Bhaadra or Bhadrapada (Hindi: भादोंbhaado, Sanskrit: भाद्रपदbhaadrapad) is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar (Shaka calendar), Bhaadra is the sixth month of the year, beginning on 23 August and ending on 22 September. Known as Purattaasi, it is the sixth month of the Tamil solar calendar. In solar religious calendars, Bhaadra begins with the Sun's entry into Virgo, and is usually the sixth month of the year. In Nepal's Bikram Sambat, Bhadra is the fifth month.
In lunar religious calendars, Bhaadra begins on the new moon in August/September and is the sixth month of the year. The festival of Ganesha Chaturthi, celebrating the birthday of Ganesha, is observed from the 4-10 Bhadrapada in the bright fortnight and is the main holiday of the year in Maharashtra. Per Shaka calendar, the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada is reserved for the veneration of the dead. This period is known as Pitru Paksha.