Hindu Festivals Flashcards
Holi
Holi is known as the Festival of Colors. Holi is a spring festival that’s widely known as the Festival of Colors, as it involves the throwing of gulal (colored powder) and water.
Ugadi
Although the festival of Ugadi, is dedicated to Lord Brahma for creating the universe, a lot more deities are also worshipped on this day, like Lord Ganesha, Mata Parvati, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ram, and Goddess Lakshmi to get blessings for the year ahead and prevail longevity, prosperity, and peace
Onam
The 10-day-long festival Onam celebrates the homecoming of the Asura King Mahabali from the Patal Lok. Sadya is a popular traditional feast served during Onam. People in the southern state of Kerala are celebrating Onam to mark the harvest season and the end of the monsoon.
Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha, also known as Shraddh Paksha, is a 16-day period dedicated to worshiping ancestors in Hindu religion. During this time, people offer food and water to their deceased ancestors through priests or brahmins. It is believed that ancestors visit Earth during this period to receive the offerings
Makar Sankranti
This day signifies the change of seasons: the end of winter and the beginning of milder, warmer days. God Surya is worshipped on this day to thank the solar energy for life and food on our planet. The days become longer and sunrays stronger after Sankranti.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. It begins on the same day as Navratri, a nine-night festival in many northern and western states that more broadly celebrates the divine feminine
Diwali
Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
Lohri
The festival of Lohri holds great significance as it marks the harvest of the rabi crops and the end of winter days. The people worship the sun and the fire and thank them for the good harvest. The day is observed by all communities with different names.
Gita Jayanti
ISKON temples and shrines dedicated to Lord Krishna rejoice the day with Krishna bhajan, prayers, and pooja. Followers from India and abroad visit Kurukshetra on Gita Jayanti to take a holy dip in the sacred ponds. They worship Lord Krishna and perform aarti.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi, in Hinduism, is a 10-day festival marking the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom. It begins on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar.
