Hindus celebrate
a number of Festivals all through the year. From celebrating
the advent of spring to celebrating the win of good
over evil, Hindu religion and culture provide its
followers endless reasons to celebrate. Given below
is the list of just a few of these festivals that
are celebrated with great zest and fervor.
Diwali (Deepavali)
Diwali,
or Deepavali, (also called Tihar and Swanti in Nepal)
(Markiscarali) is a major Indian and Nepalese festival,
and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and
Jainism. [1] Many legends are associated with Diwali.
Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs
across the globe as the "Festival of Light,"
where the lights or lamps signify victory of good
over the evil within every human being . The festival
is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly
the Newar Buddhists.
According to one theory Diwali may
have originated as a harvest festival, marking the
last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian
society this results in businessmen closing accounts,
and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of
wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked
on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead.
This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all
over the Indian subcontinent.
In North India, it is the homecoming
of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the
forest.[2] The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his
kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of
lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply
shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the
day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. In
western India it is also in honor of the day King
Bali went to rule the nether-world by the order of
Vishnu. (There is another festival 'Onam' which is
celebrated in Kerala around the month of August to
mark this legend)
Diwali comes in the month of October
or November.
In Jainism it marks the nirvana of
Lord Mahavira, which occurred on Oct. 15, 527 B.C.
The Sikhs have always celebrated Diwali; however,
its significance for Sikhs increased when, on this
day, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed
from imprisonment along with 52 Hindu Kings (political
prisoners) whom he had arranged to be released as
well. In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national
festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival
is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.
Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami
also known as Dussehra, "Dashain" in Nepali,
is a festival celebrated across Nepal and India. It
is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half
of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja or Ashwina, and is
the grand culmination of the 10-day annual festival
of Dasara or Navaratri. The legend underlying the
celebration, as also its mode of conduct, vary vastly
by region; however, all festivities celebrate the
victory of the forces of Good over Evil. It is also
considered to be an auspicious day to begin new things
in life. It is the largest festival of Nepal and celebrated
by Hindu and non-Hindu as well.
Navratri
The
9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first
day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. Seeds are
sown, sprouting is watched, the planets are consecrated,
and on the 8th and 9th days, Goddess Durga, Vijayashtami
and Mahanavami are worshipped.
The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess
who vanquished demons are cited.
The day after Navratri i.e. the 10th day after Ashwina,
is Dussera which celebrates the victory of lord Rama
over Ravana. Ravana is burnt in effigy, often giant
dummies of Ravana stuffed with fireworks are shot
with arrows until they blow up before a large, applauding
audience.
The most characteristic dances of Gujarat during Navratri
are the Rasa and Garba dances which are performed
at all levels of society by men and women.
The origin of the Rasa is traced back to the legends
connected with the life of Lord Krishna. It is essentially
associated with the agricultural rites. The Rasa is
performed in Gujarat India on Navaratra; and other
important festivals associated with harvest and crops.
The Rasa dances of Saurashtra are closely related
to agricultural functions and are for the best part
grain-ritual dances.
Rama Navami
Ram
Navami (IAST Rama-navami) is a Hindu Vaishnava holiday
which falls on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar year
(thus named Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami). Ram
Navami is the celebration of the birthday of Rama,
a divine figure in Hinduism.
In the Ramayana, Dasarath, then king of Ayodhya, is
believed to have had three wives named Kaushalya,
Sumithra and Kaikeyi. Their greatest worry was that
they had no male children, and so they had no heir
to the throne. Rishi Vasistha suggests him to perform
Puthra Kamesti Yagna, through which he can have a
desired child. He also tells him to bring Maharshi
Rushya Shrunga to perform this Yagna for him. Immediately
King Dasharath gives his consent, and heads to Maharshi
Rushya Shrunga's ashram, to get him. Maharshi agrees
and will accompany Dasharath to Ayodhya (Capital of
Avadha) and performs the yagna. As the result of yagna,
Yagneshwar appears and hands Dasarath a bowl of Payasam
and asks him to give it to his wives. Dasharath gives
one half of the payasam to his elder wife Kausalya,
and another half to his younger wife Kaikeyi. They
both give half of their portions to Sumithra. After
few days all three Queens conceive. On the ninth day
(Navami) of Chaithra Masa (first month in Hindu calendar),
at noon Kaushlya gives birth to Lord Sri Ram, Kaikeyi
gives birth to Bharath, and Sumithra to twin boys,
Lakshman and Shatrughan.
Lord Ram is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu,
who takes birth on earth when Adharma over rules
Dharma. He protects all his devotees by vanquishing
the roots of Adharma. Lord Ram was born on earth
to destroy the demon named Ravan.
Hindus normally perform Kalyanotsavam (marriage
celebration) with small murtis of Rama and Sita
in their houses, and at the end of the day the deity
is taken to a procession on the streets. This day
also marks the end of the nine-day utsavam called
Chaitra Navaratri (Maharashtra) or Vasanthothsavam
(Andhra Pradesh) (festival of Spring), which starts
with Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra) or Ugadi (South India).
According to recent astrological studies, some consider
his year of birth to be January 10, 5114 B.C
For the occasion, Hindus are supposed to fast,
or restrict themselves to a specific diet. Temples
are decorated and readings of the Ramayana take
place. Along with Shri Ram, people also worship
Sita, Rama's wife; Lakshman, Rama's brother; and
Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Ram and the leader
of Rama's army in battle.
Sri-Rama Navami is dedicated to the memory of Lord
Rama. It occurs on the ninth day, or navami. The
festival commemorates the birth of Rama who is remembered
for his prosperous and righteous reign.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna
Janmashtami, also known as "Krishnashtami","Saatam
Aatham" ,"Gokulashtami", "Ashtami
Rohini", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree
Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmashtami",
is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna,
svayam bhagavan.
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day
of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of
Shraavana in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini
Nakshatram is ascendent.
The festival falls sometime in the months of August/September
of the Gregorian calendar.
The ritual is to fast the previous day (Saptami,
seventh day), which is followed by a night-long
vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at night,
and his immediate removal by his father to a foster-home
for safe-keeping.
At midnight, the deity of the infant Krishna is
bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped.The fast
is completed after aarti, a special prayer.
Maha Shivaratri
Maha
Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri
(Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva")
is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th
night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon)
of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana) or Phalguna
(as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the
night before and day of the new moon). The festival
is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva)
leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all
night long vigil.
In North India and Nepal, many people
consume bhang (Cannabis sativa) , which is believed
to be Lord Shiva's favourite drink
There are many stories associated
with Shivaratri and its origins. Samudra manthan (the Churning
of the Ocean) During the samudra manthan
(the churning of the ocean) by the Gods and demons,
haalaa-hala, a poison, came out of the ocean. It was
so toxic, it could have wiped out the entire creation.
At this juncture, on the advice of Vishnu, the gods
approached Mahadev and prayed to him to protect their
lives by consuming this poison. Pleased with their
prayers, out of compassion for living beings, Lord
Shiva drank the poison and held it in his throat by
binding it with a snake. The throat became blue due
to the poison (thus Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha)
and Shiva remained unharmed. The incident shows that
Shiva, who may be seen as the divine Destroyer, is
also the Protector.
Makara Sankranti
Sankranthi,
or Sankranti is a festival that signifies the beginning
of the harvest season for the farmers of Indian Sub-Continent.
This is a harvest festival celebrated not only all
over India but other South East Asian Counties as
well.
Makara Sankranti has special geo-agri-economical
significance to people of Indian Sub-Continent. Makara
Sankaranti is about transition of Sun into Capricorn
on its celestial path.(Sankarnti being Sanskrit for
transition ). This is significant considering Winter
Solstice marking gradual increase of duration of day.
Also traditionally this has been one of many (considering
vastness of land and climatic variation ) harvest
days.
The day on which the sun begins its
journey northwards is referred to as Makara Sankranti.
Sankramana means "to commence movement"
and hence the name Makara Sankranti given to one of
the largest, most auspicious, but varied festivals
in the Indian subcontinent. It usually falls in the
middle of January. Because of the geography and size
of India, this festival is celebrated for innumerable
reasons depending on the climate, agricultural environment,
cultural background and position in the context of
north or south of India.
Diwali,
or Deepavali, (also called Tihar and Swanti in Nepal)
(Markiscarali) is a major Indian and Nepalese festival,
and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and
Jainism. [1] Many legends are associated with Diwali.
Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs
across the globe as the "Festival of Light,"
where the lights or lamps signify victory of good
over the evil within every human being . The festival
is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly
the Newar Buddhists. 
Vijayadashami
also known as Dussehra, "Dashain" in Nepali,
is a festival celebrated across Nepal and India. It
is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half
of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja or Ashwina, and is
the grand culmination of the 10-day annual festival
of Dasara or Navaratri. The legend underlying the
celebration, as also its mode of conduct, vary vastly
by region; however, all festivities celebrate the
victory of the forces of Good over Evil. It is also
considered to be an auspicious day to begin new things
in life. It is the largest festival of Nepal and celebrated
by Hindu and non-Hindu as well.
The
9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first
day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. Seeds are
sown, sprouting is watched, the planets are consecrated,
and on the 8th and 9th days, Goddess Durga, Vijayashtami
and Mahanavami are worshipped.
Ram
Navami (IAST Rama-navami) is a Hindu Vaishnava holiday
which falls on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar year
(thus named Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami). Ram
Navami is the celebration of the birthday of Rama,
a divine figure in Hinduism.
Krishna
Janmashtami, also known as "Krishnashtami","Saatam
Aatham" ,"Gokulashtami", "Ashtami
Rohini", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree
Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmashtami",
is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna,
svayam bhagavan.
Maha
Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri
(Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva")
is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th
night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon)
of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana) or Phalguna
(as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the
night before and day of the new moon). The festival
is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva)
leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all
night long vigil. 
Sankranthi,
or Sankranti is a festival that signifies the beginning
of the harvest season for the farmers of Indian Sub-Continent.
This is a harvest festival celebrated not only all
over India but other South East Asian Counties as
well. 
