The Hindu Calendar and Hindu Festivals in 2011, 2012, and 2013

Dec 2, 2010
Mark Tibbits

Hindu Temple - joost

The Hindu religion celebrates many festivals and holy days every year. Learn about the meaning of the major Hindu festivals, and the dates they occur.

Hindu festivals and holy days celebrate many events every year, with each one being marked by music, dance, processions, and long standing rituals. These events include some related to the Gods, such as their births, their victories, and their marriages, some related to family and friends, such as birthdays, marriages, deaths, and anniversaries, and some related to the calendar, such as the new year, new months, full and new moons and harvests.

Some festivals are only observed in specific communities or geographical region, often because of the importance certain gods enjoy in a particular community or region.

The Hindu Calendar

The Hindu months according to the Indian Civil Calendar are:

Chaitra (30 or 31 Days in a leap year)
Vaisakha (31 Days)
Jyaistha (31 Days)
Asadha (31 Days)
Shravana (31 Days)
Bhadra (31 Days)
Asvina (30 Days)
Kartika (30 Days)
Agrahayana (30 Days)
Pausa (30 Days)
Magha (30 Days)
Phalguna (30 Days)

Diwali – The Festival of Lights

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, popularly known as The Festival of Lights, is one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year. It is celebrated by families in their homes by performing traditional activities.

Small clay oil lamps (called diyas in Sanskrit) are lit to signify the triumph of good over evil. All the celebrants wear new clothes, with sweets and snacks being shared with family members and friends.

For further information about Diwali, see The Hindu Festival of Diwali.

Durga Puja, Dusshera, & Navaratri

Durga Puja, Dusshera, & Navarati is an autumn festival when Hindus observe 10 days of ceremonies, rituals, fasts, and feasts, to honor Durga, the Supreme Mother Goddess, who also represents power.

The exact details of the ceremony vary in different regions, but they generally follow the same pattern.

Durga Puja, Dusshera, & Navarati begins with the fast of Navarati (which translates as 9 nights), and finishes with the festivities of Dusshera or Vijayadashami, that celebrate Durga's victory of good over evil.

Holi – The Festival of Colours

Holi was originally a spring fertility and harvest festival. Nowadays, it is more a celebration of life, and is a very lively celebration that is fun for all participants. Holi is celebrated on last full moon of the month of Phalguna (in February or March).

Bonfires are lit on the night of the full moon to rid the air of evil spirits. On the next morning, the participants smear each other with paint, and throw colored water and dye in the air and at each other.

During the festival of Holi there are no distinctions of caste, class, age, or gender. After all, who can tell people apart when they are daubed with paint?

For further information about Holi, see The Hindu Festival of Holi.

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi – The Thread of Love

Raksha Bandhan, or Rakhi, celebrates the emotional bond between brothers and sisters by the tying of a holy thread, called the Rakhi by a sister around her brother's right wrist as she prays to God to protect him from all evil. In return, the brother gives his sister a gift, and he promises to protect her as he presents him with sweets.

Raksha Bandhan, or Rakhi means 'a bond of protection'. Ideally, Rakhis are made of silk with gold and silver threads, with beautifully crafted embroidered sequins, and studded with semi precious stones.

Ganeshe Chaturthi (Vinayaga Chaturthi)

Ganesha Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaga Chaturthi, is the Hindu festival of Ganesha, that celebrates his birthday. Ganehsa was the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. It is believed Ganesha bestows his presence on Earth for all his devotees for the duration of this festival.