Famous Hindu Festivals
Diwali: ‘Diwali’ is one of the greatest festivals of Hindus. Diwali is also called Deepawali. ‘Deepawali’ in Hindi means a row of diyas. Diwali is the festival of lights. It falls in the month of ‘Ashwin’ according to the Hindu calendar. On Diwali, almost every house and street is decorated with lamps and lights.
Dussehra: ‘Dussehra’ is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. It is also called ‘Vijayadashami’. On this day Lord Rama killed Ravana. It falls on the tenth day of Ashwin month according to Hindu Calendar. It is celebrated all over India. Dussehra’s celebration spreads the message of the victory of good over sin. The day is celebrated on a large scale in India as well as in Nepal and Bangladesh.
Holi: ‘Holi’ is one of the greatest festivals of Hindus. It is a festival of colors. This festival falls on a full moon day in Phalgun Month of the Hindu Calender. The story behind the Holi festival is that there was a king named Hiranya kashyap, he had a son, Prahlad, a holy spirit and highly devoted to God but Prahlad’s devotion enraged Hiranya kashyap and he planned to kill his own son.
Basant Panchami: ‘Basant Panchami’ is a Hindu festival celebrating Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and art. It is celebrated throughout India. It is celebrated every year on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Magh month according to Hindu Calander. Basant Panchami marks the end of the winter season. In this festival, the kids are taught to write their first words according to Hindu customs.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami: ‘Sri Krishna Janmashtami’ is one of the holiest festivals for people belonging to the Hindu religion. Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. This festival is observed on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad as per the Hindu calendar. Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami, and Srijayanti. Janmashtami is famous for Dahi Handi in Maharashtra.
Ram Navami: ‘Ram Navami’ is the famous festival of Hindus. It falls on the Navami of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra Month according to Hindu Calendar. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ram, the son of king Dasharath. Ram is the 7th incarnation of the Dashavatara of Vishnu. Ram Navami also marks the end of the nine-day utsava called Chaitra Navaratri.
Maha Shivratri: ‘Maha Shivaratri’ is one of the most important festivals of Hindus. Maha Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva. It is the festival celebrating the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Maha Shivratri falls on the 13th night/ 14th day of Krishna paksha of Phalgun month, according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India.
Nag Panchami: ‘Nag Panchami’ is a famous festival of Hindus. It falls on the fifth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravan according to Hindu Calendar. It is celebrated all over India. It generally falls in the month of July or August according to Modern Calendar. There are many stories behind the celebration of this festival. The most popular legend is Lord Krishna.
Raksha Bandhan: ‘Raksha Bandhan’ is a famous festival of Hindus. It is also called the festival of ‘Rakhi’. It falls on Purnima or a full moon day in the month of Shravan according to Hindu Calendar. It is celebrated all over India. ‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘Bandhan’ means bound. Thus ‘Raksha Bandhan’ means the ‘Bond of Protection.
Makar Sankranti: ‘Makar Sankranti’ is a famous festival of Hindus. It is celebrated in several parts of India and also in some other parts. Makar-Sankranti generally falls on the 14th of January every year. This festival is one of the few chosen Indian Hindu festivals which has a fixed date. Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. It is a harvest festival that is essentially celebrated in Hindu communities.
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