Bhadrapada

Bhadrapada is a month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is typically the sixth month of the year in many Indian almanacs. In the commonly used lunar-solar schemes, it generally falls around August and September, with the exact dates shifting each year according to the cycles of the moon. The month forms part of the later summer to early autumn period in many parts of the Indian subcontinent, and it precedes the month of Ashwin.

In Hindu astrology, Bhadrapada also refers to two adjacent nakshatras, Purva Bhadrapada and Uttara Bhadrapada. These nakshatras are used in jyotisha (Hindu astrology) to determine auspicious timings and to interpret certain traits in a person’s horoscope. They span portions of the zodiac signs Aquarius and Pisces and are associated with specific deities and symbolic meanings within traditional astrology. When the nakshatras are considered together, practitioners may view them as a continuous segment within the later portion of the zodiac.

Etymology-wise, the name Bhadrapada is derived from Sanskrit elements that convey auspiciousness or blessing (bhadra) and a foot, step, or phase (pada). The term is therefore linked to customary naming practices in the Hindu calendar, where months and nakshatras are connected to ritual timing and cultural observances.

Culturally, the month of Bhadrapada includes various regional observances and religious activities, often aligned with the lunar calendar. In many parts of India, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated during this period, with dates determined by local calendars and regional customs.