Spiritual Calendar: June,2017

4^th June, 2017: Ganga Dussehra

Birth of Goddess Ganga

During this festival ten days of the month are devoted to the worship of Holy River Ganga venerated by the Hindus as a mother and a goddess.

Places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garh-Mukteswar, Prayag, Varanasi and others where the Ganga flows, hold a special significance on this day. Devotees flock to these places & Varanasi with its many ghats situated on the west bank of the Ganga, to touch the river water, bathe in it and take the river clay home to venerate.

In Haridwar, 'aartis' are performed at twilight and a large number of devotees meditate on the riverbanks.The river Ganga rises at Gangotri, high in the snow-clad Himalayas. Cascading down mighty boulders, it flows into the hot plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and finally merges with the sea in the Bay of Bengal.

Bhagirath Prays for the Ganga to Descend on Earth

Regarded as a celestial river originating in the heavens, Ganga was gifted to mankind in answer to the great sadhana undertaken by Bhagirath, after whom she is also called Bhagirathi. Bhagirath, a descendant of the Sagara dynasty, prayed for the Ganga to descend onto the parched earth and bring life. But the torrential waters of the Ganga were a mighty and destructive force. Brahma and Vishnu asked Shiva to accept the Ganga into His matted locks. Confined in Shiva's hair, Ganga lost the wild force of her flow and became a placid, life-giving river.

Despite its pollution, the Ganga is a symbol of purity. Its water bestows salvation to the dying and new life to the living. Unusual images of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balaram and sister Subhadra are ceremonially pulled in the grand chariots at Puri.

5^th June, 2017: Nirjala Ekadashi

Lord Vishnu

This Ekadashi falls in the month of Jyestha, during the Shukla paksha (June). Amongst the 24 Ekadashis , the vrata on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi is considered most beneficial and said to give the fruits of 24 Ekadashis observed throughout the year. A complete fast is kept on this day with not a drop of water to drink. People worship Lord Vishnu to ensure happiness and prosperity, and forgiveness of transgressions and sins. On the preceding day that is on the 10th lunar day, Sandhya (evening prayer) is performed and only one meal is taken.

6^th June, 2017: Pradosh Vrata

 Lord Shiva 

Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight for propitiating Lord Shiva.

With His blessings all desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment.It is said that on this day all gods and goddesses assemble on Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva.  When the Pradosh vrata falls on a Tuesday it is known as Bhaum Pradosh.

9^th June, 2017: Sant Kabir Jayanti

 Saint Poet Kabir

Saint Kabir Jayanti is celebrated in honour of Sant Kabir Das, a mystical saint and poet predominant in North India. Kabir was born to Muslim parents in Benaras (erstwhile Varanasi) who turned to spirituality and religion at a very young age. Saint Kabir Jayanti is observed as an auspicious day dedicated to Kabir.

His life took a major turn after he started following the teachings of Guru Ramananda, a 15th century Hindu mystical guru who coined the name Kabir Das.

9^th June, 2017: Snan Daan Purnima

Shri Jagannath Purnima

Snan Purnima occurs in the month of Jyestha. This Purnima is celebrated at a grand scale in the Jagannath Puri Temple of Orissa. Jyestha Purnima is also known as Jagannath Purnima.

13^th June, 2017: Angarkhi Sankashti Chaturthi

Lord Ganesha

Each lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis. The one after Puranmasi or full moon is known as Sankashti Chaturthi and the one after Amavasya or new moon is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.

If Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday it is called Angarki Chaturthi and is considered highly auspicious. Sankashti Chaturthi fast is mostly observed in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in Western and Southern India.

20^th June, 2017: Yogini Ekadashi

Lord Vishnu

Yogini Ekadashi occurs during the waning phase of the moon in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June – July) as per the traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. The importance of this Ekadasi was explained to Yudhisthira by Lord Krishna. Fasting on this Ekadashi helps us overcome the remorse caused by committing sins and get ‘moksha.’

The significance of Yogini Ekadasi is mentioned in Brahma Vaivarta Purana. The Purana narrates the tale of a gardener named Hemamali who overcame a curse, which made him a leper, by observing a fast on Yogini Ekadasi. The gardener was instructed by sage Markandeya about the Ekadashi.

All the usual rules associated with Ekadasi fasting are observed on the day. The fast begins with the sunrise on Ekadasi day and ends with sunrise on the next day.

21^st June, 2017: Bhaum Pradosh

Lord Shiva

Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight for propitiating Lord Shiva.

With His blessings all desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment. It is said that on this day all gods and goddesses assemble on Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva.

When the Pradosh Vrat falls on Tuesday, it is known as Bhaum Pradosh

24^th June, 2017: Ashadha Amavasya

Ashadha Amavasya

The last day of the waning phase of the moon is called Amavasya which is the new moon day in the Hindu calendar. Many rituals are performed only on Amavasya Tithi. Amavasya falling on Monday is known as Somvati Amavasya and Amavasya falling on Saturday is known as Shani Amavasya.

All Amavasya days are appropriate to perform Shraddha rituals to appease ancestors. Amavasya day is also appropriate day to perform Kalasarpa Dosha puja.

25^th June, 2017: Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra

Shri Jagannath, Subhadra & Balbhadra

Jagannath is a Hindu God worshipped primarily by the people of Orissa and Bengal. Jagannath is generally considered an aspect of Lord Vishnu or His avatara Krishna. He is worshipped as part of a triad along with Krishna's brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra. 

The Chariots of Shri Jagannath, Subhadra & Balbhadra

The most famous festival related to Jagannath is the Ratha Yatra, where the three deities are transported in three massive wooden chariots pulled by devotees from Puri to Gundicha Temple, about 3 kms away. Similar Ratha Yatra processions are organized all around the world.

26^th June, 2017: Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr

Lakhs of Muslims, dressed in the best of finery, greet each other, exchange gifts and enjoy special sweet dishes, particularly sewaiyan. Eid which means happiness in Arabic is one of the most important festivals of the Muslims. Eid al-Fitr also called the Feast of Breaking the Fast, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting . The religious Eid is a single day and Muslims are not permitted to fast that day. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of fasting from dawn to sunset during the entire month of Ramadan. Therefore, the day of Eid falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity.

27^th June,2017: Vinayaka Chaturthi

Lord Ganesha

Vinayaka Chaturthi is also known as Varad Vinayaka Chaturthi. Varad means “asking God to fulfill any desire which one has”. Lord Ganesha blesses devotees who observe this fast with wisdom and patience.Wisdom and patience are two virtues whose significance is known to human kind since ages.

Ganesha Puja on Vinayaka Chaturthi is done during the afternoon which is midday according to Hindu calendar.