Hindu Festivals

Makara Sankranti/ Lori
Makar Sankranti marks the ascendancy of the Sun into the Northern Hemisphere and is considered auspicious because it marks the return of a longer period of light.

Vashanta Panchami (Sarasvati Puja)
Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Art and Music. During this time, traditionally children are taught their first words.
The festival also celebrates the arrival of Spring

Maha Shiva Ratri:
Mahashivratri is a festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the three main deities of Hinduism. Devotees of Shiva fast for all day and night and stay up all night worshipping Shiva.

Holi
Holi celebrates the arrival of spring. People sprinkle coloured powder and water on each other to celebrate the arrival of colour to the landscape

Rama Navami
Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar calendar, and celebrates the birthday of Rama, one of the incarnations or avatars of Vishnu

Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima celebrates the relationship between a teacher and a student. This day marks respect for the teacher, and the process of transmitting knowledge.

Raksha Bhandan
Raksha Bandhan is the ‘sacred thread ceremony’ celebrating the relationship between a brother and sister. The sister ties a thread round the brother’s right wrist as a sign of protection, love and trust and the brother normally will offer a gift to the sister.

Janmashtami
Janmastami celebrates the birth of Krishna, an incarnation or ‘avatar’ of Vishnu. Krishna is one of the most popular deities of Hinduism

Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to worshipping Ganesha, the deity who brings auspiciousness and removes obstacles.

Navaratri
Navaratri is the festival of nine nights dedicated to the idea of God as female. The festival invokes 'Shakti' or strength in society.

Dussehra
Dushera (sometimes called Vijaya dashami) is the tenth day of the Navaratri festival, and according to Hindu mythology, the day the Mother Goddess was victorious in defeating demonic forces.

Diwali/ Lakshmi Puja
Diwali is the most famous Hindu festival, and is known as the ‘festival of lights’ celebrating the return of Rama from exile. The people of his city lit lots of oil lamps to mark his return. Every year this event is celebrated as festival of lights.