August is month of joy with several holidays and festivals

Hyderabad: With Shravanam starting Wednesday, it is time for auspicious festivals after 30 days of Shunya Masam during Ashadam.

During the month, festivals like Naga Panchami, Varalakshmi Vratam, Shravana Gowri Vratam (all Tuesdays of the month), Rakhi Pournami, Balarama Jayanthi, Krishnastami etc. are celebrated.

Mr K. Venkateswara Sarma, a scholar from Nalgonda says a few Hindu months have special days — all Mondays are important days in Karthikam, Thursdays in Margasiram and Sundays in Magham.

“But Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays will be important in the month of Shravanam. The month begins with the Shravana star, which is the birth star of Lord Vishnu. The month sees the Hayagreeva Avatara, Aravinda Maharshi’s birth and Sri Krishna’s birth. In true Vaishnava tradition, Alavandaru, Badari Narayana, Perumal and Choodi kuduttha Nanchar had their Tiru Nakshatra’s in this month,” he said.

Another scholar, Santhosh Kumar says, according to the Puranas, “yatra Naryanthu Pujyanthu, tathra ravanthu devathah,” Shravanam gives priority to women.

“A brother assures  his sister of protection during Raksha Bandhan, parents give assurances to daughters during Mangala Gouri Vratam and husbands assure wives of care with Varalakshmi Vratams,” he said. He says muhurthams would be available from Shravana Panchami (August 7).

August will also mark the Krishna Pushkarams (from August 12 to 23), Independence Day and  yes, Friendship Day on August 7.

Temples set up online bookings

Temples are bracing for the rush during the  Shravanam month and are offering online bookings for special pujas and darshans.

Yadadri temple is providing more seating for Satyanarayana Swamy Vratams and special pujas in Balalayam. Officials are expecting number of vratams to go up to 2,000 per day.

The Vijayawada Kanakadurga temple also has made arrangements for pujas including Mangala Gowri and Varalakshmi pujas.

And holy sites such as Annavaram, Pitapuram, Bheemavaram, Tirupati, and Shaktipeetas like Alampur in Telangana, Srisailam, Pitapuram and Draksharamam in AP are also ready along with temples on the Krishna, which are prepped for the Pushkarams.