Apart from Amavasya (New Moon day) and Purnima (Full Moon day), there are 8 important spiritual events in a month to do certain rituals and remedies to strengthen weak planets in our birth chart.
Sankashti Chathurthi – Day to perform rituals for removing obstacles
Sankashta Chathurthi is an extremely powerful day to worship Lord Ganesha – The remover of obstacles. It is celebrated every month on the 4th day after full moon during Krishna Paksha (waning moon). It is also called Sankata Hara Chathurthi.
Pradosham – Day to perform rituals for Lord Shiva
Pradosha or Pradosham is a bimonthly occasion on the thirteenth day of every fortnight in the Hindu calendar. Trayodashi (“thirteen”) refers to the thirteenth day in a lunar phase or fortnight of the Hindu calendar. Each month has two Trayodashi days, falling on the thirteenth day of the moon’s ‘bright phase’ and ‘dark phase,’ respectively.
Pradosh refers to the twilight period, just before sunset and immediately after sunset, when it is believed that Lord Shiva is in his most cheerful mood and most likely to give of his energies. Therefore the most optimal time for meditation and ritual on pradosham is during an auspicious 3 hour period that falls 1.5 hours before and after sunset.
Kalashtami – Day to perform rituals for The God of Time
Kalashtami is the most auspicious day dedicated to Lord Kala Bhairava. It is observed every month during Ashtai tithi (8th lunar day) of Krishna Paksha (waning moon). Lord kala Bhairava is a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Kala Bhairava is the God of Time – Kal means ‘time’ and ‘Bhairava’ the manifestation of Shiva.
Bhai’ will give you material wealth; ‘Ra’ will dissolve negativity and limited consciousness; and ‘Va’ will keep creating things. Keep chanting the syllables. Say the sounds 8 times a day of 1 minute each, anytime of the day or evening, you can chant the mantra more than 108 times on a day or by writing the mantra more that 1008 or 10008 times will grasp excellent results . This sacred sound will serve as a reminder that every second counts, and enable you to focus and utilize time effectively.
Ekadashi – Day to perform rituals for cleansing and purification
Ekadashi fasting is known to wash away sins not just from this lifetime but all our past lifetimes as well. Ekadashi fasting is observed on the 11th lunar day of every month. So there are two Ekadashis every month one during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and one during Krishna Paksha (Waning Moon). And each Ekadashi has a special significance.
Sankranti – Day to plan your Vedic Month
Whenever the Sun changes signs it is called “Sankranti”. Few hours before the shift into the new sign and few hours after it is a very unsettling time for the Sun. It is like when you move into a new home, few days before, during and after the move are not really comfortable as you first pack up your old home, then shift into the new home and then unpack and settle down. So our ancient seers declared these days of transition as unfit for any auspicious beginnings. It is the time to look back at the month that passed, what were the key challenges you faced, what were the pros and cons, most importantly what were the key take aways or lessons you learned etc. You can also use this time wisely to prepare and plan for the month ahead.
The day of Sankranti is extremely auspicious for meditation, prayer, contemplation and self exploration. You will also benefit greatly by reading the scriptures.
Skanda Shashti – The day to strengthen your Mars
Shashti tithi (6th lunar day) is dedicated to Lord Skanda also known as Kartikeya. He is the deity connected to the planet Mars. A good placement of Mars is considered extremely crucial for stable and lasting relationships. Praying to Lord Kartikeya especially on Skanda Shashti will help you imbibe the positive qualities of Mars.
Monthly Shivratri – Day to honor Lord Shiva
Each month during the Chathurdashi tithi (14th lunar day) during Krishna Paksha (waning moon) is celebrated as the monthly Shivratri. And when this happens during the month of magha (February) it is celebrated as Maha Shivratri.
Monthly Durgashtami – Day to perform rituals to Goddess Durga
Durgashtami is celebrated every month during Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi (8th lunar day during the waxing phase of the moon). It is the day to honor Goddess Durga. The Sanskrit meaning for Durga is a place that is protected and cannot be reached by evil forces. The word Durga also means invincible, unbeatable and undefeated.
She is considered to be the combined forms of Goddess Kali, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Lakshmi.
Devi Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardini which translates to the slayer of a mighty evil buffalo demon called Mahishasur, which represents tamo-guna, the dark quality of inertia, ignorance, and laziness.
