June Month Festivals List 2018

Sankatahara Chaturthi – June 2nd Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious occasion dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha or Ganapathi. Problems are called ‘Sankata,’ and ‘Hara’ is their mitigation, 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 primarily for the clearing of problems and impediments. As Lord Ganapathi is hailed as the remover of obstacles, it is he, who is worshipped principally on this day for getting rid of difficulties. Devotees offer prayers to him in many ways, and one of them is smashing coconuts before the Lord. People undertake this ritual for wiping out Karmic influences and for making progress in life. Some observe fasts too. Sankatahara Chaturthi comes typically once a month, and in June 2018, it falls on the 2nd. Venus Enters Cancer - June 9th Venus, Shukra in Sanskrit, is an important planet. It represents the noblest of emotions, love and denotes the much-valued aspects of beauty, romance, artistic temperament, pleasure, and comforts. Venus, thus, stands for everything that makes life enjoyable. It also rules the zodiac signs Taurus and Libra and bestows the natives with intellect and wealth. Hence, astrology gives importance to its transit in a sign. Venus will enter the sign of Cancer on June 9, 2018, and will stay there until 5th July. This may result in the acquisition of comforts like vehicles and luxuries by the Cancer-born. Gains from mother and properties may accrue, while there may also be emotional disturbances. The other zodiac signs may have varied fortunes. People can propitiate Venus by performing Pooja and remedies on this occasion and minimize any adverse effects. Ekadasi - June 10th Ekadasi remains as a day of immense spiritual significance. The term Ekadasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th Thithi (Moon Phase) both, the Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon and Krishna Paksha, the waning phase. There are 2 Ekadasis, which generally come in a month, and 24 in a year. An Ekadasi day is considered especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Ekadasi Vrat is regarded as a sacred austerity when people observe fast throughout the Ekadasi day and dedicate the occasion for prayers and other religious activities. Further, each of the Ekadasis has its individual and unique significance and can bestow particular benefits by the observance of specific activities. The first Ekadasi of June 2018 falls on the 10th. People can undertake Vrat, offer prayers to the Almighty on that sacred occasion, and get divine blessings. Mercury Enters Gemini - June 10th Mercury is one of the important planets in Navagraha (9 Planets). This is the smallest planet and is also closest to the Sun. Mercury is known as Buddhi Karaka, the ruler of intellect and hence is called Budha. This planet can bestow people with sharp intelligence and strong communication skills. Being the significator of such important faculties, it exercises a strong influence on earthly beings and hence, a lot of importance is attached to its transit in a sign. Mercury is entering the zodiac sign of Gemini on Sunday, June 10, 2018 and will continue to be there until June 25th. This period may prove beneficial for the Gemini-born people. They may experience overall improvements in life, enhanced reputation, cordial relationships, gains from mother and acquisition of properties. The results may be different for other zodiac signs. Pradosham - 11th June Pradosham denotes about 1 and a half hour before the sunrise and sunset time of a Trayodashi, the 13th day of a lunar fortnight. Pradosham occurs twice a month typically and is considered an extremely auspicious occasion for worshipping Lord Shiva. This period is regarded variously as the time when Shiva consumed the deadly poison Alahala to save the world and also as the one when the Devas approached Shiva with the help of Nandi for getting relief from the oppression of the Asuras. Pradosham also means ‘removal of sins.’ Worshipping Shiva during the Pradosham time can help get his immense blessings to be relieved of all their sins. The first Pradosham on June 11, 2018, when people can offer prayers to Lord Shiva and get his divine blessings. Amavasya - 13th June Amavasya is the New Moon Day. There are 30 lunar phases as per the calendar, and each of these is called as a ‘Thithi.’ It is the dark moon ‘thithi,’ when the moon is not seen in the sky, is referred to as Amavasya or Amavasya thithi. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, a lunar month starts on a Purnima, the full Moon day and the Amavasya falls right in the middle. The Sanskrit word ‘AmaVasya’ can mean ‘dwelling together’ or simply, ‘no Moon.’ This day is considered auspicious for worshipping ancestors. There will generally be one Amavasya in a month and 12, in a year. In June, this falls on the 13th, Wednesday. People can perform rituals like Tarpanam for propitiating the Pitrus, the departed ancestors on Amavasya, offer worship to Gods and earn their blessings Sun Enters Gemini - 15th June Sun or Surya is a brilliant heavenly body. It is a massive ball of fire, regarded as the king of planets and the head of the solar family. It remains the source of light and energy to the earthly beings. Sun denotes courage, influence, power and authority. He can have an impact on the lives of the people very strongly and hence, astrology attaches great importance to his movements and placement. Sun will move into the zodiac sign of Gemini on Friday, 15thJune, 2018 where it will stay for about a month. This may generally be a beneficial period for the Gemini-born. They may become courageous, enthusiastic, and successful, and make gains from younger siblings and travels. While people of other zodiac signs may have their own individual results, worshipping Surya Dev during this time can improve his favorable effects and minimize afflictions. Father’s Day - 17th June A father is a very dear relative of any individual. He is held in importance next only to the mother. He is the one who provides for and sustains the young ones, and educates and prepares them to be self-reliant and face the world with confidence. His eminent position is acknowledged by all the civilizations, while our tradition regards him even as a God that one should worship. Father’s Day is an occasion observed for honoring the fathers, remembering their stellar role and for expressing gratitude for their great contributions to the family and children.This day, thus celebrates fatherhood. Father’s Day has a long history and it was in the 20th century that USA declared as its official observance on the 3rd Sunday of June. While different countries hold it on different dates at present, India is following the US pattern and is set to celebrate Father’s day on Sunday, the 17th June, 2018. Sashti - 19th June Shasti denotes the 6th Thithi or the lunar day of Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon. It is considered a special day for the worship of Lord Muruga. It is believed that Muruga, the valiant son of Lord Shiva and mother Parvati, fought a fierce battle with the mighty demon Surapadman and his army for full five days and defeated the evil forces on the 6th day of Shasti. Hence, this occasion remains dedicated to that heroic Lord. This great victory happened in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October–November) and that day is celebrated as Skanda Shasti. However, commemorating that memorable event, Shasti is observed with piety every month. Devotees observe Vrat or fasting on Shasti days for propitiating Lord Muruga. In June 2018, Shasti falls on 19th, Tuesday, when devotees can undertake austerities, offer worship to Muruga and get his blessings. Summer Solstice – 21st June A Solstice is the time when the Sun seems to reach the northern-most or the southern-most regions during its celestial journey. These occasions are known as the Summer and Winter Solstice and they occur twice a year, during June and December, respectively. The Summer Solstice takes place now, on 21st June, Thursday. It also remains as the day with the longest daytime and the shortest night time in the Northern Hemisphere. There is a school of thought which regards Summer Solstice as the beginning of the six-monthly period of Dakshinayana, the Sun’s southward journey. Sun is a powerful celestial body, which remains as the source of light and energy to the earthly beings and he can impact the lives of the people very significantly. His power is believed to be at its peak during Summer Solstice and hence people can undertake worships and rituals on the occasion for getting Surya Dev’s blessings for all-round benefits. Ekadasi – 23rd June Ekadasi is a day of great spiritual significance. The term Eka-Dasi simply means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th thithi or the lunar day of both, the Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon and Krishna Paksha, the waning phase. Normally, 2 Ekadasis occur in a month and 24 in a year. Ekadasi is considered especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu, the supreme God of protection. Ekadasi Vrat is regarded a sacred austerity, when people observe fast throughout the day and dedicate the occasion to prayers and other religious activities. Further, each of the Ekadasis has its own individual significance and can bestow unique benefits by the observance of particular activities. The second Ekadasi of June 2018 falls on Saturday, the 23rd. People can undertake Vrat and offer prayers to the almighty on that sacred occasion and get divine blessings. Mercury Enters Cancer - 25th June Mercury is one of the Navagrahas, the powerful planetary Lords. He is the smallest planet and is also closest to the Sun. Mercury is known as Buddhi Kararaka, the ruler of intellect and hence is called Budha. He is capable of bestowing people with sharp intelligence and strong communication skills. Being the Lord of such important faculties, he exercises a strong influence on people and hence, a lot of importance is attached to his transit in a sign. Mercury is entering Cancer, the Kataka Rasi on Monday, the 25th June 2018 and will continue in that zodiac sign till September 2nd. This period may present a mixed bag for the Cancer-born. They may face unexpected losses, health problems warranting hospitalization and denial of opportunities and recognition. However, there may be gains from travel and employment opportunities abroad. People of other signs may have their own different results. Mars Turns Retro in Capricorn – 27th June Mars is a warrior planet. This is an aggressive celestial body that can bestow people with energy, strength, courage and fighting spirit. It is also quite close to the earth, and is said to exercise strong influence on the earthly beings. Hence, great importance is always attached to its placement and movement. However, Mars is considered an inauspicious planet, and people offer worship and undertake rituals for propitiating the planetary Lord, so as to minimize its adverse effects. Mars turns retrograde in Capricorn on 27th June, Wednesday and remains so for about 2 months. This may prove to be a trying time for the Capricorn-born. There may be confusion in mind and lethargy in action; anger may lead to stress and strain; and rash and hasty decisions may prove counter-productive. People can offer prayers to Lord Narasimha during this time and seek relief from such ill-effects. Pournami - 28th June Pournami is the Full Moon and that also refers to the day of the Full Moon. This is actually a thithi, the lunar day that divides a month into two lunar fortnights, the Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. A full Moon appears when the Sun and the Moon are separated by 180 degrees. The Moon remains as a complete circle, fully illuminated and glowing on that occasion. This can cause high tides. Lunar Eclipses too occur only on Pournami days. Pournami is regarded as an auspicious day that can generate positive energies and hence, people choose these days for making new beginnings. Further, each of the Pournami days has its own unique significance and can bestow specific benefits by the observance of particular activities. In June 2018, this monthly occurrence falls on Thursday, the 28th. People can undertake Vrats and offer worship on this auspicious Pournami day and get divine blessings.