Hindu Festivals

What makes Hindus different is that they honor the whole of creation and see the presence of God in everything. Everyone has a right to evolve spiritually and will release the Truth in due course. Hinduism* is very liberal and does not set limits for mankind. There are many lives and many lifetimes but each are guided by the strict Law of Karma where man is responsible for every action he performs .

This is aptly describe by Apollonius Tyanaeus over 2000 years ago (Greek Philosopher)

“In India I found a race of mortals living upon the Earth, but not adhering to it, inhabiting cities, but not being fixed to them, possessing everything, but possessed by nothing.”

November 5th, 2017, 1 to 4:30 p.m.

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Hindu festivals follow the Vikrami Lunar calendar. A month has two fortnight called paksha. One fortnight is the bright or waxing fortnight where the moon grows in size and ends with the full moon and the other is the dark or waning fortnight that ends in new moon. The months do not exactly match the Gregorian calendar so exact dates will not be given here, only an approximation.

GANGUAR GAURI FAST is observed by married women (to enhance the love of their husbands) and unmarried girls (to get good husbands). This fast is observed in the month of Chaitra (March/April) for 17 days from the first day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha)

CHAITRA NAVRATRI starts on the first day on the bright fortnight in Chaitra and goes for nine nights. This festival is devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Durga. The first day of Navratri is also celebrated as GUDI

PADAVA or NAV SANVATSAR. Prayers are done on this day for the happiness and well being of people . Friends and relatives are presented with gifts and New Year greetings.

SKANDH SASHTI is celebrated on the sixth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra Fast is observed and prayers offered to Lord Kartikeya* for long life and fulfillment of desires. RAM NAVAMI is observed on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra and dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Ram

HANUMAN JAYANTI is observed on Chaitra Shukla Purnima bright fortnight full moon day. God Hanuman is worshipped on this day for long life and good health. Hanuman is the embodiment of speed, strength, learning, selfless service and sacrifice.

VAISHAKH SAKRANTI is celebrated in Vaisakha (April/May) on April 13.as a harvesting festival. Baisakhi is also a major festival of Sikhism being the day Guru Gobin Singh declare the Granth Sahib to be the eternal Guru of all Sikhs.

AKSHEY TRITIYA falls on the third day of the bright fortnight in Vaisakha. This day is celebrated as Yugaadi Tritiya as it is believed that Treta Yuga began on this day. Also the incarnation of Nar Narayan and Lord Parshuram (two other incarnations of Lord Vishnu) happened on this day. This is considered an auspicious day to start any work.

NARSINGH JAYANTI occurs on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha (April/May). Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narsingh on this day to remove the demon Hiranyakashyapu and end his terror. Fasting done on this day help devotees to remove problems and they are blessed with good fortune.

VYAS PURNIMA is celebrated on full moon day in the month of Ashada (June/July). Vedvyas is believed to be the greatest Guru and all Gurus are associated with him. Gurus gives guidance to the devotees and removes their spiritual darkness. Gurus are worship on this day for self realisation.

The month of Shraavan (July/August) is consider a holy month and fast is observed on Monday for SHIVA SHRAAVAN PUJA. On this day worship is done to Shiva Pariwar (Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya, Nandishwar and Veerbhadra. MANGAL GAURI VRAT is also observed during this month where women fast on Tuesdays for a long and happy married life. This fast is typically done for five years. On Shukla Tritya ( third day of bright fortnight) the women will celebrate Shraavan Shukla Teej.

NAAG PANCHAMI is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight to honour Sheesh Naag . Snakes are very useful to farmers by protecting their crops* from rats and insects and their poison are used to treat various diseases. RAKSHABHANDAN is celebrated on full moon day in Shaaran . This is a festival to commemorate the love and commit- ment that a brother has in protecting his sister from harm of any kind; it is a brother and sister bond.

KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI is celebrated on the eight day of the dark fortnight in Bhadrapad (August/September) . On this day at midnight Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna. He is the most decorated and fun loving and popular Lord of Sanatan Dharma.

GANESH CHATURTHI is celebrated on the fourth day of the bright fortnight in Bhadrapad. Lord Ganesha is the remov- er of obstacles and is worshipped before starting any auspicious work. On this day people observ Siddhi Vinayak Fast.

BHADRAPAD SHUKLA PANCHAMI also known as Rishi Panchami is celebrated on Bhadrapad (August/September) full moon day. Fast is done on this day for atonement of all wrongs done whether knowingly or unknowingly .

RADHASTAMI is celebrated on the eight day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Radha who was the sacred energy of Lord Krishna. She is always worshipped together with Lord Krishna.

PITRI PAKSHA is observed in the month of Ashvin ( September/October) from the first day to the last day of the dark fortnight . This is also known as Mahalaya Shraadha and offerings are made to the deceased ancestors during this pe- riod.

DUSSEHARA also known as Vija Dashami is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashvin. This day is celebrated in remembrance of Shri Ram victory over Ravana and signify the triumph of good over evil.

KARVA CHAUTH is celebrated on the fourth day of the dark fortnight in Kartik (October/November) . Women observed fast on this day for protection of their husbands and to avoid widowhood.

DEEPAVALI is celebrated with a lot of zeal and bright lights. This festival is celebrated on the last day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartik. Four other festivals are also celebrated at this time; Dhan Teyras is celebrated two days before Diwali and Choti Diwali happens the day before Diwali. On the day after Diwali Goverdhan Puja is celebrated and the day after that Bhayia Dooj ( preserving the brother sister bond) is celebrated. CHAMPA SASHTI is celebrated in *the month of Margashirsha (November/December) on the sixth day of the bright fortnight. Bhairav (another form of Lord Shiva) is worshipped on this day.

GITA JAYANTI The great Hindu epic ; Gita occurred on this day which is also called Moksha Ekadashi. This occurs on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Margashirsha .

MAKARSAKRANTI is also know as Lohari in some regions and Pongal in others. This occurs on January 14 in the month of Magha (January/February). It is believed that Gods and Ancestors come on earth and accept offerings on this day. This is a very auspicious where the day and the night are exactly equal in hours.

Maghi MELA is held at Allahabad during the month of Magh every year. Every twelve years KUMBH MELA is held there. People from all over come there to attend the fair and have a dip in the holy waters.

MAHASHIVRATRI happens on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun (March/April). On this day Lord Shiva is worshipped with all reverence.

HOLI is celebrated on full moon day in the month of Phalgun. This is a festival full of joy and colours. People celebrate the destruction of wickedness and cleaning of the air and surroundings.