The Hindu calendar is used by many communities, each of which may follow different versions. This means that Hindu holy days and festivals can be observed at different times throughout the year. These observances generally follow lunar months and often fall on the new moon or the day after a particular moon phase.
The Panchanga, or Hindu calendar, is based on twelve lunar months, each approximately 29.5 days long, totaling 354 days. As a result, Hindu holy days shift back by about 11 days each year on the Gregorian calendar. To account for this discrepancy, the Panchanga adds an extra month roughly every three years. Additionally, it tracks solar months, which are based on the sun’s position in the zodiac signs.
Also called Sri Krishna Jayanti, this day honors the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the God Vishnu. Hindus celebrate the event by fasting and staying up until midnight, when Krishna is thought to have been born. They place images of the infant Krishna in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. Some temples also hold readings of the Bhagavad Gita scripture.
Ganesh Chaturthi (also called Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi) is a 10-day festival honoring the god Ganesha. One of the best known Hindu deities, Ganesha is easily recognized by his elephant head. He is worshiped as the god of beginnings, wisdom, and arts and sciences, and as the remover of obstacles.
Ganesh Chaturthi begins on the fourth day of Bhadrapada in the Hindu calendar (usually August or September). Throughout the festival, celebrants offer food, sweets and prayers to clay statues of Ganesha at home and on public stages. Traditions include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, prayers, and vrata (fasting). On the 10th day, people carry the statues to a nearby river or ocean and immerse them. As the clay dissolves, Ganesha is believed to return to his parents, the god Shiva and goddess Parvati, on Mount Kailash.
Navaratri (“nine nights” in Sanskrit) is a festival that takes place four times yearly. The most widely celebrated is Sharada Navaratri (or Durga Puja Navaratri). It starts on the first of Ashwin, in September or October. The other important observance is Chaitra Navaratri, which begins on the Hindu New Year (usually March or April).
The colorful 10-day, nine-night holiday honors Durga, the universal mother, also known as Shakti or Devi. In eastern and northeastern India, Navaratri is synonymous with Durga Puja, which commemorates Durga’s victorious nine-day battle with a demon. During the festival, believers worship and fast in the mornings. They follow specific rituals each day, such as wearing a certain color. In the evenings, celebrants feast and perform traditional dances. Other customs include stage decorations, plays, and scripture readings.
Across India, Hindus burn effigies of Ravana with fireworks, symbolizing the destruction of evil. Believers also reenact Durga’s and Rama’s victories and walk in procession to bodies of water to dissolve clay images of Durga, Lakshmi and other deities.
Dussehra (also Dasara or Vijayadashami) celebrates the 10th and last day of Navratri and the triumph of good over evil. In much of India, the day commemorates Lord Rama’s killing of Ravana, as told in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Ravana is a follower of Shiva and a great scholar and ruler, but someone who wanted to overpower the gods. Ravana also kidnapped Rama’s wife, Sita, in revenge against Rama and his brother, who cut off Ravana’s sister’s nose.
Indian and Nepalese Hindus celebrate Maha Shivaratri on the new moon day in the month of Maagha (February or March). The festival celebrates the start of spring and the overcoming of darkness and ignorance. This “great night of Shiva” is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as the destroyer of evil.
Hindu communities follow various calendars, so New Year is celebrated at different times depending on the tradition. Customs can vary, but common practices include decorating entryways with colorful kolam (or rangoli) designs, making offerings to gods, visiting family and friends, and enjoying festive meals.
Lunar New Year Dates
- In many parts of India, New Year is observed on or around 1 Chaitra in the Vikram Samvat calendar, which usually falls in March or April. Northern India and Nepal celebrate Nav Varsh Samvat, the Hindi New Year, while Kashmir observes Navreh. In central and southern India, the Telugu and Kannada communities celebrate Ugadi, and Maharashtra marks Gudi Padva. This date also begins the nine-day festival of Chaitra Navratri or Ramayana Week, culminating in Ram Navami.
- Nyepi: In Bali, Indonesia, New Year is observed on 1 Kasa, typically in March or April, according to a version of the Saka calendar.
- Saka New Year: This holiday occurs on the first of Chaitra in the Government of India Saka calendar, usually around March 22, or March 21 in leap years.
- Bestu Varas: Gujaratis follow the Vikram Samvat calendar and celebrate New Year on the day after Diwali, which falls in Kartik, usually in October or November.
Solar New Year Observances
On the Hindu solar calendar, many New Year celebrations occur around April 13, 14, or 15. These include Vaisakhi in north and central India, Poila Baisakh in Bengal, Varusha Pirappu in Tamil Nadu on 1 Chithirai, and Vishu in Kerala, the Malayalam Zodiac New Year, on 1 Medam.
Vaisakhi (or Baisakhi) is a major harvest festival and New Year celebration in Punjab and other northern India states. It falls on the first of the month of Vaisakh (April 13 in most years) and marks the solar new year. Hindus across India observe the day with different names and customs. Sikhs also observe it as an important holiday marking the New Year and the start of the Khalsa warrior community.
Vaisakhi is a joyous and colorful time of thanksgiving, dance, music and feasting. People wear new clothes and jewelry, perform the traditional Bhangra and giddha dances, visit friends and exchange gifts.
Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, is among the important Hindu holy days. The Vaishnava sect in particular honors Rama as the seventh avatar of Vishnu. In Northern India, Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the Chaitra Navratri festival, usually late March to mid-April. Hindus in South India celebrate the nine days as the Ram Navami festival.
Many believers fast on this day or throughout the nine days. They pray for Lord Rama’s blessings, offer flowers and fruit and decorate temples and images of him. Many temples organize reenactments and nonstop readings of the holy epic Ramayana.
This festival on the full moon of the month of Chaitra celebrates the monkey god’s birth. In Hindu legend, Hanuman was an avatar of Lord Shiva, born to serve Lord Rama. The epic Ramayana tells of him leading the monkeys to defeat Ravana and return Rama’s wife, Goddess Sita, to him. Believers honor Hanuman as the embodiment of physical and mental strength, courage, humility, and devotion.
Hanuman Jayanti customs include fasting, meditation, and chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, a special prayer, for safety and to keep spirits away. Celebrants make offerings to Hanuman of light and of his favorite sweet, made of chickpea flour. According to legend, Hanuman once saw Sita putting sindoor (red powder) on her forehead, usually done by married women. When asked about it, Sita replied that it would ensure Lord Rama’s immortality. Hearing this, the devoted Hanuman smeared his entire body with the powder. Thus, in many temples, the Hanuman idol is made of sindoor, which worshipers put on their forehead for luck.