shukla paksha (waning moon) precedes Krishna paksha (waxing moon) in every lunar month, whereas the reverse happens in purnimānta tradition. Hence, Shukla paksha will always belong to the same month in both traditions, whereas Krishna paksha will always be associated with different but succeeding months in each tradition. Amanta tradition is officially followed by the Indian national calendar.<ref>{{cite book|author=V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar|title=The Gupta Polity|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1993|isbn=978-81-208-1024-2|pages=24–35}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Amānta and Pūrṇimānta – Decoding Hindu Lunar Months |url=https://divinehindu.com/hinduism/amanta-and-purnimanta-decoding-hindu-lunar-months/|work=Divine Hindu |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lunar months – Pūrṇimānta and Amānta system |url=https://www.ekohumm.com/article/lunar-months-purnimanta-and-amanta-system|work=Ekohumm |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref>}} |Karam |Kush Amavasya |Madhu Purnima |Onam |Pitru Paksha |Radhastami |Rishi Panchami}} | prev_month = Shravana | next_month = Ashvin }} {{Hinduism}} '''Bhadrapada''' is the sixth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the Indian national calendar.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Kenneth W. Morgan|title=The Religion Of The Hindus|year= 1987|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-8-120-80387-9|page=96}}</ref> The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra (star) on the full moon day.<ref>{{cite book|title=Heavens and Earth: The Story of Astrology Through Ages and Cultures|author=Garima Garg|year=2022|isbn=978-9-354-92705-8|publisher=Penguin Random House|page=75}}</ref> The month corresponds to the monsoon (Varsha) season and falls in August–September of the Gregorian calendar.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Helene Henderson|year=2005|title=Holidays, festivals, and celebrations of the world dictionary|edition=Third|location=Detroit|publisher=Omnigraphics|page=xxix|isbn=978-0-780-80982-6}}</ref>

In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the month of Simha and begins with the Sun's entry into Leo.<ref name="Siddhantha">{{cite book|title=The Siddhantas and the Indian Calendar|author1=Robert Sewell|author2=John Faithful Fleet|year=1989|publisher=Asian Educational Services|page=334}}</ref> It corresponds to Bhadro, the fifth month in the Bengali calendar.<ref name="Siddhantha"/> In the Tamil calendar, it corresponds to the sixth month of Purattasi, falling in the Gregorian months of September–October.<ref name="Siddhantha"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/tamil-calendar.html|title=Tamil Calendar – Months |work=Time and Date |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the sixth month of Hrishikesha.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/aboutcalendar.htm|title=Vaisnava Calendar Reminder Services – About Calendar |work=Vaisnava Calendar |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isvara.org/archive/on-the-calendar-by-srila-prabhupada/ |title=Something about the Vaisnava Calendar |work=ISVARA |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>

In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month has 29 or 30 days. The month begins on the next day after Amavasya (new moon) or Purnima (full moon) as per amanta and purnimanta systems respectively. A month consists of two cycles of 15 days each, Shukla Paksha (waning moon) and Krishna Paksha (waxing moon). Days in each cycle is labeled as a thithi, with each thithi repeating twice in a month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iskconeducationalservices.org/HoH/practice/festivals/the-hindu-calendar/|title=Hindu calendar|work=ISKCON|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aryasamajhouston.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=125|title=Hindu calendar|work=Arya Samaj|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

==Festivals== In Hinduism, the month of Bhadrapada is dedicated to god Vishnu, with the devotees practicing various rituals to seek his blessings. People usually observe fasting on Saturdays, Ekadashi (eleventh day) thithi, and Purnima (full moon) of the month and do pujas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bhadrapada Purnima 2025: Date, Time, Shubh Muhurat, Significance and Rituals |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/spiritual/bhadrapada-purnima-2025-date-time-shubh-muhurat-significance-and-rituals-10265058|work=Daily Jagran |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bhadrapada Ekadashi and Other Vratas: Fasting Dates and Benefits |url=https://hindutone.com/pooja-slokas-and-mantras/bhadrapada-ekadashi-and-other-vratas-fasting-dates-and-benefits/|work=Hindutone |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Ganesh Chaturthi === Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Ganesha.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ganesh Chaturthi |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ganesh-Chaturthi |work=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> It is observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) thithi of Shukla Paksha (waning moon).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ganesh Chaturthi – Celebrating the Birth of Lord Ganesha |url=https://www.indianpanorama.in/festivals/ganesh-chaturthi.php|work=Indian Panorama |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> The festival is marked by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public pandals, daily prayers, offerings (including modak), and devotional singing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why We Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi – Significance & Importance |url=https://www.cheggindia.com/general-knowledge/why-we-celebrate-ganesh-chaturthi/|work=Chegg India |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> The festival culminates on Anant Chaturdashi, celebrated on the Chaturdashi thithi, ten days after Chaturthi. On this day, the idols are immersed in a body of water (visarjan) symbolising his return to his heavenly abode.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anant Chaturdashi 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/anant-chaturdashi-2025-date-time-puja-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/123671391.cms|work=The Times of India |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Annat Chaturdashi |url=https://dhar.nic.in/en/festival/annat-chaturdashi/|work=Dhar District Official Website |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Janmashtami and Radhastami === As per the Purnimanta tradition of the Hindu lunar calendar, god Krishna was born on the Ashtami (eighth day) thithi of Krishna Paksha (waxing moon) of Bhadrapada.<ref>{{cite web |title=Janmashtami – The Hindu festival |url=https://hindupost.in/dharma-religion/janmashtami-celebrate-bhagwan-krishna/|work=Hindu Post |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> Krishna's consort Radha was born on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha of the same month, and Radhastami is celebrated to commemorate the same.<ref>{{cite web |title=Radha Ashtami 2025: Date, Puja Timings, Rituals & Significance |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/radha-ashtami-2025-celebration-date-rituals-timings-434288/|work=India Today |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Onam === Onam is a multi-day harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. It is associated with the legend of king Mahabali, who once ruled Kerala, returning each year to visit his people.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cush |first1=Denise |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kzPgCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA574 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Robinson |first2=Catherine |last3=York |first3=Michael |publisher=Routledge |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-135-18979-2 |pages=573–574 }}</ref> The festival consists of various traditions such as floral rangolis (Pookolam), boat races and a grand feast (sadya).<ref>{{cite web |title=Onam |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Onam|work=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Onam Festival in Kerala: Culture, Traditions & Celebrations |url=https://www.paradise-kerala.com/blog/onam-festival-in-kerala/|work=Paradise Kerala Blog |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Pitru Paksha === The dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month is reserved for the veneration of the dead. During the period known as Pitru Paksha, Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through special offerings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pitru-Paksha – a fortnight of venerating and honouring our ancestors |url=https://britishhindus.org.uk/pitru-paksha-a-fortnight-of-venerating-and-honouring-our-ancestors/|work=British Hindus |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Significance of Pitru Paksha, Shraaddh and Tarpan |url=https://beta.esamskriti.com/e/Culture/Indian-Culture/Significance-of-Pitru-Paksha%2C-Shraaddh-and-Tarpan-2.aspx|work=eSamskriti |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What is Purnima Shradha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/what-is-purnima-shradha/articleshow/68206047.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Others === Karam is a harvest festival celebrated by certain tribes in the Eastern Indian states of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. During the festivities, people plant new seedlings, and worship the Karam tree for a good harvest, followed by community singing and feast.<ref>{{cite web |title=Karam Festival in Jharkhand-Odisha – Dedicated to Karam Tree |url=https://www.hindu-blog.com/2024/06/karam-festival-in-jharkhand-odisha.html|work=Hindu Blog |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Karama Festival – Odisha Tourism |url=https://www.odishatourismcenter.com/karama-festival.html|work=Odisha Tourism Center |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> Kush Amavasya is observed on the new moon day of the month, during which people collect sacred grass (kusha) which is used in various Hindu rituals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kusha Grahani Amavasya |url=https://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/08/kushagrahani-amavasi-kushgrahini-amas.html|work=Hindu Blog |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bhadrapada Amavasya 2025 Date, Puja, Significance |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/spiritual/bhadrapada-amavasya-2025-date-time-puja-vidhi-2025-08-22-1004666 |work=India TV |access-date=27 October 2025 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Madhu Purnima is a Buddhist festival observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month, during which people perform charity and give offerings to monastries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buddhist community observes Madhu Purnima in Khagrachari |url=https://www.bssnews.net/district/309154|work=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> Rishi Panchami is celebrated on the Panchami (fifth day) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month, and the festival honours the Saptarishi (seven sages) and involves ritual bathing, fasting, and prayers by women for the welfare and longevity of their families.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rishi Panchami – A Day of Purity, Gratitude & Bonding |url=https://utsav.gov.in/view-event/rishi-panchami-bhai-panchami-1|work=Incredible India (Utsav) |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Portal|Hinduism}}

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