Dila (month)

Dilā is the ninth month in the Nepal Era calendar, the national lunar calendar of Nepal. The month coincides with Āsāṛh in the Hindu lunar calendar and July in the Gregorian calendar.
Dilā begins with the new moon and the full moon falls on the 15th of the lunar month. The month is divided into the bright and dark fortnights which are known as Dilā Thwa and Dilā Gā respectively.
Among the major events of the month, the 11th day of the bright fortnight is Hari Sayani Ekādashi which marks the beginning of the Hindu deity Vishnu's four-month cosmic sleep. On the 12th day, devotees plant the Tulsi plant in their homes. The plant represents Vishnu.
The full moon day is Guru Purnimā when teachers are honored. The holiday is also known as Dilā Punhi and is sacred to Buddhists as the day when the Buddha gave his first sermon and set in motion the Dharmacakra, the Wheel of Dharma. The first day of the dark fortnight is the start of Vassa, the three-month rains retreat for Buddhist monks when they remain in their monasteries.
The festival of Gathān Mugah Charhe is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight when evil spirits are chased out of the city limits.

Days in the month