Diwali

Diwali or Deepawali is the most important festival of Hindus. It is the festival of “Light”. 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 are the indispensable part of Diwali celebration. Traditionally Goddess Lakshmi and God Ganesha are worshipped on this day. It is believed that it was on this day that Rama entered Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Diwali is also celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, the day when the demon of darkness and dirt, Narakasura, was destroyed by Krishna.

Gangaur

Gangaur is an important Hindu festival Celebrated in the state of Rajasthan. This festival marks the quest for marital happiness among women who offer prayer to Parvati. The festival commences on the next day of Holi and lasts for 18 days. On this day they carry idols of Shiva & Parvati through the streets while marching in gay processions.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the honor of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God. According to Hindu mythology Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and is preferred first for worship among all the Gods. Ganesh Chaturthi is the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh. It's celebrated widely in India with particular enthusiasm in Maharashtra. Idols of Ganesha are erected, firecrackers are let off, and huge images of Ganesha are carried out in procession on this day. The images are immersed in the sea or rivers with thousands of devotees dancing and singing after them.

Dussehra

Dussehra is a significant festival of Hindus celebrated generally in the month of October. The festival is observed in the month of Ashvin according to the Hindu calendar. It marks the end of 10 continuous day festival also known as "Vijayadashmi". It is celebrated in the memory of the victory of Ram over Ravana and the rescue of his wife Sita from Lanka. The large effigies of the ten-headed Ravana & his brothers Kumbhakarana and son Meghnad is set aflame with a bursting of crackers. Fairs are usually organized on this occasion with lots to eat, buy & enjoy.

Camel Festival

Camel Festival is one of the significant festivals celebrated in the state of Rajasthan. Camel is an important part of Rajasthani culture and society. It is called beast of desert and the life can not be imagined without it in the arid region Rajasthan. The festival is dedicated to the utility of camel. Camels are brought in this festival decorated in colorful costumes fascinating the on lookers.

Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami is the festival celebrated in the honor of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, learning, music and art according to Hindu tradition. Specially celebrated in Northern India, it is the celebration of spring. The festival is observed with the offering of the mustard flowers in bloom. Most of the people dress in yellow to celebrate this day.

Rath Yatra

Rath Yatra is monumental festival held in the month of June - July at Puri, Orissa. The festival is associated with Lord Jagannath (Krishna). The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra are pulled by thousands of eager devotees participating in the festivities. The chariots used in the procession are of big magnitude and is pulled only by the devotees. No other force is used for the Yatra.

Ram Navami

Ram Navami is the most popular festival of according to Hindu tradition. The festival marks the celebration of Ram’s birth anniversary. Ram is believed to be the incarnation of Vishnu. This festival is observed on the ninth day of Chaitra month according to the Hindu calendar that corresponds to the month of April. The event is traditionally celebrated in temples as a day of great piety, with the chanting of prayers and the singing of hymns. People observe this day by keeping fast and seeking blessings from Ram.

Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan)

Rakhi or Raksha bandhan is a festival of love and affection. On the festival of Raksha bandhan, sister tie rakhi on her brother wrist as an expression of love. As the brother accepts the rakhi from her sister, he becomes liable and holds the responsibility to protect her sister. According to Indian tradition, the frail thread tied on Raksha Bandhan is taken stronger than chains of irons for it binds sisters and brothers in such an inseparable love &trust bond.

Pongal

Pongal is the major festival celebrated in southern parts of India, particularly Tamil Nadu. This auspicious festival is marked by the journey of Sun-God towards northwards. Celebrated in the midst of January every year, the festival of Pongal lasts for only four days. This festival marks the withdrawl of monsoon and the reaping of harvest. A festival of harvest and thanksgiving, Pongal is celebrated by Tamils by drawing of Kolam & cooking scrumptious dishes and delicacies.

Onam

Onam is the most important festivals of Kerala. The special festival in celebrated in the name & honor of the mythical Asura, Mahabali. This day is observed in Malayali month of August-September that is, Chingam. Onam is marked by the homecoming of King Mahabali. The festival of Onam is celebrated for a period of ten days that offers a true reflection of tradition & culture of Kerala.

Nehru Cup Snake Boat Races

Inculcating the sporty spirit, the festival of Nehru Cup Snake Boat Races is chiefly celebrated in the state of Kerala. Nehru Cup Snake Boat Races is considered as a major team sport that reflects the vitality and rural culture in the fast urbanizing world. This annual water carnival is held in Alappuzha at Punnamada Lake and is amongst the famous races of Kerala.

Navaratri

Navaratri in Sanskrit means nine nights. During these nine nights, female divinity of nine forms is worshipped. The nine Navaratri nights begins on first day of Ashwin that is related to the victory of Good over Evil. This auspicious festival is celebrated twice a year as a sacred opportunity to worship Divine Mother, goddess Durga. The ninth day of Navaratri is observed with the mood of rejoice and celebration.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti has a special significance in the list of Hindu Festivals. On this day, the duration of the day as well as night is equal according to the solar calendar. This day is marked by the beginning of journey of sun towards northwards. Moreover, Makar Sankranti is traditionally celebrated as a festival of harvest. This festival usually falls in the midst of month of January.

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival of Hindus. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva; the third deity of the Hindu Trinity- Brhama, Vishnu and Mahesh. Maha Shivratri is generally celebrated as the birth anniversary of Shiva, the Lord of Destruction. The festival is observed all over the country with the god being propitiated in temples. People keep fast throughout the day & ritual prayers are conducted in temples at night.

Kumbh Mela

Maha Kumbh Mela is traditionally celebrated every 12 years. Kumbh Mela is held annually, usually on the banks of the Ganga & other holy rivers like Yamuna and Saraswati, Ksipra and Godavari where large numbers of Sadhus and Pilgrims 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.

Janmashtmi

Janmashtmi is a sacred festival of Hindus celebrated all over the country. The festival is the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birthday. Krishna is the most popular deity of Hindu religion. According to the tradition he is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu on the earth. Janmashtmi festival is celebrated on the Ashtmi (eighth day) of Sravana according to the Hindu calendar. Devotees keep fast on this day and lavish rituals are performed all across the country.

Holi

Holi is undoubtedly the most exuberant festival among any other celebrated in the country. The enthusiasm, excitement and merry making of this festival have no parallel in comparison to any other festival. Every one is seen smeared in colors. Men, women and children – everyone is seen throwing color to each other on this day. It is a spring festival celebrated on the last day of Phalgun month of Hindu calendar.

Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is the most important festival for married women in India. It is observed as the mark of successful and long conjugal life of a married couple. It is celebrated on the Chaturthi tithi of Kartik month after the full moon day according to the Hindu calendar. This auspicious festival is observed by women by keeping fast for her husband so that they could be bestowed with long and healthy life.

Naag Panchami

Naag Panchami as the name dictates is related to the worship of Cobras (Naag Devta). The festival of Naag Panchami is celebrated to give respect to Nagas. Five nagas are worshiped on the festival of Naag Panchami- Taxak, Vasuki, Ananta, Pingala and Karkotaka. This day is observed in the month of Sharavan as a mark of defeat of serpent Kalia by Lord Krishna.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated all over India in the month of Ashvin according to the Hindu Lunar calendar and in the month of October – November. It is more enthusiastically celebrated in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa. The celebrating lasts for six days as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijya Dashami. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga which is the deity of Power and Creative Feminine Force according to Hindu mythology.

Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated as the mark of Hanuman’s birth anniversary. According to Hindu tradition Hanuman is the monkey God who helped Lord Rama in the battle against Monster king Ravana. Hanuman is widely revered as the tenth incarnation of Rudra. Hanuman Jayanti is observed in the month of Chaitra according to Hindu calendar. It is celebrated all across India.

Chhath

Chhath is the region specific festival very important for the people of Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is celebrated after five days of Diwali. The festival is dedicated to the Sun in reverence of his so benevolent and bestowing life on the earth. The devotees offer “Argha” to the setting as well as rising Sun standing in the water. The festival is celebrated for two days.