As the Hindu religion has come from different sources, it is full of rituals, stories, myths and beliefs. According to the Gregorian calendar, the ashada masam is the third month of the year and it falls in the months of June and July.
This is the monsoon season in India and the nature starts to throb again in life with the rain drops. The summer makes everything lifeless,whether it is the nature or the animal kingdom.
With the first drops of the rain, everyone starts enjoying the monsoon season. So, this is the most important significance of ashada masam that it brings new life to the nature.
Ashada Masam: The Inauspicious Month
Hindu’s consider the Ashada Masam to be a very inauspicious month, hence they do not do anything auspicious during this month. Be it Marriage, Griha Pravesh (entering into a new house), Upanayanam (wearing sacred thread) all these events are strictly not allowed. Ashada Masam is also known as the Shunya Masam or null month, Shunya means zero.
Aashada masam also marks the beginning of the marathon period of austerities known as Chaturmasam. Hari Sayani Ekadasi, the day Lord Sri Man Narayana is believed to enter into Yoganidra (divine slumber) falls in Aashaada masam. The sacred act of getting the divine symbols stamped on one’s body known as Taptamudra dhaarana is conducted during Aashaada masam on the day of Sayani Ekadasi. Lot of spiritual significance is attributed to the concept of "Taptamudra dhaarana".
Interesting Fact:
Some married couples want to know, is it good for the wife to stay with husband in the Ashad month? The inauspicious tag attached to Ashada month is due to the fact that the Dakshinayana Punnjaykalam or Karak Sankranti begins in this month. The sun changes its courses in this month and next six months is the night time of Devas (gods), which ends with Makar Sankranti. People avoid undertaking auspicious events this month.Traditionally, as Lord Rama is born in this month, people usually believe that children born in this month will have to face difficulties like him.
Significance Of Ashada Masam
Celebration Mode Deactivated
The Hindus do not celebrate any occasion during this AshadaMasam. According to beliefs, this month is the most inauspicious month of the year, hence no celebration takes place. Be it any holy occasions, wedding, grihapravesh (entering into new houses), buying new car or bike, Hindus strictly say no to all such celebrations during this time. This indeed is a strange thing, is it backed up with the any science. Or its just because of the rains which might be a reason of inconvenience?
No Occasions Are Held During This Time
According to the Hindu astrology, this month is regarded as an inauspicious month. So, no holy occasions like marriages, entering into new houses, etc, are take place during this time. Though the actual reason of this is vague, may be it is because of the inconvenience caused by the rainy season.
Couples Stay Apart
This tells the real significance of ashada masam. The theory behind it is that if a girl conceives during this time, she will give birth at the Chaitra month that is summer. She may go through more problems due to summer. So, people started believing in this as well.
Mother & Daughter-in-laws Stay Apart
It is quite weird though and difficult to find any reason behind this. But, in many households, this is still believed, wherein mother and daughter-in-laws stay apart during the ashada masam. Whatever the reason is, this time two rivals can work on their strategies to confront again!
Pujas & Vrats Unique To Ashada Masam
There are many popular pujas and vrats which celebrated by the devotees during the Ashada Masam month, some popular ones are ChaturmasVrata, Palki Yatra and Rath Yatra. These popular pujas and vratas are unique to the month of Ashada Masam and celebrated by the devotees with utmost dedication and devotion.