Hindu Festivals & Holidays
Here're some colorful and info-filled pages about major Hindu festivals and religious celebrations round the year.
When is Diwali 2009?
Deepavali or Diwali - the Festival of Lights is the biggest festival in the Hindu Calendar. What is the date for Diwali 2009?
Deepavali or Diwali - the Festival of Lights is the biggest festival in the Hindu Calendar. What is the date for Diwali 2009?
Why Celebrate Maha Shivratri?
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna (Feb / March) when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Here's why to celebrate Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna (Feb / March) when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Here's why to celebrate Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of 'Phalguna' (Feb / March) when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Learn more about Shivratri and why to celebrate this festival.
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of 'Phalguna' (Feb / March) when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Learn more about Shivratri and why to celebrate this festival.
Vasant Panchami
The Vasant Panchami festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, which falls during January-February. It is also known as Saraswati Day because it is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born.
The Vasant Panchami festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, which falls during January-February. It is also known as Saraswati Day because it is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born.
Pongal: Indian Thanksgiving!
Pongal is a great Indian harvest festival, celebrated every year in mid January to mark the reaping of crops and a special thanksgiving to God, the sun, the earth and the cattle.
Pongal is a great Indian harvest festival, celebrated every year in mid January to mark the reaping of crops and a special thanksgiving to God, the sun, the earth and the cattle.
Lohri: The Bonfire Festival
Amidst the cold weather, everything seems stagnant in northern India, until it's time for the winter celebrations of Lohri, the long-awaited bonfire festival. It's not just a break to thank God for a bountiful life on earth with rituals and revelry, but more…
Amidst the cold weather, everything seems stagnant in northern India, until it's time for the winter celebrations of Lohri, the long-awaited bonfire festival. It's not just a break to thank God for a bountiful life on earth with rituals and revelry, but more…
Hindu Festivals 2009
A date-wise list of Hindu holidays, fasts, feasts, festivals and religious occasions for 2009.
A date-wise list of Hindu holidays, fasts, feasts, festivals and religious occasions for 2009.
Skanda Sashti: Festival of Lord Subramanya
Skanda Sashti is observed in October – November in South India to commemorate the destruction of evil by the Supreme Being. It is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, who on the day, is believed to have annihilated the mythical demon Taraka.
Skanda Sashti is observed in October – November in South India to commemorate the destruction of evil by the Supreme Being. It is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, who on the day, is believed to have annihilated the mythical demon Taraka.
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a ritual of fasting observed by married Hindu women seeking the well-being and prosperity of their husbands. Read about the significance of this important and difficult fast that comes 9 days before Diwali in October-November.
Karwa Chauth is a ritual of fasting observed by married Hindu women seeking the well-being and prosperity of their husbands. Read about the significance of this important and difficult fast that comes 9 days before Diwali in October-November.
Krishna Janmashtami
Janmasthami - the birthday of Hinduism's favorite Lord Krishna is a special occasion for Hindus, who consider him their leader, hero, protector, philosopher, teacher and friend all rolled into one. Find out our Hindus celebrate this day.
Janmasthami - the birthday of Hinduism's favorite Lord Krishna is a special occasion for Hindus, who consider him their leader, hero, protector, philosopher, teacher and friend all rolled into one. Find out our Hindus celebrate this day.
Why Fast?
Does religious fasting make any sense? Why do Hindus fast? A look at fasting from several perspectives.
Does religious fasting make any sense? Why do Hindus fast? A look at fasting from several perspectives.
Bhai Dooj: The Brother-Sister Ritual
Soon after Diwali, sisters all over India ceremonialize their love by putting an auspicious vermilion spot on the forehead of their brothers as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. A closer look at the tradition of Bhai Dooj.
Soon after Diwali, sisters all over India ceremonialize their love by putting an auspicious vermilion spot on the forehead of their brothers as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. A closer look at the tradition of Bhai Dooj.
10 Days with the Mother Goddess!
It's festival time again! Every year during this time, Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies, rituals, fasts and feasts in honour of the supreme mother goddess Durga. Here's how to celebrate Navratri, Dusshera, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami.
It's festival time again! Every year during this time, Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies, rituals, fasts and feasts in honour of the supreme mother goddess Durga. Here's how to celebrate Navratri, Dusshera, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami.
Navaratri: The 9 Divine Nights
Hindus mark the advent of winter with 9 nights/days of fast and prayer to Durga, the Mother Goddess who embodies all the power of the universe. What's the significance? Why Durga? Why this time of the year? Why 9 nights? Find out...
Hindus mark the advent of winter with 9 nights/days of fast and prayer to Durga, the Mother Goddess who embodies all the power of the universe. What's the significance? Why Durga? Why this time of the year? Why 9 nights? Find out...
Hindu Festivals of 2007
Hinduism is often described as a religion of fasts, feasts and festivals. Here's a date-wise list of Hindu festivals and religious occasions for 2007.
Hinduism is often described as a religion of fasts, feasts and festivals. Here's a date-wise list of Hindu festivals and religious occasions for 2007.
Usher in the New Year
Characteristic of the Indian cultural mélange, Hindus in various states of India celebrate the new year in their own ways. Find out more about Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Nava Varsha and Navreh.
Characteristic of the Indian cultural mélange, Hindus in various states of India celebrate the new year in their own ways. Find out more about Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Nava Varsha and Navreh.
The Kumbh & Ardhkumbh
A primer on the great Indian bathing festivals - the Kumbh & the ArdhKumbh - where millions of people congregate to bathe in the icy waters of the holy rivers to wash away their sins.
A primer on the great Indian bathing festivals - the Kumbh & the ArdhKumbh - where millions of people congregate to bathe in the icy waters of the holy rivers to wash away their sins.
Hindu Haikus: 4 Holy Days
A selection of four haikus – a Japanese verse form – that capture poignant thoughts of the festive season around Diwali – Karva Chauth, Dhan Teras, Deepavali major and Deepavali minor – succinctly defining these four auspicious days of autumn.
A selection of four haikus – a Japanese verse form – that capture poignant thoughts of the festive season around Diwali – Karva Chauth, Dhan Teras, Deepavali major and Deepavali minor – succinctly defining these four auspicious days of autumn.
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is one occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would never fail.
Akshaya Tritiya is one occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would never fail.
Festival Calendar
A date-wise list of Hindu fasts, feasts, festivals and religious occasions for the whole year.
A date-wise list of Hindu fasts, feasts, festivals and religious occasions for the whole year.
Ganesh Chaturthi
About the Great Ganesha festival. Read how to celebrate this auspicious occasion and pray for inner strength and success in all your undertakings...
About the Great Ganesha festival. Read how to celebrate this auspicious occasion and pray for inner strength and success in all your undertakings...
Krishna Janmashthami
How the Hindus celebrate Janmashthami - the birthday of Lord Krishna.
How the Hindus celebrate Janmashthami - the birthday of Lord Krishna.
The Guru Purnima: Its Significance & How to Celebrate it
The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is the observed as auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the ancient sage Vyasa, who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Find out how to celebrate the day and more...
The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is the observed as auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the ancient sage Vyasa, who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Find out how to celebrate the day and more...
Karwa Chauth: Fast for Married Women
Karwa Chauth is a ritual of fasting observed by married Hindu women seeking the well-being and prosperity of their husbands. Read about the significance of this important and difficult fast. This occasion comes 9 days before Diwali, on the fourth day of the new moon immediately after Dusshera, in the month of 'Karthik' (October-November).
Karwa Chauth is a ritual of fasting observed by married Hindu women seeking the well-being and prosperity of their husbands. Read about the significance of this important and difficult fast. This occasion comes 9 days before Diwali, on the fourth day of the new moon immediately after Dusshera, in the month of 'Karthik' (October-November).
Bhai Dooj: Spot Protection!
Sisters all over India ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious vermilion spot on the forehead of their brothers as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. A closer look at the tradition of Bhai Dooj.
Sisters all over India ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious vermilion spot on the forehead of their brothers as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. A closer look at the tradition of Bhai Dooj.
Vasant Panchami
An article on Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, from your Guide.
An article on Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, from your Guide.
Onam Festival.org
An Onam vortal with info on celebrations, traditions, rituals, dance, songs, recipes, and greeting cards on the onam of Kerala.
An Onam vortal with info on celebrations, traditions, rituals, dance, songs, recipes, and greeting cards on the onam of Kerala.
Onam: High Spirited Carnival in 'God's Own Country!'
A look at how the people of Kerala go crazy over the state festival of Onam, with ten days of feasting, boat races, song, dance and merriment...
A look at how the people of Kerala go crazy over the state festival of Onam, with ten days of feasting, boat races, song, dance and merriment...
Navaratri: Nine Divine Nights
Hindus mark the advent of winter with 9 nights/days of fast and prayer to Durga, the Mother Goddess who embodies all the power of the universe. What's the significance? Why Durga? Why this time of the year? Why 9 nights? Shri Gyan Hansraj explains.
Hindus mark the advent of winter with 9 nights/days of fast and prayer to Durga, the Mother Goddess who embodies all the power of the universe. What's the significance? Why Durga? Why this time of the year? Why 9 nights? Shri Gyan Hansraj explains.
Vasanta Navaratri - The 9 Holy Nights of Spring
Swami Sivananda tells the story of 9-day ritual in springtime during which the devout Hindu seeks the blessings of the Divine Mother Goddess or Devi.
Swami Sivananda tells the story of 9-day ritual in springtime during which the devout Hindu seeks the blessings of the Divine Mother Goddess or Devi.
Shiv Ratri
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. Read more about it here...
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. Read more about it here...
Kumbh Mela
Hinduism is undoubtedly the most elastic, eclectic and all-embracing of religions and the Maha Kumbh Mela is a glowing tribute to this aspect of this universal faith.
Hinduism is undoubtedly the most elastic, eclectic and all-embracing of religions and the Maha Kumbh Mela is a glowing tribute to this aspect of this universal faith.