Indian Festival Calendar 2016

January 2016

14^th Thursday	:	Lohri
15^th Friday	:	Thai Pongal, Makar Sankranti
16^th Saturday	:	Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Magh Bihu
24^th Sunday	:	Thaipusam

February 2016

13^th Saturday	:	Vasant Panchami
24^th Wednesday	:	Attukal Pongala

March2016

7^th Monday	:	Mahashivratri
23^rd Wednesday	:	Chhotti Holi, Holika Dahan
24^th March Thursday	:	Holi \| Rangvali Holi \| Dulandi
27^th Sunday	:	Easter Sunday

April 2016

8^th Friday	:	Chaitra Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi
13^th Wednesday	:	Baisakhi
14^th Thursday	:	Vishu, Puthandu
15^th Friday	:	Rama Navami
18^th Monday	:	Trichur Pooram
22^nd Friday	:	Hanuman Jayanti, Chaitra Purnima

May 2016

9^th Monday	:	Akshaya Tritiya
20^th Friday	:	Narasimha Jayanti

June 2016

19^th Sunday

Vat Savitri Vrat

July 2016

7^th Thursday	:	Eid Al Fitr
19^th Tuesday	:	Guru Purnima , Vyasa Jayanti

August 2016

2^nd Tuesday	:	Karkidaka Vavu
7^thSunday	:	Nagpanchami
18^th Thursday	:	Rakshabandhan
24^th Wednesday	:	Ashtami Rohini
26^th Friday	:	Dahi Handi

September 2016

5^th Monday	:	Ganesh Chaturthi
6^th Tuesday	:	Rishi Panchami
13^th Tuesday	:	First Onam, Bakrid
14^th Wednesday	:	Thiruvonam
15^th Thursday	:	Third Onam

October 2016

1^st Saturday	:	Navratri begins
9^th Sunday	:	Maha Durgashtami
10^th Monday	:	Ayudha Puja , Maha Navami
11^th Tuesday	:	Dussehra, Vijaya Dashami
12^th Wednesday	:	Muharram
19^th Wednesday	:	Karwachauth
29^th Saturday	:	Tamil Deepavali
30^th Sunday	:	Diwali in North India
31^st Monday	:	Gowardhan Puja, Annakut, Gujarati New Year, Skanda Shashti Fasting Begins

November 2016

6^th Sunday	:	Skanda Shasti Fasting ends
16^th Wednesday	:	Sabarimala Mandala Puja Vratha Begins

December 2016

12^th Monday	:	Karthigai Deepam
13^th Tuesday	:	Dattatreya Jayanti
25^th Sunday	:	Christmas
26^th Monday	:	Sabari Mala Mandala Puja

Vaikuntha Ekadashi also called Mukkoti Ekadashi in Telugu is the Shukla paksha Ekadashi that occurs during the Pausha month in the Hindu calendar (corresponding to late December – January in English calendar).Vaishnavism (Worship of Vishnu) culture believes that ‘Vaikuntha Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to Lord’s Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this day. The Margashirsha shukla paksha ekadashi in lunar calendar is known as a ‘Mokshada Ekadashi’. Special prayers, yagnas, discourses and speeches are arranged at Vishnu temples across the world on this auspicious day. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is known as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi in Malayalam Calendar followed by people of Kerala.

Makara Sankranthi marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. Traditionally, this has been one of many harvest days in India.

Pongal is traditionally dedicated to the Sun God Surya, and marks the beginning of the northward journey of the Sun from its southernmost-limit, a movement traditionally referred to as uttarayana. It coincides with the festival Makara Sankranthi celebrated throughout India as the winter harvest,and is usually held from January 13–15 in the Gregorian calendar i.e. from the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi to the third day of Thai. This also represents the Indic solstice when the sun purportedly enters the 10th house of the Indian zodiac i.e. Makaram or Capricorn.

Vasant Panchami sometimes referred to as Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami is a Hindu festival worshipping Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and art. It is celebrated every year on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Indian month Magh (January-February), the first day of spring. Many astrologers consider Vasant Panchami as Abujha day which is auspicious to start all good work. According to this belief whole Vasant Panchami day is auspicious to perform Saraswati Puja. Although there is no special time to perform Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami day one should make sure that Puja is done when Panchami Tithi is prevailing. Many times Panchami Tithi doesn’t prevail whole of the day on Vasant Panchami day hence we believe that it is important to do Saraswati puja within Panchami Tithi.

Thaipusam or Thai Poosam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. It falls in Tamil Solar month Thai which is Solar month Makara in other Hindu calendars. It is celebrated not only in countries where the Tamil community constitutes a majority but also in countries where Tamil communities are smaller such as Mauritius, Singapore and Malaysia. This festival is also referred as Thaipooyam and Thaippooyam. This festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel or spear so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadam.

Magh Bihu (aka Bhogali Bihu) is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India, which marks the end of harvesting season in the month of Maagha (January–February). It is the Assam celebration of Sankranthi, with feasting lasting for a week.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is a Sikh festival that commemorates the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. It is a religious celebration in which prayers for prosperity are offered.

Attukal Pongala is annually at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Trivandrum, Kerala. It is a 10 days event commencing on the Karthigai star of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival the world famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place.

Holika Dahan also Kamudu pyre is celebrated by burning Holika, the devil. For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi celebrates the death of Holika in order to save Prahlad, and thus Holi gets its name. In olden days, people use to contribute a piece of wood or two for Holika bonfire.

Rangwali Holi (Dhulandi) – Holi is a spring festival also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. Holi celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is a free-for-all carnival of colours, where participants play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. Holi is celebrated at the approach of vernal equinox, on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon).

Mahasiva rathri is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha or Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar. Since many different calendars are followed by various ethno-linguistic groups of India, the month and the Tithi name are not uniform all over India. Celebrated in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha(waning moon) of the month of Maagha according to the Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama or Phalguna according to the Vikrama era. Vrat Vidhi – One day before Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi, devotees should eat only one time. On Shivaratri day, after finishing morning rituals devotees should take Sankalp (संकल्प) to observe full day fast on Shivaratri and to take food next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Hindu fasts are strict and people pledge for self-determination and seek God blessing before starting them to finish them successfully. On Shivaratri day devotees should take second bath in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or visiting temple. Shiva Puja should be done during night and devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat. According to one contradictory opinion devotees should break the fast only when Chaturdashi Tithi gets over. But it is believed that both Shiva Puja and Parana (पारणा) i.e. breaking the fast should be done within Chaturdashi Tithi. Shivaratri puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar (प्रहर) to perform Shiva Puja four times. Drikpanchang.com lists all four Prahar durations for staunch Shiva devotees who perform Shiva Pujan four times in the night. We also list Nishita time when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga and the time window to break the fast on next day.

Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya.

Gudhi Padva is the Marathi name for Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New Year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. This day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Ghatasthapana also known as Kalash Sthapana is done on this day. The practice of raising the Gudhi was started by Shivaji Maharaj to welcome the New Year and symbolizes victory “Vijay Dhwaj”. Since then this culture of raising Gudhi’s has been followed in and around the strong holds of the Maratha kingdom.

Cheti Chand is an important festival celebrated by Sindhi people of Pakistan and India. However date of Cheti Chand is decided based on Hindu calendar. According to Hindu calendar, Cheti Chand is celebrated on the second day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. Most of the time, it is celebrated one day after Ugadi and Gudi Padwa.

Chaitra Purnima is the first Purnima in the year according to Hindu lunar calendar and it comes after Yugadi and Gudi Padwa.

Chaithra Navratri / Vasanta Navratri is nine days festivity which starts on the first day of Hindu Luni-Solar calendar and falls in the month of March or April. Chaitra is the first month of Hindu lunar calendar and because of it Vasanta Navratri is also known as Chaitra Navratri. Rama Navami the birthday of Lord Rama usually falls on the ninth day during Navratri festivity. Hence Vasanta Navratri is also known as Rama Navratri. All nine days during Navratri are dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Shakti. Rama Navratri is more popular in northern India and most customs and rituals followed during Shardiya Navratri, which falls in the month of September or October, are also followed during Chaitra Navratri.

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej is a Hindu and Jain holy day, that falls on the third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of the pan-Indian month of Vaishakha and one of the four most important days for Hindus. It is an auspicious day of the birthday of Lord Parasurama who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day Veda Vyas and Lord Ganesha began to write Mahabharata. The meaning of the word Akshaya is infinite that which never recede.

Vrat Savitri or Amavasya Vrat – Vat Savitri Vrat could be considered as an exception. In Purnimanta calendar Vat Savitri Vrat is observed during Jyeshtha Amavasya which coincides with Shani Jayanti. In Amanta calendar Vat Savitri Vrat, which is also called as Vat Purnima Vrat, is observed during Jyeshtha Purnima. Hence married women in Maharashtra, Gujarat and southern Indian states observe Vat Savitri Vrat 15 days later than that of North Indian women. However the legend behind observing the fast is same in both calendars. According to legend great Savitri tricked Lord Yama, the lord of death, and compelled Him to return the life of her husband Satyawan. Hence Married women observe Vat Savitri Vrat for well-being and long life of their husband.

Vaisakhi also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi) is a festival celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent, especially in the Punjab region by the Sikh nation. For the Sikh community this festival commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa. It is also celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists for different reasons.

Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala and in the Mangalore and Udupi districts of Karnataka, usually in the second week of April in the Gregorian calendar. It marks the New Year in accordance with the Malayalam calendar, known as the Kolla Varsha. This occasion signifies the sun’s transit into the Meda Raasi (first zodiac sign) according to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox. “Vishu” in Sanskrit means “equal”.

Chithra Pournami or Chaitra Purnima or Maha Chaitri is the most significant full moon day celebrations observed by people of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Bihar. Read on to learn the astrological significance and the fairs and festivals observed in prominent and local Hindu temples.

Guru Poornima is common to all spiritual traditions in Hinduism, where it is dedicated to the expression of gratitude towards the teacher by his/her disciple. Hindu ascetics and wandering monks (sanyasis), observe this day by offering puja to the Guru, during the Chaturmas, a four month period during the rainy season, when they choose seclusion, and halt at one selected place; some also give discourses to the local public. Students of the Indian classical music, which also follows the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this festival, around the world

Varalakshmi Vratam– Varalakshmi Vratam is an important Puja, dedicated to Goddess Varalakshmi, performed by many women in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Varalakshmi is another form of Lord Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. In North Indian states Varalakshmi Puja is not as popular as those of South Indian states. Varalakshmi Vratam falls during Shukla Paksha of Hindu month Shravan and it is observed on first Friday before Shravan Purnima. Shravan Purnima is observed as Raksha Bandhan in most Indian states. Varalakshmi Vratam also happens to be second Friday in Shravan month. Currently it falls in month of July or August in English calendar. Varalakshmi Puja is performed by married women for the well-being of husband and the other family members. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Vara-Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashta-Lakshmi – the eight Goddesses of Wealth (Sri), Earth (Bhu), Learning (Saraswati), Love (Priti), Fame (Kirti), Peace (Shanti), Pleasure (Tushti) and Strength (Pushti).

Nāg Panchamī is a festival during which religious Hindus in some parts of India worship live Nāgas (cobras) or images of them. It is celebrated on the fifth day after Amavasya of the month of Shraavana. Traditionally, married young women visit their premarital households to celebrate the festival. Especially in villages in India, a traditional aspect of the celebration involves joyous swinging by young women on swings temporarily hung on tree branches. According to Puranic scriptures, Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. The “first” wife gave birth to Devas; the second, to Garudas; the third—named Kadroo–, to Nāgas; and the fourth, to Daityas. Nāgas were the rulers of Pātāl-Loka.

Raksha Bandhan, (the bond of protection) or Rakhi is a Vedic festival primarily observed in India and Nepal, which celebrates the relationship between brothers, cousins and sisters. It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most of India. It is also celebrated in some parts of Pakistan. The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother’s wrist. This symbolizes the sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s well-being, and the brother’s lifelong vow to protect her. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. One Islamic Scholar believes that Raksha Bandhan grew in popularity after Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of Chittor, sent a rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun when she required his help.

Krishna Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s Birth day) also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti or sometimes merely as Janmashtami, is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, an avatar of the god Vishnu. Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the Ashtami tithi, the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadra in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant. The festival always falls within mid-August to mid-September in the Gregorian calendar. In 2010, for example, the festival was celebrated on 1 September, and in 2011 on 22 August in North India and on 21 August in South Indian states like Kerala.

Dahi Handi (dahi: curd, handi: earthen pot) is an Indian festival, celebrated every August, that involves making a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pot filled with curd tied at a convenient height. This event is based on the legend of the child-god Krishna stealing butter. A participant in this festival is called a govinda or govinda pathak. It is mostly popular in the state of Maharashtra and Mumbai. It is part of the main festival Gokulashtami, which is known as Krishna Janmashtami in the rest of the country, and celebrates the birth of Krishna.

Onam is a Hindu festival and the state festival of Kerala celebrated by the people of Kerala, India.The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam (August–September) and lasts for ten days.

Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).

Anantha Chathurdashi – This is an important day in the Jain calendar of festivities. Jains observe Paryushana in the last 10 days of the bhado month, Anant Chaturdashi, also known as Anant Chaudas is the last day of Paryushana. Kshamavani, the day the Jains ask for forgiveness for any mistakes they have made intentionally or otherwise, is observed one day after Anant Chaturdashi.

Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of a Hindu deity Shakti. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.

Karva Chauth is an annual one-day festival celebrated by Hindu and some Sikh women in North India, the Indian state of Gujarat and parts of Pakistan in which married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands.The fast is observed in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Indian Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik. Sometimes, unmarried women observe the fast for their fiances or desired husbands.

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali, popularly known as the “festival of lights,” is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BCE

Sashti is the day the Lord Subramanya defeated the demon Soorapadman. When the devas couldn’t tolerate the evil doings of this demon, they approached the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati for his assistance. He fought Soorapadman for six days, at the end of which the Lord vanquished the asura. He threw his weapon at him and Soorapadman was split into two halves. One half became a peacock, which he took as his vaahana. The other became a cock and was transformed into his flag.

Indian Festival Calendar 2016 added by admin on January 8, 2016
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