Aranya Sashti 2025 Date

Aranya Sashti is observed on the sixth day of the waxing phase of moon in the month of Jyeshtha (May – June) as per traditional Hindu calendar. Aranya Sashti 2025 is June 1. It is dedicated to the forest God and also to Goddess Sashti and Kartikeya. There is a popular belief that those who observe Aranya Sashti will be blessed with children.

Women observe a partial fast on the day and perform pujas in a forest or under Kadamba Tree. Goddess Shasti is worshiped on the day and offerings are made on a traditional hand-fan. Women only eat fruits on the day. In some regions, women tie a thread around the wrist.

The prayers that are offered on the day are the Aranya Suktam from Rig Veda.

In western parts of India, a cat along with Goddess Shasti is worshiped on the day. Legend has it that once a married woman stole food and blamed it on a cat. To take revenge, the cat stole all the children that the women gave birth and placed them in a temple dedicated to Shasti. Finally, she prayed to the Goddess and she was advised to make an image of cat and worship along with the Goddess for getting back her babies.

All the worship on the day is associated with fertility rites and is aimed at getting an offspring.

In Bengal, the day is observed as Jamai Sasthi. The famous Shiva - Parvati Vivah is held on the day in Orissa and is known as Sitala Sasthi.