4th month of the Hindu calendar
Ashadha or Aashaadha or Adi (Hindi: आसाढ़ Āsāṛh or आषाढ Āṣāḍh; Assamese: আহাৰ ahar; Odia: ଆଷାଢ଼ Āṣāḍh; Bengali: আষাঢ়; Sylheti: ꠀꠀꠠ aáṛ; Nepali: असार asār; Gujarati: અષાઢ) is a month of the Hindu calendar that corresponds to June/July in the Gregorian calendar.[1] In India's national civil calendar, this month is the fourth month of the year, beginning on 22 June and ending on 22 July. In Hindu astrology, Ashada begins with the Sun's entry into Gemini. It is the first of the two months that comprise the monsoon season.
The corresponding month in the Bengali calendar, Aṣaṛh (Bengali: আষাঢ় "Monsoon"), is the third month.
In lunar religious calendars, Ashada begins on a new moon and is usually the fourth month of the year.
Festivals
Rath Yatra that is dedicated to Jagannath is held in the month of Asadha every year in Puri and other places.
Guru Purnima, a festival dedicated to the Guru, is celebrated on the Purnima (Full Moon) day of the month. Prior to it Shayani Ekadashi, is observed on the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha). "Aadi amavasai" is an important festival in Tamil Nadu and auspicious for Amman.
In many parts of Nepal, the arrival of monsoon marks a special time for cultivating rice. This occasion starts with farmers, men and women, planting rice (Nepali: राेपाइँ) while singing plantation songs. The farmers then participate in the mud festival, throwing mud at each other and welcoming the monsoon season. The festival ends with people sharing "dahi chiura (Nepali: दही चिउरा)" (literally "beaten rice with curds") with each other.
Kakkada month in Kodava calendar in Coorg, is considered one of the significant and auspicious days. Aati soppu, kakkada paayasa are the delicacies prepared on this day.
In many parts of Gujarat, Dashamaa Vart dedicated to Dashamaa or Momai maa is observed on the Amavasya of Asadha every year.[2]
