Hindu festivals :

India is a country rich of festivals. Its culture is so rich that it celebrates a festival almost every month. Moreover, people of India are so lively that they celebrate each and every festival with lot of enthusiasm. Some festivals are as follows.

Diwali

One of the major Hindu festivals, it is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over the evil, when Lord Rama defeated Ravana and rescued his wife Sita from his custody. It is predominantly a five-day festival, with a number of customs and rituals followed during each day. It is called as a Diwali.

The word ‘Diwali’ is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit word ‘Deepavali’, which means ‘rows of lights’.Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival of the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated across the nation with great pomp and excitement. People prepare themselves for the festival weeks ahead, by cleaning and decorating their premises.

Diwali falls on a new moon day in the month of October or November. Since the precise moment of the new moon falls on different dates depending on geographical location, the date of Diwali also depends on one’s location.

Durga Puja

Durga puja is regarded as the most important festival of West Bengal. It is a nine-day festival.The city of Kolkata dresses up in a new look for the five days of the festival. The celebration lasts for five days starting from Maha Shashti (the sixth day) and ends with Bijoya dashami (the tenth day). This period is celebrated as Navratri in most parts of india.

Dussehra

Dussehra is a popular festival celebrated by Hindus all over India, albeit with different names. It is also known as Vijayadashmi (’Vijay’ meaning ‘victory’ and ‘Dashmi meaning ‘tenth day), as it is believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed the demon-king, Ravana and rescued his abducted wife - Sita.
The festival leads to spiritual growth of a person. It gives the person inner strength to fight against all odds of life.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of the birth of Lord Ganesha, one of the most important Gods of the Hindu Mythology. Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival of Maharashtra, celebrated grandly in other parts of India as well. The preparation starts one month in advance, with great enthusiasm, to celebrate this auspicious occasion. According to the Hindu belief Ganeshji is worshipped first on all auspicious occasions, whether it is a marriage or a religious function. Ganeshji is the foremost god of the Hindu Pantheon. He is regarded as the destroyer of all problems and obstacles.

Holi

The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated in most parts of India during February-March. Holi festival of colors is one of the most popular festivals of the country.

It is celebrated during the Spring season and embodies all the festivity, liveliness and exuberance of the season. On the day of the Holi, people (men and women) irrespective of caste and creed mingle together and exchange colors.

Rakhi Festival

The Rakhi festival or Raksha Bandhan has a special significance in hearts of brothers and sisters. The pure bond of love and affection between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. The ritual is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan. This thread, which vibrates with sisterly love and virtuous sentiments, is rightly called the ‘Rakhi’. A “bond of protection”.

There are numerous Hindu festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. In Hindu religion both animate and inanimate are considered sacred and that is the reason why we have hundreds of festivals and fairs in Hindu Calendar every year.

Some of them are as follows :

Janmashtami
Karwa Chauth
Maha Shivaratri
Mahavir Jayanti
Onam
Pongal
Ram Navami