Auspicious August

Auspicious August

August is a propitious month teeming with different events of varying significance.

Varalakshmi Vratham falls on the second Friday of the Shravana month just before the Full Moon, a day when married women across South India offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, seeking blessings for the welfare of their marital family.

The month of Aadi – Aadi Masam – which started in mid-July and ends in mid-August, is considered magnificent for the agricultural cycle, as this is time when West Coast rivers which dried up in summer are now replenished with monsoon rains. Thus, sowing, rooting and planting of crops takes centre stage for farming communities for healthy vegetation and prosperity.

India completes 79 years of freedom from British Colonial Rule on 15th August, a day when our hearts fill with nationalistic pride as we fly our vibrant tri-colour. Each flutter of the flag refreshes our memories of those intrepid Freedom Fighters whose sacrifices enables the nation’s Independence Day.

Come August and it is time for Janmashtami – the birth of beloved god Krishna, celebrated with intricate kolams and little Krishna’s footprints on the home threshold, fasting, narrating the fascinating stories of his birth and life, and preparation of sweet seedai and verkadalai urundai. Community decorations and dressing up of little children as Krishna adds an element of fun to tradition.

The brother-sister bond of eternal love and protection is celebrated with Rakshabandhan, a festival to strengthen the beautiful relationship that stands guard against life’s storms.

All in all, August has enough and more to keep us engaged and tuned in to our traditions, putting our best face forward to celebrate, reflect and appreciate.

Pullout

An eventful, fulfilling calendar awaits us this month