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About the Holidays Pages

Holidays and Festivals Around the World


Hindu  Hinduism

Hinduism is a very complex religion.  There isn’t a specific founder, central belief system or a common morality. It is a conglomerate of many different religions.  It has its roots back at least 5000 years.

There are currently around 900 million followers of Hinduism.  Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, meaning that they believe in one God, but that God has many manifestations as different Gods and Goddess who represent the different aspects of God.  Hinduism has four primary sacred texts which are know as the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda.  These books contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India.  It is thought that the Rig Veda is the oldest dating at least from 3500 to 6000 years ago.

 
Date in 2007

Holiday
Description of Holiday
January 14

Markar Sankrant
Pongal

 It is a harvest festival and a celebration of the commencement of the Sun’s journey into the Northern Hemisphere.  It is considered an auspicious time to die since it is believed that those who die during this month have no rebirth.
March 6

Mahashivratri
Shivaratri
Maha Shivarati Vrat

 A festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. It marks the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav' otherwise known as the cosmic dance.
March 21 Holi It is a festival celebrating the legend of Holika and Prahlad.  Holika sacrificed herself to save Prahlad from burning in a huge bonfire.   Holika was said to be immune from burning. Every year huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi to commemorate her sacrifice.
April 6

Bikarami Samvat
Varsha
Pratipada

 Spring New Year
April 14 Rama Navami It is a festival to commemorate the birth of Lord Rama.
April 19 Hanuman Jayanti The celebration of the birth of Hanuman Jayanti, the monkey god.  He is the symbol of the ultimate self-less worker.  He was blessed with magical powers and the ability to conquer evil sprits.
August 16

Raksha Bandhan Rakhi

 Celebrates the chaste love for brother and sister.
August 24

Janmashtami
Krishna Jayanti

 The celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna.
September 15 Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesh, who is the elephant-headed god of wisdom.
October 11

Navaratri
Asuj Navratras
Start - 9 Day Festival

A nine day and nine night long celebration of the victory of good over evil and praise for Lord Rama and Goddess Durga.
October 21

Dussera
Start - 10 Day Festival

It is a festival based celebrating the legend of Rama who killed the demon-king Ravana.
October 29 Karva Chauth Vrat It is a fast of married women. They fast all day until the moon rises and pray for their husbands to have a long and prosperous life.
November 9 Diwali It is the Hindu “Festival of Lights.”  The lights symbolize the end of darkness and beginning of enlightenment for all.  It is also a harvest festival.
  *Holidays in bold are the most important holidays.

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Michigan Technological University is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment and culture where voices and people from all ethnicities, religions, races, cultures and ages are valued and respected. As a special University initiative, the information about “Holidays and Festivals Around the World” is researched, collated and presented in this web link. We understand that the material may not be inclusive of all holidays and festivals and there may be many information updates, enhancements and corrections needed for this link. IPS welcomes contributions from community members to enhance our understanding and knowledge of global diversity. Community members can send additional information or any corrections or updates to ips@mtu.edu.