Hindu Festivals
What major festivals mean and how families usually observe them. Dates change every year with the lunar calendar, so check the panchang on the home page for the exact day.
Diwali
Festival of lights. Families clean homes, light diyas, and perform Lakshmi Puja in the evening.
Navratri
Nine nights honouring Goddess Durga. Many keep a fast, recite the Durga Saptashati, and celebrate with garba or dandiya.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birth. Clay idols are installed at home or in public pandals, offered modaks, and immersed after 1, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
Makar Sankranti
The sun enters Makara rashi. Marked with holy dips in rivers, til-gud sweets, and kite flying in many states.
Holi
Spring festival of colours, starting with Holika Dahan (a bonfire) the night before.
Janmashtami
Birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees fast until midnight and sing bhajans, and many decorate cradles for baby Krishna.
Maha Shivratri
Night of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast, keep a night-long vigil, and offer bilva leaves and milk at Shiva temples.
Raksha Bandhan
Sisters tie a rakhi on brothers’ wrists, and brothers pledge protection in return. Falls on the full moon of Shravana.
Karva Chauth
Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husband’s long life, and break the fast after seeing the moon.
Chhath Puja
Worship of the Sun and Usha, with a multi-day fast and offerings at sunset and sunrise by rivers, mainly in Bihar and eastern UP.
Regional traditions differ. Follow your family’s custom, and confirm dates with your local panchang or priest.