Sharad

Sharad (Sanskrit: शरद्) is the early autumn season or ritu in the Hindu calendar. It roughly corresponds to the western months of mid-September to mid-November. Sharad is preceded by Varsha and followed by Hemant. The Hindu calendar contains six seasons (Vasant, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemant, Shishir) with two months each.

Sharad is characterized by clear skies, after three months of rains. Sharad Navratri, are the first nine auspicious days of the season, Sharad Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Ashwin, is celebrated as the day of divine Rasalila by Shri Krishna. That is the brightest full moon night of the year.

Sharad is also a Hindu name given to boys after the Sharad Purnima or full moon night festival. The name Sharad is also used among the Parsi diaspora in India and is found in parts of Iran as well.

References

• Selby, Martha Ann (translator). The Circle of Six Seasons, Penguin, New Delhi, 2003, ISBN 0-14-100772-9
• Raghavan, V. Ṛtu in Sanskrit literature, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Delhi, 1972.