Many of the Hindu holidays are based on the cycle of nature. They mark the change of seasons, celebrate the harvest, and encourage fertility of the land. Others are dedicated to a particular deity. There are more festivals than days in the year.
Some major holidays/ festivals in Hinduism are:
Some major holidays/ festivals in Hinduism are:
- Maha Shivratri
- Holi
- Akshaya Tritiya
- Janmashtami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Karva Chauth
- Diwali
Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri, or “great night of Shiva,” is a Hindu festival. Shivaratri is celebrated on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (Feb or March) every year. The day is celebrated to worship Lord Shiva. Hindus believe that the people who fast on this night and offer prayers to Lord Shiva receive luck. People fill the streets to catch a glimpse of the revered idol of Lord Shiva. Mahashivaratri is especially important to Saivites (devotees of Shiva), but it is celebrated by most Hindus.
Holi
Holi is a festival of colors. The festival also celebrates spring and the concept of "good" over "bad". The festival is celebrated with a lot of colors, water balloons, and water guns. Parties are often organized where people dance to music and greet each other with colors. Holi is an annual festival celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna (the end of February or early March). Holi is seen as the least religious of Hindu holidays.
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is a very popular festival that the Hindus celebrate every year in late April or early May. It is considered as one of the most important days for Hindu community because it is the day of the birth of the Lord Parasurama (Vishnu incarnation). The Hindu community considers this day as a lucky day and believes that any business or construction of a building started on that day will be prosperous.
Janmashtami
Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna (incarnation of Vishnu), is celebrated with great devotion in India in July or August. On this day temples and homes are extravagantly decorated with figures of Lord Krishna and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious hymns are sung in the temples.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival celebrated throughout India with a great devotion. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesh is the symbol of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The duration of this festival varies from 1 day to 11 days, depending on the place and tradition. On the last day of the festival, the idols are taken out in a colorful and musical procession and immersed traditionally in water. It is considered very important for students to illuminate their minds.
Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth is a fasting ritual in October or November (~10 days before Diwali) observed by all married Hindu women who seek the longevity, prosperity and well-being of their husbands. During the Karwa Chauth festival, married Hindu women dedicate the day to their husbands and in-laws. The festival is also used as a day for celebrating autumn. A pink or red sari with a gold woven pattern is worn by many women as part their custom and is worn only in the evening. New brides will wear their wedding costumes.
Diwali
Diwali is a major festival of India. It is celebrated sometime in the months of October and November. The day is primarily celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama(incarnation of Vishnu) from his 14 years of exile. Diwali means "row of lights" and is a Hindu festival of lights lasting five days. For many Hindus, Diwali is also New Year's Eve.