KarmaVaaniUtsava · 37 guides
पर्व और व्रतFestivals and vrats
The sacred year, from the lights of Diwali to the twice-monthly Ekadashi fast: when each falls, what it means, and how to keep it at home.
VratIn 4 daysEkadashi
The eleventh day of each lunar fortnight, kept with a fast in devotion to Vishnu.
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Honours Vishnu
FestivalIn 5 daysDhanteras
The first day of Diwali, honouring Dhanvantari and Lakshmi, when new metal is brought into the home.
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Honours Lakshmi
VratIn 5 daysPradosh Vrat
A twilight fast for Shiva on the thirteenth day of each fortnight.
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Honours Shiva
VratIn 6 daysMasik Shivaratri
The monthly night of Shiva, on the Krishna Chaturdashi.
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Honours Shiva
FestivalIn 7 daysDiwali
The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
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Honours Lakshmi
FestivalIn 7 daysNarak Chaturdashi
The day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, kept with an oil bath before dawn.
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Honours Krishna
FestivalIn 9 daysGovardhan Puja
The day after Diwali, remembering Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter Vraja.
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Honours Krishna
FestivalIn 10 daysBhai Dooj
Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life on the second day after Diwali.
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VratIn 12 daysChhath Puja
Four days of worship of the sun and Chhathi Maiya, with offerings at the river at sunset and sunrise.
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VratIn 12 daysSankashti and Vinayaka Chaturthi
Monthly fasts for Ganesha, the remover of obstacles: Sankashti in the dark fortnight, Vinayaka in the bright.
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Honours Ganesha
FestivalIn 23 daysKartik Purnima
The full moon of Kartika, when the ghats of Varanasi are lit with lamps for the gods.
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Honours Shiva
FestivalIn 23 daysKarthigai Deepam
Tamil Nadu’s festival of lamps, with the great flame lit atop Arunachala hill.
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Honours Shiva
FestivalIn 74 daysLohri
A winter bonfire in Punjab on the eve of Makar Sankranti.
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FestivalIn 75 daysMakar Sankranti
The sun's northward turn, marked by harvest and gratitude.
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Honours Surya
FestivalIn 102 daysVasant Panchami
The first day of spring, given to Saraswati, goddess of learning, music and the arts.
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Honours Saraswati
FestivalIn 125 daysMaha Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, observed with fasting, vigil, and devotion.
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Honours Shiva
FestivalIn 141 daysHoli
The festival of colours, welcoming spring and the triumph of devotion over arrogance.
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Honours Krishna
FestivalIn 157 daysUgadi and Gudi Padwa
The lunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, kept as Ugadi in the Deccan and as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra.
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FestivalIn 164 daysBaisakhi, Vishu and the solar new year
The sun enters Mesha (Aries), and much of India celebrates the new year and the harvest.
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FestivalIn 165 daysRam Navami
The birth of Bhagavan Sri Rama, ideal of dharma.
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Honours Rama
FestivalIn 170 daysHanuman Jayanti
The birth of Hanuman, embodiment of devotion and strength.
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Honours Hanuman
FestivalIn 188 daysAkshaya Tritiya
A day of undiminishing merit, considered auspicious for beginnings and for giving.
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Honours Lakshmi
VratIn 215 daysVat Savitri
Married women worship the banyan tree, remembering Savitri, who won back her husband’s life from Yama.
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FestivalIn 246 daysJagannath Rath Yatra
Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra ride out of the Puri temple on towering chariots pulled by devotees.
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Honours Vishnu
FestivalIn 259 daysGuru Purnima
A day of gratitude to teachers and the sage Vyasa.
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Honours Vishnu
VratIn 260 daysShravan Somvar
Fasting and worship of Shiva on each Monday of the month of Shravana.
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Honours Shiva
VratIn 276 daysTeej
Monsoon festivals of women, celebrating the union of Shiva and Parvati.
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Honours Shiva
FestivalIn 278 daysNag Panchami
Serpents, the nagas, are honoured on the Shukla Panchami of Shravana.
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Honours Shiva
FestivalIn 289 daysRaksha Bandhan
A celebration of the bond of protection between siblings.
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Honours Vishnu
FestivalIn 297 daysKrishna Janmashtami
The midnight birth of Krishna, celebrated with devotion and joy.
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Honours Krishna
FestivalIn 307 daysGanesh Chaturthi
Welcoming Ganesha, remover of obstacles, into homes and public pandals.
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Honours Ganesha
FestivalIn 315 daysOnam
Kerala’s harvest festival, welcoming home the generous king Mahabali.
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Honours Vishnu
FestivalIn 333 daysNavaratri
Nine nights honouring the Divine Mother in her many forms.
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Honours Durga
VratIn 333 daysPitru Paksha and Mahalaya
A fortnight for remembering ancestors, ending on Mahalaya Amavasya.
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FestivalIn 342 daysDussehra
The day of victory, when good triumphs over evil.
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Honours Durga
FestivalIn 348 daysSharad Purnima
The brightest full moon of the year, when kheer is left in the moonlight.
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Honours Lakshmi
VratIn 351 daysKarva Chauth
Married women fast from sunrise until moonrise for their husbands’ wellbeing.
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