Four monsoon months, as per Indian calendars and Vedic traditions, are of great significance from religious and spiritual view points. From Ashadh Shulka 11 (dev podhi agiyaras) to Kartik Sud 11 (dev uthi agiyaras) is, in fact the chhaturmas period, which will be from 13th July to 9th November 2008 this year. As per Our religion, Lord Vishnu takes rest and therefore most of the auspicious works, including marriages, normally are no arranged during this period. In some parts of India, chaaturmaas begins from Ashadhi purnima also. Most of the important festivals of our religion are linked with this season of agriculture; from ‘sowing’ to ‘reaping’. Guru Purnima, Rath Yatra, holy month of Shraavan, Raksha-bandhan, Nag-Pancham, Randhan Chhath, Shitala Satam, Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthy, Shraadha Paksha, Navratri/Durga Pooja, Sharad Purnima and Tulsi-Vivah etc fall during this period.

Sanyasis prefer to stay at one place during this period and carry on with meditation, worships, religious preaching etc. General public also give more attention to religious preaching, fasting, chanting of hymns etc. People observe several vows during this period as a token of worship to God.

Jagadguru Shankaracharya to stay
‘Chaaturmaas’ in Dwarka

AAnant Shrivibhushit Param Pujya Dwarka Shardapeethadheeshwar Jagadguru Swami Swaroopanandji, the octogenarian Guru of millions of Hindus across the world, arrived in Dwarka on the eve of Guru Purnima. The ‘Chaaturmaas’ begins from July 18, 2008, the Ashadh Purnima, popularly known as Guru Purnima or Vyas Purnima. Guruji will stay in Dwarka till 15th September 2009 (Bhadrapad Purnima) and observe ‘Chaaturmaas’. The period between these two full-moon days, known as ‘Chaaturmaas’, is considered auspicious and righteous for worshipping God. Scriptures advise common people to pray more during this time and sanyasis,(who have relinquished worldly life-style and family life) who normally on move for spread of religion, prefer to stay at one place and perform religious work, preach devotees etc. This will be Jagadguru Shardapeethadheeshwar Swami Swaroopanandji’s ninth ‘Chaaturmaas’ in Gujarat state and fourth in Dwarka. Lastly, Guruji observed ‘Chaaturmaas’ in Dwarka in the year 2004. As holy month of Shraavan and Shri Krishna Janmashtami will fall during this period, lakhs of devotees are expected to visit Dwarka and raise their spiritual esteem. ‘Skand Puran’ says while Mathura, Kashi (Banaras)and Avanti (Ujjain) are easily accessible for angels; and Ayodhya is easy for general people; but Dwarka is a rare opportunity in Kaliyug as only fortunate one would get a chance to visit Dwarka (Sulabha Mathura, Kashi, Avantischa tatha Surah; Ayodhya Sulabha Loke; Durlabha Dwarika Kalau).