August 2025 – Complete Guide to Hindu Festivals, Vrats & Special Observances
The Spiritual and Festive Canvas of August 2025
August 2025 is a spiritually vibrant and culturally rich month, filled with festivals, fasts (vrats), and special observances celebrated across India. From sacred Hindu vrats to national days and global commemorations, this month offers an immersive experience of devotion, reflection, and celebration.
August 2025 arrives as a month of profound spiritual energy, cultural vibrancy, and emotional richness across India and Hindu communities worldwide. As the holy month of Shravana continues into early August, this period is marked by heightened devotion, sacred fasting rituals, and a deep connection to divine energies—especially those of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Ganesha, and the Divine Feminine.
This month seamlessly blends traditional Hindu festivals, regional rituals, national celebrations, and global observances, reflecting the unique pluralism of Indian culture. From Raksha Bandhan’s sibling bond to the birth of Lord Krishna on Janmashtami, and the grandeur of Ganesh Chaturthi, August becomes a spiritual journey filled with devotion, music, fasting, storytelling, temple visits, and community joy.
Moreover, August is not just about celebration—it’s about reflection and prayer. Fasts like Putrada Ekadashi, Pradosh Vrat, Masik Shivaratri, and Hartalika Teej guide devotees toward inner discipline, purity, and gratitude. Meanwhile, national and international observances such as Independence Day, Friendship Day, and Hiroshima Day add layers of social, emotional, and historical significance to the month.
In this post, we provide a day-by-day breakdown of all major pujas, vrats, festivals, and special days in August 2025, enriched with cultural explanations, mythological references, and their religious importance. Whether you’re planning temple visits, observing fasts, or simply seeking to stay connected with Indian spiritual traditions, this comprehensive guide will help you stay aligned with the sacred flow of time.
Let us now walk through this calendar of auspicious days that elevate the mind, nourish the spirit, and bring communities together in reverence and joy.
Day-by-Day Festive Calendar & Explanations
1 August (Friday) – Durga Ashtami Vrat
A sacred fast observed on the Ashtami tithi of the lunar fortnight to worship Goddess Durga. Devotees observe fast and offer prayers to seek protection, power, and grace.
3 August (Sunday) – Friendship Day
Celebrated globally, especially among youth. A day to honor friendships, exchange bands, and express love and gratitude to friends.
5 August (Tuesday) – Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
A highly auspicious Ekadashi observed by childless couples seeking blessings of progeny. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with devotion, and devotees fast for a day.
6 August (Wednesday) – Hiroshima Day, Pradosh Vrat
Hiroshima Day: Commemorates the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Observed worldwide with prayers for peace.
Pradosh Vrat: Observed during twilight on Trayodashi tithi to worship Lord Shiva and Parvati. It’s believed to remove sins and fulfill wishes.
8 August (Friday) – Varalakshmi Vrat
A powerful South Indian vrat for prosperity and well-being. Women worship Goddess Lakshmi in her Varalakshmi form, praying for health, wealth, and family happiness.
9 August (Saturday) – Raksha Bandhan, Narali Purnima, Satyanarayan Puja, Purnima Vrat
Raksha Bandhan: Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi), and brothers give gifts in return.
Narali Purnima: Celebrated in coastal Maharashtra by fishermen offering coconuts to the sea god for safety.
Satyanarayan Vrat & Puja: Devotees observe fast and perform a puja in honor of Lord Vishnu for blessings and spiritual merit.
Purnima Vrat: Fasting and worship on full moon day for peace and fulfillment.
12 August (Tuesday) – Kajari Teej, Sankashti Chaturthi, Heramba Sankashti, Angarki Chaturthi
Kajari Teej: Celebrated by married women for the well-being of their husbands.
Sankashti Chaturthi: Dedicated to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles.
Heramba Sankashti: A special form of Ganesha worshipped during this Sankashti.
Angarki Chaturthi: When Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it's especially auspicious.
13 August (Wednesday) – Raksha Panchami
Observed mainly in Odisha. Sisters apply protective tilak and tie threads for siblings, seeking protection from evil.
14 August (Thursday) – Hal Shashti
Celebrated by mothers, especially in rural India, praying for the long life of their children. Associated with Lord Balarama’s birth.
15 August (Friday) – Krishna Janmashtami (Vaishnava), Arbaeen, Independence Day
Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna with fasting, bhajans, and midnight festivities.
Arbaeen: Islamic observance marking 40 days after Ashura, observed in remembrance of Imam Hussain.
Independence Day (India): Marks India's freedom from British rule in 1947. Celebrated nationwide with flag hoisting and patriotic events.
16 August (Saturday) – Kalashtami
Devotees fast and worship Lord Bhairava, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. Observed on the Ashtami after full moon.
17 August (Sunday) – Rohini Vrat, Goga Navami, Simha Sankranti
Rohini Vrat: Observed by Jain women for peace and spiritual upliftment.
Goga Navami: Honors Goga Ji, a folk deity of Rajasthan and Punjab.
Simha Sankranti: Sun enters Leo zodiac. A transition festival for Surya worship.
19 August (Tuesday) – Aja Ekadashi, World Photography Day
Aja Ekadashi: A major Ekadashi believed to absolve sins. Fasting and Lord Vishnu worship are observed.
World Photography Day: Celebrates the art and science of photography globally.
20 August (Wednesday) – Pradosh Vrat
Observed during Krishna Paksha, this vrat honors Lord Shiva during the twilight period.
21 August (Thursday) – Masik Shivaratri
Monthly celebration of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast and chant mantras, staying awake through the night.
23 August (Saturday) – Amavasya, Pithori Amavasya
Amavasya: New moon day, important for Pitru Tarpan and ancestral rites.
Pithori Amavasya: Mothers pray for their children's longevity and prosperity.
24 August (Sunday) – Chandra Darshan
First sighting of the moon after Amavasya. Considered auspicious to offer water and prayers to Chandra Dev (Moon God).
25 August (Monday) – Somvar Vrat, Varaha Jayanti
Somvar Vrat: A sacred Monday fast dedicated to Lord Shiva, especially important in Shravan.
Varaha Jayanti: Birth anniversary of Lord Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu.
26 August (Tuesday) – Hartalika Teej
Celebrated mainly in North India by women for marital bliss and harmony. Associated with Parvati’s penance for marrying Lord Shiva.
27 August (Wednesday) – Ganesh Chaturthi, Chaturthi Vrat
Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha with grand processions, idol installations, and pujas.
Chaturthi Vrat: A fast observed to please Lord Ganesha.
28 August (Thursday) – Rishi Panchami
Observed by women for purification of sins, particularly for violating menstrual taboos in past lives. Reverence is paid to the Saptarishis.
29 August (Friday) – Shasti
A fast dedicated to Skanda or Murugan, son of Shiva-Parvati. Observed on the sixth lunar day.
31 August (Sunday) – Durva Ashtami, Radha Ashtami, Durga Ashtami Vrat, Mahalakshmi Vrat
Durva Ashtami: Devotees worship Durva grass, associated with Ganesha worship.
Radha Ashtami: Appearance day of Radha Rani, beloved of Lord Krishna. Celebrated by Vaishnavas.
Durga Ashtami Vrat: Another Ashtami vrat for Goddess Durga, different from Navratri.
Mahalakshmi Vrat: Begins on this day in some regions. Devotees worship Mahalakshmi for 16 days for wealth and harmony.
August 2025 is filled with opportunities for spiritual growth, cultural celebration, and devotion. From iconic festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, and Ganesh Chaturthi to powerful vrats like Ekadashi, Pradosh, and Teej, this month allows devotees to align with divine energy, honor relationships, and cultivate inner peace.