Aranya Shashti 2012 date is 17 June. Aranya Shashti falls on the sixth day of the new moon in Jaistha (May-June), is celebrated only by women, in honour of the goddess Shasthi.
The ceremonies on this occasion ought, according to the Shastras, to be performed in a forest; this is implied by the word Aranya. As such, however, are not everywhere near at hand, the puja is made under any trees where the emblem of Shasthi is to be found. This emblem is a round black stone, painted red, and seen in most villages of Bengal. All the women of the place proceed there with offerings of sweetmeats, plantains, each having a fan in her hand, with which they refresh the stone goddess, expecting that, moved by these acts of devotion, she will grant them fine, healthy children, or remove barrenness, should they be without offspring. The rule of the Shastras is, that roots only are to be used as food during the day; but this injunction is now laid aside, and bread and cakes are substituted.