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Festivals and Events
This section contains information on Hindu festivals and events such as Diwali, Holi, Navraatri, Guru Purnima, Sri Krishna Janamashtami and Ramnavami. The following articles are adapted from various sources. At the time this website was published, the contents were correct to the best of Om Tat Sat Institute of Yoga Inc.'s knowledge. Maha Shivaratri Holi Ramnavami Hanuman Jayanti Guru Purnima Sri Krishna Janmashtami Pitri Paksh Navraatri Diwali Central to the theme of these festivals is the Hindu Calendar in which a lunar year consists of 12 months. A lunar month has two fortnights, and begins with the new moon called "amavasya". The lunar days are called "tithis". Each month has 30 tithis, which may vary from 20 - 27 hours. During the waxing phases, tithis are called "shukla" or the bright phase ending with the full moon night called "purnima". Tithis for the waning phases, which follow purnima are called "krishna" or the dark phase. Listed below are the months in the Hindu lunar calendar (* Leap years):
Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri or Shivaratri ("Great Night of Shiva") is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Magha (as per Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). The celebrations take place mainly in the evening and night and said to be the day that Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Mata. Maha Shivaratri is the representation of primordial energy from which everything was born and to which everything in the universe will disintegrate into. As such, this is the night where Lord Shiva is said to have revealed the dance (Tandava) of primeval conception, preservation and destruction. Puranic legends describe the origin of the Maha Shivaratri ceremony to the story of the Ocean-churning ( Samudra mathana). As the universe expanded and creation progressed according to Lord Bhrama's design, "Kaalakoota" (poison for life) emerged from the primordial universe. This terrified the Devas and Asuras as the poison was capable of shrinking the entire universe back to nothing and they ran to Lord Shiva for help. To protect the world from the evil effects, Lord Shiva drank the deadly poison, but Parvati Mata held it in his throat to prevent the poison, from being swallowed. Consequently Lord Shiva's neck turned blue, and thus he came to be called Neelakanta (the blue throated). This is said to have happened at midnight on the day preceding the new moon in the month of Magha and thus became known as Maha Shivaratri.In 2010, the festival is on Friday February 12th. In the following year, (2011), it falls on Thursday March 3rd. Holi Holi (Hindi) or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is a popular Hindu spring festival. Also referred to as the Festival of Colours, it observed India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and countries with large Hindu populations including Guyana and Fiji. In West Bengal and also Bangladesh, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utsav ("Spring Festival"). The festival occurs over a two day period in the latter part of February or early March, and as per the Hindu calender, falls on the Phalguna Purnima (Pooranmashi) or full moon. On the first day, bonfires are lit at night to signify the burning of the demoness Holika. Her brother King Hiranyakashipu was displeased with his young son Prahlad's exclusive devotion to Lord Vishnu. In a rage he had made several unsuccessful attempts to take the life of his son. He then turned to help from his sister and asked Holika to play a role in the burning of her nephew on a pyre, since she held a boon that protect her from fire. It goes that Prahlad's devotion saved him from the fire whilst the boon, said only to work if Holika is alone in the fire (Prahlad was in her lap) was burnt. Throughout the whole of the the following day, also referred to as Dhulendi, people celebrate by throwing colored powder and water at each other. The spring season, during which the weather changes, is believed to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance: the colours are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Āyurvedic doctors. A special drink called thandai is prepared, sometimes containing bhang (Cannabis sativa ). Later that evening the festivities continue as people invite each other to their homes for feasts and further celebrations. Rangapanchami occurs five days after the full moon and marks the end of the festivities involving colors. In 2010, the festival begins on Sunday February 28th continuing through Monday March 1st. In the following year (2011), the dates for the Holi celebrations are from Saturday March 19th to Sunday March 20th.Ram Navami Ram Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Rama , son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, and divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu bringing the message for mankind to adopt the path of Dharma (righteous human conduct). It falls on Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami (ninth day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu lunar year, in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon). People normally perform Kalyanotsavam (celebration of marriage) using small murtis of Lord Rama and Sita Mata in their homes, and at the end of the day the deity is taken on a procession through the streets. Some highlights of this day include -
For this occasion, fasting or at least the restriction to a specific diet is observed. Temples are decorated and readings of the Ramanaya take place. Puja is also carried out to Sita Mata, Lakshman Lord Rama's brother who went into exile with him) and Sri Hanumanji (see next heading below). In 2010, Ram Navami will be celebrated on Wednesday March 24th, and in 2011 the date falls on Tuesday April 12th. Hanuman Jayanti Hanuman Jayanti is an important Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Sri Hanumanji, and is celebrated, according to the Hindu lunar calendar during the month of Chaitra . Sri Hanumanji, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama , is renowned for his unflinching devotion to his Lord. He is the symbol of strength and energy and traditionally believed to be a deity with magical powers and the ability to conquer evil spirits. It is said that Sri Hanumanji is able to assume any form at will, wield rocks and move mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds and even rival Garuda (Hindu divinity charged with the position of being Lord Vishnu mount) in swiftness of flight. During Hanuman Jayanti devotees visit temples from the early hours of the morning to pay homage to Sri Hanumanji and apply a tilak of sindhoor to their foreheads from Hanuman Ji's body as this is considered to be good luck. According to legend, this practice derives from the question he asked as to why Sita Mata was applying sindhoor to her head. She replied that in doing so, this would ensure a long life for her husband. In response, and due to his absolute dedication to Lord Rama, Sri Hanumanji then smeared his entire body with sindhoor in an effort to ensure Lord Rama immortality. In 2010, Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on Tuesday March 30th, whilst in 2011 the date falls on Monday April 18th. Guru Purnima Guru Purnima is celebrated on the day of the full moon (Purnima), in the Hindu month of Asadha (July-August). It is on this auspicious day, sacred to the memory of the great sage Krishna-dwaipayana Vyasa, that devotees offer puja (worship) to their Guru. It was Vyasa who gathered all the Vedic hymns extant during his times and subsequently edited the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva), teaching them to his four chief disciples Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu. In addition, Vyasa wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata, and even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus. Thus on this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform puja dedicated to their respective spiritual preceptor or Gurudev. In 2010, the festival is on Sunday July 25th. In the following year, (2011), it falls on Friday July 15th. Sri Krishna Janmashtami, also known as "Krishnashtami", "Saatam Aatham" ," Gokulashtami", "Ashtami Rohini", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi " or sometimes merely as "Janmashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna , and as explained in the Mahabarata, the 8th Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. This festival is observed on the Ashtami tithi, the 8th day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant (Aldebaran or Alpha Tauri in the zodiac constellation of taurus in the West). The festival always falls within mid-August to mid-September in the Christian calendar. Perhaps the most notable and pertinent entry of all sacred Hindu texts as related to Lord Krishna is His divine discourse (Bhagavad Gita, or Song Divine) with the warrior hero, Arjuna. Hailed as the pure essence of all the Hindu scriptures, the Supreme Lord Krishna concisely delivers a superb speech that describes the science of self-realization and the exact process by which any human being can establish their eternal relationship with God without postulating any sectarian idealogy or secular view, thereby allowing one to perfectly understand the esoteric truths hidden within all religious scriptures. In 2010, it will be celebrated on Tuesday September 2nd, whilst in 2011 the date falls on Monday August 22nd. Pitri Paksh Pitri Paksh, also known as Shraaddh or Mahalaya, is a fortnight (fourteen days) dedicated to paying homage to departed ancestors. It falls during the dark fortnight of the Hindu calendar months of Bhadrapad and Ashvin (September to October). Pujas are performed by a male child on the particular day(s) or tithi(s) of each ancestor's death as mapped to the days of this fortnight. The last day of the Pitri Paksh is known a "Mahalaya Amavasya" - the great night of the new moon or "Amavasya". It is perhaps the most significant day of this fortnight as the ceremonies conducted herein are considered to be the most beneficial to the "Pitri" (ancestors). According to Hindu tradition, this is thus a time for performing Shraaddh (derived from the word "Shraddha", which literally means "any action carried out with utmost faith and devotion"), to the deceased ancestors in order to rescue and keep these souls gratified by helping them attain moksha. Shraaddh is mainly performed for three generations of Pitris, namely the father, the grandfather and the great grandfather, and when performed for all the ancestors, seven generations of are believed to benefit. It goes that during Pitri Paksh deceased ancestors from Lord Yamaraja's (the lord of death) region are able to visit their homes. Thus by performing Shraaddha (seperately for each soul) during this time is thought to ensure a smooth passage from physical existence to the subtle planes. In this way, karmic debts are repaid and thanks are given to these ancestors thereby allowing their soul(s) to attain salvation. Hindus are thus given the opportunity to express gratitude to their parents and ancestors for helping to make them what they are today, and in return, receive their blessings. The Shraddha rituals performed during Pitri Paksh are NOT funeral ceremonies. Rather, they are Pitri-Yajna or worship of the ancestral deities, though it should be noted that this is different from the worship of God. The date of Pitri Paksh in 2010 is Friday 24th September to Thursday 7th October, whilst in 2011 it runs from Tuesday 13th September to Tuesday 27th September. Navraatri Navraatri is the Hindu festival of worship, fasting and dance taking place over nine nights (from the Sanskrit translation of the word) and ten days. On each day, the nine forms of Shakti (metaphor for the Divine Mother, Durga Mata) are celebrated, culminating on the 10th day, with Dusherra. The nine appellations of Durga Mata are:
Diwali Diwali, or Deepawali, (also called Tihar and Swanti in Nepal) is a major Indian and Nepalese festive holiday celebrated between mid-October and mid-November. Its significance, is highlighted by the fact that today it is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists across the globe as the "Festival of Light". The name, in Sanskrit, literally translates as a row of lights and though many legends are associated with Diwali, these lamps, in short, signify the victory of good over evil within every individual. Hinduism: the most significant spiritual meaning of Diwali is "the awareness of the inner-light" or Atman which brings Ananda (Inner Peace). Diwali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Diwali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the Atman or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman). Regio-specific significant events associated with Diwali include;
Jainism: marks the nirvana of the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, Lord Mahavira, said to have occured on October 15th, 527 B.C.;
Sikhism: here Diwali's significance lies in its relationiship to Bandi Chhorh Divas. In short, Diwali marks the return to Amritsar, of their 6th Guru Hargobind Ji (in addition to a link with the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh Ji). In summary:
Buddhism: the festival is also celebrated by Buddhists in Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists (an indigenous ethnic community of Nepal's Kathmandu valley). From a historical perspective, there is also the theory that it may have originated as a harvest festival, as Diwali marks the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this traditionally results in businessmen closing accounts and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, Lakshmi Mata, is thus thanked on this day and subsequently, everyone prays for a good year ahead.The 2010 date for Diawli is Friday 5th November, whilst in 2011 it falls on Wednesday 26th October.
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Maha Shivaratri