Festivals

Rishi Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. This is the next day after Ganesh Chaturthi. Rishi Panchami is dedicated to the seven rishis. The seven sages are remembered on this day.

The Seven Sages

These sages are Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadhvaja, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Vashishta. This is the day when people remember and thank the sages who have worked so hard for the welfare of mankind and society.

Rituals on Rishi Panchami

On this day women will observe a fast. In some parts of India like Rajasthan sisters tie a sacred thread on the wrist of their brothers and sisters. The brothers and sisters pray for each other’s well being and give the promise to protect each other from all evil. In Maharashtra, a special curry is prepared using different vegetables. This is known as the Rishi bhaji and this is offered as Prasad.

On the day of Rishi Panchami, a small square is made using haldi and kumkum. Th…

Narasimha Jayanti is a Hindu festival and auspicious day that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated on Vaisakh Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha.

Narasimha Jayanti 2019 to 2025 Dates YearDate2019Friday, 17th of May2020Wednesday, 6th of May2021Tuesday, 25th of May2022Saturday, 14th of May2023Thursday, 4th of May2024Tuesday, 21st of May2025Sunday, 11th of May Legend of Narasimha Jayanti

As per legend, Hiranyakashypu had received a unique boon from Lord Brahma due to which Hiranyakashypu could not be defeated by anyone. His atrocities increased and he even tried killing his own son Prahlad who was a Lord Vishnu devotee. In order to protect Prahlad Lord Vishnu took the form of Narshimha and killed Hiranyakashypu proving that in this world only Dharma can prevail.

Vishnu took the Narshimha avatar on Vaisakh Chaturdashi day in order to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu. This was the fourth incarnation of the Lord in which he had the face…

The Karva Chauth is observed by Hindu women after four days of full-moon, also known as the Purnima, during the month of Kartik. Since the festival is celebrated based on the Gregorian calendar, dates for this ceremony might vary. This is mainly because this particular calendar is not calculated on the basis of movements of constellations. Instead, the calendar is tabular in nature, which considers the moon’s movements.

Most of the Hindu festivals are based on the lunisolar calendar.  Karva Chauth also happens to be one of them. Therefore, as a characteristic, the festival is celebrated based on astronomical positions. Out of all heavenly bodies, the positions of the moon are considered to be the main foundation for deciding the date of the festival.

Karwa Chauth Date & Puja Timings Karwa Chauth 2019 Date – Thursday, October 17

2019 Karva Chauth Puja Timings - 5:50 PM to 7:03 PM & Moonrise time - 8:25 PM

Karwa Chauth 2020 – Wedne…

Thai Pongal is a festival celebrated by the Tamilians and it is dedicated to Sun God. This festival is celebrated in the month of January and this is a festival that is celebrated for four days. Thai is the name of the tenth month in the Tamil calendar. On the same day, Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi and other south India people celebrates as Makar Sankranthi or Pongal.

The first day of the festival is Bhogi. On the second day of the festival is known as Thai Pongal. Third day is Mattu Pongal & fourth one is Kanuma.

Thai Pongal is the day when Uttarayan begins. On the day of the festival, all the family members will rise early and get bathe and get ready to prepare the Pongal.  The garden where the Pongal is going to be cooked is cleaned and decorated with kolam. Water is boiled in an earthen vessel. When the water begins to boil three handful of rice is added to it and the rice is cooked. Other important ingredients that are added include cow’s milk, coc…

Baisakhi is the most important festival celebrated by Sikhs in the month of April. It is the New Year of the Sikhs. Baisakhi is also known as Vaisakhi and it is one of the most important festivals of Punjab.  This takes place during the time when the Rabi crop is ready for harvesting. The farmers pray to God for a good harvest and thank God for all the good things that they have given them

Vasakhi Dates 2019 - Sunday, April, 142020 - Monday, April 132021 - Wednesday, April 142022 - Thursday, April 14 Baisakhi Celebrations

Gurudwaras are cleaned and decorated. On the day of the festival, people visit the Gurudwaras and pray to the Lord. There are special prayers in the morning. After the prayers, the Khada Prasad is distributed in the Gurudwara. Holy recitals are read from the Guru Granthsahib in the Gurudwaras. Holy processions by religious men are taken out in the city. Kar seva or physical labour services are offered by the people in the Gurudwaras. Lan…

Aadi Krithigai is a Tamil festival dedicated to Lord Murugan (Subrahmanya Swamy). It is celebrated in the Tamil month Aadi. In Aadi month devotees perform more poojas and other religious activities. Aadi Krittigai is celebrated on the day of Krittika nakshatra in the Aadi month.

Aadi Krithigai is also pronounced as Aadi Krittika, Aadi Krithika, Aadi Krithikai. This day is specially dedicated to praying Lord Muruga as Krittika Nakshatra is favorable to Lord Muruga. On this day the Arupadai Veedu temples are decorated and special offerings are made to Lord Muruga.

Aadi Krithigai Dates YearDateDay2019July, 26Friday2020August, 12Monday2021August, 2Monday2022July, 22Friday Story of Aadi Krithikai

As per legend six flames were released from the third eye of Lord Shiva. These were brought to the Sarvana pond where the Karthigai Pengal nurtured these flames which transformed into 6 babies. Finally Goddess Parvati embraced the six babies to give them o…

Bhagavad Gita - Ancient History

Bhagavath-gita is the essence of Vedic knowledge and one of the most important Upanishads in Vedic literature. This knowledge was first spoken to the Sun God (Vivasvan) by Lord Sri Krishna. And Sun God, Vivasvan explained it to Manu, and Manu explained it to Iksvaku. And in this way, one after another this yoga was coming in disciplic succession. But in due course of time, this knowledge was lost.

Gita Jayanti - Why it is Celebrated?

Gita Jayanthi - On this holy day sacred Hindu text Bhagavad Gita was again spoken to Arjuna by Lord Krishna. It is celebrated in the Margashirsh (Margashira/Margazhi) month of the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the Shukla Ekadashi.

The Bhagavad Gita was told by Shri Krishna to Arjuna just before the start of the battle of Kurushektra. The same was narrated by Sanjaya to the King Dhritarashtra (father of Kauravas). Sanjaya was given a boon by his Guru Ved Vyasa du…

Vaikasi Visakam, the Tamil festival celebrates the incarnation of Lord Muruga. This festival falls in the Tamil month Vaigasi on the full moon day and in the Vishaka nakshatra.

Vaikasi Visakam Dates 2019 to 2025 2019 - Saturday, May 182020 - Thursday, June 42021 - Tuesday, May 252022 - Sunday, June 122023 - Saturday, June 32024 - Thursday, May 232025 - Monday, June 9 Significance of Vaikasi Visakam & Birth of Muruga

The demons Surapadma, Tarakasura, and Singamugha were causing lots of trouble to the gods. The Gods then approached Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva meditated his third eye formed 6 sparks of fire which were carried by Agni and Vayu to the Ganges. From here the sparks were taken to pond Saravana. The six sparks were transformed into six babies and then Goddess Parvati embraced and made these 6 babies into one. This was Lord Muruga or Lord Kartika who killed the demons.

The six faces of Muruga stand for creation, preservation, …

Aadi Pooram is one of the most important festivals of the Tamilians. It is celebrated in the Tamil month Aadi. This is the birthday of Andal who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi and one of the biggest devotees of the Lord. She is one of the 12 Alwars and is said to be one of the best poetesses.

The Word ‘Aadi’ signifies the fourth month in the Tamil calendar while ‘Pooram’ denotes one of the 27 Nakshatras mentioned in the Hindu Astrology. 

Andal Story

According to legend a devotee of Lord Ranganatha Swamy by the name of Vishnu Chitha did not have a child for many years. On the Aadi Pooram day when he was collecting flowers, he found a girlchild. The devotee named her as "Kothai". When Vishnu Chitha used to prepare a tulsi garland for Lord, Kothai would wear it and then offer it to the Lord. One day when the devotee saw this he replaced the garland with a new one. But the Lord did not accept the new garland. That is when Chitha re…

Hanuman Jayanthi Dates Hanuman Jayanthi 2019 Date - Friday, April 19Hanuman Jayanthi 2020 Date - Wednesday, April 8Hanuman Jayanthi 2021 Date - Tuesday, April 27Hanuman Jayanthi 2022 Date - Saturday, April 16Hanuman Jayanthi 2023 Date - Thursday, April 6Hanuman jayanthi 2024 Date - Tuesday, April 23Hanuman Jayanthi 2025 Date - Saturday, April 12 Why Hanuman Jayanthi is Celebrated?

It is clear from the name that Hanuman Jayanti is the celebration of the birth of the greatest devotees of Lord Rama and that is Lord Hanuman. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu Chaitra month.

Different states will celebrate Hanuman Jayanti in different ways. The main motto is to worship the Lord and seek his blessing. In Andhra Pradesh and in Telangana this festival is celebrated for 41 days starting from the day of Hanuman Jayanti. In Kerela and in Tamil Nadu th festival is celebrated in Dhanu month and on the new moon day. The mainobjective of t…

In Hinduism, traces can be found for 33 million gods. Each of them stands for a specific identity and there’s a cosmic reason why people worship so many gods in India.

Among all of them, most are the avatars of Lord Vishnu. If you are accustomed to the whereabouts of Hinduism, you must be aware of the popularity of Lord Krishna, especially among the followers of Vaishnavism. Just like any other religion in the world, Hinduism has its own dates that are celebrated across territories of the Indian subcontinent. One of them happens to be ‘Krishna Janmashtami’, which indicates the birth anniversary of Krishna.

In this reference, we would like to mention that Lord Krishna was the eighth avatar of Vishnu, and undoubtedly one of the most influential religious deities in Hindu philosophy. His image is so impactful that many western countries have dedicated temples for worshipping Lord Krishna. If you don't know already, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple was …

Onam is one of the biggest festivals that is celebrated in the State of Kerela. Onam is a major annual event for Malayali people. Festival is celebrated to commemorate King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit to Kerela. King Mahabali for whom the devotees of Kerela have lots of respect is also known on by the names Maveli and Onathappan. Let us understand the story behind the most important festival of Kerela.

Onam & Thiruvonam 2019 Date Day 1 - Atham - 1st September, SundayDay 2 - Chithira - 2nd September, MondayDay 3 - Chothi - 3rd September, TuesdayDay 4 - Vishakham - 4th September, WednesdayDay 5 - Anizham (Vallam Kali) - 5th September, ThursdayDay 6 - Thrikketa - 6th September, FridayDay 7 - Moolam ( Ona Sadya, Puli Kali, Kaikotti Kali) - 7th September, SaturdayDay 8 - Pooradam (Onathappan) - 8th September, SundayDay 9 - Pooram - 9th September, MondayDay 10 - Uthradom  (First Onam - Uthradappachil) - 10th September, TuesdayDay 11 - …

The Hindu mythology is built around the philosophy of three Gods that constitute the universe. The concept of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar are well illustrated in our ancient Puranas. The Trinity is thought of to be the ultimate force that guides the whereabouts of the universe. While Lord Brahma is accounted for the creation of this vast universe, Vishnu is considered to be the operator of the same. In comparison, Shiva or Maheshwar is personified as a more destructive entity. Shiva is said to be the force that initiates destruction. Mahadev, as Shiva is widely known, opens his third eye, which emits raging aura to destroy all that comes its way. It is said that Maha Shivaratri is the festival dedicated to the sustenance of peace. Let us dive into the deep Hindu philosophy to figure out the main reason behind the celebration of this epic festival. Maha Shivratri Dates Maha Shivaratri 2019 - Monday, March 4 Maha Shivaratri 2020 - Friday, February 21 Maha Shivra…