Asharh

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 name	আষাঢ় (Bengali)
Calendar	Bengali calendar
Month number	3
Number of days	31 (Bangladesh); 31/32 (India)
Season	Rainy season
Gregorian equivalent	June–July
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Etymology

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

Culture

Bengali culture

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

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

• Equivalent month in Hindu calendar, Aashaadha