Hindu Festivals
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November is the time for the huge and colourful Camel Festival at Pushkar in Rajasthan.
Diwali or Deepawali, the festival of "rows of lights", is the most important of all Hindu festivals. People illuminate their homes at night with garlands of lit candle or oil-lamps with fireworks being a major attraction. Sweets, oil lamps and firecrackers all play a major part in this celebration in honour of a number of gods. It is believed that it was on this day that Rama entered Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Deepavali is also celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, the day when the demon of darkness and dirt, Narakasura, was destroyed by Krishna.
Dussehra, October Celebrated all over India, Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over Ravana, & the rescue of his wife Sita. In North India gigantic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana & his brothers are set aflame with a bursting of crackers. Fairs are usually held on this occasion with lots to eat, buy & enjoy.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in honour of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is as worshipped the remover of obstacles. The birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh. It's celebrated widely, but with particular enthusiasm in Maharashtra. Shrines are erected, firecrackers let off, huge images of Ganesha are carried in procession these images are immersed in the sea or rivers with thousands of worshippers dancing and singing after them and everyone tries to avoid looking at the moon.
Gangaur March Chiefly celebrated in Rajasthan it marks the quest for marital happiness among women who pray to Parvati. On this day they carry idols of Shiva & Parvati through the streets while marching in gay processions.
Gangaur March Chiefly celebrated in Rajasthan it marks the quest for marital happiness among women who pray to Parvati. On this day they carry idols of Shiva & Parvati through the streets while marching in gay processions.
Holi is the spring festival and is celebrated with enthusiasm, men, women and children revel in throwing colored powder and water on their friends. In February it is one of the most exuberant Hindu festivals in the north of India.It marks the end of winter and basically involves throwing coloured water and red powder over as many people as you can in one day. The most interesting Holi celbration is the Lathmar Holi ( at Barsana near Mathura), the legendary home town of Radha, consort of Nandgaon ( home of Krishna) to throw color on them.
Janmashtmi celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation on earth of Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated by fasting followed by feasting and merriment. Lord Krishna is looked upon as a folk hero. Maha Shivaratri.
Traditionally celebrated every 12 years, it is commemorated annually, usually on the banks of the Ganga & other holy rivers where large numbers of sadhus (holy men) gather.The massive Kumbh Mela festival commemorates an ancient battle between gods and demons for a pitcher (kumbh). During the fight for possession, four drops of nectar fell from the pitcher and landed in Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. The mela is held every three years rotating through these four cities. A dip in the river during this period is considered very auspicious.
Maha Shivaratri is the height of the worship of the great Shiva, the third deity of the Hindu trinity. SHIVRATRI, the birth anniversary of Shiva, the Lord of Destruction, is celebrated all over the country with the god being propitiated in temples. People fast throughout the day & ritual prayers are conducted in temples at night.
Makar Sankranti marks the commencement of the sun's journey to the Northern Hemisphere and is a day of celebration all over the country. Wherever there are rivers or the sea, people take a dip in the waters on this day and worship the sun. Also known as Gangasagar Mela, on this day, people come from all over India for a ceremonial cleansing in the River Hooghly,. In Gujarat, Makara Sankranti is celebrated by the flying of kites.
Navaratri, the Festival of Nine Nights, is celebrated in honour of the goddesses Durga, Laksmi, and Saraswati. This occasion commemorates the homecoming of the Goddess Durga. Her return home is marked by the immersion of her idols in running water.
One of the big events of the year in Kerala is the Nehru Cup Snake Boat Races on the backwaters at Alappuzha (Alleppey), which take place on the second Saturday of August. This annual event is very attractive for oarsmen who practise round all year. The prestigious Nehru Trophy is presented on this occasion. Spectators lucky enough to gain a ringside view will love the spectacle.
Onam Celebrated in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated in september with flower decoration, motifs etc. snakeboat races add a mark to southern festivity.
Pongal, It is also known as the harvest festival. This festival is celebrated in January and the cow is worshipped on this day. People decorate their homes with flowers etc. This is a festival unique to the state of Tamil Nadu.
Raksha Bandhan is an integral part of the Hindu family structure whereby a sister ties a rakhi or decorative thread on the wrist of her brother to remind him to protect her if the need arises, it is also the sign of their affection. The festival is celebrated as Coconut Day in Maharashtra as the monsoon seas are calmed by coconuts thrown to Varuna, the god of waters.
Raksha Bandhan is an integral part of the Hindu family structure whereby a sister ties a rakhi or decorative thread on the wrist of her brother to remind him to protect her if the need arises, it is also the sign of their affection. The festival is celebrated as Coconut Day in Maharashtra as the monsoon seas are calmed by coconuts thrown to Varuna, the god of waters.
Ram, the Hindu religion's most popular god, an incarnation of Vishnu, was born on this day in April &the event is traditionally celebrated in temples as a day of great piety, with the chanting of prayersand the singing of ballads. People observe this day by fasting.
A monumental festival held in July at Puri, Orrisa. The journey of Lord Jagannath from his temple, pulled in a giant wodden chariot that is pulled by thousands of eager devotees. participating in the festivities.
Vasant Panchami is a festival in honour of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning. Specially celebrated in Northern India With the mustard folwers in bloom. Most of the people dress in yellow to appreciate the day.
Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
Hindu Festivals
Home Hindu Festivals
Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.