| Name of holiday |
Description |
Date |
Day |
|
Makar Sankrant
|
Makar Sankrant is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year, falling around January 14. It falls at a time when the Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) and when the day and night are of equal duration. Days become longer from this point on so it is a time for celebration. |
14-January |
Saturday |
| Vasant Panchami |
Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring. |
2-February |
Thursday |
|
Mahashivratri
|
Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity. |
26-February |
Sunday |
| Bikarami Samvat - Varsha-Pratipada |
The Hindu Spring New Year celebrated particularly in South India. Diwali, another Hindu New Year, is the more popular in the UK. |
13-March |
Monday |
|
Holi
|
The Hindu spring festival. |
14-March |
Tuesday |
|
Rama Navami
|
Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana |
6-April |
Thursday |
|
Hanuman Jayanti
|
This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God. |
13-April |
Thursday |
|
Raksha Bandhan
|
Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection. |
4-August |
Friday |
|
Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti
|
The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon. |
16-August |
Wednesday |
|
Ganesh Chaturthi
|
Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God. |
27-August |
Sunday |
|
Navaratri (start)
|
Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn. |
23-September |
Saturday |
| Dussera |
Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana. |
2-October |
Monday |
|
Diwali
|
The Hindu festival of lights, which extends over five days. Because of the lights, fireworks, and sweets involved it's a great favourite with children. Also shared by Sikhs and Jains. |
21-October |
Saturday |
