KKN Gurugram Desk | As the auspicious period of Kharmas comes to an end, the wedding bells will soon ring in Bihar. After 14th April, the much-awaited wedding season will commence, along with other manglik (auspicious) activities. This marks the beginning of a busy time in local markets and temples, with a significant increase in weddings and other important ceremonies, marking the end of a brief period of inauspicious days.

In 2025, the months of Vaishakh and Jeth will have 33 auspicious wedding dates, but there will be no muhurats for marriage during the month of Ashadha. While summer weddings dominate the season, one must avoid certain times due to inauspicious influences like Mritiu Vaan (death time) and Bhadrakaal (inauspicious period). Also, from 11th June, Jupiter (Guru) will set in the west, temporarily halting all manglik activities. Therefore, wedding celebrations and other auspicious tasks will be restricted from July 2025.

14th April marks the Satwan festival, and the wedding season will bring a surge in the demand for new currency notes, especially in denominations of 10 and 20 rupees.

Kharmas Ends, Wedding Season Begins

After the completion of Kharmas on 14th April, weddings, housewarming ceremonies, and other auspicious activities will resume across Bihar. For many, this is a time of celebration, as markets and local communities prepare for the influx of weddings and events. People are eagerly awaiting the auspicious dates to plan their weddings, and local vendors are ready for a busy season ahead.

As for the 2025 wedding season, the months of Vaishakh (April-May) and Jeth (May-June) are especially significant. These two months feature a total of 33 muhurats for weddings, which are considered the best times for tying the knot. However, there is a major exception in the month of Ashadha, where no muhurats are available for weddings.

The absence of a muhurats in Ashadha may cause inconvenience for those planning their weddings in this period. Therefore, most families prefer to avoid this month altogether and look for alternative dates in Vaishakh or Jeth.

Restrictions on Wedding Ceremonies Post-June

For those who plan to marry in the second half of the year, the wedding season will face temporary restrictions from 11th June. According to astrologers like Pandit Vivekanand Pandey and Pandit Vishwanath Tiwari, Guru (Jupiter) will set in the west on this date, halting wedding ceremonies and other auspicious events. This will continue until July.

The Jupiter setting marks a period of inauspiciousness for wedding celebrations, which will resume only after 7th July, when Jupiter rises again in the east. Pandit Pandey advises families to plan their weddings before 11th June to avoid the interruption caused by the planetary transition.

The Wedding Season: A Surge in Demand for Currency Notes

As the wedding season kicks off, there is an evident spike in the demand for new currency notes. During weddings, people prefer to exchange new notes as gifts or use them in the dowry process. Especially in rural areas of Bihar, there is a high demand for 10 and 20 rupee notes, which are commonly used during ceremonies.

However, the sudden surge in demand often causes issues. Bhola Singh, a local resident of Udavantnagar, shared, “Once the wedding season begins, people rush to the banks, but sometimes, it becomes difficult to get enough new currency. The demand for 10 and 20 rupee notes rises dramatically, and it creates a shortage in the local market.”

Interestingly, while new notes are hard to find through normal channels, they are often available through the black market, where the notes are sold at a premium price. This situation benefits middlemen or black marketers who capitalize on the demand, making profits while regular customers struggle.

Satwan Festival Celebrated on 14th April

Apart from the wedding season, 14th April also marks the celebration of the Satwan festival, a key event for locals in Bihar. This day holds particular significance for those involved in agriculture, as it marks the arrival of Rabi crop harvest.

The Satwan festival is celebrated when the sun moves from the Pisces (Meen) to Capricorn (Makar) zodiac sign. People observe this day by taking a sacred dip in rivers or lakes, with special emphasis on Ganga Snan (bathing in the Ganges), which is believed to cleanse one’s soul.

In addition to spiritual activities, people also donate food, clothes, and perform other charitable deeds. It is customary to offer Sattu (roasted barley flour) made into laddus or bitter gourd preparations to the family deity. Locals consume Sattu laddus, chana sattu, and mango chutneys, along with the traditional food offerings.

The festival not only symbolizes the end of winter and the arrival of a new harvest but also marks the beginning of several local community activities. It is a time of both cultural and religious significance, and preparations for this day are done in advance.

As the Kharmas end and the wedding season begins, people in Bihar eagerly prepare for a busy period of marriages and celebrations. The months of Vaishakh and Jeth offer 33 auspicious wedding muhurats, but couples must be cautious of the restrictions that come into play post-11th June, when Jupiter sets in the west.

The demand for new currency notes will also surge as people exchange gifts and celebrate weddings. However, finding new notes may become a challenge as demand outweighs supply, with black marketers taking advantage of the situation. In addition, the Satwan festival, celebrated on 14th April, holds spiritual and agricultural significance, marking a time for reflection, rituals, and community involvement.

This wedding season promises to bring both excitement and challenges to the people of Bihar, who eagerly await the arrival of this auspicious time.