Fairs and festivals have brought great joy to the millions in our country and the month of August looks extra special with a number of events and holidays dates. There are many festivals of Hindus, Muslims and Parsis that are observed in August and celebrated with fun and enthusiasm. Apart from the religious festivals and celebrations, the month also witnesses one of the three national holidays – Independence Day of India observed on August 15. In 2018, India will be celebrating their 72nd Independence Day. The significant events and festivals this month are – Friendship Day, Raksha Bandhan, Parsi New Year, Eid al-Adha (Bakrid), and Onam. Meanwhile, there are several Hindu fasts (vrat) kept like Sawan Somwar Vrat, Sankashti Chaturthi, Kamika Ekadashi Vrat, Hariyali Teej, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Mangala Gauri Vrat, Kalashtami Vrat Puja, Chandra Darshan, and Sinjara. We have listed down a complete event time table calendar, which will include all the August 2018 festivals, fasts, and holiday for the month with date and day. Friendship Day 2018: Know Date, History, Significance & Facts Behind Celebrating This Day With Your Friends.

The month will begin with Friendship Day, the 2018 date of celebration in India is August 5 as it is observed on the first Sunday of August. A day before on August 4 (Saturday), staunch worshippers of Lord Bhairav observe Kalashtami Vrat Puja. The second week of the month is packed with many fasts such as the second Sawan Somwar Vrat on August 6 (Monday). According to the Hindu Calendar, Shravan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and devotees keep fast to seek blessings from the Hindu God in this auspicious month. We also have Kamika Ekadashi Vrat on August 7 (Tuesday) to please Lord Vishnu, Mangala Gauri Vrat on the same day to seek the blessing of Lord Shiva's consort Devi Gauri. On August 9 (Thursday), Pradosh Vrat and Sawan Shivaratri Vrat. In a year there are usually twelve Shivaratri days and the Shivaratri that falls during the Shravan month, it’s called Sawan Shivaratri and highly significant. The second week will conclude with Shravan Amavasya, Hariyali Amavasya on August 11 (Saturday) and Chandra Darshan, Sinjara on August 12 (Sunday). Eid al-Adha 2018 Dates: When Will Bakra Eid be Celebrated in India, Saudi Arabia & Middle East?

In week three of the August 2018, we have events like 72nd Independence Day celebrations and Parsi New Year in addition to the holy fasts and rituals in Hinduism. Onam will also begin on August 15 (Atham) and continue until August 27 (Chatayam). Parsis also called Zoroastrians residing in India to follow the Shahenshahi Calendar, and hence will celebrate Jamshedi Navroz or Parsi New Year in July or August. This year, it will be celebrated on August 17, 2018 (Friday). As for Independence Day, it is going to be a bank holiday on August 15, 2018 (Wednesday). Among the notable fasts this week, it is Vinayaka Chaturthi, Mangala Gauri Vrat on August 14 (Tuesday), Kalki Jayanti, Skanda Sashti Vrat on August 16 (Thursday) and Tulsidas Jayanti on August 17 (Friday). We also have Naga Panchami on August 15. Onam 2018: Date, Significance, Celebrations Related to Kerala’s Harvest Festival.

2018 August Timetable for Indian Festivals and Holidays Calendar

In the fourth and final week of August 2018, the fourth and last Sawan Somwar Vrat will be kept on August 20 (Monday). The last week will see Muslims’ major festival Eid al-Adha or Bakrid also called "Festival of Sacrifice" will begin on August 21 and be observed on August 22 (dates may vary). Eid al-Adha is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide after Eid al-Fitr. The main Onam day called Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam, meaning "Sacred Onam Day" will be observed on August 25. One of the Hindus’ prominent festival celebrating the loving sibling bond between a brother and a sister, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on August 26 (Sunday). On the same date, Shravan Purnima will also be held. On August 29 (Wednesday), Kajari Teej will be celebrated. The month of festivals and holidays will conclude with an observance of auspicious Sankashti Chaturthi on August 30 (Thursday). It is an auspicious day dedicated to Ganesha, observed in every lunar month of the Hindu calendar on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha. Happy celebrations and holidays!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2018 11:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).