Hindu Festivals & Holidays
- Diwali - Festival of Lights (32)
- Durga Puja / Dusshera (59)
- Festival eCards / Greetings (9)
- Holi - Festival of Colors (18)
- Raksha Bandhan (19)
- Rathyatra (11)
- Winter Festivals (12)
Maha Kumbh Mela 2013
A hundred million people are expected to visit the Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 14, 2013 in the Indian city of Allahabad. Read about the biggest religious festival on earth that occurs every 12 years.
When is Holi 2012?
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?
Teej: Fasting Festival for Women
The Hindu festival of Teej is a three-day festival that occurs during the Indian monsoon season, and is marked by fasting of women who pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati seeking their blessings for marital bliss.
Poila Baisakh: Bengali New Year
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.
Purnima Dates for 2013-14
Hindus attach great importance to the fortnightly cycle of the moon, and specific rituals are observed on the new moon and full moon days on the month. Here are the dates for the current year.
Mahalakshmi Vrata Puja
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).
The Mahakumbh Mela, Allahabad
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.
When Is Vinayak or Ganesh Chaturthi 2009?
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?
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?
When Is Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan 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?
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.
Hindu Festivals Calendar
A date-wise list of Hindu holidays, fasts, feasts, festivals and religious occasions for this year.
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.
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…
Festival Calendar
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...
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.
Krishna Janmashthami
How the Hindus celebrate Janmashthami - the birthday of Lord Krishna.
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.
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...
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).
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.
Vasant Panchami
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
When is Krishna Janmashtami 2012?
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 2012?
When is Durga Puja & Dusshera 2012?
What are the dates of Navaratri, Dusshera, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami in 2012?
Purnima & Amavasya: Hindu Fasts
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 - The Auspicious 11th Day of the Lunar Cycle
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.
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.