The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: māsa (lunar month), pakṣa (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day).
Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. amānta / pūrṇimānta. If a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa.
A lunar year is shorter than a solar year by about eleven days. As a result, most Hindu festivals occur on different days in successive years on the Gregorian calendar.
Hindus observe a wide range of festivals and cultural celebrations, many of which are rooted in ancient Indian traditions and often correspond with seasonal transitions.[1] These festivals are scheduled according to either the solar calendar or the lunisolar calendar, and their observance often varies regionally. Many festivals are specific to certain sects or are primarily observed in particular regions of the Indian subcontinent.
Terminology
Utsava
Utsava is the Sanskrit word for festivals. It comes from the word ut meaning "starts" and sava, which means "change" or "decline".[2]
There are two prevailing definitions of the lunar month: amānta, where the month ends with the new moon, and pūrṇimānta, where it ends with the full moon.[3] Consequently, the same day may be associated with different but adjoining months. When a festival takes place during śukla paksha (the waxing phase of the moon), both traditions attribute it to the same month. However, if the festival occurs during kṛiṣhṇa paksha (the waning phase of the moon), the two traditions assign it to different, but adjacent months.
Bhogi (also known as Lohri in Punjab andLaal Loi in parts of North India)
Bhogi bonfire in Andhra Pradesh
Bhogi marks the first day of the 4-day Sankrathi festivities and occurs one day before Makara Sankranthi, marking the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi.
Bhogi is a festival that symbolises renewal and transformation, during which people discard old, unused, or derelict items to make way for new beginnings.[4]
Colorful floor artwork (muggulu) decorate entrances and streets on Makar Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh
Makara Sankranti or Pongal marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi. It marks the gradual increase of the duration of the day.
Pongal is the first day of Uttarayana and coincides with the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai.
Pongal is a harvest festival in Tamil Nadu. Pongal occurs annually on January 14 (on the Gregorian calendar) and marks the beginning of Uttarayana (the sun's journey northward). The Pongal festival lasts for four days. Celebrations include the drawing of Kolam, swinging, Jallikattu, and the cooking of Pongal.[5]
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival predominantly celebrated by the Tamils. The name Thaipusam is derived from the Tamil month Thai and Pushya, the name of a group of stars within the Cancer constellation. The festival marks the occasion when Parvati presented Murugan, the Tamil God of War, with a spear to defeat the demon Soorapadman.
Kavadi Attam (Tamil:காவடி ஆட்டம்), a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, emphasises debt bondage.[7] The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help Murugan.[8]
Maha Shivaratri ("The Night of Shiva") is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva. It falls on the fourteenth night of the new moon in Phalgun (February – March).
Shivaratri falls on the fourteenth night of the new moon in Phalgun (February – March). During the festival of Shivaratri, devotees observe a day-and-night fast and perform ritual worship of the Shiva Lingam, including ceremonial bathing with offerings such as milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, sugar, and water. Some devotees also perform ritual baths in sacred rivers such as the Ganges. Temples often hold night vigils (jagran), during which hymns and devotional songs are recited, and the fast is broken the following morning with prasad offered to the deity.[9]
Holi or Phagwah is a spring festival. Holi commemorates the slaying of the demoness Holika by Lord Vishnu's devotee Prahlad. Thus, the festival's name is derived from the Sanskrit words Holika Dahanam, which literally means "Holika's slaying". The festival is called Shigmo and Shimga in Goa and rural Maharashtra, respectively. In Odisha and West Bengal, it is also celebrated as Dol Purnima.
Gangaur is a festival important to Rajasthanis, celebrated throughout the state by women who worship Gauri, the consort of Shiva, during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March–April).
It is the celebration of spring, harvest, marital fidelity, conjugal blessedness, and childbearing. Unmarried women worship the goddess in hopes of being blessed with a good husband, while married women do so for the welfare, health, and long life of their husbands.[10]
First nine days of the Chaitra month (Hindu calendar)
Navratri is the Hindu festival of worship and dance. In Sanskrit, the term literally means "nine nights". During these nine days of the festival, devotees honor the forms of Shakti, or divine feminine energy, and observe fasting as an expression of devotion. Over the nine days, nine incarnations of Shakti (Maa Durga) are worshipped.[11]
Rama Navami or Shri Rama Navami is the celebration of the birth of Rama. Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (March/April). In some regions, the festival is observed over nine days.
This day is also celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Lord Rama and Sita, known as Kalyanotsavam.
First Day of waxing moon of Chaitra (Hindu calendar)
Gudhi Padwa / Cheti Chand is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu Lunar month of Chaitra, and is celebrated as New Year's Day by Marathis, Konkanis and Sindhis. According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world.
Mesha Sankranti (also called VaisakhaSankranti) represents the transition of the sun into the Mesha (Aries) Zodiac and marks the start of the solar new year in lunisolar calendars. Regional new year festivals are also observed on this day such as Vishu, Pohela Boishakh, Maha Vishubha Sankranti and Vaisakhi.
Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala. It falls around 14 April of the Gregorian calendar. “Vishu” means equal in Sanskrit. Vishu is a symbol of the beginning of spring season. Vishu is a festival for the family.[12]
Vaisakha/Bohag (Assamese Calendar) – The first month of Hindu calendar
Rongali Bihu (mid-April, also called Bohag Bihu), is a traditional ethnic festival that celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around 14 April) and the coming of Spring.
Hanuman Jayanti is the celebration of the birth of Hanuman, Rama's loyal devotee. Hanuman is known for his great strength, power and his immortal devotion towards Lord Rama. He is considered to be one of the most powerful Hindu gods in India. On the auspicious day of Hanuman Jayanti, people apply red sindoor from Lord's feet on their foreheads. This is considered a ritual for good health and good luck.[13]
Sixth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyestha (Hindu calendar)
In Odisha, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Sitalsasthi. It is celebrated as a carnival, and begins with the ceremonial marriage of the two deities.
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.
Bonalu is an annual festival centered on the Goddess Mahakali from Telangana. It is celebrated in both Hyderabad and Secunderabad between the months of July and August. This festival is dated back to 1813 in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.[14]
Bathukamma is a festival celebrated during the months of September and October in the ten districts of Telangana. Celebrated for nine days, it is characterised by exotic flowers from the region.[15]
'Vara MahaLakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before the day of the full moon – Poornima – in the month of Shravana, which corresponds to the Gregorian months of July–August.
It is celebrated as Varalakshmi Vratham in South Indian states. It is performed by married women (sumangalis) for the well-being of all their family members, especially the husband and to seek progeny among other things. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Wisdom, Love, Fame, Peace, Contentment, and Strength.
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala. Though it is traditionally observed in Kerala, contemporarily it is celebrated by the Kerala diaspora across the globe.
Onam honours Bhagwan Vamana, the fifth avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu, and marks the birthday of Bhagwan Vamana and annual visit of his benevolent devotee Bali (the grandson of Bhakta Prahlada).[16][17] It falls during the month of Chingam (August–September) and lasts ten days. The festival is marked by various festivities, including intricate flower carpets, Onam Sadya (elaborate banquet lunches), snake boat races, Onappottan, Kaazhchakkula in Guruvayoor, Puli Kali, Kaikottikkali etc.
Rakhi Purnima or Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrated mainly in northern Indian states. Rakhi is a special occasion to celebrate the chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister.
Teejdi is a festival celebrated by Sindhis. On this day, Sindhi women observe a day-long fast for the long life of their husbands. They break their fast after "Chandra Darshan" i.e. seeing the Moon.
Shitla Satam
Seventh Day after Raksha Bandhan
Shitla Satam is celebrated on the day after Raksha Bandhan. On this day, mothers fast for their children and eat food that is not warm. Women observing this fast keep the stove/gas turned off for the entire day. This day is generally observed by Gujarati families.
Krishnashtami, Krishna Janmaashtami, or Krishna Jayanthi, is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna. It is observed in India in July or August, on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksh (waning moon) in the month of Bhadrapad coinciding with Rohini Nakshatra. It is celebrated at midnight when Krishna is believed to be born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence of his uncle, Kamsa. All over India, this day is celebrated with devotional songs and dances, pujas, arti, blowing of the Conch and rocking the cradle of baby Krishna. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the places where Krishna had spent his life, temples and homes are decorated and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious mantras are sung in the temples.[18]
Eighth day of waxing moon of Bhadrapada (Hindu calendar)
Radhashtami is celebrated all across India, especially in Northern India, on the eighth day of Bhadrapad, as the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha, consort of Lord Krishna.
Navaratri is centered around the worship of the Divine Feminine. In Sanskrit, the term literally means "nine nights". During this festival, the forms of Shakti are worshipped. This nine-day period from the new moon day to the ninth day of Ashvin is considered the most auspicious time of the Hindu calendar and is hence the most celebrated time of the year. Although it has different names in different parts of India, Hindus from all regions celebrate it as the conquest of good over evil. Every region has its own myths and reasons to explain this.[19]
Durga Puja is a celebration of the goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura.[20] These are the most popular forms under which she is worshipped: Durga, goddess beyond reach; Kali, the auspicious power of time; Amba or Jagdamba, mother of the world; Annapurna, giver of food and plenty; Sarvamangala, auspicious goddess; Bhairavi, terrible, fearful, power of death; Chandika or Chandi, violent, wrathful, furious; Lalita, playful; Bhavani, giver of existence; Tara, giver of success in work. It is the most important festival of Bengalis, Nepalis and Odias.
Dhanteras - Dhanteras (Hindi: धनतेरस), also known as Dhanatrayodashi (Sanskrit: धनत्रयोदशी), is the first day that marks the festival of Diwali in India. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindi calendar month of Ashvin. Dhanvantari, who is also worshipped on the occasion of Dhanteras, is considered the God of Ayurveda who imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda for the betterment of mankind, and to help rid it of the suffering of disease.
Deepavali which means "row of lights/lamps" in Kannada and Telugu and Marathi and Sanskrit is called "Diwali" in North India, Deepa means lamp and in Hindi a lamp is mostly called a Diya or Di. The festival is celebrated on the occasion of Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama killing a demon Narakasura. Another story says the festival is celebrated for the return of Rama and Sita to the kingdom Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile.
Rama is exiled to the forest for 14 years, his devoted wife Sita and humble brother Laxman decide to join him, after 14 years the whole village know he is returning so light lamps or 'divas' to guide him, his wife and brother home. So every year lamps are lit to represent Rama finding his way back home after the harsh punishment of being sent to exile in the forest.
Second day of the waxing moon of Kartik (Hindu calendar)
Bhai dooj, also referred to as Bhaubeej in Marathi or Bhaiphonta in Bengali, is the ceremony performed by Hindus, generally, on the second day of Deepavali. It is celebrated among brothers and sisters and is similar to Raksha Bandhan, except there is no tying of rakhi involved.
Four days after purnima (a full moon) in the month of Ashvin (amanta) Kartika (purnimanta). Like many Hindu festivals, Karva Chauth is based on the lunisolar calendar which accounts for all astronomical positions, especially positions of the moon which is used as a marker to calculate important dates. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik
A unique festival is celebrated in Varanasi this day which is called Dev Deepavali. The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Jain light festival and Guru Nanak Jayanti
Chhath is mainly observed in 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. During Chath, devotees worship God Surya early in the morning.
Skanda Sashti is decided on lunar month during the sixth day of Karthika Masam (October–November). It is one of the most important festival dedicated to Lord Murugan the second son of Shiva. On this festival is celebrated the victory of Murugan against the Asuras.
Champa Sashti festival is a six-day festival observed from the first to the sixth of the Hindu month of Margashirsha (November – early December). It is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Lord Khandoba. This festival celebrates the victory of Khandoba against the demons Mani-Malla.
Prathamastami is a festival that originated in Odia. It is held on the eighth day of the month of Agrahayana, when older female relatives pray for the prosperity of their eldest child. The festival is followed by rituals and recitations of the Glory of Mahalakshmi and Shashti Devi.
Dnyaneshwar's palkhi holding the footwear of the saint
Yatra (also Zatra 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. Palkhi is main tradition of Maharashtra. Sant Dhnyaneshwar had started the palkhi from Alandi (Pune) to Pandharpur. Every year Marathi people celebrates Palkhi from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur.
Pithalai vilakku during Karthigai Deepam in Mumbai.
Kartika Deepam or Karthikai Deepam is an ancient festival of lights celebrated by Tamil Hindus and Telugu Hindus on the full moon day of the Karthikai/Kartika month (November/December). This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and purnima. It is the same as Kartik Poornima; however, since Tamils follow the Hindu Solar calendar with correction for precession of the equinoxes, the Tamil date matches the actual constellation.
Vaikasi Vishaka is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated on Vishākhā star on Vaisakha month by South Indians and Sri Lankans especially followers of Kaumaram and Shaiva Siddhanta.
The Purna (complete) Kumbh takes place every twelve years, and is an ordinary large Kumbh Mela. The Ardh (half) Kumbh Mella, a smaller Kumbh Mela, is celebrated every six years. The normal Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 3 years. The Maha (great) Kumbh Mela, a special large Kumbh Mela, occurs every 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas', or 144 years.
Shravani Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in India, attracting millions of devotees, primarily the Kanwariyas, who undertake a pilgrimage to offer holy water from the Ganges to Lord Shiva.
Godavari Pushkaram or Godavari Pushkaralu is most commonly stated as it is the festival of the river Godavari. The main significance of this Godavari Pushkaralu is that it occurs once in every 12 years in other words called as Pushakaram. The river Godavari took it birth at triambakeswar in Nasik which is located in Maharashtra state. It flow along the various regions of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka and finally flows into the Bay of Bengal. Maha Pushkaralu which comes once in 144 years.
Main centre's that celebrate Pushkaram are Rajahmundry, Bhadrachalam, Trimbakeshwar & Nashik. Most of the Godavari River is connected with Rajahmundry, where it has wide spread across the city.
Sama Chakeva (Nepali or Hindi: सामाचकेवा) is an important festival observed by the Mithila region that extends from Terai of Nepal to Bihar and Jharkhand states of India. With great enthusiasm, young brothers and sisters celebrate this festival in Kartik as per the Bikram Sambat Calendar, typically in November. This period traditionally marks the migration of beautiful and colourful birds from the Himalayas to plains of Nepal (Terai) and India. This festival demonstrates love and affection between brothers and sisters.
This festival begins immediately after the conclusion of Chhath festival in Nepal and northern parts of India, and it ends on the full moon day of Kartik, which coincides in the month of November.
Tulsi Pujan Diwas is celebrated on 25 December by Hindus in India. Tulsi in Hinduism is used for medicinal and spiritual use. It is considered sacred in Hinduism and it is believed that Tulsi brings prosperity.
Naga Panchami is a traditional worship of snakes or serpents observed by Hindus throughout India, Nepal and other countries where Hindu adherents live.
↑ Friedrichs, Kurt (1994). "Sarasvatī". In Schuhmacher, Stephan; Woerner, Gert (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Boston: Shambala. p.306. ISBN0-87773-980-3. The goddess of... scholarship... She is also the patron of the arts, especially of music.
1 2 Kartar Singh Bhalla (2005), Let's Know Festivals of India, Star Publications, ISBN978-81-7650-165-1, ... 'Karva Chauth' is a ritual of fasting celebrated by married women seeking longevity, ... married women in the northern and western parts of India, especially Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, vJammu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand ... eat a little food before sunrise and start the fast ... After the moon rises ... finally, break their fast ...[pageneeded]
↑ "Makar Sankranti Top 10 Facts You should know about". 13 February 2020. ... Hindu women Friday celebrated Karva Chauth in the city. The minority arranges different functions in the city to mark the day where women collectively sighted the moon and broke their fast ...
↑ Kumar, Anu (21 October 2007). "A Hungry Heart". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
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