Bhadra maas or Bhadro month is the fifth month as per Bengali calendar. In 2009, Bhadra month begins on August 18 and ends on September 17. As per Gregorian calendar, Bhadra month starts in Mid August and concludes in Mid September. Bhadra maas signifies the arrival of autumn season.

The most celebrated festivals during Bhadra month are – Ganesh Chavithi festival, Biswakarma Puja and Mahalaya Paksha.

According to Maharashtra and Gujarat Panchangs, in 2009, Bhadrapad maas begins on August 21 and ends on September 18. Bhadra month is popularly referred as Shunya maas or the unfavorable month for auspicious deeds. Hindus avoid construction of new houses, Gruhapravesh, new business startups and auspicious functions like marriages etc. in Bhadrapad maas.

Major or Important festivals as per Gujarati and Marathi calendars in Bhadrapad month:

 Major or important festivals as per Gujarati and Marathi calendars are – Hartalika Teej or Hartalika Vrat, Ganesh Chaturthi, Rishi Panchami, Surya Sashti, Vamana Jayanti, Anant Chaturthi or Anant Chaturdasi, Bhadrapad Purnima or Bhadra Poonam or Bhadarvi Poonam or Ambaji Poonam and Mahalaya Amavasya.

Surya Sashti is the festival dedicated to Surya Bhagawan (Sun God). Surya Sashti is celebrated on the sixth day in Shukla Paksha during the month of Bhadrapad. In 2009, the date of Surya Sashti is August 26.

Though Shukla Paksha Sashti and Saptami are dedicated to Sun God, Bhadapad Shukla Sashti is more auspicious to worship Surya Bhagawan. Ratha Sapthami, Bhanu Saptami and Surya Sashti which comes on Kartik Shukla Sashti (Dala Chat) are other main festivals dedicated to Surya Bhagawan.

During the festival of Surya Sashti, devotees start worshipping Surya Bhagawan before theSunrise. Performers of Surya Shashti Vrata keep fasting on the day and take meal after the puja completes. Aditya Hrudayam and other Surya Stotras or prayers are recited during the observance of Surya Sashti.

Surya Sashti is celebrated with utmost festivity in Surya Bhagawan temple at Konark in Orissa, Arasuvilli Surya Devalayam in Andhra Pradesh and Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat.

Bhadrapad or Bhadra Month, also spelt as Bhadrapada masam, is the sixth month as per Hindu calendar. In 2009, Bhadrapad or Bhadra maas begins on August 6, Thursday and ends on September 4, Friday as per North Indian Hindu calendars. According to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Panchangs, Bhadrapada masam begins on August 21, Friday and ends on September 18, Friday. Bhadra month is also called as Bhadon month as per Nanakshahi Sikh calendar which begins on August 16 in 2009.

Important Festivals in Bhadrapad Month 2009:

 In Bhadrapad month as per North Indian calendars, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Rushi Panchami, Varaha Jayanti and Anant Chaturdashi are the main festivals. And as per the panchangs of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, the important festivals celebrated during Bhadrapad month are – Vinayaka Chavithi, Rishi Panchami, Vamana Jayanthi and Ananta Chaturdasi.