List of Hindu festivals From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia An article related to Hinduism Om.svg Hindu History Philosophy[show] Deities[show] Scriptures[show] Practices[show] Philosophers and saints[show] Other topics[show] Portal icon Hinduism portal Portal icon Hindu Mythology portal v t e This list of Hindu festivals summarizes festivals observed in Hinduism. Contents [hide] 1 Utsava and observance 2 Observance periods (tithi) 3 Mythology 4 List and descriptions of major Hindu festivals 5 References 6 External links Utsava and observance[edit] Uthsava or Utsava or Utsav is derived from the Sanskrit word, Utsava. The Sanskrit word Utsava comes from the word ut meaning removal and sava which means worldly sorrows or grief.[1] A festival may be observed with acts of worship, offerings to deities, fasting, feasting, vigil, rituals, fairs, charity, celebrations, Puja, Homa, aarti etc. They celebrate individual and community life of Hindus without distinction of caste, gender or class. Observance periods (tithi)[edit] In the Hindu calendar dates are usually prescribed according to the lunar calendar. In vedic timekeeping, a tithi is a lunar day. Mythology[edit] The festivals typically celebrate events from Hindu mythology, often coinciding with seasonal changes. There are festivals which are primarily celebrated by specific sects or in certain regions of the Indian subcontinent. List and descriptions of major Hindu festivals[edit] For 2014 dates, please see Indian Holidays 2014 Major Hindu Festivals Photo Hindu Lunar Day of Observance Civil date (1994) Descriptions Makar Sankranti or Pongal Thai Pongal in Colombo Makar Sankranti or Pongal marks the transition of the Sun into Makar 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. 14 Jan Pongal is one of the most popular harvest festivals of southern India, mainly Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Pongal happens in the middle of January every year and marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayan (suns journey northwards). The Pongal festival lasts for four days. Celebrations include a drawing of Kolam, swinging & the cooking of delicious Pongal.[2] This day coincides with Makara Sankranti. Vasant Panchami Goddess Saraswati in Kolkata Fifth day of the waxing moon of Magh (Hindu Calendar) 20 Jan Vasant Panchami (also called Saraswati Puja by Bengalis, Oriyas and Biharis) is celebrated for the blessing of Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and the arts.[3] Thaipusam or Kavadi Murugan during Thaipusam The full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai Jan / Feb Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. The word Thaipusam is derived from the Tamil month name Thai and Pusam, which refers to a star near the location of the moon during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a spear so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. Kavadi Attam (Tamil:காவடி ஆட்டம்) is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War.[4] 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.[5] Maha Shivaratri A statue of Shiva meditating Thirteenth night of the waning moon of Magh (Hindu Calendar) 12 Mar 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. Holi Holi in Pushkar, Rajasthan Full moon of the Phalgun month (Hindu Calendar) 1 Mar Holi or Phagwah is a popular spring festival. Holi commemorates the slaying of the demoness Holika by Lord Vishnus devotee Prahlad. Thus, the festivals name is derived from the Sanskrit words Holika Dahanam, which literally mean Holikas slaying Shigmo Young boy at the Śigmo Feb – Mar Shigmo is celebrated in Goa as one of the prominent festivals of the Konkani Hindu community. Vasant Navratri Bhajan in Coimbatore moves 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. Rama Navami Home shrine on Rama Navami 24 Mar Rama Navami is the celebration of the birth of Rama. Gudi Padwa Gudi First Day of waxing moon of Chaitra (Hindu Calendar) 23 Mar Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month, and is celebrated as New Years Day by Marathis and the Konkanis. According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world.The date keeps changing every year in the month of march. Ugadi Holigey or Bhakshalu prepared on Ugadi 24 Mar Ugadi (meaning the start of an era in Kannada) is New Years Day for the Kannadigas and Telugus. It takes place on the same day as Gudi Padwa. Vishu A traditional vishu kani 13/14 Apr Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala. It falls around 14 April of the Gregorian year. Tamil New Year 14 Apr The Tamil New Year follows the Nirayan vernal equinox. it falls around 14 April of the Gregorian year. Hanuman Jayanti Shri Hanuman Mandir 30 Mar Hanuman Jayanti is the celebration of the birth of Hanuman, Ramas loyal devotee. Bihu Bihu dancer with pepa Vaisakha – The first month of Hindu Calendar 14–15 Apr 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. Sitalsasthi File:SITALSASTHI.jpg Sitalsasthi wedding of shiv-parvati Sixth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyestha (Hindu Calendar) Jun 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 Tying threads around a banyan tree (wata). Full moon of Jyeshta (Hindu Calendar) moves 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 Women with Bonam performing parikrama Aug Bonalu is a celebration for a Mother Goddess ( such as the goddesses Pochamma, Yellamma, etc.) in the Telangana Region. Bathukamma Women dancing around Bathukammas Sep / Oct Bathukamma is a festival celebrated during the months of September and October in 10 districts of Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Rath Yatra Rath Jatra in Puri 13 Jul Rath Yatra is the festival associated with Jagannath. Raja Parba (Oriya: ରଜ ପର୍ବ) Raja Doli khela, Oriya festival The second day(Raja Shankranti) signifies beginning of the solar month of Mithuna Jul Raja Parba is a four day long festival. It inaugurates and welcomes the agricultural year all over Odisha. Guru Purnima A sanyasi performing Vyasa puja Full moon of Ashadh (Hindu Calendar) 25 Jul Guru Purnima is the day devotees offer puja (worship) to their Guru. This was also the day when Vyasa, author of the Mahabharata was born. Mahalakshmi Vrata A mahalakshmi performing Mahalakshmi Mahalakshmi Vrata is a puja performed by married Hindu women to seek the blessings of Mahalakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. Onam Thiruvathira Kali during Onam in Kerala 23 Aug Onam is also known as Vamana Jayanthi, is a Hindu festival and the state festival of Kerala celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. 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, elaborate banquet lunches, snake boat races, Onappottan, Kaazhchakkula in Guruvayoor, Puli Kali, Kaikottikkali etc. These festivities make Onam a unique festival on the earth which is embellished by most number of cultural elements and it can be undoubtedly said that these elements constitute the colorfulness, diversity and richness that no other festival can claim.On Onam day people conduct special prayers in Hindu temples.Although Prayers in Hindu temples are important part of the festival, non-Hindus are not allowed to enter temples.. Raksha Bandhan Rakhis Full moon of Shravana (Hindu Calendar) 24 Aug 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. Krishna Janmaashtami Govinda Pathaks forming human tower Eighth day of waning moon of Bhadrapad (Hindu Calendar) 1–2 Sep 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 eight day of the waning moon of Bhadrapad, but always on Rohini Nakshatra. Radhastami Eighth day of waxing moon of Bhadrapad (Hindu Calendar) Radhastami is celebrated all across India especially in Northern India on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Ashtami as birth anniversary of Goddess Radha, consort of lord Krishna. Gowri Habba Moves 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 grooms parents and served with varieties of food. Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Visarjan in Mumbai. Fourth day of the waxing moon of Bhadrapada (Hindu Calendar) 11 Sep Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebrated as the arrival of Ganesh on the earth. Nuakhai Fifth day of the waxing moon of Bhadrapada (Hindu Calendar) 12 Sep Nuakhai is celebrated to welcome the new rice of the season. This is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western Odisha (Kosal). Navarathri and Bathukamma Garba dance in Ahmedabad First nine nights of the waxing moon of Ashvin 8 Oct 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 worshiped. Bathukamma, one of the most well-known festivals in Andhra Pradesh, is celebrated by women during Navarathri to honour goddess Gauri[6] Vijayadashami Durga Puja celebration in Dhaka Tenth day of waxing moon of Ashvin (Hindu Calendar) 17 Oct Vijayadashami is the Hindu celebration of good over evil. Deepavali Rangoli decorations New moon of Ashvin (Hindu Calendar) 5 Nov Deepavali which means row of lights/lamps in kannada and telugu and Sanskrit is called Divali 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. Bhai dooj Second day of the waxing moon of Kartik (Hindu Calendar) 7 Nov Bhai dooj, also referred to as Bhaubeej, 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. Kartik Poornima 15th of the Full moon day of Kartik (November–December) Moves A unique festival is celebrated in Varanasi this day which is called Dev Devali. The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Jain light festival and Guru Nanak Jayanti Chhath Morning worship at Jamshedpur 11–12 Nov 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. Prathamastami After 8 days of Kartik Purnima 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 their eldest child. The festival is followed by rituals and recitations of the Glory of Mahalakshmi and Shashti devi. Yatra Dnyaneshwars palkhi holding the footwear of the saint Oct – Mar 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. Karthikai Deepam Pithalai vilakku during Karthigai Deepam in Mumbai. Nov / Dec Karthikai Deepam is an ancient festival of lights celebrated by Tamil Hindus on the full moon day of Karthikai 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. Pancha Ganapati A Winter Solstice celebration that lasts five days. 21–25 Dec Pancha Ganapati is a modern Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, the Five-Faced Maha Ganapati—Lord of Categories. Kumbh Mela A procession of Akharas marching over the Ganges. A pilgrimage made every four years to the Ganges river 14 Jan. – March 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 4 years. The Maha (great) Kumbh Mela, a special large Kumbh Mela, occurs every 12 Purna Kumbh Melas, or 144 years. Diwali/Divali otherwise known as the festival of lights represents the Ramayana. On the night of Diwali everyone lights their houses and the street with Diya candles to fight off darkness and lead the way for Rama and Sita. People celebrate this day as new year just like December 31. Just to pray for prosperity and peace at their home and office.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:17:05 +0000
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