Celebrations - Major Hindu Festivals
By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide
Diwali - Festival of Lights
Deepawali or Diwali is the biggest of all Hindu festivals. Read about its origin, significance, and the four days of celebrations that mark this auspicious occasion, and learn about why and how to celebrate the festival of lights.
- All About Diwali - Festival of Lights
- 10 Reasons to Celebrate Diwali
- Diwali Prayer & Hymn or Aarti
- Rangoli Designs for Diwali
- Diwali Wallpapers
- Top 7 Diwali Books for Kids
- Occasion to Illuminate Your Inner Self
- Diwali Celebrations Around the World
- Send Diwali eGreetings!
Holi - Festival of Colors
Holi is a celebration of life – a boisterous occasion when Hindus smear each other with the colors of joy. Learn about its history and origin, true significance and how to celebrate the festival of colors.
- All About the Festival of Colors
- How to Make Natural Colors for Holi
- Why Celebrate Holi?
- How to Celebrate Holi
Other Major Festivals
There are a number of other major festivals that are celebrated by Hindus in different regions of India and around the world. These mainly include celebrations around the ‘birthdays’ of popular deities, as well as some ritual fasts followed by feast and festivity.
Durga Puja, Dusshera & Navaratri
In this autumn festival, Hindus observe 10 days of ceremonies, rituals, fasts, feasts, song and dance in honor of the supreme mother goddess Durga. After 9 divine nights of Navaratri comes Dusshera or Vijayadashami that celebrates goddess Durga's victory of good over evil.
- Goddess Durga & Her Symbolism
- Navaratri: The 9 Divine Nights
- Mahalaya: Invoking the Mother Goddess
- Paintings of Goddess Durga
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi
Rakhi is a special occasion to celebrate the chaste bond of love between brothers and sisters, by tying a sacred thread around the wrist. Learn about its history, social and religious significance, how to make a Rakhi wrist band and exchange gifts and greetings on Raksha Bandhan.
Winter Festivals
January is harvest time in India. It's time for Thanksgiving rituals and celebration of the bounties of nature. Hindus in different parts of India participate in various celebrations that range from flying kites, ceremonial feeding of cattle and dancing around bonfires.