| Festival |
Date Observed (2007) |
Description |
| Makar Sankranti |
January 14 |
Makar Sankranti (also known by other various names) is the only Hindu festival which is based on the Solar calendar rather than the Lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated by taking dips in the Ganges river or any river and offering water to the Sun god. |
| Pongal |
January 16 |
Pongal (meaning "boiling over") is a Hindu festival to give thanks for the harvest. The festival originated Tamil Nadu and spread throughout India. |
| Basant Panchami |
January 22 – 23 |
Basant Panchami (also called Saraswati Puja by Bengalis) is celebrated for the blessing of Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and fine arts. [1] |
| Maha Shivaratri |
February 16 |
Maha Shivaratri is the great night of Shiva, followers of Shiva observe religious fasting and the offering of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Shiva. [2] |
| Holi |
March 3 |
Holi or Phagwah is a popular spring festival. |
| Navratri |
March 19 |
Navratri is the Hindu festival of worship and dance. In Sanskrit the term literally means "nine nights". During this festival the forms of Shakti are worshiped. |
| Rama Navami |
March 27 |
Rama Navami is the celebration of the birth of Rama. |
| Gudi Padwa |
March 30 |
Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month, and is celebrated as New Years day by Marathis. According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world. |
| Ugadi |
March 30 |
Ugadi (meaning "the start of an era" in Kannada) is the New Years day for the Deccans. It takes place on the same day as Gudi Padwa. [3] |
| Shigmo |
February – March |
Shigmo is celebrated in Goa as one of the prominent festivals of the Konkani Hindu community there. |
| Hanuman Jayanti |
April 2 |
Hanuman Jayanti is the celebration of the birth of Hanuman; Rama's loyal devotee. |
| Vat Pournima |
June 22 |
Vat Pournima is observed in Maharashtra. Pournima means "full moon." Women pray for the prosperity of their husbands by tying threads around a banyan tree. |
| Rath Yatra |
July 16 |
Rath Yantra is the festival associated with Jagannath. |
| Guru Purnima |
July 29 |
Guru Purnima is the day devotees offer puja (worship) to their Guru. This was the day when Vyasa; author of the Mahabharata was born. |
| Mahalakshmi Vrata |
August 11 |
Mahalakshmi Vrata is a puja performed by married Hindu women to seek the blessings of Mahalakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. [4] |
| Onam |
August 27 |
Onam is a harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. Like many other religious festivals in India, Onam is celebrated by people across all castes and faiths. |
| Krishna Janmaashtami |
September 3 |
Krishna Janmaashtami is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna. [5] |
| Gowri Habba |
September 14 |
Gowri Habba is celebrated in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Gowri is worshipped for her ability to bestow courage to her devotees. Newly wed couples are invited to the house of the groom's parents and served with varieties of food. |
| Ganesh Chaturthi |
September 15 |
Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of the birth of Ganesh. [6] |
| Vijayadashami |
October 21 |
Vijayadashami is the Hindu celebration of good over evil. |
| Diwali |
November 9 |
Diwali is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit word "Deepavwali", which means "row of lights". The festival is celebrated for the return of Rama and Sita to the kingdom Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. [7] |
| Bhaubeej |
November 11 |
Bhaubeej, also referred to as Bhai dooj, is the ceremony performed by Hindus, generally, on the second day of Diwali. It is celebrated among brothers and sisters and is similar to Raksha Bandhan, except there is no tying of rakhi involved. |
| Chhath |
November 16 |
Chhath is unique to Bihar and Terai, but is also celebrated elsewhere. It is a festival dedicated to the Sun God for bestowing the bounties of life and fulfilling wishes. [8] |
| Prathamastami |
November 30 |
Prathamastami is a festival that originated in Oriya. It is held on the eighth day of the month of Agrahayana, when older female relatives pray for the prosperity of the eldest child. The festival is followed by rituals and recitations of the Glory of Mahalakshmi. |
| Zatra |
October – March |
Zatra (also yatra and jatra) refers to the pilgrimage festivals celebrated at Hindu temples. Idols and murtis are taken out on special procession in a palkhi (a palanquin) or a chariot called the rath. Every temple observes this festival once a year on the traditional day. |
