This is known as Hrishikesha Masa/Bhadrapada maasa and is equivalent to Augsut-September month in the English calendar.
Bhadrapada Masa is a very significanct and prominent month and this month occurs in the mid of the lunar month. The lunar month is named after the constellation in which the moon is present on the full moon day. Bhadrapada masa gets its name from the presence of moon in Poorvabhadra nakshatra on the full moon day. Bhadrakaram means the Bhadrapada month is an auspicious month which is also highly meritorious. Bhadra means safety in Sanskrit.
Kṛishna is known by several names and is known by the name of Hṛṣīkeśa. Hrishikesha is the presiding deity of this month, also known as masa niyamaka. Hṛṣīkeśa can be split into two words – hṛṣīka and īśa. Hṛṣīka means the senses, and īśa, is the master. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is the master of everyone’s senses. The name is mentioned in the 47th sloka in the Vishnu Sahastranama.
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrishikena hrishikesha-sevanam bhaktir uchyate
- (CC Madhya 19.170)
The Lord as Hrishikesa is the controller of our senses. When these senses are used in the service of the Lord, then they become purified. But, when these senses are used for satisfying ourservles, then it is not pure but contaminated.
The moment we accept the Lord as paramatma in our heart, we can progress in our devotion and Bhakti life to the Lord. An example for this is given by Maharaja Ambarish as seen by the below shloka.
sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayor vacāṁsi vaikuṇṭha-guṇānuvarṇane
karau harer mandira-mārjanādiṣu śrutiṁ cakārācyuta-sat-kathodaye
mukunda-liṅgālaya-darśane dṛśau tad-bhṛtya-gātra-sparśe ’ṅga-saṅgamam
ghrāṇaṁ ca tat-pāda-saroja-saurabhe śrīmat-tulasyā rasanāṁ tad-arpite
pādau hareḥ kṣetra-padānusarpaṇe śiro hṛṣīkeśa-padābhivandane
kāmaṁ ca dāsye na tu kāma-kāmyayā yathottamaśloka-janāśrayā ratiḥ
— SB 9.4.18-20
Mahārāja Ambarīṣa always engaged his mind in meditating upon the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, his words in describing the glories of the Lord, his hands in cleansing the Lord’s temple, and his ears in hearing the words spoken by Kṛṣṇa or about Kṛṣṇa. He engaged his eyes in seeing the Deity of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa’s temples and Kṛṣṇa’s places like Mathurā and Vṛndāvana, he engaged his sense of touch in touching the bodies of the Lord’s devotees, he engaged his sense of smell in smelling the fragrance of tulasī offered to the Lord, and he engaged his tongue in tasting the Lord’s prasāda. He engaged his legs in walking to the holy places and temples of the Lord, his head in bowing down before the Lord, and all his desires in serving the Lord, twenty-four hours a day. Indeed, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa never desired anything for his own sense gratification. He engaged all his senses in devotional service, in various engagements related to the Lord. This is the way to increase attachment for the Lord and be completely free from all material desires.
Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and one’s senses are purified simply by being employed in the service of the Lord.” (SB 1.1.2)
The first half of this month is dedicated in the worship of Devathas and Rishi Ganas and the second half of Bhadrapada Masa is totally dedicated in the worship of Pithru Devathas and this half of the month is known as Pithru Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha. Though worship of Devathas and Pitrus take place in this month, they are all still just instruments or Nimitta Matra, and the presiding lord is Vishnu/Krishna known as Hrishikesha.
The Sun god, traverses this Sixth month with his associates by entering the sixth zodiac sign – Kanya or Virgo and is known as;
Vivasvan as the sun-god, Ugrasena as the Gandharva, Vyaghra as the Raksasa, Asarana as the Yaksa, Bhrgu as the sage, Anumloca as the Apsara and Sankhapala as the Naga rule the month of Nabhasya.
List of Bhadrapada Festivals
Krishna Janmashtami – Krishna Janmashtami is a festival commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was the eighth incarnation of Vishnu’s Dashavatara.
Aja Ekadashi – Aja Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi vrats which are observed to seek blessing of Lord Vishnu.
Dahi Handi – Dahi Handi is a famous sportive event organized in the cities of Maharashtra and Goa. Dahi Handi is celebrated on the next day of Krishna Janmashtami.
Ganesh Chaturthi – Festival celebrates the birth of Ganapati, the writer of the Bhagavad Gita when recited by Vyasadev. Remover of obstacles in spiritual progress.
Radha Ashtami – Radha Ashtami celebrates the birth of Radha, who was the consort of the Lord Krishna during the period of his life when he lived among the cowherds of Vrindavana. Radhashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapad month as per hindu panchang.
Parsva Ekadashi – Parivartini Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi vrats which are observed to seek blessing of Lord Vishnu.
Vamana Jayanti – Vamana Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu. Vamana was the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu during Treta Yuga.
Anant Chaturdashi – Anant Chaturdashi is the most significant day to worship Lord Vishnu in Anant form. On this day devotees of Lord Vishnu observe a day long fast and tie sacred thread during Puja.
Mahalaya Amavasya – Commemorates the end of the Pitru Paksha fortnight, where the Pitrus are offered due oblations.
Festivals in Holy Dhams
At Jagannath in Puri
Rahurekha Lagi: Rahurekha is a gold ornament for the forehead and face of the three deities. Jagannath Mahaprabhu, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra wear Rahurekha on Bhadrava Krushna Panchami i.e. the fifth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba (August-September)
Janmastami / Krushna Janma and Lila: The birthday of Lord Krushna is celebrated on Bhadraba Krushna Astami Tithi i.e. the eighth day of dark fortnight of Bhadraba (AugustSeptember). On the next day i.e. Navami Tithi, Nandotchhaba is observed. From next day i.e. Dashami Tithi onwards certain nitis (rituals) relating to Krushna Lila like Banabhoji, Kolibika, Bakasura and Arghasura Badha, Kaliyadalana, Dhenukamana and Pralambasura Badha are celebrated for some days. On Bhadrava Krushna Trayodasi i.e. the 13th day of this dark fortnight, Jagannath Mahaprabhu and Lord Balabhadra dress like Lord Srikrushna and Lord Balarama or Balabhadra.
Saptapuri Amabasya: This is observed on Bhadraba Amabasya Tithi i.e. the new moon day of Bhadraba (August-September).
Ganesa Chaturthi: On Bhadraba Sukla Chaturthi Tithi i.e. the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba (August-September) birthday of Lord Ganesha is observed in the Temple.
Nabanna: Taking of new food is observed on Bhadraba Sukla Panchami Tithi i.e. the fifth day of the bright Bhadraba (August-September).
Rushi Panchami: This is also observed on Bhadraba Sukla Panchami Tithi i.e. the 5th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba (AugustSeptember).
Radhastami: Birthday of Devi Radha is observed on Bhadraba Sukla Astami Tithi i.e. the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba (August-September).
Parswaparibartana: This festival takes place on Bhadraba Sukla Ekadasi Tithi i.e. the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba (AugustSeptember). The deities enjoying sleep change sides on this day.
Bamana Janma or Sunia:The birthday of Lord Bamana (dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is observed on Bhadraba Sukla Dwadasi Tithi i.e. the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba.
Anantachaturdasi: Birthday of Lord Ananta is observed on Bhadraba Sukla Chaturdasi Tithi i.e. the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba (August-September).
Indra-Govinda Puja: On Bhadraba Purnami i.e. the full moon day of Bhadraba, this Puja is performed.
At Dwarka
Bhadra Pada [Bhadarvo]: The 12th day of this month is celebrated as Vaman Jayanti. Special Darshan is organized to mark the celebration.
At Badrinath
MATA MURTI KA MELA
A fair called Mata Murti ka mela is held at the Badrinarayan Temple every September. The image of Uddhav is taken out of the temple and taken to the Mata Murti Mandir that stands near the temple. Some believe it is the image of the goddess in the temple of the mother of Lord Badrinarayan, though it is unclear which goddess is considered to be the mother of the deity. Others say that it is the Mother Goddess Devi who is worshipped here as Ganga, a life giving river.
