Asharh ( āshāḍh, āsāḍha) is the third month of the Bengali and Odia calendars and the Tirhuta Panchang (a Hindu calendar followed by the Maithil community in India and Nepal). It is the first of the two months that comprise the wet season, locally known as "Barsha" ( Bôrsha, Barsha, Barsā), when the monsoon winds blow. It is one of the first five months of the year that have 31 days, according to the Bangladeshi version of the Bengali Calendar. In the Indian version of the Bengali Calendar, the month can have up to 32 days.

Etymology

It is named for the constellation Uttarashadha ( Uttôrashaŗha), identified with Sagittarius.

Culture

Bengali culture

The month and the monsoon are welcome with songs, dance, and celebration in Bangladesh. A popular poem "Abar Eshechhey Asharh" আবার এসেছে আষাঢ় by Rabindranath Tagore, that is about this season.

Odia culture

There are occurrences of an extra Asadha which is referred as maḷa māsa (meaning unclean) in Odia whereas the non-extra Asadha is referred to as suddha.