Hinduism - What Is The Hindu Festival Calendar?

 

Because just a few Hindu holidays are observed by all Hindus, maintaining an unified festival calendar is difficult. 

The same opposing forces that drive Hindu life also influence festival celebrations. 

• On the one hand, there are substantial geographical disparities in festival celebrations, and on the other hand, there are huge sectarian distinctions. 

• Some sectarian holidays are observed only in specific localities, while others are observed across the country. 

• While most people are aware of most festivals because they are public holidays or are recorded on the calendar, significantly fewer individuals celebrate them as religious holidays. 

• Finally, certain holidays are so important that they are observed by practically everyone, albeit some people will observe them with significantly more vigor. 

• Although the Goddess festival known as Navaratri in the autumn is observed throughout the nation, it is observed with special zeal in Bengal, where the religion of the Mother Goddess is greatly revered. 

With these factors in mind, the lunar year's festival calendar is shown below, with the holidays listed in chronological sequence throughout the lunar months. 

The goal of this item is just to set out the calendar of these festivals throughout the year; separate entries for the lunar months and each festival provide more information. 

• Spring Navaratri, Ram Navami, Kamada Ekadashi, Hanuman Jayanti, Chittirai. 

• Chaitra (March–April) Papamochani Ekadashi, Spring Navaratri, Ram Navami, Kamada Ekadashi, Hanuman Jayanti, Chittirai. 

• Shitalashtami, Baruthani Ekadashi, Akshaya Trtiya, Parashuram Jayanti, Narsingh Jayanti, Baisakhi, Mohini Ekadashi, Buddha Purnima (April–May) Shitalashtami, Baruthani Ekadashi, Akshaya Trtiya, Parashuram Jayanti, Narsingh Jayanti, Baisakhi, Mohini Ekad

 • Achala Ekadashi, Savitri Puja, Ganga Dashahara, Nirjala Ekadashi (May–June) 

 • Yogini Ekadashi, Rath Yatra, Devshayani Ekadashi, Guru Purnima, Chaturmas Vrat (June–July)

 • Nag Panchami, Kamika Ekadashi, Tulsidas Jayanti, Putrada Ekadashi, Raksha Bandhan, Shravan Vrat (July–August) Nag Panchami, Kamika Ekadashi, Tulsidas Jayanti, Putrada Ekadashi, Raksha Bandhan, Shravan Vrat (July–August)

 • Kajari Teej (Teej), Bahula Chauth, Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Aja Ekadashi, Hartalika Teej (Teej), Ganesh Chaturthi, Rishi Panchami, Onam, Parivartini Ekadashi, Anant Chaturdashi (August–September) • Pitrpaksha, Indira Ekadashi, Fall Navaratri, Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami), Papankusha Ekadashi, Valmiki Jayanti (September–October)

 • Kartik Purnima (October–November) Karva Chauth, Rambha Ekadashi, Narak Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja (Annakut), Devotthayan Ekadashi, Tulsi Vivah, Govardhan Puja (Annakut), Devotthayan Ekadashi, Tulsi Vivah, Kartik Purnima

 • Bhairava Jayanti, Utpanna Ekadashi, Mokshada Ekadashi (November–December). 

 • Saphala Ekadashi, Putrada Ekadashi (December–January). 

Sakata Chauth, Shattila Ekadashi, Mauni Amavasya, Vasant Panchami, Bhishma Ashtami, Jaya Ekadashi, Ravidas Jayanti, Pongal, Magh Mela, Float Festival 

 • Magh (January–February) Sakata Chauth, Shattila Ekadashi, Mauni Amavasya, Vasant Panchami, Bhishma Ashtami, Jaya Ekadashi 

 • Janaki Navami, Vijaya Ekadashi, Shivaratri, Amalaki Ekadashi, Holi (February–March) The fact that the lunar year starts on the first day of the bright (waxing) half of the lunar month of Chaitra complicates the festival calendar even further. 

 

This presents an odd scenario since lunar months, at least in northern India, conclude on the full moon, making the declining moon's two weeks the first half of the lunar month. 

In Chaitra, the waning fortnight occurs at the end of the lunar year, followed by the waxing fortnight, which occurs in the first fortnight of the next year. 

As a result, Chaitra is both the beginning and final month of the lunar calendar. 

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Hinduism - What Is Vasant Panchami?

 

What Is The Significance Of Vasant Panchami In The Hindu Calendar?

Festival occurring on the fifth day (panchami) of the bright (waxing) half of the lunar month of Magh(January–February), recognized as the first day of spring (vasant).

This day is considered dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, patron Goddess of the arts, music, and learning.

In her honor, celebrants perform melodies in musical modes (ragas) connected with spring.

Given Saraswati’s link with study, today is also historically reckoned as the day on which young children should begin their studies.

Vasant Panchami is also linked to Kama, the deity of love, since the arrival of spring heralds the return of blooming plants, along with their aromas and colors.

Kama is said to have tried to put sensual desire in the deity Shiva's heart by first bringing spring to Mount Kailas, where Shiva is meditating, and then shooting Shiva with one of his flower arrows.

Shiva emerges from his meditation, gets enraged with Kama, and uses a flash of flame from his third eye to turn him to ashes.

Despite his destruction, Kama succeeds in the end—after being awakened, Shiva becomes aware of Parvati's austere practice and finally marries her.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is Rishi Panchami In The Hindu Calendar?

 

Rishi Panchami  is a Hindu festival. The fifth day (panchami) of the light (waxing) half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (August–September) is celebrated as a festival.

Bhrgu, Pulastya, Kratu, Pulaha, Marichi, Atri, and Vasishtha are the Seven Sages (rishis) born by Brahma, and this festival is devoted to them.

On this day, it is stated that worshiping these seven sages would bring wealth and pleasure.

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Hinduism - What Is Nag Panchami?

 

Nag Panchami  is a festival celebrated on the fifth day (panchami) of Shravan (July–August), the bright, waxing half of the lunar month.

This day is dedicated to serpent worship, whether in the form of Nagas (minor deities who assume the shape of snakes) or genuine cobras and other snakes.

The Naga deities' pictures are washed and offered offerings on this day.

Real serpents are also honored with offerings.

On this day, people avoid digging in the ground because snakes thrive there.

This ritual takes place on the fifth day because Shesha, the god Vishnu's snake couch, is the guardian deity for this day according to astrology (jyotisha).

This festival takes place during the start of the rainy season, when rising waters from the monsoon rains lure snakes out of their burrows and into people's houses and gardens.

The rainy season is also a good time to plant crops, although snakes may be a significant threat to anyone working in the fields.

According to one estimate, 10,000 Indians die each year from snake bites.

Following this procedure, according to popular belief, would protect one against snake bites for the full year.

This is a protection ritual that marks the beginning of a perilous period for many villages.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is Bhadrapada?

 

Bhadrapada is the sixth month of the lunar year, typically occurring between August and September, according to the lunar calendar, which is used to calculate most Hindu religious events. 

• This is one of the months when monsoon rains are expected. 

•  The main festivals of Bhadrapada in southern India.

• Kajari Teej (Teej), 

• Bahula Chauth, 

• Janmashtami, 

• Radhashtami, 

• Aja Ekadashi, 

• Hartalika Teej (Teej), 

• Ganesh Chaturthi, 

• Rishi Panchami, 

• Parivartini Ekadashi, 

• Anant Chaturdashi, 

• and Onam

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Shravan

 

 

Shravan. -  Shravan is the fifth month of the lunar year, generally occurring between July and August, according to the lunar calendar, which is used to calculate most Hindu religious events.

Shravan is connected with showers, the breaking of the heat, the rebirth of the soil, and a general sense of release in northern India.

Nag Panchami, Kamika Ekadashi, Tulsidas Jayanti, Putrada Ekadashi, and Raksha Bandhan are the prominent festivities of Shravan.

Furthermore, the whole month is dedicated to the deity Shiva, with all Mondays and the Shravan Vrat designated as special occasions.

Hinduism - When Is The Month Of Magh In The Hindu Calendar?

 

Magh is the eleventh month of the lunar year, generally occurring between January and February, according to the lunar calendar, which is used to calculate most Hindu religious events.

The Magh Mela, a month-long bathing (snana) celebration held at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in Allahabad, takes place throughout the month of Magh.

Sakata Chauth, Shattila Ekadashi, Mauni Amavasya, Vasant Panchami, Bhishma Ashtami, Jaya Ekadashi, Ravidas Jayanti, and Makara Sankranti are the other prominent festivals in Magh.

During Magh, southern India celebrates Pongal and the Float Festival.

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Vasanta

 

 Vasanta (spring) in the lunar months of Chaitra and Baisakh; Grishma (hot season) in Jyeshth and Ashadh; Varsha (rains) in Shravan and Bhadrapada; Sharad (fall) in Ashvin and Kartik; Hemanta (winter) in Margashirsha and Paush; and Shishira (late winter) in Magh and Phalgun, according to the most traditional enu meration.

In actuality, at least in northern India, there are three primary seasons: the hot season (April–June), the monsoon (July–September), and the cold season (October–March).

Because they are ultimately controlled by bigger climatic occurrences, all of these seasons are approximate.

The sun bakes the northern Indian plains throughout the hot season, finally putting in action air currents that pull moist air north from the Indian ocean; the subsequent monsoons bring relief from the heat and rain for the crops.

The temperature then gradually grows colder until January, when it progressively becomes hotter until the hot season resumes.

The monsoon comes at various times in different areas of the country—earlier in the south, later in the north—and monsoons may be erratic or even non-existent at times.

Each of these three sea sons has strong ties to certain festivals.

The hot season is characterized by steadily rising temperatures, and many of the festivals celebrated at this period include Holi, Navaratri, Ram Navami, Shitalashtami, and Ganga Dashahara.

Despite the fact that the growing heat may make living tough, it is typically seen as a good time.

Physical and ritual dangers abound during the rainy season.

Venomous creatures such as snakes and scorpions are forced out of their burrows by the rapid flood of rain, and their quest for new homes sometimes puts them into touch with humans.

On a bacteriological level, rainwater runoff often results in sewage pollution of water sources, as well as an increase in illness and mortality due to gastrointestinal and other illnesses.

The gods are said to be sleeping throughout part of the rainy season, making them less accessible to defend their devotees (bhakta).

Simultaneously, the arrival of the rains is eagerly awaited, since moisture is required for agricultural growth.

As a result, although this is a period of immense fertility and plenty, it is also a time of peril, and several of the festivals, such as Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Anant Chaturdashi, and the Pitrpaksha, are rituals of protection.

Other celebrations, such as the Shravan festival and Janmashtami, are associated with water or rain.

The gods arise from their slumber during the chilly season, and rain-fed crops are ready for harvest.

This is the most ritually busy season of the year, and it is considered lucky.

The autumn Navaratri, which culminates in the Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) celebration, is followed by Diwali, Karva Chauth, Kartik Purnima, Makara Sankranti, and Shivaratri.

Holi, the year's last big celebration, ushers in the unofficial start of the hot season.

The lunar year therefore mirrors the cycle of the universe, which is subject to degeneration and periodic regeneration, by concluding with Holi, a celebration celebrating license, excess, and the dissolution of all social boundaries, followed by a sudden reestablishment of propriety and social order.