Major Hindu Festivals

1. Yugadi - arrival of new year among the Hindus is the first day of the bright half of the month of Caitra (March – April). Yugadi means beginning of an era. The New Year in India is celebrated on different dates in different states.
2. Rama Navami – birthday day of Sri Rama.
3. Gurupurnima – is teacher’s day celebrated on the birthday of Vyasa maharshi, who gathered all the Vedic hymns, divided them into four parts.
4. Janmastami – birthday of Sri Krishna
5. Ganesha Caturthi – Ganesha festival
6. Vijayadasami – or Navarati means a period of nine nights dedicated to the worship of Mother Durga.
7. Dipavali – festival of lights and fireworks.
8. Mahasivaratri – dedicated to Siva
9. Holi – festivals of colors
10. Sankranti – harvest festival

Other festivals which are equally important though they may be observed in certain parts of the country only.

1. Dvitiya – Rathayatra festival of Lord Jagannatha at Puri in Orissa
2. Trtiya – two festivals are celebrated on this day.
Aksayyatritya – considered to be extremely auspicious for starting
new venture and buying materials and for religious offering.
Svarnagaurivrata – observed by women
3. Caturthi – Ganesha caturthi and krsna caturthi are celebrated.
4. Panchami – or Nagapancami, festival of serpent worship.
5. Sasthi – worship of Subrahmanya or Skanda, the son of Siva, extremely popular in Tamilnadu.
6. Saptami – worship of Surya for health and removal of diseases.
7. Astami – worship of Durga.
8. Ekadasi – fasting as a spiritual discipline – whether as an expiation for sins committed or for gaining self-control of mind over the body.
9. Dvadasi – is the day followed by ekadasi and hence known for ceremonial breaking of the fast.
10. Trayodasi – birthday of Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods.
11. Caturdasi – celebrated by women for wifehood and longevity of their husbands.
12. Purnima and Amavasya – purnima, the full moon and amavasya, the total absence of moon. Both days are important for performing puja and sacrifices.