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:
- Chaitra (March – April)
- Ugadi/Gudi Padwa – Paridhavi Samvatsara – 6th April 2019
- Gangaur – 8th April 2019
- Rama Navami – 14th April 2019
- Chaitra Gauri Pooja – 30th March 2018
- Hanuman Jayanthi in North India – 19th April 2019
- Vaishākh (April – May)
- Akshaya Tritiya – 7th May 2019
- Basava Jayanthi– 8th May 2019
- Shankaracharya Jayanthi – 9th May 2019
- Ramanujacharya Jayanthi – 9th May 2019
- Narasimha Jayanthi – 17th May 2019
- Jyaishtha (May – June)
- Vata Savitri Vratha / Phala Poornima – 3rd June 2019
- Kara Hunnime / Bhoomi Hunnime – 28th June 2018
- Mannethina Amavasya – 13th July 2018
- Āshādha (July – August) – From 14th July to 11th August 2018
- Ashada Shukravara Lakmi Pooja – 20th July, 27th July, 3rd August, and 10th August (2018)
- Prathama Ekadasi / Ghalipata Habba – 23rd July 2018
- Guru Poornima – 27th July 2018
- Bheemana Amavasya / Gandana Pooja – 11th August 2018
- Shrāvana (August – September) – From 12th August to 12th September (2018)
- Shravana Shanivara – 18th August, 25th August, 1st September, and 8th September (2018)
- Mangala Gowri Vrat – 14th August, 21st August, 28th August, 4th September, and 11th September (2018)
- Shravana Shukravara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja – 17th August, 24th August, 31st August, and 7th September (2018)
- Budha Brihaspathi Vratha – Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Sampaththu Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja – 18th August, 25th August, 1st September, and 8th September (2018)
- Nagarchauthi – 14th August 2018
- Nagarpanchami /Garuda Panchami – 15th August 2018
- Siriyala Shashti – 16th August 2018
- Varamahalakshmi – 24th August 2018
- Upakarma – 25th (Rigveda) and 26th (Yajurveda) August 2018
- Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane – 24th August – 28th August 2018
- Raksha Bandhan – 26th August 2018
- Nariyal Poornima – 26th August 2018
- Krishna Janmashtami – 2nd September 2018
- Swarna Gowri Vratha– 12th September 2018
- Bhādrapad (August – September)
- Ganesh Chaturthi – 13th September 2018
- Ananthapadmanabha Vratha – 23rd September 2018
- Rishi Panchami – 14th September 2018
- Mahalaya Amavasya – Pitru Paksha – 17th September to 8th October 2018
- Ele Ashtami / Jyeshta Gowri – 15th, 16th, and 17th September 2018
- Onam– 24th August 2018
- Teej – 12th September 2018
- Āshwin (September – October)
- Dasara – Navaratri – 9th October to 19th October 2018
- Ayudha Pooja – 18th October 2018
- Sheege Hunnime / Sheegi Hunnimi – 24th October 2018
- Kojagari Lakshmi Puja / Sharad Poornima – 23rd October 2018
- Diwali /Narakachaturdashi – 6th November 2018
- Diwali /Lakshmi Pooja – 7th November 2018
- Madhwacharya Jayanthi – 19th October 2018
- Dasara – Navaratri – 9th October to 19th October 2018
- Kārtik (October – November)
- Diwali /Balipadyami/New Year in Gujarat – 8th November 2018
- Karthika Somawara – 12th November, 19th November, 26th November, and 3rd December 2018
- Uttandwadashi – 20th November 2018
- Tulasi Arathi Haadu (Song)
- Karwa Chauth – 28th October 2018
- Aanai Pandige – 4th December 2018
- Kadalekayi Parishe – 2nd and 3rd December 2018
- Chhat Pooja – 13th November 2018
- Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha – 22nd November 2018
- Chatti Amavasya – 7th December 2018
- Mārgashīrsha (November – December)
- Hire Gowri / Dodda Gowri – 4th November 2017
- Champashashthi / Subramanyana Shashthi – 13th December 2018
- Uttari habba
- Shuddha Panchami
- Ellamavasya – 7th December 2018
- Hanuman Jayanthi in South India – 20th December 2018
- Paush/Pushya (December – January)
- Dhanurmasa Pooja – Starts on 16th December and ends on 14th January 2019
- Vaikunta Ekadasi – 27th December 2018
- Māgh (January – February)
- Vasanth Panchami – 10th February 2019
- Rathasapthami – 12h February 2019
- Mahashivaratri – 4th March 2019
- Madhwa Navami – 14th February 2019
- Mouna Gowri Vratha – 20th January 2018
- Bharatha Hunnime – 20th January 2019
- Phālgun (February – March)
- Holi – 20th and 21st March 2019
- Vadirajara Aradhane – 4th March 2018
- Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 5th March 2017
Pooja or Vratha/Religious observance celebrated throughout the year:
- Shri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratha
- Aarathi Song
- Udaka Shanthi Pooja
Hindu festival, rituals and pooja related general information are as follows:
-
- Aarathi
- Aarathi Songs Lyrics: Lakshmi, Gowri, Ganesha, Tulasi Devi, Saraswathi Prarthana, Satyanarayana
- Gejjevastra
- Kalasha
- Mangala Drowya and Pooja items
- Manthrakshathe
- Morada Bagina
- Panchamrutha
- Shankranthi Yellu
- Thorana
- Visarjana Manthra
- Habbada Adige (Festival Food)
- Habbada Thindi and Panaka (Festival Sweets, Savories, and Drinks)
- Hoovilya
- Upanayana
Buddhist Festivals
- Buddha Poornima in Vaishakh (April – May – June) – 21st May 2016
Jain Festivals
- Mahaveera Jayanthi in Chaitra (March – April) – 19th April 2016
Christian Festivals
- New Year – January 1st
- Valentine’s Day – February 14th
- Easter – Good Friday
- Thanksgiving
- Halloween
- Christmas – December 25th
Muslim Festivals
- Ramzaan
- Bakrid
- Moharram
- Id Milad
Sikh Festivals
National and State Festivals of India
- Republic Day of India – January 26th
- Labor Day – May 1st
- Independence Day – August 15th
- Teacher’s Day – September 5th
- Gandhi Jayanthi – October 2nd
- Karnataka Rajyotsava – November 1st
- Children’s Day – November 14th
- Engineer’s Day – September 15th
All you wanted to know about Indian Festivals…
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 cele…
i belong to north karnataka married to a banglorean at pune.i am not aware of their culture.I was able to perform some rituals just coz i got all d informn. 4m ur website.thanks a million.
it would b great if u cud tell me of all d rituals in dasara and diwali.i do want to perform them
Hi Namita,
Thanks for your comments and I really appreciate your efforts to learn new customs and trying to perform the rituals. I have already posted about Dasara and Diwali, please access the following links and hope it helps –
http://www.itslife.in/2008/09/dasara
http://www.itslife.in/2008/10/deepavali
Cheers!
Shantha
do v keep all the dolls 4m day one? or is it depending on whether u hav a male or female kid.anyways….i don’t hav kids rt. now,what do i do?
Hi Namita,
Yes all the dolls are kept on the same day . It does not matter whether you have children or not.
You can display the dolls on all the 9 days or start to display from Saraswathi pooja day onwards up to Vijayadashami day.
Happy Dasara and enjoy arranging the dolls.
Shantha
thank q so much
would u describe about adhik masa n d rituals 2 b followed during d same
Namita,
Sorry, I don’t know the rituals to be followed during this time. But I know that whatever phala / blessings that you get during this time is doubled. For Example: If you conduct a homa then the phala from this will be doubled.
Regards,
Shantha
Hi Namita,
I asked our family achar/purohit about your question and he told me the following:
1. You can chant Vishnusahasranama with 33 others during the month.
2. You can give 33 Bananas or 33 Mangoes or 33 Coconut along with 33 Betel Leaves and 33 Betel Nuts to anyone you like as dana / gift.
3. You can give 33 Besan laddoos or 33 Karchikayi
4. He says anything you to do to god during this month you will be blessed 3 times more.
Regards,
Shantha
Hi Shantha,
Your blog is simply superb! Please post articles on what all things/items needs to be purchased for Karnataka brahmin wedding.Like pooja items, how to decorate and make nice items to be kept for vara pooje, dhare etc. how to make morada baagina, kashi yatre chatri, tamboola,aarathi plate etc look more beautiful.. My sis’s marriage is nearing.. Please help me!!!!!! Thanks in advance…
-Niveditha.
Niveditha, creating a post on a marriage requires lots of time and resources. It cannot be done immediately. I will post it sometime in the future.
Give my best wishes to your sister.
Enjoy the wedding,
Shantha
Dear Shantha,
Yeah I understand that it takes more time n resources. But IF POSSIBLE please post atleast some among those or simple textual information without pictures[It is okay without pictures] just as reminders if we have forgot any.. n it is okay if u post in next 4 or 5 months also.. 🙂
Thanks,
Niveditha.
I will try my best Niveditha
if u have any idea about lakshmi gaddugegalu/rangolis particularly kept for lakshmi pooje/varamahalakshmi habba… pls post them
Thanks,
Greeshma
Greeshma, sorry I have no idea of the rangoli that you are referring.
Hi Shantha,
Can u please post articles on festive season recipes separately.. Nice site.. was searching for a site for brahmin recipes and Vrathas.. Post some more as my thirst for varieties in all fields is insatiable like u.. 😛
Rgrds,
Deeksha
Thank you Deeksha for leaving this note. Please check the following link for festival recipes – http://www.itslife.in/2009/09/habbada-adige
Hi Shantha,
Pl post articles on how many uddharanes of water should be put to panchapatre during any pooja/vratha? I usually get confused with this..
Thanx,
Greeshma.
Greeshma, even I get confused regarding this. I usually follow instructions of the priest.
where all is bellad achhu used???
what precisely is gaja gauri vrat?
Sorry Namita, right now I do not have information regarding Gaja Gauri Vratha.
Is haldi-kumkum during sankranti a custom in karnataka?Is fasting done on haritalika festival(swarna gouri puja)in karnataka?
Hi Sangeeta,
Yes, when people come home to give yellu, we give them Haldi-kumkum and Yellu.
No, we do not fast on Swarna Gowri Pooja.
Regards,
Shantha
In maharashtra,any one day before rathasapthami ,married ladies r specially invited for haldi-kumkum occasion.on this day they give haldi-kumkum n some article/item as daana.So my Que was to this reference.Is it a custom to invite ladies on any day before rathasapthami specially for haldi-kumkum purpose?
Hi sangeeta,
I think i can answer to this…
In Karnataka we give away yellu, sakkare acchu, fruits, coconut,sugarcane piece, arishina kumkuma packets, blousepiece in a tray etc. on sankranthi day to muttaides.. If you are a newly married lady, for first 5 years in multiples of 5 like 5,10,15,20,25 u give bananas to them along with arishina kumkuma.. This is done on sankranthi day specifically…
Again on ratha sapthami day you give arishina kumkuma kosambari for married women that is specific for that day again…
Regards,
Nagashree.
Thanks Nagashree for the reply.
Sangeetha – In Karnataka we give Haldi – Kumkum to married and unmarried women who visit home before they leave. On festival days, it is accompanied by many other things as Nagashree has explained.
Thanx Nagashree n Shantha.My doubt was abt d haldi-kumkum occasion only during period betn sankranti & rathasapthami.
Shantha, How about you considering an idea of publishing books on Festivals and Recipes especially Habbada adige, Gardening as it would be helpful for people who dont browse much and read hard copy magazines. I thought of telling u this bcoz few women nearby my mom’s home [including my ajji and also mom] till today read and appreciate Sudha,Taranga and other magazines and i always feel that they would be very happy if they get a hard copy book of your website neatly structured.. 🙂 Even i would love to have one hard copy.. 😉 Pls consider and analyse this… Read more »
Hi Nagashree,
Even I love reading books and magazines. But I have no plans of publishing a book right now. I am happy with this website and the readers I have online.
Regards,
Shantha
Hi all,
Can anyone please let me know or send e-mail to my mail id how to go for the temple ambegalu krishna near channapatna mysore
Hi Mahesh,
The Krishna temple is in Mallur, which is bang on the Mysore – Bangalore highway few Km away from Channapatna.
Please check the link below:
http://www.itslife.in/2008/07/mallur
Regards,
Shantha
Hi Shantha,
Thanks a ton for this site, its just awesome. Can you please tell me atleast some information on some pre marriage/marriage/post marraige rituals that has to be done in Brahmin style. need this information urgently, please help. Will ever be grateful to you
Hi Saraswathy,
Thank you for appreciating. I am no expert in this area, please inquire with your family priest. One ritual is the Hoovilya – http://www.itslife.in/2010/07/hoovilya
Regards,
Shantha
Shantha,
do u hv information on saade saathi like what are all the good and bad effects…
Thanks,
abcd
No abcd, I do not have info on saade sath.
hai Shantha,
grt job in posting namma kannada habbada vishaya. I have a request to make. do u have any link or post for kannada festivals only in a calendar format?. its so hard to find a kannada “only” calendar format.
Any help is truly appreciated.
Thanks.
its funny- my sister’s name is Shantha as well 🙂
Hi Seema,
Thanks for visiting. Kannada calendar’s are avaiable in any of the book shops.
Regards,
Shantha
Hi Shantha,
Hope you are doing great.
I just wanted to know weather this site will be updated for this year?
Hopefully
Rajani Vijaya Kumar
Hi Rajani,
Yes, the festival dates will be updated for this year.
Keep visiting,
Shantha
Hello,
This is the first time iam sending mail. but i am a regular visitor to your website.
I need a help from you.
My nephew is geeting married in July. We are smartha brahmin.
Could you please let us know what things to be given to the girl on varapooje day. As you have given details in the gerneral catagory about hoovilya with pictures.
Please send some photographs also
Thankyou in advance, Have a great day!
Please update the dates of this year…
Sure Rajani. Thanks for the reminder.
hI Shantha
Your is very informative ,traditional like it veryy much,since it is regional and we are in mumbai can you guide me to some dilemas concerning caste systems—-
I have faith in the traditional rituals and poojas but lack the
the direct process of it since it is not observed in cities,we observe Sharvana month as fasting abstinece from onion garlic offering navaeidya can i observe the vratas how can i follow it.
thanks
Hi Sheel / Seema,
All the details are available in the post. Please re-read.
No comments on caste system and I deeply respect all religions and gods.
Regards,
Shantha
Hi Shanta,
Thank you so much for sharing each and every post in detail… Please it is my suggestion that apart from all these festivals please post in detail about the chaturmasa vrata and how to follow the food in each month… Expectng some reply at the earliest regaring this post…
Regards
Sudha batni
Hi Sudha Batni,
Thanks for visiting and leaving this note.
hi, I would like to know why multiplies of 5 bannanas r given during sankranti for 1st five years
Hi I have been regular on ur site & it has been of a great help,
My hubby is a vysya Brahmin from Bangalore & i’m a Catholic so everything has been different for me but going through ur site has really helped me a lot.
My mom in laws thithi is on the 7th of April there’s 1 last thing I would like to learn from you is about the vadbal ceremony.
Hi Nandini,
I am not aware of the requested ritual, sorry!
Regards,
Shantha