List of Hindu festivals

2021-11-05T05:35:54Z

2001:8003:C003:1F00:B952:8C0:33E8:F976:

{{short description|It gives you a list of Hindu festivities}}
{{Peacock|date=October 2018}}
{{Hinduism}}
Across the globe, [[Hindus]] celebrate a diverse number of [[festivals]] and celebrations, typically marking events from [[ancient Indian]] and often coinciding with seasonal changes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gowda|first=Prabhu|date=2017-08-08|title=10 Hindu Festivals You Should Know About|url=https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/10-hindu-festivals-you-should-know-about/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Culture Trip}}</ref> These celebrations are a fixed annual date on [[solar calendar]]; or occur on a particular day of the [[lunisolar calendar]]. There is some variation associated with the observance of the festivals regionally. There are many festivals which are primarily celebrated by specific sects or in certain regions of the [[Indian subcontinent]].

==Terminology==
===Utsava===
Utsava is the Sanskrit word for festivals. The Sanskrit word ''Utsava'' comes from the word "''ut''" meaning "removal" and "''sava''" which means "worldly sorrows" or "grief".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sivkishen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kmVZBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT323&lpg=PT323&dq=Utsava,+ut,+removal&source=bl&ots=l3Sttz1nzf&sig=ACfU3U3gmHuoGMiynKzWCMMvzODxe5ilwg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji242rsJzzAhUk_7sIHQ-TBXYQ6AF6BAgZEAM#v=onepage&q=Utsava,%20ut,%20removal&f=false|title=Kingdom of Shiva|date=2015-01-23|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-81-288-3028-0|language=en}}</ref>

===Observance periods (tithi)===
[[Hindu calendar]] dates are usually prescribed according to a [[lunisolar calendar]]. In [[Vedic timekeeping]], a [[tithi]] is a [[lunar day]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+A few popular Hindu lunisolar festivals
!Festival
!m'''<big>ā</big>'''sa
!pakṣa
!tithi
|-
|Gudi Padwa
|caitra
|śukla
|prathama
|-
|Rama Navami
|caitra
|śukla
|navamī
|-
|Akshaya Tritiya
|vaiśākha
|śukla
|tṛtīya
|-
|Buddha Purnima
|vaiśākha
|śukla
|pūrṇimā
|-
|Guru Purnima
|āṣāḍha
|śukla
|pūrṇimā
|-
|Naga Panchami
|śrāvaṇa
|śukla
|pañcamī
|-
|Raksha Bandhan
|śrāvaṇa
|śukla
|pūrṇimā
|-
|Krishna Janmashtami
|śrāvaṇa
|krsna
|aṣṭamī
|-
|Ganesha Chaturthi
|bhādrapada
|śukla
|caturthī
|-
|Sarvapitru Amavasya
|bhādrapada
|kṛṣṇa
|amāvāsyā
|-
|Saraswati Puja
(constituent of Navaratri)
|āśvina
|śukla
|saptamī
|-
|Durga Ashtami
(constituent of Navaratri)
|āśvina
|śukla
|aṣṭamī
|-
|Maha Navami
(constituent of Navaratri)
|āśvina
|śukla
|navamī̄
|-
|Vijaya Dashami
(constituent of Navaratri)
|āśvina
|śukla
|daśamī
|-
|Karva Chauth
|āśvina
|kṛṣṇa
|caturthī
|-
|Dhan Teras
(constituent of Diwali)
|āśvina
|kṛṣṇa
|trayodaśī
|-
|Naraka Chaturdashi
(constituent of Diwali)
|āśvina
|kṛṣṇa
|caturdaśī
|-
|Lakshmi Puja
(constituent of Diwali)
|āśvina
|kṛṣṇa
|amāvāsyā
|-
|Bali Padyami
(constituent of Diwali)
|kārttika
|śukla
|prathama
|-
|Bhai Dooj
(constituent of Diwali)
|kārttika
|śukla
|dvitīya
|-
|Vasanta Panchami
|māgha
|śukla
|pañcamī
|-
|Maha Shivaratri
|māgha
|kṛṣṇa
|caturdaśī
|-
|Holi
|phalguna
|śukla
|pūrṇimā
|}

==Sublists==
*[[List of Hindu festivals in Punjab]]
*[[List of festivals observed at Jagannatha Temple, Puri]]
*[[List of Sindhi festivals]]

==List and descriptions of major Hindu festivals==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainlinks"
|-
! Major Hindu Festivals
! Photo
! Hindu ''[[tithi]]'' of observance
! Descriptions
|-
| <center>[[Bhogi]] </center>
|
[[File:Bhogi Flames.jpg|thumb|center|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 [[rāśi|rasi]].
|| It is a festival celebrated widely in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]].

On Bhogi, people discard old and derelict things and concentrate on new things causing change or transformation. At dawn, people light a bonfire with logs of wood, other solid-fuels and wooden furniture at home that are no longer useful.<ref>[http://post.jagran.com/andhra-celebrates-bhogi-with-gaiety-1389607284] Post Jagran Article 15 01 2014</ref> The disposal of derelict things is where all old habits, vices, attachment to relations and material things are sacrificed in the sacrificial fire of the knowledge of [[Rudra]], known as the "Rudra Gita Jnana Yajna". It represents realization, transformation and purification of the soul by imbibing and inculcating various divine virtues.
|-
| <center>[[Makar Sankranti]] or [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] and [[Lohri]]</center> 
|
[[File:Samkranti muggulu 2015 (3).JPG|thumb|center|Colorful floor artwork (''muggulu'') decorate entrances and streets on Makar Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[File:Thai Pongal at Sivan 8.jpg|thumb|center|150px|Thai Pongal in Colombo]]
||[[Makara Sankranti]] or [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] marks the transition of the Sun into Makara [[rāśi|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.<ref name="Pongalfestival.Org">[http://www.pongalfestival.org], Pongalfestival.org.</ref> 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 January 14 of the [[Gregorian calendar]] as sun currently enters capricorn on this day.
|-
| <center>[[Vasant Panchami]] </center> 
|
[[File:Goddess Saraswati dressed in yellow sari for Vasant Panchami Festival, Kolkata.jpg|thumb|center|Goddess Saraswati dressed in yellow sari on Vasant Panchami, Kolkata. She sits in a swing, holding a [[Veena]], with books in one corner]]
||Fifth day of the waxing moon of [[Maagha|Magh]] ([[Hindu calendar]])
| ''Vasant Panchami'' (also called ''Saraswati Puja'' by [[Bengali people|Bengalis]] and [[Odia people|Odias]]) is celebrated for the blessing of [[Saraswati]], [[Hindu deities|goddess]] of [[wisdom]] and [[the arts]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | last1 = Friedrichs | first1 = Kurt | editor1-last = Schuhmacher | editor1-first = Stephan | editor2-last = Woerner | editor2-first = Gert | title = Sarasvatī | encyclopedia = The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen | year = 1994 | publisher = [[Shambhala Publications|Shambala]] | isbn = 0-87773-980-3 | page = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877739807/page/306 306] | location = Boston | quote = The goddess of ... scholarship ... She is also the patron of the arts, especially of music. | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877739807/page/306 }}</ref>
|-
||<center> [[Thaipusam]] or [[Kavadi]]</center> 
|
[[File:Thaipusam Murugan.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|[[Murugan]] during [[Thaipusam]]]]
||The full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai
|| ''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 language|Tamil]]:காவடி ஆட்டம்) is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of [[Murugan]], the [[Tamil people|Tamil]] God of War.<ref name="Divinity">Kent, Alexandra. ''Divinity and Diversity: A Hindu Revitalization Movement in Malaysia''. [[University of Hawaii Press]], 2005. ({{ISBN|8791114896}})</ref> 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]].<ref name="Hume">Hume, Lynne. ''Portals''.</ref>
|-
|| <center>[[Maha Shivaratri]] </center> 
|
[[File:Bangalore Shiva.jpg|thumb|center|150px|Statue of Shiva meditating]]
||Thirteenth night of the waning moon of [[Maagha|Magh]] (Hindu calendar)
|| ''Maha Shivaratri'' is the great night of [[Shiva]], during which [[Shaivism|followers of Shiva]] observe religious [[fasting]] and the offering of [[Aegle marmelos|Bael]] (Bilva) leaves to Shiva. Mahashivaratri Festival or ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor 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). Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva. To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc. On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Jaagran (Nightlong vigil) is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mahashivratri.org/mahashivaratri-festival.html |title=Mahashivaratri Festival : Festival of Shivratri, Mahashivratri Festival India – Mahashivaratri Festival 2019 |publisher=Mahashivratri.org |access-date=2018-04-22}}</ref>
|-
|| <center> [[Holi]] </center> 
|
[[File:Holi celebrations, Pushkar, Rajasthan.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Holi in Pushkar, Rajasthan]]
[[File:Holi celebrating by a little kid.jpg|150px|thumb|center|A little kid after Holi celebrating (Haridwar)]]
[[File:Holi Bonfire Udaipur.jpg|center|thumb|upright|Holika Dahan (bonfire) in front of Jagdish Temple in [[Udaipur]], [[Rajasthan]]]]
|| Full moon of the [[Phalgun]] month (Hindu calendar)
|| ''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 mean "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]].
|-
|| <center>[[Shigmo]] </center> 
|
||
||''Shigmo'' is celebrated in [[Goa]] as one of the prominent festivals of the [[Konkani people|Konkani]] Hindu community. The main festival coincides with Holi.
|-
|| <center>[[Rang Panchami]] </center> 
|
||
|| In Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh, the festival of colors is celebrated five days after Holi on Rang Panchami.
|-
|| <center>[[Gangaur]] </center> 
|
[[File:La déesse Gangaur (musée du Fort Meherangarh, Jodhpur) (8416559160).jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Mother Gaur]]
||
|| "Gangaur" is the colourful and the one of the most important festivals of people of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during March–April.
|-
|| <center> [[Navarathri|Vasant Navratri]] </center> 
|
|| 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|reason=Your explanation here|date=June 2019}}
|-
|| <center>[[Rama Navami]]
or

[[Rama Navami|Sri Rama Navami]]</center> 
|
[[File:Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Home shrine on Rama Navami]]
|| Ninth of the [[Chaitra]] month (Hindu calendar)
||''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 of Vishnu or has half the divinitive qualities of Lord Vishnu. The word “Rama” literally means one who is divinely blissful and who gives joy to others, and one in whom the sages rejoice. Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in Chaitra (April/May) and coincides with Vasant Navratri or Chait Durga Puja. Therefore, in some regions, the festival is spread over nine days. This day, marking the birthday of Lord Rama, is also observed as the marriage day of Rama and Sita and thus also referred to as Kalyanotsavam. In Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, a huge fair is held with thousands of devotees gathering to celebrate this festival. The fair continues for two days, and rathyatras, carrying the Deities of Ram, his brother Laxman, His wife Sita, and His greatest devotee Mahavir Hanuman, are taken out from almost all Ram Temples. Hanuman is known for is his devotion to Rama, and his tales form an important part of the celebration. In Andhra Pradesh, Ram Navami is celebrated for 10 days from the Chaitra saptami to the Bahula Padyami in March/April. Temples re-enact the marriage of Lord Rama and Sita to commemorate this event, since this day is also the day they got married.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Rama_Navami |title=Rama Navami – Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia |publisher=Hindupedia.com |access-date=2018-04-22}}</ref>
|-
|| <center> [[Gudi Padwa]], Chetichand </center> 
|
[[File:Gudhi Padwa Gudhi cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Traditional Gudhi]]
||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 [[Marathi people|Marathis]], [[Konkani people|Konkanis]] and [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]] . According to the [[Brahma Purana]], this is the day on which [[Brahma]] created the world.
|-
|| <center>[[Ugadi]] </center> 
|
[[File:Coconut holige.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|[[Puran poli|Bobbatlu]] or [[Holigey]] or [[Bhakshalu]] prepared on Ugadi]]
[[File:ఉగాది పచ్చడి.jpg|Ugadi Pachadi|thumb|center]]
||
||''Ugadi'' (meaning "the start of an era" in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Kannada]]) is New Year's Day for the [[Telugu people|Telugus]] and [[Kannadigas]]. It is called as ''Gudi Padwa'' in Maharashtra.
|-
|| <center>[[Mesha Sankranti]] </center> 
|
[[File:Ganges at Haridwar, Uttarakhand.jpg|thumb|center|150px|Ganges at Haridwar, Uttarakhand]]
|| First day of solar month of [[Vaisakha]].
||''Mesha Sankranti'' (also called [[Vaisakha]] [[Sankranti]]) 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]], [[Pana Sankranti|Maha Vishubha Sankranti]] and [[Vaisakhi]]. Represents the vernal (Spring) equinox.
|-
|| <center>[[Vishu]]</center> 
|
[[File:Vishu kani.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Traditional ''vishu kani'']]
||
|| 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vishufestival.org/story-behind-vishu-festival.html|title=Story Behind Vishu Festival|website=www.vishufestival.org|access-date=2019-11-01}}</ref>
|-
|| <center>Puthandu ([[Tamil New Year|Tamil New Year)]] </center> 
|
||
|| The Tamil New Year follows the Nirayan vernal equinox. it falls around 14 April of the Gregorian year.
|-
|| <center>[[Bihu]]</center> 
|
[[File:Bihu dancer with a horn.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Bihu dancer with 'pepa']]
|| 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.
|-
|| <center>[[Hanuman Jayanti]]</center> 
|
[[File:Kashtbhanjan.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|[[Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur|Shri Hanuman Mandir]]]]
||

|| ''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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaonlinepages.com/festivals/hanuman-jayanti.html |title=Hanuman Jayanti – Hanuman Jayanti 2018 Date – Celebrations in India |publisher=Indiaonlinepages.com |date=2018-03-31 |access-date=2018-04-22}}</ref>
|-
||<center> [[Sitalsasthi]]</center> 
|
|| 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.
|-
||<center>[[Vat Pournima|Vat Savitri]]
Or

Vat Amavasya
</center> 
| [[File:DrzewaPieńOplecionyNićmi1.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Tying threads around a [[banyan]] tree (''wata'')]]
|| Full moon of [[Jyeshta]] (Hindu calendar)
||''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.
|-
|| <center>[[Bonalu]]</center> 
|
[[File:Parikrama.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Women with Bonam performing parikrama]]
||
|| ''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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/|title=Telangana Tourism – Visit for all reasons & all seasons|website=www.telanganatourism.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2019-11-01}}</ref>
|-
|| <center>[[Bathukamma]]</center> 
|
[[File:Batukamma2-1.JPG|thumb|upright|center|150px|Women dancing around Bathukammas]]
||
|| ''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 recognized as the identity of Telangana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bathukamma.telangana.gov.in/about-bathukamma|title=About Bathukamma {{!}} Bathukamma – Telangana's Floral Festival|website=bathukamma.telangana.gov.in|access-date=2019-11-01}}</ref>
|-
|| <center>[[Rath Yatra]]</center> 
|[[File:Rath Yatra Puri 2007 11071 crop.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Rath Jatra in [[Puri]] ]]
|| Second to tenth day of waxing moon phase of month [[Ashadha]] (Hindu Calendar)
|| ''[[Temple car|Rath]] Yatra'' is the festival associated with [[Jagannath]].It is the most important festival of Bengalis and Odias .
|-
|| <center>[[Raja Parba]] </center> 
|[[File:Raja Doli khela Odia festival.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Raja Doli khela, Oriya festival]]
|| The second day(Raja Shankranti) signifies beginning of the solar month of [[Mithuna]]
|| ''Raja Parba'' is a four-day-long festival. It inaugurates and welcomes the agricultural year all over [[Odisha]].
|-
|| <center>[[Guru Purnima]]</center> 
|[[File:chaturmas.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|[[Sanyasi]] performing ''Vyasa puja'']]
|| Full moon of [[Ashadh]] (Hindu calendar)
||''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.
|-
||<center>[[Mahalakshmi Vrata]]
or

[[Varalakshmi Vratham]]
</center> 
|[[File:Ravi Varma-Lakshmi.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|[[Mahalakshmi]] performing ''Mahalakshmi'']]
[[File:Varalakshmi Vratham - View.jpg|thumb|center|150px|A 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 – [[Purnima (day)|Poornima]] – in the month of [[Shraavana|Shravana]], which corresponds to the Gregorian months of July–August.
||''Varalakshmi Vratham or Mahalakshmi Vrata'' is a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] performed by married [[Hindu|Hindu women]] to seek the blessings of [[Lakshmi|Mahalakshmi]], [[Hindu deities|goddess]] of wealth and [[:wikt:prosperity|prosperity]].
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.
|-
|| <center>[[Onam]]</center> 
|[[File:Thiruvathira Kali During Onam.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Thiruvathira Kali during Onam in [[Kerala]]]]
||
||''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 commemorates the rule of Mahabali, an Asura(demon) king who loved his subjects. During his rule people were happy, honest and full of righteousness. Legend says Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin who visited Mahabali seeking three steps of land for sitting in self denunciation. Cleverly Vamana defeated Mahabali and sent him to the netherworld. Onam is the annual 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 cultural elements and it can be undoubtedly said that these elements constitute the colorfulness, diversity and richness that no other festival can claim..
|-
|| <center>[[Raksha Bandhan]]
or

[[Raksha Bandhan|Rakhi Purnima]]</center> 
| [[File:Rakhi 2.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Rakhis]]
||Full moon of [[Shravana]] (Hindu calendar)
||''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.
|-
|| <center>[[Teejdi]]</center> 
|
|| Third day after Raksha Bandhan
|| "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.
|-
|| <center>[[Krishna Janmaashtami]]
or

[[Krishna Janmashtami|Krishnashtami]]
</center> 
| [[File:Govindashtami.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Govinda Pathaks forming human tower]]
[[File:ISKCON temple, Delhi at Janamashtami.jpg|thumb|center|ISKCON temple in Delhi at Janamashtami]]
||Eighth day of waning moon of [[Bhadrapad]] (Hindu calendar)
|| ''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 the 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 Bhagwat Geeta. Sri Krishna was born in a prison in the custody of Kansa. 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 Kansa. Krishna grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle, King Kansa. 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, Kansa. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/india/janmashtami.php |title=Janmashtami / Krishna Janmashtami : A hindu religious festival |publisher=Calendarlabs.com |date=2018-03-09 |access-date=2018-04-22}}</ref>
|-
|| <center>[[Radhastami]]</center> 
|
|| 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.
|-
||<center>[[Gowri Habba]]</center> 
|
||
||''Gowri Habba'' is celebrated in [[Karnataka]], Andhra Pradesh, and [[Tamil Nadu]]. [[Dakshayani|Gowri]] is worshipped for her ability to bestow courage to her [[Bhakti|devotees]]. [[wikt:newlywed|Newly wed couples]] are invited to the house of the groom's parents and served with [[Indian food|varieties of food]].
|-
||<center>[[Ganesh Chaturthi]]
or

[[Ganesh Chaturthi|Vinayaka Chavithi]]</center> 
|[[File:Anant Chaturdashi.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Ganesh Visarjan in [[Mumbai]]]]
|| 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.
|-
| <center>[[Nuakhai]]</center> 
|
|| Fifth day of the waxing moon of [[Bhadrapada]] (Hindu calendar)
|| ''Nuakhai'' is celebrated to welcome the new rice of the season. This is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western [[Odisha]] ([[Western Odisha|Kosal]]).
|-
||<center>[[Navaratri]]</center> 
|
[[File:Navratri Garba.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|''Garba'' dance in [[Ahmedabad]] ]]
||First nine nights of the waxing moon of [[Ashvin]]
|| ''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.
|-
||<center>[[Durga Puja]]</center> 
|[[File:Durga puja in Dhakeshwari temple.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Durga Puja celebration in [[Dhaka]] ]]
||First ten nights of the waxing moon of [[Ashvin]]
||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 and Odias.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webonautics.com/ethnicindia/festivals/navarathri.html |title=Indian Festivals |publisher=Webonautics.com |access-date=2018-04-22}}</ref>
|-
||<center>[[Vijayadashami]]</center> 
|
||Tenth day of waxing moon of [[Ashvin]] (Hindu calendar)
|| ''Vijayadashami'' is the Hindu celebration of good over evil.
|-
||<center>[[Govatsa Dwadashi]]</center> 
|[[File:Sacred cow2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|In a poster condemning the consumption of beef, the sacred cow [[Kamadhenu]] is depicted as containing various deities within her body.]]
||Twelfth day of the waning moon fortnight (Krishna [[Paksha]]) in the month of [[Kartik (month)|Kartik]] (Hindu calendar)
|| ''[[Govatsa Dwadashi]]'' is the worship of cows as chief source of livelihood and religious sanctity; being the first day of [[Diwali]] celebrations. ''Sripada Vallabha Aradhana Utsav'' of [[Sripada Sri Vallabha]], at [[Pithapuram]] Datta Mahasamsthan in the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].

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.

|-
|| <center>[[Diwali]] or [[Deepavali]]</center> 
|[[File:The Rangoli of Lights.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|[[Rangoli]] decorations]]
[[File:Sparkles phuljhari fireworks on DIWALI, festival of lights.jpg|thumb|center|A child playing with ''phulbaja'' or [[sparkler]]s during Diwali]]
[[File:Fireworks Diwali Chennai India November 2013 b.jpg|thumb|center|200px|Diwali night fireworks over Chennai]]
||New moon of [[Ashvin]] (Hindu calendar)
|| ''Deepavali'' which means "row of lights/lamps" in [[Kannada language|Kannada]] and [[Telugu language|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.
|-
|| <center>[[Bhau-beej|Bhai dooj]]</center> 
|
|| Second day of the waxing moon of [[Kartika (month)|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.
|-
|| <center>[[Karva Chauth]]</center> or <center>[[Atla Tadde]]</center> 
|[[File:KarvaChauthMoon1.jpg|thumb|center|Women observing Karva Chauth]]
|| Four days after purnima (a [[full moon]]) in the month of [[Kartika (month)|Kartika]]. 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 calendar|Hindu lunisolar calendar]] month of [[Kartika (month)|Kartik]]
||'''Karva Chauth''' is a one-day festival celebrated by [[Hindu]] women from some regions of India, especially northern India. On Karva Chauth, the married women, especially in [[North India|Northern India]], [[Fasting|fast]] from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands.<ref name="ref25lojir">{{Citation | title=Let's Know Festivals of India | author=Kartar Singh Bhalla | publisher=Star Publications|year= 2005 | isbn=978-81-7650-165-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WORYY5Vl0ygC | quote=''... '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 ...'' }}{{page?|date=October 2019}}</ref><ref name="ref32laqul">{{Citation | title= women in England: their religious and cultural beliefs and social practices | author=S. K. Rait | publisher=Trentham Books|year= 2005 | isbn=978-1-85856-353-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRfkTq1ykSIC | quote=... Karva Chauth, a fast kept to secure the long life of husbands, was popular among women ... }}</ref><ref>{{Filmiwood | url=https://www.filmiwood.in/12/2019/top-10-facts-should-know-makar-sankranti/ | title= Makar Sankranti Top 10 Facts You should know about | date=2020-02-13 | quote=... 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 ... }}| title= Makar Sankranti Top 10 Facts You should know about ||date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Karva Chauth fast is traditionally celebrated in the states of [[Delhi]], [[Haryana]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Jammu]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref name="ref25lojir" /><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601513.html | work=The Washington Post | title=A Hungry Heart | first=Anu | last=Kumar | date=2007-10-21}}</ref><ref name="ref58cebuc">{{Citation | title=Crafts of Himachal PradeshLiving traditions of India | author=Subhashini Aryan | publisher=Mapin | isbn=978-0-944142-46-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bkfrAAAAMAAJ | quote=... Karva Chauth, when all married women universally fast a small pot, Karva, is required ...| year=1993 }}</ref><ref name="ref64ruxax">{{Citation | title=Because it gives me peace of mind: ritual fasts in the religious lives of Hindu women (McGill studies in the history of religions) | author=Anne Mackenzie Pearson | publisher=SUNY Press | isbn=978-0-7914-3038-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=na-x4ahfXaQC | quote=... Karva Chauth seems to be in western Uttar Pradesh ...| date=1996}}</ref> It is celebrated as [[Atla Tadde]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]].
|-
||<center>[[Kartik Poornima|Kartika Purnima]]</center> 
|
|| 15th of the [[Full moon]] day of '''[[Kartika (month)|Kartik]]''' (November–December)
||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]]'''
|-
|| <center>[[Chhath]]</center> 
|
[[File:People Celebrating Chhath on 2nd Day Morning Around the Pond.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Morning worship at [[Jamshedpur]] ]]
||
|| ''Chhath'' is mainly observed in [[Bihar]] and [[Terai]], but is also celebrated elsewhere. It is a festival dedicated to the [[Solar deity#Hinduism|Sun God]] for bestowing the bounties of life and fulfilling wishes. During Chath, devotees worship God Surya early in the morning.
|-
|| <center>[[Sooranporu|Skanda Sashti]]</center> 
|
||
|| ''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]].
|-
|| <center>[[Khandoba|Champa Sashti]]</center> 
|
||
|| 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.
|-
||<center>[[Religion in Odisha|Prathamastami]]</center> 
|
|| After 8 days of [[Kartik Purnima]]
|| ''Prathamastami'' is a festival that originated in [[Odia people|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 [[Lakshmi|Glory of Mahalakshmi]] and [[Shashti]] Devi.
|-
||<center>[[Yatra]]</center> 
| [[File:Alandi Palki 08.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Dnyaneshwar's palkhi holding the footwear of the saint]]
||
||''Yatra'' (also ''Zatra'' and ''jatra'') refers to the [[pilgrimage|pilgrimage festivals]] celebrated at [[Hindu temples]]. Idols and [[murti]]s 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.
|-
||<center>[[Karthikai Deepam]]
or

[[Karthikai Deepam|Kartika Deepam]]</center> 
| [[File:Karthigai.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|''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.
|-
|| <center>[[Pancha Ganapati]]</center> 
|
|| A [[Winter Solstice]] celebration that lasts five days.
||''Pancha Ganapati'' is a modern Hindu festival celebrating Lord [[Ganesha]], the Five-Faced Maha Ganapati—Lord of Categories{{Citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=July 2017}}.
|-
||<center>[[Kumbh Mela]]</center> 
| [[File:Kumbh Mela2001.JPG|thumb|upright|center|150px|Procession of [[Akhara]]s marching over the [[Ganges]].]]
|| 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.
|-
||<center>[[Godavari Pushkaram]] or [[Purna Kumbha Mela]]</center> 
| [[File:Godavari pushkaralu 2015 at Rajamandry-7.jpg|thumb|center|225px|Stage of Godavari Aarathi in Rajamundry]]
||
||''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 Shiva Temple|Trimbakeshwar]] & [[Nashik]]. Most of the Godavari River is connected with Rajahmundry, where it has wide spread across the city.
|-
|[[Sama Chakeva]]
|
|
|'''"Sama Chakeva''' ([[Nepali language|Nepali]] or [[Hindi]]: सामाचकेवा) is an important festival observed by [[Mithila (region)|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 (month)|Kartik]] as per [[Vikram Samvat|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|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."
|-
||<center>[[Tulsi Pujan Diwas]]</center> 
|
|| December 25 every year
|| Tulsi Pujan Diwas is celebrated on December's 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.
|-
||<center>[[Naga Panchami]] </center> 
| [[File:Nagabana.jpg|thumb|upright|center|150px|Nagabana at Belle Badagumane, [[Moodubelle]], [[Udupi]] ]]
|| Fifth day of Shravan month of the Lunar calendar
|| Naga Panchami is a traditional worship of snakes or serpents observed by Hindus throughout India, Nepal and other countries where Hindu adherents live.
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Hinduism}}

; Hindu festival related concepts
{{col div|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Coconut#Religion|Coconut: use for worship]]
* [[Culture of India]]
* [[Dhupa]]
* [[Hindu prayer beads]]
* [[Hindu temple]]
* [[Incense of India]]
* [[Garland|Mala]]
* [[Ghat]]s
* [[Mudras]]
* [[Namaste]]
* [[Pādodaka]]
* [[Pranāma]]
* [[Parikrama]]
* [[The Archaeology of Hindu Ritual]]
* [[Yatra]]
{{colend}}

'''Others'''
* [[Buddhist prayer beads]]
* [[Guru-shishya tradition]]
* [[Jain festivals]]
* [[Lists of festivals]]
* [[Puja (Buddhism)]]
*[[List of Hindu Empires and Dynasties]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/festivals-religious Festivals], Ministry of Culture

{{Hindu festivals}}
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
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{{Public holidays in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hindu festivals}}
[[Category:Lists of festivals in India|Hindu]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related lists|Festivals]]
[[Category:Lists of observances]]
[[Category:Lists of religious festivals]]
[[Category:Lists of festivals in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals| ]]
*[https://festivalscountdown.com/2021_festivals.html, 2021 All Festivals | Date, Timing, History]

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List of Hindu festivals