Important Hindu Festivals August 2011

August 1, 2011 – Shravan Somvar Vrat

August 1 – Sindhura Dooj

August 2 – Hariyali Teej

August 2 – Madhusrava Teej

August 3 – Durva Ganapati Vrat

August 4 – Nag Panchami

August 5 – Muruga Sashti Fasting

August 6 – Tulsi Das Jayanti

August 8 – Shravan Somvar Vrat

August 9 – Mangala Gouri Vrat

August 9 – Ekadasi Fasting – Putrada Ekadashi

August 11 – Pradosh Fasting

August 12 – Varalakshmi Vritham

August 13 – Shravan Purnima – Full moon day

August 13 – Raksha Bandhan

August 13 – Nariyali Purnima

August 13 – Rig Upakarma

August 13 – Yajur Upakarma

August 13 – Avani Avittam

August 13 – Hayagriva Jayanti

August 14 – Gayatri Japam

August 14 – Bhadrapad Month begins in North India

August 15 – Ashunya Shayan Vrat

August 16 – Kajari Teej

August 17 – Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat

August 17 – Chinga Masam begins in Kerala Malayalam Calendar

August 18 – Aavani Month begins in Tamil Calendar

August 19 – Bhadra Month begins in Bengali Calendar

August 20 – Hal Sashti

August 21 – Sri Krishna Jayanti in South and Western parts of India

August 22 – Sri Krishna Janmashtami in North India

August 22 – Dahi Handi and Gopala Kala

August 23 – Goga Navami

August 25 – Ekadasi Fasting

August 26 – Pradosh Fasting

August 28 – Amavasya begins

August 29 – Amavasya ends – Somvati Amavasya

August 30 – Bhadrapad month begins in Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat

August 31 – Sam Pancham – Sama Upakarma

August 31 – Swarna Gouri Vrat

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Aja or Annada Ekadasi Vrat Katha And Story of Aja and Annada Ekadashi

Aja, or Annada Ekadasi, is observed during the waning phase of moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapad in North India. The corresponding period in other regions is the Krishna Paksha of Shravan month. Aja Ekadasi Vrat Katha was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna. The story of Annada Ekadashi is associated with the famous king Harischandra.

King Harischandra was famous for his truthfulness and honesty. Once Sage Vashista praised the truthfulness of Raja Harischandra but Sage Vishwamitra was not ready to accept it and he decides to test King Harischandra. Vishwamitra vows to prove that Harischandra also lies.

As a result of Vishwamitra’s tests, King Harischandra had to give up his kingdom and family and had to take refuge in Kashi. He becomes an undertaker in Kashi. But never lies. He always upheld truthfulness and proper code of conduct.

One day the great sage Guatama met King Harischandra and the king narrated his sad tale to him. Sage Gautama advised King Harischandra to observe Aja Ekadasi which has the power to remove all sins.

The King observed Aja Ekadasi and continued his firm faith in truthfulness.

Soon Sage Vishwamitra accepts his defeat and restores the kingdom, half of his power and all the glory to Harischandra. By the power of observing Aja Ekadasi, the King also got back his wife and his dead son became alive.

King Harischandra ruled the kingdom for several years and finally got Moksha and reached the Vaikunta all with the influence of observing Aja Ekadashi.

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Aja Ekadasi or Ananda Ekadashi August 25 ,2011

Annada Ekadashi or Ajaa Ekadasi falls in waning phase of the moon in the month of Bhadrapada (August – September) according to Hindi Hindu Calendar. In 2011, the date of Ajaa or Anada Ekadasi is August 25. The importance of this Ekadasi was mentioned by Lord Krishna to Yudhisthira and is found in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. It is believed that a person who observes this Ekadashi becomes free from the reactions of his/her sinful activities.

Legend has it that the great King Harishchandra got back his kingdom, wife and dead son after performing the Ananda or Aja Ekadashi. It was Gautama Muni who asked Harishchandra to observe the Annada Ekadasi so that he will be able to overcome all the difficulties in life. The king got back all that he had lost and was able to rule his kingdom without any difficulties.

It is said that whoever fasts on this Ekadasi is surely freed from all the sins. There are no separate rules for fasting on the day. Rice and grains are avoided on the day.

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