Explore major Hindu festivals across the year and their spiritual significance.
Lohri is a popular festival celebrated by Punjabi people of Sikh faith as well as Hindu faith. Lohri is mainly a Sikh festival, however the day of Lohri is decided based on the Hindu calendar. Lohri is closely linked to the Hindu festival Makar Sankranti and it is celebrated one day before that.
Makar Sankranti is a significant day as the Sun enters Makar Rashi as per Vedic astrology. In Hinduism the Sun is worshipped and known as Surya Deva who nourishes all living beings on the Earth. Although all twelve days in the Hindu calendar when Surya Deva transits a Rashi are considered significant for worshipping Surya Deva, taking religious bath in holy water bodies and performing charity activities, the day when Surya Deva starts moving into Makar Rashi is considered the most auspicious day of the year to worship Lord Surya.
Sankath Chauth is observed for Lord Ganesha and is associated with seeking relief from difficulties and obstacles through fasting and prayers.
Gupt Navaratri is a more austere and inwardly focused Navaratri period, observed for worship of the Divine Mother with special sadhana and vrata practices.
Vasant Panchami day is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. Vasant Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami. People worship Goddess Saraswati to get enlightened with knowledge and to get rid of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance. The ritual of initiating education to children is known as Akshar-Abhyasam or Vidya-Arambham/Praasana, which is one of the famous rituals of Vasant Panchami. Schools and colleges arrange pujas in the morning to seek the blessing of the Goddess.
These observances occur every lunar month and are important markers in the Hindu calendar.
Amavasya is new moon day in the Hindu calendar. It is a significant day as many rituals are performed only on Amavasya tithi. Amavasya falling on Monday is known as Somvati Amavasya and Amavasya falling on Saturday is known as Shani Amavasya. All Amavasya days are appropriate to perform Shraddha rituals to appease ancestors. Amavasya day is also an appropriate day to perform Kalasarpa Dosha Puja.
Purnima is the full moon day in the Hindu calendar and is considered one of the most sacred and spiritually significant lunar observances. It occurs once every lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest, and is traditionally associated with fasting, puja, prayer, charity, and spiritual reflection. Many important Hindu festivals and vratas fall on Purnima, and the day is often observed with special devotion, temple visits, recitation of sacred texts, and offerings made for peace, prosperity, and well-being. Because of its recurring importance throughout the year, Purnima is widely regarded as an auspicious time for worship, inner purity, and strengthening one's spiritual practice.
The day of Sankranti is dedicated to Lord Surya and is considered significant to worship Surya Deva. Although there are twelve Sankranti in the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranti is the most significant among all due to its religious importance. Due to the popularity of Makar Sankranti, most of the time people call it simply Sankranti.
Ekadashi fasting is observed on every 11th tithi in the Hindu calendar. There are two Ekadashi fastings in a month — one during Shukla Paksha and another during Krishna Paksha. Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe Ekadashi fasting to seek his blessings.
Pradosh Vrat, also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. When Pradosham day falls on Monday it is called Soma Pradosham, on Tuesday it is called Bhauma Pradosham, and on Saturday it is called Shani Pradosham.
Shivaratri is the great festival of convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Each month, Chaturdashi tithi during Krishna Paksha is known as Masik Shivaratri. Masik Shivaratri in the month of Magha is known as Maha Shivaratri according to the Amavasyant school, while according to the Purnimant school, Masik Shivaratri in the month of Phalguna is known as Maha Shivaratri. In both schools it is the naming convention of the lunar month which differs, however both celebrate all Shivaratris including Maha Shivaratri on the same day.
Chaturthi is the fourth tithi, or fourth lunar day, in the Hindu calendar. It occurs twice in each lunar month, once during Shukla Paksha and once during Krishna Paksha. Chaturthi is considered a spiritually significant day for prayer, fasting, and special observances, and different Chaturthi days may be associated with different forms of worship depending on the month, regional tradition, or deity being honored. Because it recurs every month, Chaturthi is often observed as a regular sacred day in the Hindu calendar and is regarded as an auspicious time for devotion, self-discipline, and seeking divine blessings.
