Varsha Ritu

Varsha Ritu is one of the most awaited seasons in India. After the hot and humid summers, the first spell of rains brings some relief for all living creatures. With the onset of Varsha Ritu, the soaring temperatures drop down and it’s time for rains in most parts of the country. As per the Hindu calendar, the months of ‘Shravana’ and ‘Bhadrapada’ fall during the Varsha Ritu and in the Gregorian calendar it corresponds to the months of mid-June to mid-August.

Festivals observed during this Season:

Varsha Ritu celebrates some of the prime Hindu festivals like:

• Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan also known as ‘Rakhi Purnima’ is an auspicious Hindu festival dedicated to brothers and sisters. It cherishes the unique and selfless bond of love between the siblings. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) during the Hindu month of ‘Shravana’. On this day sisters tie a sacred thread or Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers and pray for their well-being and prosperity.
• Krishna Janmashtami: Krishna Janmashtami is a popular Hindu festival that is also the most awaited event of the year. It celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, who as per the Hindu legends is the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with immense enthusiasm and fervour on the ‘ashtami’ (8th day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon) of the ‘Bhadrapada’ month as per the traditional Hindu calendar. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as ‘Ashtami Rohini’, ‘Gokulashtami’, ‘Sree Jayanti’ or ‘Saatam Aatham’.
• Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi is a significant festival of Hindus that is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu God. It is observed on the ‘Shukla Paksha Chaturthi’ (4th day during the waxing phase of moon) in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with fervour in the western regions of the country, especially Maharashtra where the festivities extend for a period of 10 days. It is known by various names like ‘Ananta Chaturthi’, ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’.
• Onam: Onam is the most significant and biggest celebrations in the Indian state of Kerala. It is observed as the harvest festival that also commemorates the return of King Mahabali to his kingdom. Onam is celebrated during the month of ‘Chingam’ as per the Malayalam calendar and devotees on this day worship ‘Vamana Dev’ who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The celebrations of Onam extend for 10 days in which the first and last day is the most significant.