HOLI

Holi is a festival of joy, a festival toget to known each other

better and wash out old grievances. Holi is the festival of spring,

marks the rekindling of the spirit of life. Holi marks the change of

seasons, the state of summer. For the farmer it is the festival celebrating

the new harvest. This festival falls some time in February-March. Holi

is the festival of colours; on this day the old and young, rich and poor

are all regarded equal. Special dishes, dance and worship of lord Shiva

are also a part of Holi.

RAKSHA BANDHAN

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the

month of Shravan(June-July). On this dat sisters tie coloured chord

round their brother's wrist. It has come to be akind of Sister's day,

symbolising the love that bidns them of all shapes and hues are sold in

the market. Sweets are a must for Raksha Bandhan. Sisters must give

sweets when they tie Rakhi. Till the grils have tied the chord on their

brother's wrist neither  will break their fasts.

DIWALI

Diwali or Deepawali is celebrated in 'Aswin Kartik' (October/

November). One of the origins is that on the Diwali day Lakshmi emerged

from the milky way. In south India, the day commemorates the victory of

Sri Krishna over the demon Naraka. In Gujarat, Diwali marks the end of

the old year and the beginning of the new.

DUSSEHRA/NAVARATRI

Dussehra is celebrated throughout the country in

Aswin (September-October). Its 10-day sequence includes the worship of

Goddess Durga during the Navaratri (or the nine nights), the Rama-Lila

and the 10th day celebration of Vijayadashami.

JANMASHTAMI

The birthday of Lord Krishna incarnation of Vishnu, is

celebrated at midnight on the eighth day (ashtam) of the dark fortnight

in the month of Sravana (July-August) in many parts of India, but in

Bhadra (August-September) too in the rest of the country.

RAMANAVMI

The birth anniversary of Lord Rama in the Hindu month of

Chaitra (March-April) is celebrated in most of the States. It is not

only a temple festival but a household celebration.

SIVARATRI

Hindus all over India call it Mahasivaratri or the great

night of Siva on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month

of Magha (January-February).

VASANT PANCHAMI

The fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magha

(January-February) is allotted for the worship of Saraswati, Goddess of

Learning, the day being called Vasant Panchami or Sri Panchami.

BUDDHA JAYANTI

Buddha is believed to have been born on the full moon

day of Vaisakha (April-May) and Buddha Jayanti is celebrated, according

to tradition, to commemorate his birth as well as the day he attained

enlightment.

MAHAVIR JAYANTI

The festival falling in March-April celebrates the

birth anniversary of Mahavira, founder of Jainism. In the thirteenth

year, Mahavira attained omniscience under an Ashoka tree on Parasnath

hills. Jains believe that Mahavira was the last of the 24 Tirthankaras.