Ashadha
आषाढ़
June – JulyAlso spelled: Ashad, Ashada
Monsoon arrives. Hosts Devshayani Ekadashi (Vishnu sleeps for 4 months — Chaturmas begins), Guru Purnima, and the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.
Nakshatra
Purva Ashadha & Uttara Ashadha
Where the full moon falls in this month
Presiding deity
Vishnu (in his sleeping form) + Vyasa
Seasonal element
Monsoon arrival
Agricultural rhythm
Monsoon begins; kharif sowing — rice, sugarcane, cotton.
Spiritual character
Ashadha marks the gateway to Chaturmas (the four-month "monk's retreat"). On Devshayani Ekadashi, Vishnu is said to enter cosmic sleep, returning only on Devuthani Ekadashi in Kartika. Major auspicious actions traditionally pause; the focus shifts to study, sadhana, and inward work.
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः।
“The Guru is Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara himself.”
— Guru Stotra
Key observances this month
- •Devshayani Ekadashi (Shukla Ekadashi) — Vishnu sleeps; Chaturmas begins
- •Guru Purnima (Shukla Purnima) — honour gurus + Vyasa
- •Rath Yatra at Puri (Shukla Dwitiya) — Jagannath's annual chariot procession
- •Bahuda Yatra (Shukla Dashami) — Jagannath's return
Auspicious for
- ✓Beginning sadhana under a guru
- ✓Mantra deeksha
- ✓Vedic study
Traditionally avoided
- ✗Marriage
- ✗Gruha pravesh (during Chaturmas)
- ✗Major business launches