Festivals

Chhath Puja

Also referred to as Surya Shashti, Chhath Puja is a significant festival that marks the culmination of the winter festival season in the Vedic calendar. Shashti or Chhath refers to the number six in Devanagari and is celebrated six days after Deepawali. Mainly celebrated in Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, this festival honours and… Continue reading Chhath Puja

Festivals

Deepawali

One of the most important and celebrated festivals of the Hindu calendar is Deepawali, which falls on the 15th day after Dusshera. On the first new moon day in the month of Karthik, this festival sees the houses, lanes, cities, and the entire country light up with diyas and firecrackers. Spread over five days, this… Continue reading Deepawali

Festivals

Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is an extremely important festival that is observed on the fourth day of Krishna paksha in the Vedic month of Kartik, just nine days before Deepawali. Karva means an earthen pot and Chauth means fourth in Devanagari, and it symbolises the love and devotion between married couples. Observed in Northern India primarily by… Continue reading Karva Chauth

Festivals

Gowri-Ganesha

The bringer of auspicious beginnings and remover of obstacles – Lord Ganesha is the deity that millions of Hindus call upon when starting something new. Ganesha Chaturthi marks the start of the festival that honours His arrival on earth for 11 days of festivities. In Southern India, this festival is known as Gowri-Ganesha Habba and… Continue reading Gowri-Ganesha

Festivals

Krishna Janmashtami

Nandakumar, Gopala, Keshava are all the beloved names given to Lord Krishna. Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha or the month of Bhadrapada in the Hindu calendar, honours the birth of Lord Krishna. The orator of the Bhagavad Gita, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, Arjuna’s charioteer, Sudama’s… Continue reading Krishna Janmashtami

Festivals

Thiruvonam

A monsoon festival, primarily celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, Onam or Thiruvonam, is one of pomp and joy. Celebrated across ten days, it starts on Atham, followed by Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom, and finally ends on Thiruvonam. Legends According to legend, the mythical king named Mahabali, even though a… Continue reading Thiruvonam

green snake
Festivals

Nag Panchami

Celebrated on Panchami (the fifth day) of Shukla Paksha of Shravan month (July-August), Nag Panchami is one of the many festivals of the monsoon season. This day is dedicated to the worship of the Nag Devtas – snake gods. Hindu scriptures herald this day as Nagamanandakari, which means the happiest day for Nag Devtas. There… Continue reading Nag Panchami

Festivals

Teej

During the lush months of monsoon, a three-part festival of Teej is celebrated and observed by women in India. The first is the Hariyali Teej, honouring the greenery, observed on the Shukla Paksha of Shravan, the second is the Kajari Teej, honouring the black monsoon clouds, observed on the Krishna Paksh Tritiya, and the third… Continue reading Teej