Events
- Sunday 21st Aug 2016
Sankashti Chaturthi Sangada Hara Chathurti Tamil Bol Choth Gujarat
Tritiya Tithi Begins = 01:55 on 5/Aug/2016
Tritiya Tithi Ends = 02:41 on 6/Aug/2016
2016 Hariyali Teej
Teej is observed with fanfare in North India, especially in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Three famous Teej festivals which are celebrated by women during Sawan and Bhadrapada months are -
1. Hariyali Teej
2. Kajari Teej
3. Hartalika Teej
Other Teej festivals like Akha Teej which is also known as Akshaya Tritiya and Gangaur Tritiya are not part of above three. The above three fall in the Shravana and Bhadrapada months. Shravana month and Bhadrapada months currently coincide with Varsha Ritu or monsoon period and the timing of these three Teej makes them more special to women folks. Hariyali Teej falls on Shukla Paksha Tritiya in Shravana month and usually falls two days before Nag Panchami. Hariyali Teej is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hariyali Teej falls during Sawan month which is the holy month to observe various fasts devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hariyali Teej symbolizes reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Women pray and worship Goddess Parvati for conjugal bliss and happy married life. During Hariyali Teej married women visit their parents' home, wear new clothes preferably green Sari and bangles, prepare swings and use it in pair while singing Teej songs. Sindhara is a basket of gifts which is sent to the daughter and her in-laws by the parents of married girl. Sindhara contains homemade sweets, Ghewar, Henna, bangles etc. Due to custom of gifting Sindhara to the daughter and her in-laws during this Teej, Hariyali Teej is also known as Sindhara Teej. Hariyali Teej is also known as Chhoti Teej and Shravana Teej. Kajari Teej which comes fifteen days after Hariyali Teej is known as Badi Teej.
Sankashti Chaturthi 2016
Lord Ganesh
Each lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis. The one after Purnimasi or full moon during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi and the one after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. Although Sankashti Chaturthi fasting is done every month but the most significant Sankashti Chaturthi falls in month of Magha according to Purnimant School and in month of Paush according to Amavasyant School.
If Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday it is called Angarki Chaturthi and it is considered highly auspicious. Sankashti Chaturthi fast is mostly observed in Western and Southern India especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.Devotees of Lord Ganesha keep fast from sunrise to moonrise on Sankashti Chaturthi. Sankashti means deliverance during troubled times. Lord Ganesha, the supreme lord of intelligence, symbolizes the remover of all obstacles. Hence it is believed that one can get rid of all obstacles by observing this fast.
The fast is supposed to be strict and only fruit, roots (the part of a plant which is below ground) and vegetable products are supposed to be consumed. The staple Indian diet on Sankashti Chaturthi includes Sabudana Khichadi, potato and peanuts. Devotees break the fast at night after sighting of the moon.
In North India Sankashti Chaturthi during Magha month is known as Sakat Chauth. Also Vinayaka Chaturthi during Bhadrapada month is known as Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus all over the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Sankashti Chaturthi is also known as Ganesh Sankatahara or Sankatahara Chaturthi among Tamil Hindus.
Location based Sankashti Chaturthi Days
It is important to understand that fasting day for Sankashti Chaturthi might differ for two cities even if those cities are within same Indian state. Fasting for Sankashti Chaturthi depends on moonrise and it is observed on the day when there is moonrise while Chaturthi Tithi is prevailing. Hence Sankashti Chaturthi fasting might be observed on Tritiya Tithi i.e. one day before Chaturthi Tithi. As moonrise time is different for all cities it is important to refer Hindu calendar like this website which lists location based Sankashti Chaturthi days. As generating location based dates are time consuming most sources ignore this fact and publish single list for all Indian cities.
Bol Choth Muhurat
Godhuli Puja Muhurat = 18:37 to 19:03
Duration = 0 Hours 25 Mins
Chaturthi Tithi Begins = 08:17 on 21/Aug/2016
Chaturthi Tithi Ends = 05:43 on 22/Aug/2016
2016 Bol Choth Vrat
Bol Choth is mainly celebrated in Gujarat. It is observed on Krishna Chaturthi during Shravan month. The day of Bol Choth falls one day before of significant Nag Pancham day in Gujarat. The day is mainly observed for the welfare of cows and calves.
People observe a day long fast on the day of Bol Choth. The cows and calves are worshipped in the evening. It is believed that people who observe a day long fast and worship cows in the evening are blessed with off-springs, wealth and prosperity. Devotees who observe Bol Choth fasting strictly abstain from drinking milk and eating any milk-made products. In other states Bol Choth is known as Bahula Chaturthi. Bol Choth with the name of Bahula Chaturthi is more popular in Madhya Pradesh.