Hindu Calendar, Seasons, Festivals and Significance

This post marks as Spiritual and Health significance.

Tithi, meaning dates in Hindu calendar (Panchang), where month details including festivities are highlighted according to season. Isn’t it interesting? There is significance and I am really trying to understand if it really makes meaning to our life and sometimes it makes sense because we celebrate Diwali. On that day we oil our bodies before taking bath. It may have significance spiritually but since winter starts it makes sense to follow rituals. It is healthy to oil ourselves during pre-winter season to continue it during winter. It will remove any Vata deformities in the body.

Hindu calendar month is divided into 30 days. One Paksha of 15 days is called Shukla Paksha. Another Paksha of 15 days is called Krishna Paksha.

Here is the listing of each month mapped to season.

• Chaitra (March to April) :: Season – Vasanta/Spring
  • Papavimocani Ekadashi (Chaitra, Krishna Ekadashi) –
    • For the worshippers of Lord Vishnu for a blissful life on earth & observed to get rid of the sins committed by an individual.Whosoever keeps this fast is never affected by any ghosts or spirits. All his wishes will be fulfilled, and all the sins of the observer will be vanquished. That person becomes exceedingly religious and pious.
  • Ugadi or Samsar Padava (Chaitra, Shukla Pratipada)
    • Lord Brahma started the creation of the universe on Ugadi. Hence, it is a New Year!
    • Weather significance – symbolizes relief from the harshness of the winter weather.
    • Popular dish called “Pachhadi” is blend of sweet, sour, salty bitter, pungent and spicy. It uses neem, jaggery, mango, tamarind, chilli and salt. These ingredients reflect the six aspects or emotions of life.
  • Rama Navami (Chaitra, Shukla Navami)
    • Lord Rama is born. When your mind is quiet and free from conflict, that is when the divine eternal light dawns within you. Maharishi Patanjali said – if you recognize the light present inside of you, then you will attain wholeness and purity. That is Lord Rama.
    • Celebrated during the summer, panakam is offered as a cooling beverage.
  • Kamada Ekadashi (Chaitra, Shukla Ekadashi)
    • Kamada suggests, is believed be the occasion when all the desires of a devotee are granted.
    • After taking bath in the morning, the devotee observes a fast. Worship is also offered to Vishnu in the form of Krishna. This vrata grants all desires, to cleanse even the most heinous sin one committed and to free the devotee or his family members from curses.
  • Hanuman Jayanti (Chaitra Purnima)
    • Lord Hanuman is born. Devotees of Hanuman celebrate him and seek his protection and blessings.
    • Lord Hanuman who is a devotee of Lord Rama. On this day both Shri Rama and Shri Hanuman are worshipped. Lord bestows one with joy and destroys the problems. Reciting the famous ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ continuously can gain mental peace and gain immense strength.
• Vaisakha (April to May) :: Season – Vasanta/Spring
  • Varuthini Ekadashi (Vaishakha, Krishna Ekadashi)-The significance of Varuthini Ekadashi is narrated by the Hindu deity, Krishna, to King Yudhishthira in the Bhavishya Purana. Krishna tells Yudhishthira that Varuthini Ekadashi is a very auspicious day that can bring many benefits to those who observe the fast.
  • Akshaya Tritiya – Considered an auspicious day for new beginnings, marriages, and investments. It is believed that any venture started on this day will be blessed with success and prosperity.
  • Parashurama Jayanti-The significance of Parashuram Jayanti is to honor the birth of this great warrior and to seek his blessings. Devotees observe a fast on this day and offer prayers and worship to Lord Parashurama. They also read the story of his life and meditate on his teachings.
  • Narasimha Jayanti– The significance of Narasimha Jayanti is to honor the birth of this great incarnation of Lord Vishnu and to seek his blessings. Devotees observe a fast on this day and offer prayers and worship to Lord Narasimha. They also read the story of his life and meditate on his teachings
  • Kurma Poornima-Kurma Jayanti also marks the beginning of the four-month period called Chaturmas, when Lord Vishnu is said to sleep on the serpent Ananta Shesha
  • Mohini Ekadashi (Vaishakha, Shukla Ekadashi) -Falls on the 11th lunar day of the waxing phase of the moon in Vaishakha. Dedicated to Goddess Mohini, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Fasting on this Ekadashi is believed to bring blessings and fulfill wishes
• Jyestha/ (May to June) :: Season – Grishma/Summer
  • Apara Ekadashi (Jyestha, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Vata Pournima
  • Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyestha, Shukla Ekadashi)
• Ashada (June to July) :: Season – Grishma/Summer
  • Yogini Ekadashi (Ashada, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Guru Purnima
  • Sayana Ekadashi (Ashada, Shukla Ekadashi)
• Shraavana (July to August) :: Season – Varsha/Rain – (Chaturmaas – Vishnu Sleeps)
  • Kamika Ekadashi (Shravana, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Naga Panchami
  • Sutta Punnav
  • Govatsa puja
  • Krishna Ashtami
  • Padmini Ekadashi (Shravana, Shukla Ekadashi)
  • Parama Ekadashi (Shravana, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Shravana Putrada/Pavitropana Ekadashi (Shravana, Shukla Ekadashi)
• Bhadra (August to September) :: Season – Varsha/Rain – (Chaturmaas – Vishnu Sleeps)
  • Annada Ekadashi (Bhadra, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Vinayaka Chaturthi
  • Parshva Ekadashi (Bhadra, Shukla Ekadashi)
  • Garuda Panchami 
  • Anant Chaturdashi
  • Pitru Paksha Starts
  • Pitru Paksha Ends (Mahalaya Amavasya)
• Ashvina (September to October) :: Season – Sharad/Autumn– (Chaturmaas – Vishnu Sleeps)
  • Indira Ekadashi, Vyanjuli Mahadvadashi (Ashvina, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Pitru Paksha Ends
  • Navaratri
  • Durgashtami 
  • Pashankusha Ekadashi (Ashvina, Shukla Ekadashi)
  • Maha Navami 
  • Vijayadashami 
  • Deepavali  
  • Dhana Trayodashi 
  • Naraka Chaturdashi or Bali Pratipada
  • Bhau-bij or Yamadwititya
• Kartika (October to November) :: Season – Sharad/Autumn – (Chaturmaas – Vishnu Sleeps)
  • Kartik Ekadashi or Haribodhini or Prabodhini or Rama Ekadashi (Kartika, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Tulsi Pooja or Tulsi Vivah
  • Vaikunta Chathurdashi
  • Utthana Ekadashi (Kartika, Shukla Ekadashi)
  • Kartik or Tripura Purnima or Deepa Daan
  • Vysa Puja
• Agrahayana/Margashirsha (November to December) :: Season – Hemanta/Pre-Winter
  • Utpanna Ekadashi (Margashirsha, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Subramanya Shashti
  • Mokshada Ekadashi (Margashirsha, Shukla Ekadashi)
  • Skandha Shashti
• Pausha aka Nourishing (December to January) :: Season – Hemanta/Pre-Winter
  • Putrada Ekadashi (Shukla Ekadashi)
    • Putrada Ekadashi (Sunanda Ekdashi), meaning “Child Giver”. Observance of this Ekadashi fulfils the wishes of devotees wishing for son.
  • Swargavathil Ekadashi or Vaikunta/Mukkoti Ekadashi
    • It is believed that Vaikuntha Dwaram or the gate of Lord’s inner sanctum is opened on this day and devotees who observe fast on Vaikuntha Ekadashi attain salvation by going to Heaven.
    • Vaikunta Ekadasi, or Mukkoti Ekadasi, is observed with fast, prayer, chants and meditation, Japa and Dhyana. Its strict observance by taking food only once on Dashami followed on Vaikunta Ekadasi by a rigorous fast or partial fast. The mind in a body thus restrained, it is felt, will become pure. A purified body and mind help one to attain proximity with the divine or the Paramatman.
• Magha (January to February) :: Season – Shishira/Winter
  • Shat Tila Ekadashi (Magha, Krishna Ekadashi)
    • This day teaches the importance of food i.e. consumption of sesame seeds. Bathing with some sesame seeds in the water is considered auspicious.
  • Ratha Saptami or Surya Jayanti (Magha, Shukla Saptami)
    • Birth day of Sun God. It is believed that seven types of sins done, knowingly, unknowingly, by words, by body, by mind, in current birth and in previous births are purged by worshipping Lord Surya on this day. Taking bath before sunrise and giving Arghya (pouring water facing Sun) keeps one healthy and free from all types of ailments and diseases.
  • Madhwa Navami
  • Makara Sankranti 
  • Vasant Panchami (Magha, Shukla Panchmi)
  • Bhaimi Ekadashi (Magha, Shukla Ekadashi)
• Phalguna (February to March) :: Season – Shishira/Winter
  • Vijaya Ekadashi (Phalguna, Krishna Ekadashi)
  • Mahashivaratri (Phalguna, Krishna Chaturdashi)
  • Holika Dahan (Phalguna, Shukla Poornima)
  • Amalaki Ekadashi (Phalguna, Shukla Ekadashi)

Shukla Paksha (Waning Crescent Moon to New Moon)	Krishna Paksha (New Moon to Waning Crescent Moon)
1. Prathama/Prathipada	1. Prathama/Prathipada
2. Dwitiya	2. Dwitiya
3. Tritiya	3. Tritiya
4. Chaturthi	4. Chaturthi
5. Panchami	5. Panchami
6. Shashti	6. Shashti
7. Saptami	7. Saptami
8. Ashtami	8. Ashtami
9. Navami	9. Navami
10. Dashami	10. Dashami
11. Ekadashi	11. Ekadashi
12. Dwadashi	12. Dwadashi
13. Thrayodashi	13. Thrayodashi
14. Chaturdashi	14. Chaturdashi
15. Purnima	15. Amavasya

Note: Shukla and Krishna Paksha

Please note this post will be updated periodically. Based on complexity and research time, I will post this public. Any comments welcome.

Yoga Poses for Sciatica

This list of Yoga poses are beneficial to relieve Sciatica Nerve.

• Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
• Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
• Extended Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana)
• Revolved Triangle Pose (Parivitta Trikonasana)
• Extended Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
• Revolved Side Angle Pose (Parivrita Parsvakonasana)
• Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana)
• Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)
• Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose (Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana)
• Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana)
• Intense Leg Stretch Pose (Prasarita Padottanasana)
• Head Stand Pose (Shirshasana)
• Shoulder Stand Pose (Sarvangasana)
• Belly Twist Pose (Jhatara Parivartasana)
• Reclined Big Toe Pose (Supta Padangusthasana)
• Sleeping Vishnu Pose (Anantasana)
• Raised Legs Pose (Uttana padasana)
• Bridge Pose (Setubandhasana)
• Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)  
• Locust Yoga Pose (Shalabhasana)
• Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
• Snake Pose (Bhujangasana)
• Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
• Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
• Upward Plank Pose (Purvottanasana)
• Tortoise Pose (Kurmasana)
• Bharadvaja’s Twist (Bharadvajasana)
• Marichi’s Twist (Marichiasana)
• Seated Twist Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
• Squat Forward Bend (Malasana)
• Noose Pose (Pashasana)
• Monkey Pose (Hanumanasana)
• Reclining Split (Supta Trivikramasana)
• Camel Pose (Ushtrasana)
• Two Legged Inverted Staff Pose (Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana)