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July Month Festivals List 2018
July 2, 2018
Sankatahara Chaturthi – July 1st
Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious occasion specially meant for Ganapati worship. ‘Sankata’ are problems and ‘Hara’ is their removal. Chaturthi is the 4th Thithi or lunar day falling in Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the Moon. Sankatahara Chaturthi is thus the day for the devotees to seek divine help for overcoming problems and impediments. Lord Ganapati is regarded as the remover of obstacles, and it is he, who is mainly worshipped on this day for destroying difficulties.
Devotees offer prayers to him in many ways, and one of them is smashing coconuts in his temples. People do this ritual on this occasion for relieving themselves of Karmic influences and for making progress in life. Some observe fasts too. Sankatahara Chaturthi, also known as Sankashti Chaturthi, comes typically once a month and in July 2018, it falls on the very first day itself.
Venus Enters Leo – July 5th
The Shukra Graha is known as planet Venus. It is entering the zodiac sign of Leo on 5th July and will continue being there till 1st August.
Venus is an important planet which denotes sought-after attributes like beauty and love. It also represents aspects like romance, artistic temperament, pleasure, and comforts. Venus, thus, stands for everything that makes life an enjoyable experience. It also rules the signs of Taurus and Libra and bestows natives with intellect and wealth. Hence, its transit in a sign has its astrological significance.
Venus’ entry into Leo now, may generally give positive results to the Leo-born. Business and job may advance, travels may be beneficial, siblings may be helpful, social standing may go up, a hard word may pay dividends and opportunities may arise for people to display their individualities and capabilities. Other signs may have their own varied individual fortunes.
Ekadasi – July 9th
Ekadasi is an occasion of immense spiritual significance. This day is considered especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu, the supreme God of protection.
Eka Dasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th thithi, the lunar day of both, Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, the waxing and the waning phase of the Moon, respectively. Usually, there are 2 Ekadasis in a month and 24 in a year.
The most important activity of this day is the observance of Ekadasi Vrat when people observe fast throughout the day and spend the occasion in prayers and other religious pursuits. Also, each of the Ekadasis has its significance and can bestow unique benefits on the observance of particular activities. The first Ekadasi of July 2018 falls on the 9th. People can undertake austerities and offer prayers to the Almighty on the sacred occasion and receive divine blessings.
Pradosham – July 10th
A period of about 3 hours around the sunset time of a Triyodashi, the 13th day of a lunar fortnight is known as Pradosham. It is regarded as an extremely auspicious period for worshipping Lord Shiva, the supreme God of destruction. There are various theories about what it signifies, and some say that Shiva consumed the lethal Alahala poison during that time for saving the world, while others claim that it was when Devas went through to Shiva with the help of Nandi for warding off the Asura oppression.
The term ‘Pradosham’ also means ‘destruction of sins.’ Shiva worship during the Pradosham time can get his immense blessings for the devotees and clear them of all their sins. Pradosham comes typically twice a calendar month, and the first of them for July 2018 occurs on the 10th. People can visit Shiva temples on that occasion, offer prayers to him and get divine blessings.
Amavasya – 13th July
The New Moon day is known as Amavasya. A calendar cycle has 30 lunar phases in it, and these Moon phases are called as thithis. Amavasya is one among them, and it refers to the dark moon thithi when the moon is not visible in the sky. A lunar calendar month starts on a Purnima, the full Moon day and it is the Amavasya which falls right in the middle. The Sanskrit word ‘Amavasya’ can mean ‘no Moon’ and also ‘dwell together.’ This day is considered auspicious for a variety of activities and especially for worshipping the ancestors.
There will typically be one Amavasya in a month and twelve in a year. In July 2018, this occasion falls on the 13th. People perform rituals like Tharpanam for satisfying the souls of the departed ancestors on Amavasya for receiving their blessings.
Sun Enters Cancer – 16th July
Surya or Sun is a massive ball of fire. This bright heavenly body is held as the king of the planets and the head of the solar family. He is the source of light and energy to the earth and its beings. Sun represents aspects like courage, influence, authority, and power. He wields substantial impact on the lives of the people and hence, much importance is given for his placement and movements.
The Sun moves into the zodiac sign of Cancer on 16th July 2018. It will stay there for about a month and this period corresponds to the Tamil month of Aadi. This time may prove generally beneficial for the Cancer-born people. They may get good name, fame, success, and income; their words may carry weight, and family members may prove beneficial. There may, however, be heat-related illnesses. Other zodiac signs may have different results.
Sashti – 18th July
Shasti is the 6th thithi, the lunar day of Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon. This is a special day for worshipping Lord Muruga.
Muruga is the divine son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. He is believed to have fought a fierce battle with the mighty demon Surapadma and his army for five days and defeated the evil forces on the 6th day of Shasti. Hence, this day is observed in memory of that heroic occasion. It was in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October–November) that the Lord won this notable victory and that day is celebrated as Skanda Shasti. However, commemorating that memorable event, Shasti is observed with piety every month.
Devotees observe Vrat, the fasting, and other austerities on Shasti days for propitiating Lord Muruga. In July 2018, Shasti falls on the 18th, when devotees can offer worship to Muruga and receive his blessings.
Ekadasi – July 23rd
Ekadasi is an occasion of enormous spiritual significance. This day is considered particularly auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu, the supreme God of protection and sustenance.
Ekadasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and indicates the 11th thithi, the lunar day of both, Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, the waxing and the waning phase of the Moon, respectively. It is normal for 2 Ekadasis to appear in a month and 24 in a year.
Observance of Ekadasi Vrat is perhaps the most important activity of this day when people undertake fasting throughout the day and devote the occasion to prayers and other religious pursuits. Further, every Ekadasi has its particular significance with specific austerities attached to it, and its observance can bestow unique benefits to the devotees. The second Ekadasi of July 2018 falls on the 23rd. It is a sacred occasion when people can perform religious practices and offer prayers to the Almighty, and receive divine blessings.
Pradosham – July 24th
Pradosham is a span of about 3 hours around the sunset time of a Triyodashi, the 13th day of a lunar fortnight. This period is considered very auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva, the supreme God of destruction. It was during this time that Shiva is believed to have consumed the lethal Alahala poison for saving the world. It is also said that this was when the Devas took the help of Nandi and approached Shiva seeking protection from the oppression of the Asuras.
‘Pradosham’ can also mean ‘clearing of sins.’ It is believed that the Pradosham worship of Shiva can get his blessings for the devotees and relieve them of their sins. Usually, this day occurs twice in a calendar month, and the second one for July 2018 falls on the 24th. People can visit temples on Pradosham, offer prayers to Lord Shiva and get divine blessings.
Mercury Turns Retro in Cancer – 26th July
Mercury is one of the Navagraha, the nine influential planets. It is the smallest of planets and remains closest to the Sun. Mercury is the Buddhi Kararaka, the ruler of intellect, and hence, is called Budha. This planet can bestow people with handsome intelligence and communication skills. Being the Lord of such vital faculties, its placement and movement are considered very important.
A planet is said to be in retrograde, that is, in retro, when it seems to move in the reverse direction. Mercury turns retrograde in Cancer on 26th July 2018 and remains so till 19th August.
This may be a trying time for the Cancer-born. There may be physical discomforts and mental strains; a difference of opinion with siblings; wasteful expenditure, and frequent travels. Endeavors may meet with obstacles but may succeed in the end.
Guru Purnima – 27th July
Guru Purnima is a special day meant for revering the Gurus. This auspicious occasion falls on Purnima, the full Moon day in the month of Ashada (July–August).
A teacher, a preceptor or a guide is commonly known as a Guru and holds an exalted place in our ethos. A Guru is regarded as the one who removes the darkness of ignorance and illuminates a mind with the light of knowledge.
Guru Purnima is considered as the day of birth of Vyasa, the great sage, and colossal writer of extraordinary merit. As he was also a revered Guru, the day is observed as an occasion for honoring all the Gurus. This day also marks the beginning of the sacred Chaturmas period and the monsoon time. Guru Purnima falls on 27th July 2018, when people can show respect and do service to the teachers, and also perform charity
Sankatahara Chaturthi – July 31st
Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an occasion meant particularly for Ganapathi worship. Problems are called ‘Sankata,’ while ‘Hara’ is their removal. Chaturthi is the 4th thithi, the lunar day falling in Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the Moon. Sankatahara Chaturthi is thus the auspicious day for devotees to overcome impediments with divine help.
Lord Ganapathi is primarily regarded as the remover of obstacles, and hence, he is worshipped principally on this day for clearing difficulties. Devotees offer prayers to him in many ways, and one of them is smashing coconuts in his temples.
People do this ritual relieve themselves of Karmic influences and for advancement in life. Some observe fast too. Sankatahara Chaturthi, also known as Sankashti Chaturthi, is occurring twice in July 2018, and the second one falls on the last day of the month..
