Bhadra (Nepali calendar)

Bhadra (भदौ) is the fifth month in the Bikram Sambat (BS), the official Nepali calendar. It typically corresponds to the period from mid-August to mid-September in the Gregorian calendar. Bhadra is a month of transition between the monsoon season and the post-monsoon season in Nepal.

Key characteristics of Bhadra:

• Weather: The monsoon begins to weaken during Bhadra, with rainfall decreasing compared to the previous months. Humidity remains high, especially in the early part of the month.
• Festivals: Several important Hindu and Nepali festivals often fall during Bhadra, including:
  • Janai Purnima (Raksha Bandhan): Celebrated on the full moon day, involving the changing of the sacred thread (Janai) and the tying of Rakhi bracelets.
  • Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows): A unique festival celebrated primarily in the Kathmandu Valley, commemorating deceased family members and involving processions with decorated cows or people dressed as cows.
  • Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
  • Teej: A Hindu festival celebrated by women, involving fasting, prayers, and traditional songs and dances, often lasting for several days.
• Agriculture: Bhadra is a crucial month for rice cultivation. Farmers are actively involved in transplanting rice seedlings and managing their fields.
• Importance: Bhadra holds cultural and religious significance for many Nepalese people due to the numerous festivals celebrated during this time.