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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 celebrate a diverse number of festivals and celebrations, many of which commemorate events from ancient India and often align with seasonal changes.[1] These festivities take place either on a fixed annual date on the solar calendar, or on a specific day of the lunisolar calendar. The observance of these festivals often varies by region, with many being predominantly celebrated by particular sects or in specific areas of the Indian subcontinent.
Terminology
Dolu Utsava
Utsava is the Sanskrit word for festivals. The Sanskrit word Utsava comes from the word "ut" meaning "Starts" and "sava" which means "change" or "decline".[2]Dolu means "seasonal colouring". Both solar and lunisolar calendar operates based on Dolu Utsava.
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. 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 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 symbolizes renewal and transformation, during which people discard old, unused, or derelict items to make way for new beginnings. [3] At dawn, a bonfire is lit using logs of wood, solid fuels, and unwanted wooden furniture. This act represents the disposal of not only physical clutter but also old habits, vices, and attachments to relationships and material possessions. The practice is linked to the "Rudra Gita Jnana Yajna," symbolizing the sacrificial fire of knowledge associated with Rudra. Bhogi signifies the realization, transformation, and purification of the soul through the adoption of divine virtues.
Colorful floor artwork (muggulu) decorate entrances and streets on Makar Sankranti in Andhra PradeshThai Pongal in Colombo
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 one of the most popular harvest festivals of Tamil Nadu. Pongal occurs in mid January each year and marks the beginning of Uttarayana (sun's journey northwards). The Pongal festival lasts for four days. Celebrations include a drawing of Kolam, swinging & the cooking of delicious Pongal.[4]
This day coincides with Makara Sankranti. Pongal is also commemorated by Jallikattu as a part of festivities as a sport of valor
The festival is celebrated mostly on 14 January of the Gregorian calendar as sun currently enters capricorn on this day.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival predominantly celebrated by the Tamil community. The name "Thaipusam" is derived from the Tamil month Thai and Pusam, the name of a star associated with the position of the moon during the festival. The festival marks the occasion when Goddess Parvati presented Lord Murugan with a spear to defeat the evil demonSoorapadman.
Kavadi Attam (Tamil:காவடி ஆட்டம்) is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War.[6] It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasises debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan.[7]
Maha Shivaratri is the great night of Shiva, during which followers of Shiva observe religious fasting and the offering of Bael (Bilva) leaves to Shiva. Mahashivaratri Festival or ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honour of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th 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 to honor Lord Shiva. The observance begins early in the morning with a ritual bath, often in a sacred river like the Ganga, followed by dressing in fresh clothes. Devotees then visit a nearby Shiva temple to perform a ceremonial bath of the Shiva Lingam using offerings such as milk, honey, water, and other sacred substances.
Throughout the day and night, worship of Lord Shiva continues. Ritual pooja is performed every three hours, during which priests bathe the Shiva Lingam with a mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, sugar, and water, accompanied by the chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya" and the ringing of temple bells. A jagran (night vigil) is also observed in many temples, where devotees gather to sing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. The fast is typically broken the next morning, following the consumption of prasad offered to the deity.[8]
Holi or Phagwah is a popular 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 the colourful and one of the most important festivals of the people of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervor and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during March–April.
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 this festival the forms of Shakti are worshipped, and effigies are burned. During these nine days, devotees fasts to devote their worship for shakti. On these nine days, nine incarnations of Shakti are worshipped.[citation needed]
Rama Navami or Sri Rama Navami is the celebration of the birth of Rama. Rama Navami is the day on which Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, incarnated in human form in Ayodhya. He is the ardha ansh (partial incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, embodying half of Vishnu's definitive qualities. The name "Rama" translates to "one who is divinely blissful and brings joy to others" and "one in whom sages find delight." Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (March/April) and coincides with Vasant Navratri or Chaitra Durga Puja. 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. In Ayodhya, Lord Rama's birthplace, a grand fair is held, attracting thousands of devotees. The celebrations include a rath yatra (chariot procession) carrying the idols of Lord Rama, his brother Lakshman, his wife Sita, and his devotee Hanuman from various temples. Hanuman's devotion to Lord Rama plays a central role in the festivities.
In Andhra Pradesh, Ram Navami is observed for ten days, from Chaitra Saptami to Bahula Padyami (March/April). Temples in the region often reenact the marriage ceremony of Lord Rama and Sita to commemorate the dual significance of this day as both their birth and wedding anniversary..[9]
First Day of waxing moon of Chaitra (Hindu calendar)
Gudhi Padwa / ChetiChand 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.
Ugadi (meaning "the start of an era" in Telugu and Kannada) is New Year's Day for the Telugus and Kannadigas. It is called as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra.
Mesha Sankranti (also called VaisakhaSankranti) represents the transition of the sun into the Mesha (Aries) Zodiac. Marks the start of the solar new year in lunisolar calendars. Involves bathing in holy waters. Regional new year festivals are also observed on this day such as Vishu, Pohela Boishakh, Maha Vishubha Sankranti and Vaisakhi. Represents the vernal (Spring) equinox.
Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala. It falls around 14 April of the Gregorian year. “Vishu” means equal in Sanskrit. Vishu is a symbol of the beginning of spring season. This festival is a phase that is devoted to the Lord Vishnu. Vishu is a festival for the family.[10]
Vaisakha/Bohag (Assamese Calendar) – The first month of Hindu calendar
Rongali Bihu (mid-April, also called Bohag Bihu), the most popular Bihu celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around 15 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 auspicious day of Hanuman Jayanti, People apply red Sindoor from Lord's feet on their foreheads. This is considering being a ritual for good health and good luck.[11]
Sixth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyestha (Hindu calendar)
The marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Sitalsasthi. It is celebrated as a carnival, in which people and artists from different walks of life participate, making it more beautiful and bringing out the true colour of life.
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 a festival celebrated for a Mother Goddess (such as the goddesses Pochamma, Yellamma, etc.) in the Telangana. It is celebrated in two cities which are Hyderabad and Secunderabad between the months of July and August. This festival is dated back to 1813 in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Goddess Mahakali is worshipped in this annual Hindu festival.[12]
Bathukamma is a festival celebrated during the months of September and October in 10 districts of Telangana. Womenfolk with exotic flowers of regions come to celebrate a glowing floral festival of Telangana, Bathukamma. This festival is celebrated for nine days and is recognised as the identity of Telangana.[13]
Mahalakshmi performing MahalakshmiA typical view of the Varalakshmi Vrata Pooja in a South Indian household
'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, to get progeny etc. 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 Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala. Though Onam is traditionally festival celebrated in Kerala, contemporarily Onam is celebrated by the Kerala diaspora across the globe.
Onam honours Bhagwan Vamana, the fifth avatara of Bhagwan Vishnu, and marks the birthday of Bhagwan Vamana and annual visit of his benevolent devotee Bali (the grandson of Bhakta Prahlada).[14][15] It falls during the month of Chingam (August–September) and lasts for 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 of Sindhis. On this day Sindhi ladies observe a day long fasting for longer life of their husbands. They take dinner after "Chandra Darshan" i.e. seeing Moon.
Shitla Satam
Seventh Day after Raksha Bandhan
"Shitla Satam" is celebrated on the day after Raksha Bandhan. It is the day when a mother fasts for their children and eats food that is not warm. The ladies practice this fast by keeping the stove/gas turned off for a day. This day is generally observed by Gujarati Families.
Krishnashtami or Krishna Janmaashtami is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna. It is actually called as Krishna Jayanthi. The date falls not only on the eighth day of the waning moon of Bhadrapad, but always on Rohini Nakshatra. Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India in July or August. According to the Hindu calendar this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in Bhadon. Sri Krishna is considered as one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Sri Krishna's birth was to free the Earth from the evilness of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated the theory of bhakti and good karma which are narrated deeply in the Bhagavad Gita. Sri Krishna was born in a prison in the custody of Kamsa. Vasudev, His father immediately thought of his friend Nand and decided to hand over his child to him to save Krishna from the clutch of Kamsa. Krishna grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle, King Kamsa. The actual celebration of Janmashtami takes place during the midnight as Sri 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 Sri Krishna. The Janmashtami celebration of Mathura and Vrindavan, the places where Sri Krishna had spent his life, are very special. On this day temples and homes are wonderfully decorated and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious mantras are sung in the temples.[16]
Goddess RadhaRadhashtami celebration at Iskcon Vrindavan
Eighth day of waxing moon of Bhadrapada (Hindu calendar)
Radhashtami is celebrated all across India especially in Northern India on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Ashtami as birth anniversary of Goddess Radha, consort of Lord Krishna.
Fourth day of the waxing moon of Bhadrapada (Hindu calendar)
Vinayaka Chavithi or Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebrated as the arrival of Ganesh on the earth. It is very important festival in Maharashta. Ganesh Festival celebrated in Pune in very traditional way.
Navarathri is the Hindu festival of worship and dance. In Sanskrit the term literally means "nine nights". During this festival the forms of Shakti are worshipped. Literally “nine nights”, 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. From Kashmir in the North to Tamil Nadu in the South, and from Gujarat in the West to Sikkim in the East, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm as the conquest of good over evil. Every region has its own myths and reasons to explain this. The nine different aspects of Devi are worshipped over the nine days.
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. The Indian ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, announced its decision to observe Dhanteras, as the "National Ayurveda Day", which was first observed on 28 October 2016. Usually, Gujarati families will enjoy a meal of daal baath and malpura to ring in the new year.
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 Devali. The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Jainlight 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 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 ancient Hindu festival celebrated on Vishākhā star on Vaisakha month by South Indians and Sri Lankans especially followers of Kaumaram and Shaiva Siddhanta.
A pilgrimage made every three years to the Ganges river
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.
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 Pushakara. The river Godavari took it birth at triambakeswar of 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 Mithila region that extends from Terai of Nepal to Bihar and Jharkhanda states of India. With great enthusiasm, young brothers and sisters celebrate this festival in Kartik as per Bikram Sambat Calendar, in November, when birds traditionally begin the migration of beautiful and colourful birds from the Himalayas to plain parts 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 ends on the full moon day of Kartik, that coincides in the month of November."
Tulsi Pujan Diwas is celebrated on December 25 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.
The Hindu calendar, also called Panchanga, is one of various lunisolar calendars that are traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with further regional variations for social and Hindu religious purposes. They adopt a similar underlying concept for timekeeping based on sidereal year for solar cycle and adjustment of lunar cycles in every three years, but differ in their relative emphasis to moon cycle or the sun cycle and the names of months and when they consider the New Year to start. Of the various regional calendars, the most studied and known Hindu calendars are the Shalivahana Shaka found in the Deccan region of Southern India and the Vikram Samvat (Bikrami) found in Nepal and the North and Central regions of India – both of which emphasize the lunar cycle. Their new year starts in spring. In regions such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the solar cycle is emphasized and this is called the Tamil calendar and Malayalam calendar and these have origins in the second half of the 1st millennium CE. A Hindu calendar is sometimes referred to as Panchangam (पञ्चाङ्गम्), which is also known as Panjika in Eastern India.
Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on lunar calendars or, informally but more widely, lunisolar calendars. Lunar calendars follow the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at diverse dates.
Vijayadashami, more commonly known as Dassahra in Hindi-Urdu, and also known as Dashāhra or Dashain in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Nepali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated every year at the end of Durga Puja and Navarahtri. It is observed on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, the seventh in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The festival typically falls in the Gregorian calendar months of September and October, more specifically between 27 September and 26 October. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the waxing moon of the Ashvayuja month.
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva, between February and March. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half of the lunar month of Phalguna. The festival commemorates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion that Shiva performs his divine dance, called the Tandava.
Jyeshtha or Jyēṣṭha is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Jyestha is the third month of the year. Known as Joishtho in Bengali, it is the second month of the Bengali calendar.
Śrāvaṇa is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Śrāvaṇa is the fifth month of the year, typically beginning in mid to late July and ending in late August. In the Tamil calendar, it is known as Āadi and is the fifth month of the solar year. In lunar religious calendars, Śrāvaṇa begins on the new moon or the full moon and is the fifth month of the year. Srabon is the fourth month of the solar Bengali calendar. It is also the fourth month of the Nepali calendar. Śrāvaṇa is also the second month of Varsha.
Ashvin or Ashwin or Ashwan, also known as Aswayuja, is the seventh month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, the solar Tamil calendar, where it is known as Aippasi, and the solar Indian national calendar. It is the sixth month of the solar Bengali calendar and the seventh of the lunar Indian calendar of the Deccan Plateau. It falls in the season of Sharada, or autumn. In Hindu astrology, Ashvin begins with the Sun's enter into Virgo.
Sharad Purnima is a religious festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin, marking the end of the monsoon season. The full moon night is celebrated in different ways in various cultural regions across Indian subcontinent.
Karva Chauth or Karwa Chauth or Karaka Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrated by Hindu women of Nepal, Northern India and Western Indiain October or November on the Bikram Sambat month of Kartika. Like many Hindu festivals, Karva Chauth is based on a lunisolar variant of the Hindu Calendars. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon.
Amāvásyā is the lunar phase of the new moon in Sanskrit. Indian calendars use 30 lunar phases, called tithi in India. The dark moon tithi is when the Moon is within 12 degrees of the angular distance between the Sun and Moon before conjunction (syzygy). The New Moon tithi is the 12 angular degrees after syzygy. Amāvásyā is often translated as new moon since there is no standard term for the Moon before conjunction in English.
Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of the waxing and waning lunar cycles in a Vedic calendar month. Ekadashi is popularly observed within Vaishnavism one of the major paths within Sanatan Dharma. Followers offer their worship to the god Vishnu by fasting or just symbolically; the idea was always to receive self-discipline and the benefits of fasting and it was connected to the way of life via Sanatam Dharma practices.
Chaturthi refers to the fourth day of a lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar.
Atla Tadde is a traditional festival celebrated by both unmarried and married Hindu women of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for getting a husband or for the health and long life of their husbands. It occurs on the 3rd night after the full moon in Aswiyuja month of Telugu calendar, and falls in either September or October in the Gregorian calendar. It is the Telugu equivalent of Karva Chauth, which is celebrated by north Indian women the following day.
Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess. For Shaivites and Shaktas, Durga is a form or actually is Goddess Parvati. For Vaishnavas, Durga is a form or actually is Goddess Lakshmi. However, the Vaishnava view contradicts the Navadurga belief and celebration as the nine goddesses included are all forms of Goddess Parvati. It spans over nine nights, first in the month of Chaitra, and again in the month of Ashvin (September–October). It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu Indian cultural sphere. Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratris. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri. There are 2 Gupta Navaratris or "Secret Navaratris" as well, one starting on the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of the Magha Month and another starting in the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Ashadha Month.
Ashtami is the eighth day (Tithi) of Hindu lunar calendar.
Punjabi festivals are various festive celebrations observed by the Punjabis, originating in the Punjab region. The Punjabis are religiously a diverse and that affects the festivals they observe. According to a 2007 estimate, a total of ∼75% percent of the Punjabi population is Muslim, accounting about 90 million people, with 97% of Punjabis who live in Pakistan following Islam, in contrast to the remaining 30 million Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus who predominantly live in India.
Utsava, also referred to as Utsavam, generally means a festival or celebration or any joyous occasion, mostly associated with Hinduism. It also carries the meaning of delight, merriment and pleasure. The Sanskrit word utsava comes from the word "ut" meaning "removal" and "sava" which means "worldly sorrows" or "grief". According to Hindu tradition, utsava are specific to festivals associated with temples.
A lunar deity or moon deity is a deity who represents the Moon, or an aspect of it. These deities can have a variety of functions and traditions depending upon the culture, but they are often related. Lunar deities and Moon worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms.
Here is a list of glossary of culture of India in alphabetical order:
Ahoi Ashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated about 8 days before Diwali on Krishna Paksha Ashtami. According to Purnimant calendar followed in North India, it falls during the month of Kartik and according to Amanta calendar followed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and other southern states, it falls during the month of Ashvin. However, it is just the name of the month which differs and the fasting of Ahoi Ashtami is done on the same day.
↑ 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, Rajashtan, 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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