Bhadra (Hindu calendar)

Bhadra or Bhadrapada or Bhādo or Bhadraba (Bengali: ভাদ্র bhādro; Hindi: भादों bhādo; Sanskrit: भाद्रपद bhādrapada; भाद्र Bhādra; ଭାଦ୍ରବ Bhadraba; ভাদ) is the sixth month of the Hindu calendar, which falls in August and September of the Gregorian calendar. In India's national civil calendar (Shaka calendar), Bhadra is the sixth month of the year, beginning on middle of August and ending on middle of September (date varies). In Hindu astrology, Bhadra begins with the Sun's entry into Leo and is usually the fifth month of the year.

In lunar religious calendars, Bhadra begins on the new moon or full moon in August or September and is the sixth month of the year. The festival of Ganesha Chaturthi, which celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, is observed from 4-10 Bhadrapada in the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) and is the main holiday of the year in Maharashtra. Per the Shaka calendar, the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Bhadrapada is reserved for the veneration of the dead. This period is known as Pitru Paksha.

In the Vaishnava calendar, Hrishikesha governs this month.

Krishna was born on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada (according to the purnimanta tradition) and Radha was born on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada. Vaishnavas and some Shaivas fast during the month of Purattasi in Tamil Nadu and visit Vaishnava temples on Saturday.

Festivals

 * Krishna Janmashtami (purnimanta tradition)
 * Radhastami / Radha Janmashtami
 * Haritalika Tritiya
 * Ganesh Chaturthi
 * Karam
 * Rishi Panchami
 * Shukla Chaturdashi: Anant Chaturdashi
 * Purnima: Madhu Purnima