July fasts and festivals: From Gupt Navratri to Sawan Monday, know the date and importance

 
The month of July is considered very important in terms of fasts and festivals because many major dates and festivals like Jagannath Rath Yatra, Gupt Navratri, Sawan month etc. start in this month. Also, two big Ekadashi fasts will also be observed this month, which are Yogini Ekadashi and Devshayani Ekadashi. Along with this, the fasts of Sawan Monday of Sawan month will start after Guru Purnima. In this way, devotees will be able to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in the month of July. At the same time, many major fasts and festivals like Ashadh Amavasya, Vivasvat Saptami, Kokila Vrat etc. are going to fall in the month of July. The month of July is also going to be very important in terms of planets and constellations, many big planets are going to change their zodiac sign this month. Let us know the date of the major festivals coming this month and their religious significance.
Yogini Ekadashi (July 2, Tuesday)
Yogini Ekadashi fast will be observed on Ekadashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadh month. On this day, Lord Vishnu is duly worshipped. Worshipping Lord Vishnu with due rituals brings happiness and prosperity in the house and all sins are destroyed. This time on Yogini Ekadashi, Mahayogas like Tripushkar Yoga and Sarvarth Siddhi are being formed.
Ashadh Amavasya (5th July, Friday)
The festival of Ashadh Amavasya will be celebrated on the Amavasya Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadh month. On this day, people bathe in holy rivers in the morning and perform Tarpan, Pinddaan, Shradh Karma etc. for their ancestors. Those who are unable to go to holy rivers to bathe can take bath at home by mixing Gangajal in the bathing water.
Gupt Navratri begins (July 6, Saturday)
The Gupt Navratri of Ashad month is starting from 6th July and will end on 15th July. In Gupt Navratri, 10 Mahavidyas of Maa Durga are worshipped. There are four Navratris in a year, in which two are Gupt and two are Uday Navratri. Navratri of Chaitra and Ashwin month is celebrated with great pomp. Navratri of Ashad and Magh month is known as Gupt Navratri.
Jagannath Rath Yatra begins (7 July, Sunday)
Every year, the Jagannath Rath Yatra starts from the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashad month. In the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath goes to his aunt’s house with his elder brother Balarama and younger sister Subhadra. The Jagannath Rath Yatra has a special significance in Hinduism. Lakhs of people from not only the country but also from abroad participate in this Yatra.
Vivasvat Saptami (12th July, Friday)
The festival of Vivasvat Saptami is celebrated on the Saptami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashad month. On this day, it is customary to worship the Sun God and the Sun’s son Vaivasvat Manu. It is believed that by performing worship and fasting with proper rituals, all troubles are removed and health is attained.
Harishayani Ekadashi, beginning of Chaturmas, Muharram (July 17, Wednesday)
Ekadashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashad month is also known as Harishayani, Devshayani, Vishnu-Shayani Ekadashi, Ashadhi Ekadashi. On this day Lord Vishnu goes into Yog Nidra for four months and Chaturmas begins. As soon as Chaturmas begins, auspicious and mangal works stop and fasting on Ekadashi Tithi destroys all sins. Also, Muharram will also be celebrated on this day.
Kokila Vrat (July 20, Saturday)
Every year, Kokila Vrat is observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashad month. On this Tithi, Goddess Parvati is worshipped in the form of Kokila i.e. Cuckoo. This fast begins on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Ashad month and continues till the full moon of Sawan month. It is believed that Goddess Parvati observed Kokila Vrat to get Lord Shiva as her husband.
Guru Purnima, Vyasa Puja (21 July, Sunday)
Every year, Guru Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashadh. Guru Purnima is also known as Ashadh Purnima, Vyas Purnima and Ved Vyas Jayanti. On this day, disciples worship their Gurus and give them gifts. Also, on this day, Ved Vyasji, who composed many texts and Puranas including Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda, Atharvaveda as well as eighteen Puranas, Mahabharata Granth, Shrimad Bhagwat, was born and Vyasji is also considered the first Guru. Guru Purnima was started by the disciples of Vyasji.
Sawan Somvar (22 July, Monday)
Sawan starts from the next day of Ashadha Purnima and this time Sawan is starting from Monday, which is a very auspicious coincidence. Shiva devotees eagerly wait for this month. In the month of Sawan, Lord Shiva controls the universe in the form of Rudra. This time, five Sawan Monday fasts will be observed in Sawan.