Hindu Festivals & Holidays

Holi - the Indian 'Festival of Colors' is an auspicious occasion for the Hindus, widely celebrated as a festival across India and around the world. What is the date for Holi in 2011?

Holi - the Indian 'Festival of Colors' is an auspicious occasion for the Hindus, widely celebrated as a festival across India and around the world. What is the date for Holi in 2011?

The Bengali New Year celebrations is popularly known as 'Poila Baisakh.' It's the first day of the Bengali New Year, which usually falls in mid-April every year. Read about the traditional Bengali ways of celebrating 'Naba Barsho' or New Year.

Nyepi is New Year's Day in Bali, the Southeast Asian island that has over 90% Hindus! Nyepi is at once a day of celebration and of silence - a day to remember not only oneself but also the state of the universe before creation.

Millions of Hindus pilgrims and people from around the world converged for the Mahakumbh Mela - the great Indian bathing festival, to take a holy dip in the holy Ganges to wash away their sins.

Millions of Hindus pilgrims and people from around the world converge in Haridwar, India for the Kumbh Mela 2010 - the 3-month long bathing festival, to take a holy dip in the freezing cold waters of the holy Ganges to wash away their sins.

Mahalakshmi Vrata is a special vrata or fast dedicated to Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, which commences on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadra and ends on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of the following month Ashwin (September – October).

Ganesh Chaturthi aka Vinayak Chaturthi is one of the biggest festivals in the Hindu Calendar dedicated to Lord Ganesha. What is the date for Ganesh Chaturthi 2009?

Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is an auspicious occasion for the Hindus, widely celebrated as a festival across India and around the world. What is the date for Raksha Bandhan?

Deepavali or Diwali - the Festival of Lights is the biggest festival in the Hindu Calendar. What is the date for Diwali 2009?

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. Learn more about Shivratri and why to celebrate this festival.

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 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.

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…

A date-wise list of Hindu holidays, fasts, feasts, festivals and religious occasions for 2009.

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 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.

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.

Does religious fasting make any sense? Why do Hindus fast? A look at fasting from several perspectives.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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 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 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.

A date-wise list of Hindu fasts, feasts, festivals and religious occasions for the whole year.

About the Great Ganesha festival. Read how to celebrate this auspicious occasion and pray for inner strength and success in all your undertakings...

How the Hindus celebrate Janmashthami - the birthday of Lord Krishna.

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 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).

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.

An article on Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, from your Guide.

An Onam vortal with info on celebrations, traditions, rituals, dance, songs, recipes, and greeting cards on the onam of Kerala.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

Janmasthami is the birthday of Hinduism's favorite God - Lord Krishna and is a popular religious festival for Hindus. What is the date for Janmasthami 2011?

Janmasthami is the birthday of Hinduism's favorite God - Lord Krishna and is a popular religious festival for Hindus. What is the date for Janmasthami 2011?

What are the dates of Navaratri, Dusshera, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami in 2011?

What are the dates of Navaratri, Dusshera, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami in 2011?

Read about the origin and mythical legends behind the high spirited Hindu festival of Onam - the state carnival of Kerala.

Hindus believe that the fortnightly cycle of the moon exerts a great influence on earthly beings. Hence there are specific rituals for the new moon and full moon days. Find out how to observe these rituals and the dates for this year.

Ekadasi in Sanskrit means 'the Eleventh Day,' which occurs twice in a lunar month – once each on the 11th days of the moon cycle. It is a very auspicious time in the Hindu calendar and an important day to fast. Learn more about the significance of Ekadasi and dates for 2012.