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April Month Festivals List 2018
March 28, 2018
Sankatahara Chaturthi – April 3rd
Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious occasion dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganapati. ‘Sankata’ refers to problems and ‘Hara’ is its removal, while Chaturthi is the 4th day that falls during Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the moon. Sankatahara Chaturthi, also known as Sankashti Chaturthi, is thus a day meant specially for eliminating problems and impediments. It is Lord Ganapati, who is hailed as the remover of obstacles and hence, he is the one who is worshipped on this day for getting rid of our difficulties. Devotees smash coconuts before the Lord on the occasion for wiping out Karmic influences and for making progress in life. Some observe a day-long fast too. Sankatahara Chaturthi normally comes once a month, and in April 2018, it falls on the 3rd.
Ekadasi – April 12th
Ekadasi is a day of great spiritual significance. The word Ekadasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th Thithi or lunar day of both the lunar fortnights, the Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase and Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the Moon. Normally, two Ekadasis happen in a month and 24 in a year.
Ekadasi is regarded as an auspicious day for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Ekadasi Vrat (fasting) is considered a sacred austerity, when people observe fast throughout the Ekadasi day and devote the occasion for prayers and other religious activities. Further, each of the Ekadasis has its own unique significance and can bestow particular benefits by the observance of specific activities. In April 2018, this day falls on the 12th. People can undertake Vrat (fasting), offer prayers on that auspicious occasion, and get divine blessings.
Pradosham – April 13th
Pradosham refers to the period of about 3 hours around the sunset time of a Trayodashi, the 13th day of the lunar fortnight. Pradosham occurs twice a month and is considered an extremely auspicious occasion for worshipping Lord Shiva. This period is regarded variously, as the time when Shiva drank the deadly poison Alahala in order to save the world and the one when the Devas approached Shiva with the help of Nandi for getting relief from the Asuras.
Pradosham also means ‘removal of sins’. Worshipping Shiva during the Pradosham time can get his immense blessings and can relieve devotees of all their sins. The first Pradosham of the month falls on April 13, when people can worship Shiva and get divine blessings.
Vedic New Year – April 14th
Vedic New Year is the time when the Sun moves into the zodiac sign of Aries. This marks the beginning of a New Year, and is popularly known as the Tamil New Year. Vedic Astrology regards Sun as an extremely strong celestial body. Further, Aries remains as the sign of its exaltation and hence, the Sun becomes all the more powerful during this time, when it enters and remains in Aries. The Vedic New Year is also said to mark the vernal equinox when the Sun shines directly on the equator and the lengths of the day and night become almost equal.
This time, the Vedic New Year begins on April 14, 2018. The celestial alignment then will favor all new beginnings and can thus be utilized for generating good health, wealth and many other blessings during the year.
Sun Enter Aries – April 14th
The Sun is entering the first zodiac sign of Aries on April 14, 2018 at 08.28 AM. The Sun, thus, begins its annual journey across the zodiac on this day. This marks the beginning of the Vedic New Year and is popularly known as the Tamil New Year’s day. Vedic Astrology regards the Sun as an extremely strong celestial body. Further, Aries remains as the sign of its exaltation and hence, the Sun becomes all the more powerful during this time, when it transits Aries and remains in that sign for about a month.
The time when the Sun enters Aries is considered highly propitious. The celestial alignment on this April 14 will favor all new beginnings and can thus be utilized for generating good health, wealth and many other blessings during the year.
Mercury turns direct in Pisces- April 15th
Mercury is one of the Navagraha. It is the smallest planet and is also the closest to the Sun in space. Mercury is known as Buddhi Kararaka, the ruler of intellect, and hence, is called Budha. Mercury can bestow people with sharp intelligence and strong communication skills. Being the planet of such important faculties, it is natural that it exercises a strong influence on the earthly beings, and hence, a lot of importance is attached to its transit in a sign.
Mercury remains retrograde in Aries from March 22nd and then, turns directly to the zodiac sign of Pisces on April 15, 2018. This will signal a change for the better, with improved clarity of thoughts, positive frame of mind, amiable communication, better health and cordial relationships. Worshipping Lord Vishnu on the occasion can further enhance the positive vibrations of the planet.
Akshaya Tritiya – April 18th
Akshaya Tritiya is a sacred occasion regarded as highly propitious for performing auspicious activities. ‘Akshaya’ means immortality or imperishability. It is believed that this day will lead to unending growth, expansion and success, and hence, is considered most suitable for starting new endeavors, undertaking important activities and for acquiring precious things and assets. Tritiya is the third day. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Vaishak or the Tamil month of Chiththirai, which corresponds to April–May. In this year 2018, it falls on April 18th.
People can perform austerities, do charities and offer worship on Akshaya Tritiya day. These can get them divine blessings and bestow them with prosperity, fortune and success in life.
Venus Enters Taurus – April 20th
Shukra, the planet Venus, is an important celestial body. It represents the noblest of emotions, love and denotes the sought-after aspects like beauty, romance, artistic temperament, pleasure and comforts. Venus, thus, stands for all that, which can make a life worth living. It also rules the zodiac signs of Taurus and Libra, and bestows natives with intellect and wealth. Hence, a lot of importance is attached to its transit in a sign.
Venus will enter its ruling sign of Taurus on 20th April, 2018 and will stay there till 14th May. This can make people born in that sign romantic and passionate, and help them to get prosperity and fame. However, varied fortunes may be in store for the natives of different zodiac signs. People can perform Pooja and remedies for Venus on the occasion for propitiating the planet and minimizing its adverse effects.
Shasti – April 21st
Shasti denotes the 6th Thithi or the lunar day of Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon. This is regarded as a special day for Lord Muruga worship.
It is believed that Muruga, the valiant son of Lord Shiva and mother Parvati, fought a fierce battle with the mighty demon Soorapadman and his army for 5 days at a stretch, and vanquished the evil forces on the 6th day of Shasti day. Hence, this occasion remains dedicated to Muruga. This great victory actually happened in the month of Ashwin (October–November) and that day is celebrated as Skanda Shasti. However, commemorating that memorable day, Shasti is observed with piety every month. Devotees observe Vrat (fasting) on Shasti days for propitiating Lord Muruga. During April 2018, Shasti falls on the 21st, when devotees can undertake austerities and offer worship to Muruga, and get his blessings for their welfare.
Ekadasi – April 26th
Ekadasi is a day of great spiritual significance. The word Ekadasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th Thithi or lunar day of both the lunar fortnights, the Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase, and Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the Moon. Normally, two Ekadasis happen in a month and 24 in a year.
Ekadasi is regarded especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Ekadasi Vrat (fasting) is considered a highly sacred austerity, when people observe fast throughout the Ekadasi day and devote the occasion for prayers and other religious activities. Further, each of the Ekadasis has its own unique significance and can bestow particular benefits by the observance of specific austerities. The second Ekadasi of April falls on the 26th. People can undertake Vrat (fasting), offer prayers on that auspicious occasion, and get divine blessings.
Pradosham – April 27th
Pradosham refers to the period of about 3 hours around the sunset time of a Trayodashi, the 13th day of the lunar fortnight. Pradosham occurs twice a month, and is considered as an extremely auspicious occasion for worshipping Lord Shiva. This period is regarded variously as the time when Shiva drank the deadly poison Alahala in order to save the world and the one when the Devas approached Shiva with the help of Nandi for getting relief from the Asuras.
Pradosham also means ‘removal of sins’. Worshipping Shiva during the Pradosham time can get his immense blessings and can relieve devotees of all their sins. The second Pradosham of the month falls on April 27, when people can worship Shiva and get his divine blessings.
Narasimha Jayanthi – April 28th
Narasimha is regarded as the 4th Avatar of Lord Vishnu on earth. ‘Nara’ is a human being and ‘Simha’ is a lion, and ‘Nara-Simha’ is thus a Man–Lion, the one with a human physique and a lion head. Lord Vishnu had to take this unique form, for outwitting and slaying a powerful demon known as Hiranyakashipu, who was very well protected by a series of boons, in order to protect Hiranya’s own son and his ardent devotee Prahlada, and also, to save the world and the people, from the Asura’s tyranny and thus, establish Dharma (righteousness).
Narasimha Jayanthi is the day of advent of the Lord and is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Chaturdasi of Vaisakh month. This falls on April 28 this year. People can worship Narasimha, observe fast and do charity on the day for getting his divine blessings.
Chitra Purnima or Chitra Pournami – April 29th
Chitra Purnima is a festival dedicated to the unique divinity, Chitragupta. He is regarded as the accountant or the bookkeeper of Yama, the much-feared God of death, and is believed to be primarily responsible for keeping track of the virtues and vices that a person is committed to during a lifetime. Also called Chitra Purnima, this occasion is observed on Purnima, the full Moon day, in the month of Chithirai (April-May). The Chitra star too coincides with that full Moon day and hence, the occasion is considered highly auspicious.
Chitra Purnima or Pournami falls on 29th of April in this year 2018. On that sacred day, people can visit Chitragupta temples, like the one at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, make offerings like sweet Pongal, seek his pardon for the past mistakes and offer worship seeking dissolution of sins. They can also do charity.
