Asharh (Bengali: আষাঢ় āshāḍh, Odia: ଆଷାଢ଼ āsāḍha) is the third month of the Bengali[1] and Odia calendars[citation needed] and the Tirhuta Panchang (a Hindu calendar followed by the Maithil community in India and Nepal).[2] It is the first of the two months that comprise the wet season, locally known as "Barsha" (Bengali: বর্ষা Bôrsha, Nepali: वर्षा Barsha, Odia: ବର୍ଷା Barsā), when the monsoon winds blow.[3][4] It is one of the first five months of the year that have 31 days, according to the Bangladeshi version of the Bengali Calendar.[5] In the Indian version of the Bengali Calendar, the month can have up to 32 days.[6]

Asharh
The arrival of monsoon in the month of Asharh helps nature get refreshed after the scorching summer
Native nameআষাঢ় (Bengali)
Calendar
Month number
  • 3
Number of days
  • 31 (Bangladesh);
  • 31/32 (India)
SeasonRainy season
Gregorian equivalentJune–July
Srabon →

Etymology

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It is named for the constellation Uttarashadha (Bengali: উত্তরাষাঢ়া Uttôrashaŗha), identified with Sagittarius.[5]

Culture

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Bengali culture

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The month and the monsoon are welcome with songs, dance,[7] and celebration in Bangladesh.[8][9] A popular poem "Abar Eshechhey Asharh" আবার এসেছে আষাঢ় by Rabindranath Tagore, that is about this season.[10][11]

Odia culture

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There are occurrences of an extra Asadha which is referred as Odia: ମଳ ମାସ maḷa māsa (meaning unclean) in Odia whereas the non-extra Asadha is referred to as Odia: ଶୁଦ୍ଧ suddha.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jan Gyllenbok (2018). "Bengali Calendar". Encyclopaedia of historical metrology, weights, and measures. Vol. 1. Birkhäuser. pp. 260–261. ISBN 978-3-319-57596-4.
  2. ^ Jan Gyllenbok (2018). "Maithili Calendar". Encyclopaedia of historical metrology, weights, and measures. Vol. 1. Birkhäuser. p. 223. ISBN 978-3-319-57596-4.
  3. ^ Aly Zaker (24 June 2011). "So, Asharh is here again!". Star Weekend Magazine. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  4. ^ "Monsoon induces low in Bay of Bengal as rainy season nears". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  5. ^ a b Syed Ashraf Ali (2012). "Bangabda". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  6. ^ "Festival with a fixed date". The Telegraph. Kolkata. Archived from the original on 2008-09-22. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  7. ^ "Monsoon melodies". The Daily Star. 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  8. ^ "Rabirag embraces monsoon with music and dance". The Daily Star. 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  9. ^ "Melodies on a monsoon evening". The Daily Star. 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  10. ^ "The bounty of monsoon in melodies". The Daily Star. 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  11. ^ "Ashari Purnima". The Daily Star. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  12. ^ Roland Hardenberg (2001). "The Renewal of Jagannath". In Hermann Kulke; Burkhard Schnepel (eds.). Jagannath Revisited: Studying Society, Religion, and the State in Orissa. Manohar. p. 87. ISBN 978-81-7304-386-4.