Hindu Festivals

There are several festivals and festivities associated with the Hindu religion. Hindu festivals have changed and taken on new meanings from the beginning of time. India’s festivals have long been a means of increasing affluence and tightening relationships with loved ones.

The list of Hindu festivals, dates, time and their significance is as follows:

Holi:

The celebration of colours known as Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. In addition to singing, dancing, and eating special meals, people celebrate by throwing colour and water at one another.

Date:  Holi is a two-day celebration. A communal bonfire known as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi is made the day before the major Holi celebration. Holika Dahan will be observed this year on March 8, 2023.

Time: Beginning of the Purnima Tithi: March 8, 2023, 3.27am. End of the Purnima Tithi is at 12.17 AM on March 9, 2023. On March 8, 2023, the Holika Dahan muhurat is from 6:54 PM to 9:14 PM.

Significance: Holika Dahan is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. The Hindu legend describes the demon King Hiranyakashyap as having the blessing that no man or animal could ever slay him. The Demon King so desired devotion from his subjects. Nevertheless, Prahlad, his own son and a follower of Lord Vishnu, refused to comply. This so incensed King Hiranyakashyap that he ordered his sister Demon Holika to carry Prahlad and sit on a fire. Holika attempted to use a cloak as fire protection, leaving Prahlad exposed to the flames. Nevertheless, when the flames began to spread, the cloak took flight and enveloped Prahlad instead of Holika’s body, sparing him. As a result, Holika was burned. Afterwards, Lord Vishnu slew the demon King Hiranyakashyap while wearing the Narsimha avatar.

Navratri

The festival of Navratri is observed twice a year, once in the months of October and November and once in the months of March and April. Seasonal change occurs throughout these months and is intimately related to the equinoxes and solstices.

Date: The Vasanta navratri is another name for Chaitra Navratri. The first day of the Hindu calendar, it typically occurs in the months of March or April. Northern India celebrates this spectacular nine-day event with tremendous fervour. This year it is from 22nd march to 30th march 2023.

The most well-known and important Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is Sharad Navratri. It is observed in September or October, the first month of ashwin (the Hindu calendar’s winter season). In India, many people are celebrating Navratri this year. Nine different manifestations of Maa Shakti are honoured at Sharad Navratri: Durga, Bhadrakali, Jagadamba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, Bhavani, and Mookambika. This year it is from 15th oct to 23rd oct 2023.

Time: The muhurat for Chaitra Ghatasthapana, which occurs on March 22nd, Wednesday, will stretch from 6:23am to 7:32am.

Timing of the Chaitra Navratri Ashtami and Navami: On March 29, at 9:07 p.m., the Navami Tithi begins, and on March 30, at 11:30 p.m. At 8:43 and 9:31 p.m. on Ashtami, the Sandhi Puja is performed.

The muhurat for Sharad Ghatasthapana – October 15 from 10:59 to 11:46: On October 14, 2023, at 11:24 PM, Pratipada Tithi begins. On October 16, 2023, Pratipada Tithi concludes at 12:32 AM. Chitra Nakshatra Commences at 04:24 on October 14, 2023. On October 15, 2023, Chitra Nakshatra ends at 6:13 PM.

Significance

The Hindu New Year begins on the day and hour of Chaitra Navratri in 2023, which is seen as a lucky time to begin new endeavours or initiatives.

On the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, Ram Navami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, is said to be the culmination of the festival. As a result, Hindus attach great importance to this holiday.

Sharad navratri signals the start of India’s festival season, which is capped off with the celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights. “Good over evil” is symbolised by the celebration.

Sharad Navratri is also known as Durga Puja since it is said that during this festival, Goddess Durga vanquished the monster Mahishasura. People worship the goddess Durga in a variety of ways at this period, asking for her blessings on their wealth, wellbeing, and happiness.

Diwali:

The celebration of lights known as Diwali represents the strength of light, kindness, and honesty. Diyas are lit, firecrackers are set off, sweets are traded, and a puja is performed to the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of riches and fortune.

Date: According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated every year on Amavasya, the fifteenth day of the Kartik month. On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi as a part of the Deepavali Puja, also known as the Lakshmi Ganesh Pujan. Diwali will be observed on November 12 across the nation this year.

Time : 06:11 to 08:15 PM is the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat. At 02:44 PM on November 12, 2023, the Amavasya tithi begins. On Nov. 13, 2023, at 2:56 PM, the Amavasy tithi comes to a close.

Significance: A magnificent environment filled with kindness and purity is created by all the lights and diyas, which drive away evil and cast shadows of darkness, as well as by everyone’s prayers and affection for one another. Everyone’s hearts are infused with a sense of purity and a joyful, caring spirit during the Diwali celebration. Diwali is a time for reflection on one’s life, previous actions, and making the correct adjustments for the future year.

For Hindus, it typically symbolises Lord Rama’s 14-year exile, his victory over Ravana, and his return to Ayodhya. Ram was welcomed to the kingdom of Ayodhya

on that specific day with rows of lit-up diyas all over the region. Thus, the tradition of lighting oil lamps on Diwali symbolises liberation from spiritual darkness and the victory of good over evil.

Dussehra:

In North Indian states and Karnataka, the word Dussehra is more often used, whilst Vijayadashami is more well-known in West Bengal. As Hindu worshippers prepare to celebrate the holiday of Dussehra, it is that time of year when the well-known Ramlila is performed, gorgeous fairs are held, crowds swarm to witness Ravan effigies burst into flames, and the aroma of traditional pastries and delicacies fills the air.

Date: This day falls on the tenth day of the month of Ashvina in the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to the Gregorian months of September and October. The date of Dussehra in 2023 is October 24. (Tuesday).

Time: The puja times are as follows. 02:05 to 02:53 PM, Vijay Muhurat. Duration: 0 hours and 48 minutes. Dashami Tithi is observed between 05:44 PM on October 23, 2023, and 15:14 on October 24, 2023.

Significance: The festival of Dussehra celebrates the triumph of virtue over evil.

The festival of Dussehra is observed with tremendous zeal and grandeur. It includes Ram Lila, a grand theatrical presentation of Rama’s life narrative, which is performed in North India. In open fields at night, effigies of Ravana—often combined with those of Meghnada, Ravana’s son, and Kumbhkarana, Ravana’s brother—are lit on fire.

Shivaratri:

Maha Shivratri, one of the most sacred Hindu festival , honours Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati’s union as well as several other cosmic occurrences connected to him. Hindu legend states that Lord Shiva wed Maa Shakti, his heavenly spouse, a second time on this night. The day is referred to as “The Night of Lord Shiva” in remembrance of their glorious union.

Date: The date of Maha Shivratri in 2023 is 18th February. The belief is that Lord Shiva benefits individuals who observe the Maha Shivratri fast and cleanses them of all their previous transgressions and misdeeds.

Time: Maha Shivaratri puja schedule typically starts with Maha Shivaratri puja preparation at dusk and lasts through the night, concluding at daybreak the next day.

Significance: Maha Shivratri is seen to be the most fortunate of the 12 Shivratris that are held each year. Shiva and Shakti, the masculine and feminine powers that keep the universe in balance, are said to have come together on the night of Shivratri. This sombre event in Hindu tradition commemorates “overcoming darkness and ignorance in life.” Many historical stories have explained the significance of Maha Shivratri, and one of them claims that Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance of “creation, preservation, and destruction” on this night.

Janmashtami

To honour the birth of Lord Krishna, India celebrates Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami.

Date: Krishna Janmashtami, or the eighth day of the waning moon, occurs on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad (the dark fortnight of the moon), according to the Hindu calendar.

Two days are often set aside for Janmashtami. First is for the Smarta Sampradaya, and second is for the Vaishnava Sampradaya.

This year the celebration of Janmashtami will take place on 6th and 7th September 2023.

Time: On September 7, Nishita Puja is held from 11:57 PM to 12:42 AM.

Significance: The Bhagavad-Gita, a holy text that Lord Vishnu recited, has passages that state that I shall reincarnate whenever there is a predominance of evil and a fall in religion in order to destroy the bad and preserve the good. Janmashtami’s primary purpose is to promote goodwill and ward from malice. Krishna Jayanti is a time to gather together. The gathering of people for the holy event represents faith and solidarity.

Teej

The “monsoon festival” is another name for the Teej festival. The name “Teej” means “third,” referring to the day that follows a full moon and a new moon each month.

Depending on when it is celebrated, there are many varieties of Teej festivals. The many forms of the Teej festival include:

Haryali Teej: Because it occurs during the monsoon or rainy season, this Teej is also known as the “monsoon Teej.” All of the surroundings appear fresh and green during this celebration.

Kajari Teej: On the third day of the new moon in the month of Bhadrapud, ladies celebrate the Kajari Teej festival. The “Boorhi Teej” is another name for this Teej.

Hartalika Teej : It  takes place on the third day after the full moon in the Bhadrapud month. Goddess Parvati worshipped on this day while creating a Shiva Lingam out of her own hair. Lord Shiva agreed to marry Goddess Parvati after being moved by her deed.

Dates

• Hariyali Teej To Take Place On Saturday, August 19, 2023.
• Kajari Teej on September 2, 2023, a Saturday
• Hartalika Teej on September 18, 2023, Monday

Time

• Hariyali Teej 2023: Sunrise is at 6:08 AM on August 19, 2023.
• Sunset on 19 August 2023 is at 06:52.
• Beginning at 8:00 PM on August 18, 2023, Tritiya Tithi
• On August 19, 2023, Tritiya Tithi ends at 10:19 PM.
• Kajari Teej Vrat Muhurat for India’s capital, New Delhi
• Beginning on September 1, 2023, at 23:52:42, is Tritiya Tithi.
• Tritiya Tithi Finishes on September 2, 2023 at 20:51:30
• The time for Hartalika Teej 2023 is from 06:07 AM to 08:34 AM.
• Beginning of the Tithi: September 17, 2023, at 11:08
• End 18th of September 2023 at 12:39 AM

Significance

Women traditionally celebrate the monsoon during the Hindu calendar months of Shravan and Bhadrapada by participating in teej festivals. Throughout Teej, women offer prayers to Shiva and Parvati,representing the sacrifices undertaken by Goddess Parvati to marry Lord Shiva.

Rakshabandhan

Raksha Bandhan, one of the most well-known Hindu festival, is marked as a time to celebrate the bond between a brother and sister.

Date:  30th aug 2023, celebrated on the Purnima of Shravan month

Time: Rakhi Purnima begins at 10:37 am and concludes at 05:58 pm.

Significance: First, we must comprehend the concept of Raksha Bandhan in order to comprehend its significance. Raksha + Bandhan combine to form the phrase “Raksha Bandhan .” That means, a bond which take the promise of safety. On this day, brother made a commitment to assume sister’s responsibility.

The strong tie between a brother and sister is symbolised by this holiday. It is the only event in Indian culture that strengthens all social ties in addition to the brother-sister relationship. Consequently, this celebration retains a cultural and social relevance.

Some of the most popular Indian festivals include Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vishu, Easter, Dussehra and Navaratri. Each festival has its own special traditions and offers a unique opportunity to explore different parts of the country. There are also many smaller festivals that take place throughout India that are worth checking out too.