Ghantakarna Chaturdashi, also known as Gathemangal, is a significant festival celebrated in Bhaktapur, an ancient city in Nepal. This vibrant festival is marked by the creation of an effigy of the demon deity Ghantakarna, which is placed at crossroads, set on fire, and subsequently dragged to the river. Ghantakarna Chaturdashi 2025 date is July 23. Timing of the Festival Gathemangal falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day during the waning phase of the moon in the month of Shrawan (July/August). This day is also referred to as Ghantakarna Chaturdashi, commemorating the death of the mythical demon Ghantakarna. The Legend of Ghantakarna According to local legends, Ghantakarna was a fearsome demon who terrorized villagers by abducting children and women, demanding ransom in the form of money and gifts for their release. He had a terrifying appearance, with his body painted in red, blue, and black, and he wore a pair of bells on his ears. The bells jingled whenever he m...

The Chalio Sahib , or Chaliho Sindhi Festival, is a significant cultural and religious event for the Sindhi community, celebrated primarily by Sindhi Hindus. In 2025, Chalio Sahib commences on July 11. It commemorates a period of penance and devotion to Jhulelal, the community's patron saint and an incarnation of the Hindu god Varuna, the god of water. Here are some key aspects of the festival: Historical Background: Origin: The festival dates back to a period when the Sindhi people, living in the Sindh region (now in Pakistan), were under threat from a tyrannical ruler who tried to forcefully convert them to Muslim religion. The Sindhi people prayed for forty days and forty nights to Jhulelal, who is believed to have saved them. Penance: During these forty days, the Sindhi Hindus observed strict penance, abstaining from many pleasures and dedicating themselves to prayers and rituals. Duration and Timing: Forty Days: The word "Chaliho" itself means forty in Sind...

Rani Ahilyabai Holkar Punyatithi is the death anniversary of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar who was the fearless queen who ruled the Malwa Kingdom in India . Rani Ahilyabai Holkar Punyatithi 2025 date is August 22. As per Gregorian calendar her death anniversary is on August 13 – She died on August 13, 1795. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar lost her husband in the battle of Kumbher in 1754. In 1766 her father-in-law also died and then she became the Queen of Malwa kingdom. She personally led armies against enemies of her kingdom. Perfect order and good Government prevailed and the people prospered during her 30-year-old rule. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar is credited with rebuilding numerous shrines including the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat which was plundered and destroyed by Muslim Invaders. She also built numerous ghats, sacred places, temples and ashrams throughout western and northern parts of India . Some of the temples that she has repaired include the Vishnupad Temple in Bihar ...

Bahula Chauth Vrat is observed during the Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in Bhadrapada month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Madhya Pradesh. Bahula Chauth 2025 date is September 11. The fasting and rituals on the day is dedicated to Ganesha. The vrat is offered for peace and prosperity in the family. Bahula Chauth fasting is from sunrise to till the sighting of the moon in the evening. The fast is observed by both men and women. Early in the morning the devotee observing the fast wakes up and takes bath. A simple puja is offered to Ganesha which involves dhoop, flowers, Prasad and other normal puja items. The puja is repeated in the evening again after taking a bath. When moon is sighted the devotee offers milk, durva grass, supari, dhup, akshat to moon. Prayers are also offered to Ganesha. Similar Til Chauth in Paush Month

Bol Choth, or Bahula Chauth Vrat, is a Hindu observance in the Shravan month in Gujarat . It is observed on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) of Shravan month. Bol Choth 2025 date is August 13. It is observed by both men and women and is performed for the welfare of cows and calves. Bol Choth is observed by all members of the family and is of great importance to the farming community. People pray for the welfare of cattle and other domesticated animals. The animals are thoroughly cleaned and special food is provided to them. People only eat food made from millet on the day. Family members make temporary cooking arrangement outside the house and food is prepared on the day under the open sky. After rituals and prayers, people listen to Bol Choth Vrat Katha which narrates how a cow was spared by a lion and worshipped it for its divine qualities. Bol Choth is observed during Shravan month, which is the period of peak monsoon season. T...

Phool Kajali Vrat is observed by married and unmarried women in the Shravan month in Gujarat . Phool Kajali Vrat 2025 date is on August 12. When is Phool Kajali Vrat Observed? This fasting is observed on the third day during waning phase (Krishna Paksha) of moon in Sawan month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Gujarat. Why is it Observed and Benefits It is observed for the long life of husbands by married women and girls and unmarried women observe it for getting good life partner. Dedicated to The Phool Kajali Vrat is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. How is it observed? Phool Kajali Vrat is observed for five years on Shravan Krishna Paksha Tritiya.  Fasting is for the whole day and women eat only cucumber, milk and other preparations using milk. Married women observe it for a happy and peaceful married life and for the long life of their husbands. Unmarried women perform it to get a good life partner. Phool Kajali Vrat Katha...

Kajari Purnima, or Kajili Poornima, is observed on the Shravan Purnima day especially in Bihar , Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Kajari Purnima 2025 date is August 9. The rituals associated with Kajari (or Kajri) begin on the ninth day after Shravan Amavasya and ends on Kajli Purnima day. It is a seven day ritual. Kajari Purnima traces its roots to the agrarian economy of India and is observed on the Raksha Bandhan day. Kajari Purnima rituals begin on the Shravan Shukla Paksha Navami – nine days after no moon day in Shravan month. Women bring fresh clay from the field and it is worshipped during the Kajali rituals. Houses are thoroughly cleaned. Some people apply a fresh coat of cow dung on the puja area. A major highlight of the ritual is the fresh and intricately designed Rangoli patterns. The Kajili Purnima rituals are observed by farmers for a good harvest and by couples for the welfare of their kids. Farm...

Shravan Purnima, or the full moon day in the month of Sawan, is a highly auspicious day in Hinduism. Nariyal Purnima and Raksha Bandhan are observed on the day. Shravan Purnima 2025 date is August 9. The Purnima begins at 1:41 PM on August 8 and ends at 1:23 PM  on August 9.  Shravan Purnima Vrat is on August 9. Nariyal Purnima is on August 9. Raksha Bandhan is on August 9. It is known as Akshar Purnima in  Gujarat . The month long pujas dedicated to Lord Shiva in  North India  comes to an end on the Shravana Purnima day. Jhulan Yatra festival comes to an end on the day. Important Rituals Observed on Shravan Purnima This Purnima is known as Gamha Purnima in Orissa.  Kajari Purnima - this is observed in many regions in North India for a good harvest. Hayagriva Jayanti and Yajurveda Upakarma are also observed on the day.  In South India , Brahmins observe the day as Avani Avittam. The annual Amarnath Yatra and Jhulan Yatra...

Hayagriva Jayanti is believed to be the day when Hayagriva incarnation of Lord Vishnu appeared on earth. Hayagriva Jayanti 2025 date is August 9. Hayagriva is a unique incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the head of a horse and the body of a human being. The purpose of this Avatar was to retrieve the stolen Vedas from the demons. The day is observed as Upakarma day and Avani Avittam day by the Brahmin community. Hayagriva Avatar is mainly mentioned in the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata and the Puranas. It is one of the lesser-known incarnations of Lord Vishnu. In some regions, Hayagriva is the guardian deity of the Vedas. There are several legends associated with how Lord Vishnu got the horse-head in Hayagriva incarnation. In the main legend associated with Hayagriva, Devas led by Indra are the villains. It is said the powers of Vishnu made Indra jealous and they decided to kill him. Once the Devas found Lord Vishnu resting with his chin on his bow. The Devas turned into ter...

Sant Narhari Sonar Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Saint Narhari Sonar, who was an ardent devotee of Bhagavan Vithoba and Mahadev Shiva and is believed to have had the darshan of Bhagawan Vithoba (Sri Hari Vishnu). Sant Narhari Sonar Jayanti 2025 date is August 7. A goldsmith by profession, he got the darshan of Vithoba when he tried to measure the waist size of the murti of Vithoba at Pandharpur Vitthal Temple through imagination. Sant Narhari Sonar Jayanti is observed on the thirteenth day of the shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in Shravan month as per traditional calendar followed in Maharashtra Legend has it that once a merchant asked Sant Narhari to prepare a gold waist band for Vithoba. But being an ardent devotee of Mahadeva Shiva, Sant Narhari did not want to go to Pandharpur temple. So he tried to close his eyes and imagine the waist size of Bhagwan Vithoba. But as he tried to imagine the waist size he felt as if he was touching the Shivling and this ...

Sanskrit Divas is annually observed on the Shravan Purnima day. The main objective of the observance of Sanskrit day is to promote Sanskrit and to educate the general public about the importance of Sanskrit. Samskrit Divas 2025 date is August 9. Organizations that promote Sanskrit, government, schools and colleges, temples and other education institutions organize various programs on the day. Book fairs, publication of Sanskrit books, lectures, reading of Sanskrit texts, talks and debates are organized on the day. Related Sudharma – The Sanskrit Newspaper Goes Online The Story - How Sanskrit Came To Be Known To Humans? Memorizing Ancient Mantras In Hindu Religion Improves Brain Power  Learn Sanskrit Language Online For Free

Gamha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day (Poornima) in Shravan month in Odisha. In 2025, Gamha Purnima date is on August 9. It is observed as the birthday of  Balabhadra (Baladeva), the eldest brother of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Nowadays, people also celebrate Gamha Purnima as Raksha Bandhan imitating the Rakhi festival which is celebrated in North India on the same day. In some regions cattle (cows and bullocks) are worshipped on Gamha Purnima. A major highlight of the festival is a sort of regional sport known as Gamha Diyan. Gamha is a platform made of bricks and mud and in the middle of it is a big projection. Two big poles are fitted into the Gamha on the opposite sides of the middle projection. The poles are connected by a bamboo stick. From the bamboo stick different kinds of fruits and prizes are hung for participants. The participants run into the Gamha and use the middle projection of Gamha as a launching pad and try to snatch or touch the prize hung...

A day before Raksha Bandhan festival, Annakut mela is organized at the famous Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is part of the Char Dham yatra undertake to the Himalayas. Kedarnath Mandir Annakut festival 2025 date is August 8. During the Annakut festival, food is prepared from newly harvested paddy and is offered to Shiva. Special puja and archana are offered to the Shivling on the day. Annakut Mela has been taking place for thousands of years. The swayambhu Shivling in Kedarnath mandir will be adorned with paste of wheat, rice, corn, and other grains and pulses on the day.  The paste is made using newly harvested products. The shringar on the day is made using the paste.

Luv Kush Jayanti is observed on the Shravan Purnima day in North India . In 2025, the date of Luv Kush Jayanti is August 9. Luv and Kush were the twin sons of Lord Ram and Sita and there story is mentioned in the Ramayana. Luv Kush Jayanti is the day when Luv and Kush , is believed to have born in the Ashram of Sage Valmiki. The birthday of Luv and Kush is celebrated mainly in North India , especially by some particular Hindu communities like the Koiri Samaj and Kushwah Samaj. Children dress as Luv and Kush and episodes from their life is enacted. Other cultural programs and satsangs are organized on the day.

Balaram Jayanti celebrates the appearance day of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. Balaram Jayanti 2025 date is August 9 in some regions in South India. In North India, it is observed on August 24- Baldev Chhat. In some regions it is observed on the Akshaya Tritiya day (April 30, 2025). Balaram Jayanti is observed on the Shravan Purnima (August) day in many regions in India . In some regions it is observed in Vaishakh month (April or May). Lord Balarama was born as the seventh son of Devaki and Vasudeva. As Kamsa was killing all the children of his sister Devaki, an unborn Balaram was transferred to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva. Balaram was thus born as the son of Rohini. The popular belief is Lord Balram is an incarnation of Ananta – the snake on which Lord Krishna sleeps. Special prayers are offered on this day in Lord Krishna temples. Lord Balaram symbolizes strength and devotees pray for physical strength and a healthy life. ...

Gai Jatra is the procession of cows and is dedicated to God Yama – the god of death. It is observed the day after Raksha Bandhan and Janai Purnima in Nepal . Gai Jatra 2025 date is August 9. People who had a death in their family during the previous year take part in the procession. People participating in the procession walk along with a cow and those not owning a cow take boys dressed like cow. In the Gaijatra procession people attack social evils and customs through tableau, fancy dressing and by performing small dramas. After the procession, people participate in the festival of masks – by wearing different type of costumes and masks and making merry. Historians are of the view that King Pratap Malla had once lost a son and the Queen was depressed. She stopped talking and reacting. The King made a promise that he will reward anyone who can make the queen laugh. So, during the Gaijatra procession people started making fun of social evils and other customs to make the...

Jhulan Yatra is a swing festival observed in the month of Shravan Month (July – August) and is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Jagannath. Jhulan Yatra 2025 date is from August 5 to August 9. It is of great importance in Vrindavan,  Lord Jagannath Temples,  ISKCON and Mayapur. The festival begins on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Shravan month and ends on Shravan Poornima (full moon). Story and History of Jhulan Yatra Jhulan Yatra festival is inspired from Lord Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavan. It is believed that Lord Krishna, Radha and other Gopis and Gopas used to swing in the monsoon season in Vrindavan. How is Jhulan Yatra Observed? Jhulan Yatra is Lord Krishna’s swing festival and on this day devotees place an idol of  Krishna  or Lord Jagannath on a lavishly decorated swing. The swinging of the Lord is accompanied by dance and music. In Vrindavan and in ISKCON temples, an idol of Goddess Radha is also placed alo...

Pavithrotsavam is the ritual to ward off any shortcomings in the daily poojas that is being done to Lord Balaji at the world famous Tirumala Venkateswara Tirupati Temple. In 2025, the rituals begin on August 4 and ends on August 7. Pavithrotsavam means purification festival. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams celebrates Pavithrotsavam ritual for 3 days in Shravan month from Sravana Suddha Dasami, Ekadasi and Dwadasi. Pavithrotsavam in Tirumala 2025 August 4, 2025 - Ankurarpanam August 5, 2025 - Pavithra Prathista August 6, 2025 - Pavithra Samarpana August 7, 2025 - Poornahuti Importance of Pavithrotsavam in Tirupati Temple The significance of this ritual is that on this day the priests symbolically seek pardon from the Lord for their acts of all omissions and commissions; committed knowingly or unknowingly while performing pujas and rituals in the temple during the course of the year. In this utsavam, Pavithra garlands are adorned on Sri Venkateswara Swami, Sri Varaha ...

Vir Pasli is a festival similar to Raksha Bandhan and is observed in the Shravan month in Gujarat . It is observed on the first Sunday of the Sawan month. Veer Pasli 2025 date is July 27. For some communities it is on July 26 (those observing on first Saturday of Shravan month). Although not widespread, the rituals on the day are strictly observed by certain communities. The ritual is also known as Veer Pasali. Shravan month in Gujarat in 2025 is from July 25 to August 23.  On the day, sister ties a sacred thread on her brother’s wrist. He vows to protect her. Brothers visit their married sister’s home on the day and perform the ritual. Please note that there is some confusion regarding the date of Vir Pasli, some people are claiming that the ritual is observed on the first Saturday of Shravan month while some claim it is observed on first Sunday. Related Veer Pasli Katha - Story of Vir Pasli in Gujarati

Nakul Navami is the birth anniversary of Nakula and Sahadeva – the twin brothers among the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Nakul Navami 2025 date is August 4. It is observed on the ninth or navami day during the Shukla Paksha, or waxing phase of moon, in the month of Shravan as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India . Nakul and Sahadev are the sons of Madri. They were born with blessings of Ashwini Kumaras. Nakul is the eldest and Sahadev is the youngest. Mahabharata tells us that both were handsome men. It is also said that Sahadeva had great knowledge in astrology and his predictions always turned true.