The enchanting festivities celebrating nature's beauty inaugurate the Shravan month on August 17th.
This year, we are graced with the occurrence of the Adhik Mas (extra month) that emerges every three years. Its onset falls on Tuesday, the 18th. As it coincides with the Shravan month, it raises questions about the precise timings for observing fasting on Shravan Mondays. People are curious about the fasting schedule for the entire month of Shravan and the dos and don'ts during this time. These queries have been addressed by esteemed individuals such as Pt. of ‘Sharada Jnanpeetham’, Vasantrao Gadgil, and Panchagkarte Mohan Date.
When does the first Shravani Monday occur?: In the current year, the extended Shravan month spans from July 18 to August 16, followed by the pure month of Shravan (Nij month) from August 17 to September 15. Consequently, the first Shravani falls on Friday, August 18th, and the subsequent Shravani will be observed on Monday, August 21st. It's important to note that there are not eight Mondays of Shravan in our region.
Should fasting be observed in both months?: Given the extended duration of Shravan, fasting practices associated with this month should be undertaken exclusively on Mondays. Conversely, Mangalore, Vardalakshmivrat, and similar observances should be performed during the Nij month, spanning from August 17 to September 15. It's advised not to mix these practices between the two months.
Understanding the rationale behind the extra month: The difference between the solar year and the lunar year results in a dissimilarity in the count of days. While a solar year comprises 365 days distributed across 12 months, a lunar year consists of 354 days. To harmonize these divergent counts, a lunar month is repeated approximately every three years, creating what is termed the 'Adhika month'. This month is also known as 'Mal Mas' and 'Purushottam Mas'.
Sangrand (Sankranti) of Month Bhadon/Bhadrapada: August 17th, 2023
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