Sanatan Festivals

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It usually involves lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, exchanging gifts, and enjoying festive meals.

Dussehra marks the victory of the divine Rama over the demon king Ravana. The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Ashwin in the Hindu calendar, which typically falls in September or October. 

Celebrated with enthusiasm and color, Holi marks the arrival of spring. People play with colored powders, sing and dance, and share festive sweets.

This festival honors Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. Devotees bring clay idols of Ganesha into their homes, worship them, and immerse them in water.

Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, this festival involves fasting, singing devotional songs, and reenactments of episodes from Krishna's childhood.

Maha Shivaratri, which translates to the "Great Night of Shiva," is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hinduism. It is observed annually in reverence of Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration. 

Navaratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. Durga Puja, especially popular in West Bengal, involves elaborate decorations, cultural events, and the immersion of Durga idols.

A fasting ritual observed by married Hindu women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. Women fast from sunrise to moonrise and break their fast after sighting the moon.

Celebrated as the New Year in different regions, it marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar calendar. Gudi Padwa is observed in Maharashtra, Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and Chaitra Navratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Celebrated in various regions under different names, this festival marks the harvest season. People fly kites, prepare special dishes, and light bonfires.

The first day of the Diwali festival, dedicated to wealth and prosperity. People buy gold, silver, or utensils on this day.

A festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists, and brothers offer gifts in return.

A chariot procession dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra. Celebrated mainly in Puri, Odisha.

Dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, this festival marks the arrival of spring. It is celebrated with the worship of Saraswati, wearing yellow clothes, and flying kites.

Also known as Annakut, this festival is celebrated to commemorate Lord Krishna's lifting of Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers from Lord Indra's wrath.

Observed by married women for the well-being of their husbands. It involves fasting and rituals, and the breaking of the fast is done after sighting the moon.