Hindu Festivals Calendar
During year 2008, various Hindu festivals will be celebrated on the following dates.
Lohri/Makar Sankranti/Pongal 13-14 Jan
Lohri/Makar Sankranti/pongal are harvest festivals of India. It is celebrated on
the 13th-14th of January every year.
Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja 11Feb
Maha Shivratri 06 Mar
Holi 21-22 Mar
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 festival of Holi.
Baisakhi 13 Apr
Raksha Bandhan 16 Aug
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 24 Aug
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 29 Sep
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.
Mahalaya
It's a period of remembrance. Forefathers are remembered, paid homage, and donations made in their names.
Durga Puja 07-09 Oct-21 Oct
Durga Puja and Dussehra
are based on legendry tales victory of good over evil. Read more about these
festivals.
Deepawali 28-30 Nov
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.
About Upcoming Hindu Festivals
Note : Please see our HindiLearner blog entries for details of upcoming Hindu festivals.