Festivals are an integral part of every religion around the world.  Different religions and cultures celebrate their own set of festivals for various reasons.  Legends, tales and sentiments are associated with festivals.

Festivals are a time to celebrate life with food; shopping, outings, and family get together, rituals and prayers.  It is something to look forward to, which perks up an otherwise mundane life.

Hindu Festivals
Hindus celebrate festivals throughout the year.  The Hindu calendar of different regions informs the dates on which the festival falls.  Some of the reasons for celebrating festivals are to herald the seasonal change, harvesting time, remembering saints, mythological events and birth of valiant mythological figures.  Giving and sharing are two valuable values that are practiced during Hindu festivals. The 12 months in the Hindu calendar and the festivals celebrated in each of these months are:

1. Chaitra (March – April)
   • Ugadi/Gudi Padwa
   • Rama Navami
   • Hanuman Jayanthi in North India
2. Vaishākh (April – May)
   • Aksha Tritiya
   • Basava Jayanthi
   • Ramanujacharya Jayanthi
   • Shankaracharya Jayanthi
   • Narasimha Jayanthi
3. Jyaishtha (May – June)
   • Mannethina Amavasya / Kar Hunnime
   • Vata Savitri Vratha / Pala Poornima
4. Āshādha (June – July)
   • Ashada Shukravara Lakmi Pooja
   • Prathama Ekadasi / Ghalipata Habba
   • Guru Poornima
   • Bheemana Amavasya / Gandana Pooja
5. Shrāvana (July – August)
   • Shravana Shanivara
   • Mangala Gowri Vrata
   • Shravana Shukravara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja
   • Sampaththu Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja
   • Nagarchauthi , Chauthi Rangoli
   • Nagarpanchami/Garuda Panchami, Panchami Rangoli
   • Siriyala Shashti
   • Krishna Janmashtami
   • Varamahalakshmi
   • Upakarma
   • Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane
   • Raksha Bandhan
6. Bhādrapad (August – September)
   • Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesha aarathi song
   • Swarna Gowri Vratha, Gowri aarathi song
   • Ananthapadmanabha Vratha, Ananthanagantu rangoli
   • Mahalaya Amavasya
   • Yellu Ashtami
   • Onam, Pookalam
7. Āshwin (September – October)
   • Dasara
   • Diwali/Narakachaturdashi
   • Diwali/Lakshmi Pooja
8. Kārtik (October – November)
   • Diwali/Balipadyami/New Year for Gujarathis
   • Karthika Somawara
   • Uttandwadashi
   • Karwa Chauth
   • Aanai Pandige
   • Kadalekayi Parishe
9. Mārgashīrsha (November – December)
   • Champashashthi/Subrayana Shashthi
   • Uttari habba
   • Shuddha Panchami
   • Hanuman Jayanthi in South India
10. Paush/Pushya (December – January)
    • Makara Shankranthi/Pongal
    • Vaikunta Ekadasi
    • Dhanurmasa Pooja
11. Māgh (January – February)
    • Vasanthpanchami
    • Rathasapthami, Ratha Rangoli
    • Mahashivaratri
    • Madhwa Navami
    • Mouna Gowri Vratha
12. Phālgun (February – March)
    • Holi

Hindu festival and Pooja related general information are as follows:

1. Aarathi
2. Aarathi Songs Lyrics: Lakshmi, Gowri, Ganesha, Tulasi Devi,
3. Gejjevastra
4. Kalasha
5. Mangala Drowya and Pooja items
6. Manthrakshathe
7. Morada Bagina
8. Panchamrutha
9. Shankranthi Yellu
10. Thorana
11. Visarjana Manthra
12. Habbada Adige

Buddhist Festivals

1. Buddha Poornima in Vaishakh (April – May)

Jain Festivals

1. Mahavir Jayanthi in Chaitra

Christian Festivals

1. New Year – January 1st
2. Valentine’s Day – February 14th
3. Easter
4. Thanksgiving
5. Halloween
6. Good Friday
7. Christmas – December 25th

Muslim Festivals

1. Ramzaan
2. Bakrid
3. Moharram
4. Id Milad

Sikh Festivals

1. Guru Nanak Jayanthi

National and State Festivals of India

1. Republic Day – January 26th
2. May Day – May 1st
3. Independence Day – August 15th
4. Teacher’s Day – September 5th
5. Gandhi Jayanthi – October 2nd
6. Karnataka Rajyotsava – November 1st
7. Children’s Day – November 14th

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