Hindu Festivals
Various Hindu festivals are celebrated throughout the year. A brief account of important Hindu festivals is given below.
Lohri/Makar Sankranti/Pongal
Lohri/Makar Sankranti/pongal are harvest festivals of India. It is celebrated on the 13th-14th of January every year.
Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja
Celebration on the arrival of spring season in Indian region, and worship of Saraswati, Goddess of Learning - signifies persuit of vitality and knowledge during spring season.
Maha Shivratri
Celebration of Lord Shiva's marriage. Lord Shiva is God of Destruction - It means that creation and destruction always co-exist.
Holi
The festival of colors is celebrated on the last day of Falgun month which marks the end of winter season in India. Read more about Holi.
Ram-Navami
Celebration on birthday of Lord Rama, embodiment of virtues. Every one should follow the path of virtues.
Raksha Bandhan
On Raksha Bandhan day, sisters tie Rakhis (sacred threads) on their brothers' wrists to express their love. By accepting a Rakhi, a brother gladly takes on the responsibility of protecting his sister. Thus a frail thread of Rakhi binds brothers and sisters in an inseparable bond of love and trust.
Janmashtami
Janmastami is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu who gave us the vital message of Bhagwad Gita - the guiding principles for every Hindu. Janmastami is observed on the eight day of the dark half (Krishna Paksh) of the month of Bhadrapad in the Hindu calendar. Usual practice in this religious celebration includes keeping fast, singing devotional songs (bhajan - kirtan) and offering prayers.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapad in Hindu calendar. Lord Ganesh is believed to be destroyer of obstacles in your path to success. Basically it means that one must be detemined to put in relentless effort to achieve success.
Durga Puja and Dussehra
Durga Puja and Dussehra are based on legendry tales of victory of good over evil. Read more about Durgapuja & Dussehra
Deepawali
Diwali (also called Deepawali) is a Hindu festival of lights. It's significance lies in removal of darkness (ignorance) through the means of lights (knowledge). Read more about Diwali.
