Hindu Festival Calendar 2012

March

Mahashivratri (March 3, Thursday)

Dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, a Hindu festival Mahashivratri is very popular. Single women maintain a long day of fasting and eating only after offering devotion to the Almighty. It is believed that this process will help achieve the perfect match of his life.

Holi (March 9, Saturday):

Holi, also known as the "festival of colors" is the feast that marks the beginning of spring. This is considered the most vibrant festival of India held a large amount of energy, fun and effective.

April

Swaminarayan Jayanti (April 12, Tuesday):

This is a very important day for the followers of Swaminarayan. The day marks his birthday and is observed through various rituals of offering prayers to the Lord.

Rama Navami (April 12, Tuesday)

This is the celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, an important deity of the Hindus. Rama is believed to be the incarnation of Vishnu. Read the verses of the legendary Hindu epic, the Ramayana, is a common practice at the time.

Hanuman Jayanti (April 18, Monday)

Lord Hanuman, who was an ardent follower of Rama, was born on this day according to Hindu mythology. Also known as the monkey god, Hanuman, is a very important part of the Ramayana, Rama who had been with through all thick and thin. He played a major role in saving Sita from Ravana.

Bikrami Samvat (Hindu New Year) (April 4, Monday)

Baisakhi (April 14, Thursday)

Mahavir Jayanti (April 17, Sunday)

Hanuman Jayanti (April 18, Monday)

May

Buddha Jayanti / Buddha Purnima (May 17, Tuesday):

More popularly known as Buddha Purnima, Buddha Jayanti celebration is marked as the birth of Buddha. These are the most sacred festivals of the Buddhists, Hindus, though largely watches. The festival is observed on the night of full moon falls on the fourth lunar month, usually in April or May.

June

Ganga Dussehra (June 21, Tuesday)

July

Rath Yatra (July 3, Sunday)

Guru Purnima (July 15, Friday)

August

Raksha Bandhan (August 13, Saturday)

Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of unity, brotherhood and love. A very important festival of the Hindus, the common tradition is that sisters tie a sacred thread called "Rakhi" on the wrist of her brother is praying for your health and wellbeing.

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti (August 22, Monday)

The Holy Birth of Lord Krishna is popularly known as Janamashtami. Common traditions of the festival include broken clay pots filled with milk or curd, which are hung high. Men get on each other's shoulders to reach up to break the clay pots. Rituals such as the worship of Lord Krishna by offering homemade cakes commemorating the day.

Naag Panchami (August 4, Thursday)

Independence Day (August 15, Monday)

Sri Krishna Janmashtami (August 22, Monday)

September

Navaratri (start) (September 28, Wednesday):

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and marks the beginning of autumn.

Ganesh Chaturathi (September 1, Thursday)

Onam (September 1, Thursday)

Navaratra Begins (September 28, Wednesday)

October

Dussera (October 6, Thursday)

Dussera is the celebration of the conquest of good over evil. It is said that on this day Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana to bring peace to the world.

Independence Day (October 26, Wednesday):

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is by far the most famous festivals of the Hindus. The occasion is marked with the worship of the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and fireworks.

Gandhi Jayanti (October 2, Sunday)

Dussehra (October 6, Thursday)

Karve chauth (16 October, Sunday)

Dhan Teras (October 24, Monday)

Govardhan Puja (October 27, Thursday)

DUJ Bhai (October 28, Friday)