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As soon as the month of Sawan ends in the series of Sanatan culture and festivals, the month of Bhadrapada i.e. Bhadau begins, and with this a new and extremely energetic phase of religious atmosphere begins. While the entire month of Sawan is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, Kanwar Yatra and Jalabhishek, this holy month of Bhadau resonates with the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Krishna, the establishment of the first revered Lord Ganesha and the remembrance of the seven sages. According to religious beliefs, after the calm and merging devotion of Sawan, the month of Bhadrapada brings such a Mahakumbh of festivals, fasts and spiritual joy, in which every day and every date is celebrated like a big festival, due to which the atmosphere of the entire country becomes completely devotional.
Birth anniversary of Lord Shri Krishna and supernatural echo of Bhadau
The festival of Krishna Janmashtami, celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month, is the biggest and main attraction of this entire month. When Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of Krishna in the Dwapar Yuga on the midnight of Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami, till today, in the month of Bhadau, shouts of ‘Nand Ke Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki’ echo everywhere. During this entire month, there is a lot of celebration of Banke Bihari Leelas, Raasleela, tableaus and Chhappan Bhog in every corner of the country. Decoration goes on from temples to homes and people consider the child form of Lord Krishna as the center of their lives and get absorbed in his devotion, due to which the Shiva-like energy of Sawan becomes Krishna-like in a new and joyful form.
Arrival of Vighnaharta Ganesh ji and the joy of Ganeshotsav
Just after the sacred splendor of Shri Krishna’s birth anniversary, the great festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, which takes the form of an unprecedented festival in the entire country for the next ten days. With the arrival of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the trouble-shooter, in homes and big pandals, the entire country echoes with the cheers of Gajanan. People welcome Bappa with devotion and enthusiasm, offer Modak and participate in this great festival that continues till Anant Chaturdashi. After the penance and worship of Sawan, this festival of Ganeshotsav infuses new enthusiasm, energy and social harmony in the lives of people, due to which a flow of only positivity is visible all around.
Feeling of gratitude towards Rishi Panchami and Sapt Rishis
The fast and festival of Rishi Panchami, which falls immediately after Ganeshotsav, holds special spiritual significance in the Sanatan tradition, in which the seven sages i.e. Vashishtha, Kashyap, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Gautam, Bhardwaj and Atri are remembered. Special prayers and rituals are performed in the month of Bhadau to express our gratitude to these seven sages who composed our Vedas, Upanishads and the great tradition of knowledge. In the race of modernity, people may be moving away from ancient traditions, but this month of Bhadau works to connect us with our original ideological and spiritual ancestors, who had shown humanity the right way to live and the path of religion.
Bhadrapada month is a confluence of fasts, festivals and fairs.
Apart from Krishna Janmotsav, Ganeshotsav and Rishi Panchami, the month of Bhadau is also filled with many other important fasts and festivals like Halashashthi, Radha Ashtami, Parivartani Ekadashi and Anant Chaturdashi. In this month, women keep a strict fast for the long life of their children and the happiness and prosperity of the family, while traditional fairs are organized in different parts of the country. From rural culture to urban events, folk music, cultural dances and religious rituals are witnessed everywhere. Amidst the change of seasons, when there are light showers in the sky and the praises of God echo with the bells of the temples, it seems as if both nature and man have come together to worship God.
Spiritual journey from Sawan to Bhadau and its message
When this religious journey that started with the devotion to Shiva in Sawan reaches the Krishna-Ganeshotsav of Bhadau, it presents a beautiful coordination of the two biggest aspects of life – renunciation and celebration. Sawan gives us the power to look within ourselves, exercise restraint and digest poison like Mahadev, while Bhadau teaches us to use that energy to spread love, joy, celebration and knowledge in the society. This confluence of the tune of Lord Krishna’s flute, the philosophy of Lord Ganesha and the knowledge of the sages inspires man to follow the path of duty and devotion even while living in the world, that is why the month of Bhadau after Sawan holds a special place in the heart of every Sanatani.