In traditional Hindu Lunar Calendar, Ashada Masam is the 4th month of the year, usually begins in the month of June and ends in the month of July according to the Gregorian calendar.
After Chaitra, Vaisakha and Jyeshta, the next month is Ashada and it marks the arrival of monsoon. This month is called Shunya Masam (Null Month).
In the Tamil calendar it coincides with Adi Masam, an important festival and auspicious for Amman.
Ashada month is the most auspicious for pilgrimage. Worshiping in this month gives special benefits and it is called wish fulfillment month.
All auspicious work is prohibited for the coming four months till Ekadashi(Devuthani Ekadashi) of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month because these four months from Ashada to Kartik month are only for worship.
It is very auspicious to worship Lord Vishnu this month.
Ashada Masam 2024 Dates
In 2024 Ashada Masam Starts on Saturday, July 6th and Ends on Sunday, August 4th.
For North Indians states (except Gujrat) Ashadha begins on Sunday, June 23. To know more about the calendars and dates, please read the article 2 Types of Hindu Calendars.
Ashada 2025 Dates
In 2025 Ashada Masam starts on June 26, and ends on July 24.
Importance and Significance of Ashada Masam
- Ashadam marks the beginning of Dakshinayana. Sun transits towards south and enters into Karkataka Raasi, called Karkataka Sankramana. This happens exactly six months after Uttarayanam. During Dakshinayana, devotees worship Saptamatruka Shakti Goddess, Lord Bhairava, Lord Narasimha, Mahishasura
- Chaturmasya, a holy period of four months, starts on Shayna Ekadashi in Ashada Masam.
- Shayani Ekadashi, known as the first Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh lunar day(Ekadashi) of the Shukla paksha of Ashada month.
- Since it is the beginning of the Monsoon season, it brings new life to nature and farmers cultivate rice and grains. This is the main significance of the Ashada month.
- In many parts of Nepal, farmers welcome the monsoon by participating in the mud festival and throwing mud at each other. The festival ends with people sharing dahi chiura (beaten rice with curd) with each other.
- As it is believed inauspicious month, no holy occasions like marriages, griha pravesham are not performed.
- Newly married couples were not allowed to stay together. There is a scientific reason behind it, if the girl conceives during the Ashadam, she will give birth during the summer months. So the child and mother may go through health problems due to heat. The couple can reunite in the month of sawan which comes after Ashada month.
- Girls and Women apply Mehendi on their palms and feet. The theory behind it is that climate change may affect the skin and cause skin problems; Mehendi (Sudanese Henna leaves) has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties.
- Another belief is that it is good if mother in law and daughter-in-law stay apart during this month to build a good relationship between them. Daughter-in-law goes to her mother’s place in Ashada month.
- Gupt Navratri is celebrated in Ashada month, known as Ashada Gupt Navratri. It is mainly celebrated by sadhus and Tantriks for tantra sadhana to please the Goddess of Shakti.
- Guru Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashada month to receive the blessings of Gurus.
- In Coorg, it is known as Kakkada month in the Kodava calendar and is considered the most auspicious day. Aati soppu, and Kakkada payasam are the delicacies prepared on this day.
In this month both charity and Meditation are important. Donating salt, copper, bronze, earthenware, wheat, jaggery, rice, and sesame is considered auspicious.
List of Festivals in Ashada Masam 2024
- Puri Rath Yatra
- Kusumahara Jayanthi
- Bonalu
- Chaturthi Vrutham
- Skanda Shashti
- Punarvasu Karte
- Durga Ashtami Vrat
- Gopadma Vrata Start
- Shayana Ekadashi
- Pradosha Vratam
- Pournami Vratham
- Vyasa puja
- Guru Purnima
- Sri Satyanarayana Puja
- Ashunya Shayana Vrat
- Sankashtahara Chaturthi
- Karkataka Samkramanam
- Dakshinayana Punyakalam
- Ashtami Vrat
- Pushyami Karte
- Kamika Ekadashi
- Masa shivratri
Here, the list shows all the festivals, important events based Ashada Masam 2023 Telugu Calendar, Ashada Masam Kannada 2023 Calendar and other North Indian Calendars.