Festivals of Hinduism

The Festivals we celebrate:

As our religion is based upon our gods, art and literature. Our calendar goes with numerous festivals which all gives us a meaning about our life, our holy books, lords etc etc..

Some of our best festivals includes:

1. Diwali

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. This festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that we light outside our homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. 

Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well.

2. Holi

When you think of the Hindu holiday Holi, you may imagine people celebrating by throwing colorful powder on each other in the streets. It’s true that playfully dousing people in vibrantly colored liquids and powders is an important part of Holi, a spring festival also known as the Festival of Colors, that is celebrated by many Hindus around the world. However, this colorful tradition is just one part of Holi.

3. Dussehra

The tenth day after Navratri is called Dussehra, on which number of fairs are organized throughout northern India, burning effigies of Ravana. It is also called “Vijaya Dashami” or "Vijayadasami" as this day marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Vijaya Dashami is considered to be an auspicious day for the Indian householder, on which he worships, protects and preserves Shakti (power). According to Scriptures, by worshiping the Shakti on these nine-days the householders attain the threefold power i.e. physical, mental and spiritual, which helps him to progress in life without any difficulty.

However, there are over 50 festivals celebrated throughout India by different cultures of Hinduism.