Hindu Holidays Observed

Vansant Panchmi - Saraswati Puja

Maha Shivaraatri

Holi / Phagwah

Vasant Nauraatri

Bhagwan Raam Naumi

Shri Hanuman Jayanti

Sita Devi Jayanti

Shri Krishna Janmashtami

August

Shri Krishna Janamashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eight avatar of Vishnu. It is an important festival particularly to the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism. Dance enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana, devotional singing through the midnight, when Krishna is believed to have been born, fasting, a night vigil, and a festival on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations.

Pitri Paksha

September

Pitri paksha ("fortnight of the ancestors") is a 16–lunar day period in the Hindu calendar where Hindus pay homage to their ancestor (Pitris), especially through food offerings. According to Hinduism, the souls of three preceding generations of one's ancestor reside in Pitri–loka, a realm between heaven and earth. This realm is governed by Yama, the god of death, who takes the soul of a dying man from earth to Pitri–loka. When a person of the next generation dies, the first generation shifts to heaven and unites with God.

Navaratri

October

Navaratri is a ten day, nine nights Hindu festival, celebrated in the autumn every year. The festival isassociated to the prominent battle that took place between Durga and demon Mahishasura andcelebrates the victory of Good over Evil. These nine days are solely dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine Avatars. Each day has its own significance

Day 1: Shailaputri

Known as Pratipada, this day is associated to Shailaputri (literally "Daughter of Mountain"), an incarnation of Parvati. It is in this form that the Goddess is worshiped as the consort of Shiva; she is depicted as riding the bull, Nandi, with a trishula in her right hand and lotus in her left. Shailaputri is considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali. The color of the day is red, which depicts action and vigor.

Day 2: Brahmacharini

On Dwitiya, Goddess Brahmacharini, another incarnation of Parvati, is worshiped. In this form, Parvati became Sati, her unmarried self. Brahmacharini is worshiped for emancipation or moksha and endowment of peace and prosperity. Depicted as walking bare feet and holding a japamala and kamandal in her hands, she symbolizes bliss and calm. The peacock blue is the colour code of this particular day. Blue colour depicts tranquility yet strong energy.

Day 3: Chandraghanta

Tritiya commemorates the worship of Chandraghanta - the name derived from the fact that after marrying Shiva, Parvati adorned her forehead with half-chandra (lit. moon). She is the embodiment of beauty and is also symbolic of bravery. Yellow is the colour of the third day, which is a vivacious colour and can pep up everyone's mood.

Day 4: Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda is worshiped on Chaturthi. Believed to be the creative power of universe, Kushmanda associated to the endowment of vegetation on earth and hence, the color of the day is Green. She is depicted as having eight arms and sits on a Tiger.

Day 5: Skandmata

Skandamata, the goddess worshiped on Panchami, is the mother of Skanda (or Kartikeya). The color Grey is symbolic of the transforming strength of a mother when her child is confronted with danger. She is depicted riding a ferocious lion, having four arms and holding her baby.

Day 6: Katyayani

Born to a sage, Katyayana, she is an incarnation of Durga and is shown to exhibit courage which is symbolized by the color Orange. Known as the warrior goddess, she is considered one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati. In this avatar, Kātyāyanī rides a lion and has four hands.

Day 7: Kalaratri

Considered the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga, Kalaratri is revered on Saptami. It is believed that Parvati removed her fair skin to kill the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. The color of the day is White. On Saptami, the Goddess appears in a white colour attire with a lot of rage in her fiery eyes, her skin turns black. The white colour portrays prayer and peace, and ensures the devotees that the Goddess will protect them from harm.

Day 8: Mahagauri

Mahagauri symbolizes intelligence and peace. The color associated to this day is Pink which depicts optimism.

Day 9: Sidhidatri

On the last day of the festival also known as Navami, people pray to Siddhidhatri. Sitting on a lotus, she is believed to possess and bestows all type of Siddhis. Here she has four hands. Also known as Saraswati Devi. The light blue colour of the day portrays an admiration towards nature's beauty.

Karwa Chaturthi

November

Karwa Chaturthi is a one-day festival celebrated by Hindu women four days after purnima (a full moon) in the month of Kartika. It is a fasting ritual observed by all married Hindu women who seek the longevity, prosperity and well-being of their husbands. Karwa Chaturthi is a very important as well as a difficult fast that all married Hindu women observe. The festival begins just before sunrise and ends after worshiping the moon and doing prayers at night. No water or food can be consumed once the sun rises. The fast is only broken after seeing the moon and after all rituals of that particular day have been performed. When the moon has appeared, women break the fast after they have offered water to the moon.

Diwali / Deepavali

November

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, which is celebrated every autumn. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance." During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated. The preparations, and rituals, for the festival typically last five days. During the height of celebrations, devotees adorn themselves in their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas (oil lamps/candles), offer puja (prayer) to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared.