Question 1

When is Shakradhvajapata observed?

Accepted Answer

Shakradhvajapata falls on Ashvina Shukla Dvadashi, the twelfth lunar day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashvina. The day is governed by the Dvadashi tithi running at local sunrise, so the Gregorian date changes from year to year.

Question 2

What does Shakradhvajapata mean?

Accepted Answer

Shakradhvajapata marks the lowering of a flag raised in honour of Indra. The name combines Shakra, an epithet of Indra, dhvaja, meaning flag, and pata, meaning falling or lowering.

Question 3

Is Shakradhvajapata a day of no study?

Accepted Answer

The traditional note associated with the observance calls it an anadhyayanam day, meaning that formal Vedic study or recitation is suspended. Whether this applies in practice depends on the relevant teaching, family, or ritual tradition.

Question 4

How is Shakradhvajapata kept at home?

Accepted Answer

There is no confidently established universal household puja sequence or special food offering for this lesser-known observance. If an Indra banner is part of a local or institutional rite, it can be lowered according to that tradition; others may simply acknowledge the sunrise-based Dvadashi.

Date	Tithi	Lunar month	Governing time
Tue, 15 Oct, 2024	ShuklaShukla Trayodashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 4 Oct, 2025	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 23 Oct, 2026	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 12 Oct, 2027	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 30 Sept, 2028	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 19 Oct, 2029	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 8 Oct, 2030	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Mon, 27 Oct, 2031	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 16 Oct, 2032	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)

Shakradhvajapata

Dates by year