Festivals in 2019

Putrada Ekadashi

A vrat dedicated to obtaining the blessing of children.

Thaipusam

A Tamil and Malaysian festival celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

Shattila Ekadashi

The Magha Krishna vrat observed with six uses of sesame (til) for purification.

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, celebrating knowledge, music, art, and the arrival of spring.

Makar Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Capricorn and the start of its northward journey (Uttarayan).

Lohri

A Punjabi harvest festival marked by bonfires, folk dances, and festive treats on the eve of Makar Sankranti.

Observed in: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi

Pongal

A Tamil harvest festival celebrating the sun god and the bounty of the harvest season.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu

Jaya Ekadashi (Bhaimi)

The Magha Shukla vrat said to free one from the fate of becoming a ghost or spirit.

Holika Dahan

The bonfire ritual on the eve of Holi, symbolizing the burning away of evil.

Holi

The festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

Phalguna Purnima

The full moon of the Phalguna month, celebrated with Holi fire and springtime festivities.

Vijaya Ekadashi

The Phalguna Krishna vrat said to grant victory over all obstacles.

Maha Shivaratri

The "Great Night of Shiva", observed with night-long vigils, fasting, and worship of Lord Shiva.

Kumbha Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Aquarius, an auspicious time for spiritual practices.

Amalaki Ekadashi

The Phalguna Shukla vrat dedicated to the worship of the sacred amla (Indian gooseberry) tree.

Hanuman Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, the devoted disciple of Rama known for strength and loyalty.

Papamochani Ekadashi

The Chaitra Krishna vrat said to liberate the devotee from sins.

Ram Navami

Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana.

Meen Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Pisces, welcoming the spring season.

Buddha Purnima

Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.

Chitra Purnima

A South Indian festival celebrating the full moon under the Chitra star.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh

Varuthini Ekadashi

A vrat said to destroy all sins committed in past and present lives.

Gudi Padwa

The traditional new year for Maharashtrian and Konkani Hindus, marked by raising a decorated Gudi flag.

Observed in: Maharashtra, Goa

Chaitra Navratri

The spring nine-night festival honoring Goddess Durga, culminating in Ram Navami.

Akshaya Tritiya

An auspicious day for new beginnings, considered ideal for investments, purchases, and charitable acts.

Varaha Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu.

Parashurama Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Parashurama, the warrior-sage avatar of Vishnu.

Mesh Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Aries, marking the solar new year in many traditions.

Mohini Ekadashi

A vrat dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Mohini avatar, said to grant freedom from delusions.

Vat Purnima

Married women observe a fast and worship the banyan tree for the well-being of their husbands.

Apara Ekadashi

A vrat for the alleviation of sins and attainment of eternal peace.

Ganga Dussehra

Celebrates the descent of the river Ganga from heaven to earth.

Nirjala Ekadashi (Bhima)

The Jyeshtha Shukla vrat observed without even water, the most austere of all Ekadashis.

Baisakhi

A spring harvest festival in Punjab, also marking the founding of the Khalsa.

Observed in: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh

Vrishabha Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Taurus, entering the season of abundance.

Yogini Ekadashi

A vrat dedicated to spiritual practices and the attainment of yogic perfection.

Rath Yatra

The grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, famously held in Puri.

Observed in: Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat

Padma Ekadashi

A vrat said to destroy the sin of killing a Brahmin or other heinous crimes.

Mithun Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Gemini, entering the peak summer season.

Guru Purnima

A day dedicated to honoring teachers and spiritual guides.

Kamika Ekadashi

A sacred fasting day for fulfillment of desires and attainment of desires.

Hariyali Teej

A monsoon festival celebrating the arrival of lush green season, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Observed in: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana

Nag Panchami

A day of worship dedicated to serpent deities (Nagas).

Pavitra Ekadashi (Shravana Putrada)

The Shravana-month vrat for the blessing of progeny and purification through devotion.

Karka Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Cancer and the onset of the monsoon season.

Krishna Janmashtami

Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and new beginnings.

Parivartini Ekadashi (Parsva)

The Bhadrapada Shukla vrat marking Lord Vishnu turning over in his cosmic slumber.

Vamana Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Vamana, the dwarf avatar of Vishnu.

Onam

Kerala's harvest festival celebrating the legendary return of King Mahabali.

Observed in: Kerala

Raksha Bandhan

A celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters, marked by tying a sacred thread (rakhi).

Simha Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Leo, continuing the monsoon season.

Indira Ekadashi

The Ashwin Krishna vrat dedicated to liberating ancestors from lower realms.

Mahalaya Amavasya

The final day of Pitru Paksha, dedicated to honoring and offering peace to one's ancestors.

Sharad Navratri

A nine-night festival honoring nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Durga Ashtami

The eighth day of Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri and Kanya Pujan rituals.

Vijayadashami (Dussehra)

Marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and the culmination of Navratri.

Papankusha Ekadashi

The Ashwin Shukla vrat said to act as a goad (ankusha) against sins.

Kanya Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Virgo, welcoming the post-monsoon harvest season.

Kurma Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Kurma, the turtle avatar of Vishnu.

Rama Ekadashi

The Kartik Krishna vrat, falling just before Diwali, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (Rama) and Vishnu.

Dhanteras

The first day of the Diwali festivities, dedicated to wealth and prosperity.

Diwali

The festival of lights, marking the victory of light over darkness and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.

Bhai Dooj

Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan.

Chhath Puja

A rigorous four-day festival of sun worship, observed with offerings at riverbanks.

Observed in: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand

Skanda Sashti

Dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya), commemorating his victory over the demon Surapadman.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Tulsi Vivah

Ceremonially celebrates the marriage of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu.

Prabodhini Ekadashi (Devutthana)

The Kartik Shukla vrat marking Lord Vishnu awakening from his four-month cosmic sleep.

Kartik Purnima

A sacred full moon day marked by river baths, lamp offerings, and temple visits.

Matsya Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Matsya, the fish avatar of Vishnu.

Karva Chauth

Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life of their husbands.

Observed in: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh

Tula Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Libra and the arrival of autumn.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

A sacred fasting day believed to open the gates of Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu's celestial abode.

Vrischika Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Scorpio, deepening the autumn season.

Saphala Ekadashi

The Pausha Krishna vrat said to make all righteous endeavours fruitful.

Dhanu Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Sagittarius, welcoming winter.