Popular Hindu Festivals in India 2024

Top Hindu Festivals in India

Here are the popular Hindu Festival Holidays

About Festivals

Makar Sankranti

A Hindu holiday known as Makar Sankranti commemorates the sun’s entry into the Capricorn zodiac sign. It is observed in many regions of India and Nepal and often occurs on 14 or 15 January. The celebration commemorates the passage from the winter solstice to longer days. Taking a holy swim in rivers, particularly the Ganges, is a ritual associated with Makar Sankranti and is one of its important components.

A dip during this time is thought to purify one of sins and bring good fortune. In various parts of India, kite flying is a common custom used to mark Makar Sankranti. There are frequently kite-flying competitions, and the sky is awash in vibrant kites. The event is a time for giving gratitude for the harvest, taking part in cultural activities with loved ones, and celebrating the solar calendar’s transition. It is marked by a variety of regional customs and traditions and has significant cultural significance.

Pongal

The state of Tamil Nadu is the main location for the celebration of Pongal, a traditional harvest festival in South India. The festival’s centrepiece, Thai Pongal, is observed on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai. People prepare a special dish known as Pongal on this day using freshly harvested rice, jaggery, and other ingredients. As a sign of appreciation for the harvest, the dish is made in a customary earthen pot and dedicated to the Sun God. Bhogi Pongal, which is commemorated the day before Thai Pongal, marks the start of the festival.

People throw away used and outdated objects on Bhogi Pongal as a sign of letting go of the past and welcoming the future. Mattu Pongal, the third day of Pongal, is devoted to the worship of cattle. On this day, cows and bulls, who are essential to agriculture, are bathed, adorned, and venerated. Kaanum Pongal, the festival’s last day, is a day for family get-togethers and outings. People spend time with friends and family, eat together, and participate in celebratory activities.

Vasant Panchami

A Hindu celebration called Vasant Panchami, also called Basant Panchami, heralds the start of spring. It normally occurs on the fifth day (Panchami) of the shining half of the Hindu month of Magha, in late January or early February. The festival honours Saraswati, the goddess of learning, understanding, music, and the arts.

People worship Goddess Saraswati on Vasant Panchami in order to ask for her blessings on creativity, knowledge, and wisdom. Yellow is seen as an auspicious colour, thus devotees dress in it and present the goddess with yellow flowers. To celebrate the start of spring, a number of cultural events are planned, including musical and dance performances. People use art to show their happiness during this time.

Maha Shivratri

Hindus celebrate Maha Shivaratri, also known as the “Great Night of Shiva,” as a day to honour Lord Shiva. In the Hindu month of Phalguna, which often falls in February or March on the Gregorian calendar, it is marked on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. To the Shiva Linga, which represents Lord Shiva, devotees offer milk, fruits, flowers, and bael leaves. On Maha Shivaratri, many devotees practise fast as a form of penance and to enlist Lord Shiva’s blessings. While some people choose to fast completely without eating or drinking, others may choose to only fast somewhat. Throughout India and other areas of the world, millions of devotees celebrate Maha Shivaratri with great enthusiasm.

Holi

The “Festival of Colours,” also known as Holi, is one of India’s most colourful and popular holidays. It heralds the approach of spring and is joyfully and enthusiastically observed. The Hindu lunar calendar determines the date of Holi, which typically occurs in March. Playing with colours is the most recognisable part of Holi.

People congregate in open areas and engage in colour-related games, tossing coloured powder and water balloons at one another. It’s a happy and jubilant festival that dismantles social barriers and spreads joy. Although the colourful celebrations are its most well-known feature, Holi is also observed in a variety of traditional ways throughout India. It includes procession dances, local traditions, and other things in some regions.

Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Telugu New Year

In India’s Deccan area, particularly in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Ugadi is celebrated as the start of the new year. The Chaitra month, which typically begins in March or April, is commemorated on this day as the beginning of the month. The new lunar calendar year officially begins on Ugadi. It’s a time for new beginnings, resolutions, and letting go of bad habits.

Gudi Padwa is primarily observed in the Konkan region in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It usually occurs on the first day of the Chaitra month, which is in March or April. Gudi Padwa is a period for cleaning and adorning dwellings, similar to Ugadi. People use flowers and rangoli (colourful floor designs) to decorate their homes, which fosters a joyous environment.

Rama Navami

The Hindu holiday of Rama Navami commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, who is regarded as Lord Vishnu’s seventh incarnation. According to the Hindu calendar, it occurs on the ninth day (Navami), which normally falls in March or April. At temples devoted to Lord Rama, devotees keep fasts and take part in prayers and pujas (rituals).

It is customary to recite the Ramayana, an epic that describes the life and deeds of Rama. To commemorate Rama Navami, processions are planned in several areas. In opulent processions, idols or pictures of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, his devoted follower Hanuman, and other characters from the Ramayana are paraded.

Vaisakhi

The celebration of Vaisakhi is observed across India but is particularly popular in Punjab. It commemorates the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa (the Sikh community) by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Vaisakhi, which the Hindus identify with the harvest, is considered a lucky time for new beginnings. Vaisakha is a month marked by beginnings, harvest celebrations, and religious rituals.

As a reflection of the cultural diversity found within Hinduism and other religious traditions, the festivities observed during this month vary across various locations and communities.

Tamil New Year

The Tamil New Year is celebrated according to the Tamil calendar and is also referred to as Puthandu or Varusha Pirappu. Depending on the lunar calendar, it usually occurs on April 14 or 15. The Tamil calendar’s Chithirai month begins on the day of the celebration. On Tamil New Year, a lot of people go to temples to seek blessings for a prosperous and peaceful new year. In temples, special rites and prayers are performed.

Cultural activities, such as traditional music and dance performances, mark the Tamil New Year. The festivities also include traditional games and folk arts. During these unique feasts, families join together to share food and joy with one another.