Hindu Festivals

Hinduism is a religious belief with countless rituals and traditions. Each of these customs plays a crucial role in our lives. Varalakshmi Vrat is one such festival that devotees of Hinduism continue to celebrate for centuries. Varalakshmi Vrat is akin to Maha Lakshmi Puja we conduct. Here, in this article, we will look at the origin, significance, celebration, and stories related to Varalakshmi Vrat. We celebrate Varalakshmi Vrat to attain the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of wealth. Hindu men and women take part in these celebrations. However, Hindu women, mostly Sumangalis or married women, conduct Varalakshmi...

Guru Purnima is a celebration of the spiritual and academic Gurus or teachers. Guru is a Sanskrit word that refers to the remover of darkness or ignorance, and Purnima is a full moon day. People in India, Bhutan, and Nepal celebrate Guru Purnima. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism give great prominence to Guru Purnima. On this auspicious occasion, disciples conduct pujas to attain the blessings of their Gurus. Here, in this article, we will look into the different stories, significance, and celebrations associated with Guru Purnima. We celebrate Guru Purnima in the Hindu month of Ashadha, which is either in June...

Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. Whether you know any other Hindu month or not, you must be familiar with the month of Shravan. It is a very auspicious month and holds a very special place in the heart of every Indian. Shravan marks the arrival of the southwest monsoon in the Indian subcontinent. It generally overlaps with the month of July-August. The weather is cloudy and wet during this time and rain frequently blesses the grounds. The whole nature seems very fresh and alive. Significance of Shravan: Shravan is a very special month for Hindus. There...

Relationships are considered very sacred since the Vedic era in India. They are a very important part of our life and form a fundamental basis for it. Our lives are very much determined by the kind of relationship we have with people. Relationships aren't just some arrangement, they are existential realities that effect us at every stage of life. A great deal of importance has been given to relationships in India. One of the most sacred relationships is that of a brother and sister. It is one of those few relationships where the bond rises beyond mere arrangements for mutual...

Naga Panchami is a festival of profound significance in India. Hindu devotees across the country pay their respects to the Naga Gods during Naga Panchami. They make serpents from wood, silver, or stones for the occasion. People also use paintings of Naga or snakes. During this auspicious celebration, they offer milk, sweets, and fruits to the serpent. People also provide offerings to live snakes, like cobras, on this day. It is essential to take the assistance of a snake charmer for that. Here, in this article, we will discuss the origin, stories, celebrations, and significance of Naga Panchami. We celebrate...

Janamashtami is the festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. Krishna resides in the very heart of India. India, its history, its culture, its heritage, and Krishna can't be viewed separately from each other. Krishna has left his marks on the Indian culture like no other. Every man in India grows listening to Krishna's stories. From his childhood tales to the liberating knowledge of Geeta, he has covered every aspect of humanity. Although he existed around 5,000 years ago, he is still equally relevant today. In order to understand Janmashtami, we need to understand Krishna firstUnderstanding Krishna: Krishna is a...

Jagganath Puri Rath Yathra is a traditional festival that started almost 500 years ago in India. It is one of the oldest Rath Yathra in the world. We celebrate the visit of Lord Jagganath and his siblings to Gundicha Temple and Mausi Maa Temple. Lord Jagganath is a form of Lord Vishnu and is also a portrayal of Lord Krishna. The siblings of Lord Jagganath are Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. Every year, between June and July, we celebrate Jagganath Puri Rath Yatra in Puri, Odhisa. Here, in this article on Jagganath Puri Rath Yatra, we will look into the...

The birth anniversary of Radharani who is an avatar of Goddess Mahalakshmi is celebrated as Radha Ashtami among the devotees of Lord Krishna. This auspicious festival of Radha Ashtami, also known as Radha Jayanti is commemorated on the Ashtami (8th day) of the Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight of the moon, during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada of Bhadon. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Radha was the lover-consort of Lord Krishna. Devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate the birth anniversary of Radharani, who is the greatest devotee of Lord Krishna, the feminine aspect of the absolute truth, and Krishna's love personified....

Shani Jayanti or the birth of Lord Shani is celebrated on the New Moon (Amavasya) day in Krishna Paksha in the month of Vaisakha. On this day, devotees worship Shani Dev, the son of Lord Sun (Surya) and ruler of the planet Saturn to welcome prosperity in their life. Every year, Shani Jayanti is held in honor of the mighty Lord Shani. He is one of the main Navagraha worshipped by Hindu, and also one of the main deities as per Hindu sacred scriptures. According to beliefs, Lord Shani is considered one of the most aggressive gods in Hinduism. People...

Festivals are the heart of any culture. And India is very rich in this regard. It observes numerous grand celebrations each year. One such festival is Onam, the very identity of the state of Kerala. About the festival: Onam is a 10 day long festival that is mostly celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala. It falls on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayali month of chingam, which usually overlaps with August-September. Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala and is celebrated in a grand way. There are many exciting aspects of the festival starting from boat races to...

“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.” — Buddha Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanthi or Vesak (Vaisakha in Sanskrit) is an auspicious festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and death (Pari nirvana) of Lord Gautama Buddha. According to the oldest Buddhist texts, Buddha Purnima is the most auspicious day for Buddhists living all over the world. As per the teachings of Hindu mythology, Lord Buddha is considered as the ninth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Buddha Purnima or Vesak is traditionally observed on the full moon day of the lunar...

Lord Narasimha or Narasingha is a fierce avatar of the Lord Vishnu. Hindus celebrate this highly auspicious festival of Narasimha Jayanti on Vaisakha Shukla Chaturdashi i.e the 14th day of the Shukla Paksha in the lunar month of Vaisakha. On this day, Lord Vishnu had re-incarnated (the fourth incarnation of Supreme Lord Vishnu) himself as Narasimha (half man and half lion avatar) to protect his adorned devotee Prahalad and to kill the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Devotees of Lord Vishnu celebrate this auspicious festival to remove all kinds of negative energies from life and to follow a righteous path for a...

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious Hindu festival that falls on the third tithi of the brighter half (waxing lunar phase) in the Hindu lunar month Vaisakha. According to scriptures, it is an extremely promising day for starting anything new. Thus, Hindus like to purchase gold, silver, other valuables goods and offer special prayers at home with a belief that it will bring good luck and drive away the pall of fear and morbidity from their life. Hind seers and astrologers give much importance to this day, as it coincides with the Rohini Nakshatra, which is believed to be a lucky...

Hanuman is one of the most powerful and popular deities of Hinduism and considered the patron God in wrestling. Hindus celebrate the Hanuman Janmotsav or the birthday of Hanuman with a grand festival known as Hanuman Jayanti. In most parts of India, the auspicious festival of Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Chaitra month which usually befalls in March or April of the English calendar. But, moving towards south India, it is celebrated on different dates in different states. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it is observed on the Margashirsha Amavasya (new moon day)...

Maryada Purushottam Rama is the seventh avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu. Lord Rama is the most widely worshipped Hindu deity, the embodiment of the ideal of chivalry and virtue. Hindus living all over the world celebrate Ramnavami as the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. According to the Hindu calendar, this auspicious festival of Ramnavami falls during Shukla Paksha or the waxing moon phase, on the ninth day of the Hindu month Chaitra. According to mythology, Ramnavami is one of the five major Hindu festivals. On this day, devotees observe a complete fast and recite verses from the holy scriptures...

India is one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse nations in the world and the birthplace of Hinduism. Every year different states and religious societies of India celebrate numerous rituals and festivals as per their culture and tradition. The state of Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal celebrates one of such auspicious festival known as Gangaur. It is one of the most important and colorful festivals of the people of Rajasthan that is observed throughout the state with great faith and devotion during the months of March–April. The word Gangaur is a combination of...

Ganesh Chathurthi is celebrated annually with rich fervour on the fourth day of the first fortnight of Bhadrapada month, according to Hindu calendar. This day typically falls closely during August or September month as per the Gregorian calendar. Ganesh Chathurthi is observed as the birthday of Ganesha, son of Siva and Parvathi. Also called as Vinayak Chathurthi, this important festival shall be taken as an opportunity to realize the significance of His peculiar form, name and the proper way to adore the divine principle behind the form of Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is the bestower of higher intelligence that enables liberation...

Hindu Festivals in India are being observed with rich tradition and culture even now. One of the important Hindu festivals in India is Anant Chaturdashi, related with Lord Vishnu and Ganesha. Like any other Hindu festival in India, Anant Chaturdashi is also a day with very high positive energies. Anant Chaturdashi falls on the last day of the ten-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi. This day is also famous as Ganesh Chaudas, a day when devotees bid adieu to Lord Ganesha by Visarjan (immersing idol in lake/sea) on the Anant Chaturdashi day. This auspicious day is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is...

Sheetala Ashtami also called Basora puja or Basoda puja (meaning previous night) is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) after the festival of colors, Holi. It is a Hindu festival celebrated in honor of the goddess Sheetala or Shitala. As per the Hindu calendar, Sheetala Ashtami takes place on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha (the waning moon) in the Hindu month of Chaitra or Phalguna. On this auspicious day, devotees worship Sheetala Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, the one who saves people from various diseases like chicken-pox, smallpox, measles, and other heat-borne diseases. Many idols and images of...

Shiva (means auspicious) also called Mahadeva (means Great God) is the supreme god of Hinduism. And Maha-Shivaratri (Great Night of Shiva) is the most important sectarian festival of the year for Shaivites. It is the most sacred festival of Shiva that falls on the fourteenth (Chaturdashi) day of the dark half (waning phase of the moon -Krishna Paksha) of the Hindu month of Phalguna (February – March). Lord Shiva is formless, shapeless, and timeless, and one of the most revered Hindu deities. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri is the easiest way to attains salvation.  Hindu...

One of the famous festival celebrated in India, Vishwakarma Jayanti is observed by the working class in India, marking the birth of Hindu God Vishwakarma. He is believed to be the creator and architect of this entire universe. He is referred to as the divine architect. Vishwakarma Jayanti is primarily celebrated in the eastern states of India such as Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand. The Puja is performed on the same day every year as marked in the Gregorian calendar. It falls on the last day of Bhadra which is also known as Bhadra or Kanya Sankranti....

India is a land of festivals and rituals. We celebrate more festivals than anywhere else in the world. Each festival pertains to different occasions, and Vasant Panchami is a festival that welcomes the spring season of the year. It is one of the most auspicious festivals which is celebrated in most parts of India either in the month of January or February. Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh Maas and dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Saraswati who is the goddess of knowledge, language, music, and all arts. Devotees worship the deity with yellow...

Makar Sankranti is also known as Maghi, is an ancient Indian festival that has been observed according to solar cycles, while most festivals are set according to the lunar cycle of the Hindu calendar. Hindu devotees dedicate this festival to the God Sun (Surya), as the Sun begins to move towards the North from the southern hemisphere. According to Hindu scriptures, Uttarayan is considered to be a symbol of positivity and prosperity. This auspicious festival is observed each year in the lunar month of Magha which corresponds with the month of January as per the English calendar. Indian astrologers describe...

Lohri is a popular North Indian winter folk festival celebrated primarily in the Punjab Region. This much-awaited festival marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of the happy sunny days. This festival is observed the night before Makar Sankranti which occurs on the same date every year. Lohri marks the arrival of longer days after the winter solstice and harvesting of the Rabi crops. Primarily Sikhs and Hindus of this region like to deck up in colorful traditional attires, sing and dance around the bonfire. They welcome the longer days of warmer temperatures by offering different food...

Hindus believe in Sanatana Dharma – a lifestyle with prime importance for righteousness, values to respect every living being in the universe as well as those who left us. “Sanatana” means permanent. Following the principles laid in Sanatana Dharma helps us to uplift ourselves towards divinity. Culture and traditions as explained in Hindu scriptures makes us see godliness not only in every living being in this universe, but also in those who left their body. One of the important tradition in Hinduism followed since ancient times is paying homage to our ancestors. Pithru Paksha is one among such traditions followed...

Karwa Chauth, the famous festival of India celebrated by Hindu married women, falls close to Sharad Purnima or the immediate full moon night after Vijaya Dashami. Many Hindu women around the country gear up to celebrate Karwa Chauth after Navaratri days. Married Hindu women fast all day to pray for the long lives of their husbands. This festival is unique in the sense that the day is observed with nirjala (without water) fast. Women do not even consume a morsel of food or even a drop of water until they see the moon in the evening. Fasting is usually rigorous...

Govardhan Puja is an auspicious festival in the Hindu culture that occurs a day after Diwali to commemorate the Baal Roop (child form) of Lord Shri Krishna. Govardhan Puja is also known as Annakut or Annakoot (meaning a “mountain of food”), in which devotees’ worship Govardhan Parvat (a hill) and offer 56 varieties (Chappan Bhog) of vegetarian food and sweets as a mark of gratitude.The word Govardhan is derived from the Govardhan mountain located in Gokul (Uttar Pradesh), which was single-handedly lifted by Lord Krishna. Govardhan puja started from Brijbhoomi as a thanksgiving ceremony to the most lovable God Krishna...

Purnima which falls in the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month is known as Sharad Purnima. It is also known by the name of Raas Purnima in Brijbhoomi (Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh). According to mythology, Lord Krishna along with the Gopi's performed a dance of divine love or Maha-Raas on Sharad Purnima. As per Vedic Astrology, Sharad Purnima is the only day in the whole year when the Moon is full of its 16 virtues and the rays coming out from the moon are considered equivalent to Amrita (elixir). Hindu devotees worship Mata Lakshmi and Moon God on Sharad...

Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, also known as Kala-Bhairav Ashtami or Bhairav Jayanti that falls on the eighth lunar day (Ashtami) in the fortnight of the Krishna paksha (waning phase of the moon) of every month in the Hindu calendar. Hindu devotees celebrate this auspicious festival to worship Lord Bhairav ("terrible") a fearsome and wrathful manifestation of Lord Shiva. Different stories from Shiv Purana describe that Kaal Bhairav is the supreme Lord of ghosts, goblins, zombies, mutants, witches, and other magical creatures. Kaal Bhairav Jayanti is celebrated throughout India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This day is considered more auspicious if it falls...

Tulsi is considered a sacred plant and carries a major religious significance within the cultures and beliefs of Hinduism. As per Vedic scriptures, the Tulsi plant is another incarnation of Goddess Laxmi, who is the consort of Lord Vishnu.  Tulsi or holy basil can be found in almost every Hindu house as it symbolizes purity and is famous for its medicinal qualities. "Tulsi Vivaah" is an auspicious traditional wedding (Vivaah) ceremony of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu. Hindu sacred books describe Tulsi as “Vishnu Priya” literally meaning “the beloved of Lord Vishnu”. Most Hindus celebrate this festival on the...

Festivals celebrated in India are deeply rooted with spiritual importance and values for life. All the festival occasions highlight several principles to be followed in life for evolution towards godliness. Unlike any other celebration, festivals of India takes us more towards Godliness, divinity, bringing our mind out from the negativities, etc.. Holi is such a festival celebrated during the spring season with much fervor in India. It is celebrated as the festival of colours and love, symbolising our mind with its emotions. Like any other festival rich with culture and tradition, Holi also signifies the victory of good over the...

India celebrates the unconditional love and bond between brothers and sisters in two ways – either as Rakshabandhan or as Bhai Dooj. While Rakshabandhan is the tying of a rakhi (thread) on the hand of a brother by his sister, whereas Bhai Dooj is putting a mark of Vermillion, known as Tilak, on the forehead of her brother. Bhai Dooj celebrates the eternal love between brothers and sisters is celebrated on the last day of Diwali. Bhai means brother, and Dooj means two days after Diwali in Kartik month of the lunar calendar. On this pious day, every sister prays for...

India celebrates many festivals with full fervor and enthusiasm. As per Indian tradition, the celebration of the five-day Diwali festival begins with an auspicious day called “Dhanteras”. It is a Sanskrit word which is made of two words – “Dhan” which means wealth, and “Teras” means the 13th day. As per the Hindu calendar, the thirteenth lunar day of Karthik month is celebrated as Dhanteras which is also known as Dhanatrayodashi. On the occasion of Dhanteras, devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Kubera. On this auspicious day, Hindus love to buy gold, silver, automobile, utensils, property, and other precious...

Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashmi in many parts of the Indian subcontinent. These two words are synonymous with each other. One part of the word means victory while the other part means “on 10th day”. The primary aim of the Dussehra festivities is to mark “the victory of good over evil”. Origin of Dussehra: Dussehra is the victory day adopted from the Indian epic poem “Ramayana”. This poem records the story of a young, to-be-king “Rama”. The struggles of his life and, his surprising victory over one of the most feared and an invincible person of his era is what...

The word Navratri is derived from two words; "Nav" means Nine (9) and "Ratri" means Night.  Navratri is the most awaited and widely celebrated Hindu festival, which starts on the very first day of Hindu calendar month, Ashviin (which usually comes in the month of September/October) and held in honour of divine feminine. And it is celebrated for nine days before the Dussehra (which is the 10th Day). The tenth day is celebrated as the good over evil (there's a story behind it, keep reading this article). Navratri is also called Navaratri. Do you know that Navratri can occur several times...

Diwali is one of the most colorful and cheerful festivals celebrated in India. It is the most auspicious festival of Hindus, but Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhist communities observe this festival as well. Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and clarity over ignorance. It is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartika. It is generally celebrated for 5 days. The cultural diversity of India is so big; one can observe people celebrating Diwali in innumerable ways, according to their own culture and customs. But unfortunately, most of the people celebrating these festivals don't know...