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14th – 15th March 2025

Hindu

A spring festival lasting one to five days. Bonfires are lit and revellers throw coloured powders and dyes over each other. Various stories and customs are associated with the festival: the throwing of coloured dyes is linked with Krishna and his antics with Radha and the gopis (milkmaids); another story associated with Holi is that of Prahlada and Holika: Prahlada worshipped Vishnu in defiance of his father, King Hiranyakashipu’s wishes. Prahlada survived when his aunt, Holika, who was supposedly immune to fire, held him while, as instructed by the king, she sat on a bonfire intended to kill him.

During Holi, practices, which at other times could be offensive, are allowed. Squirting coloured water on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pool amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang and revelling with companions is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on the days of Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, “Don’t mind, it’s Holi!”

Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules and sometimes join in the merriment rather aggressively. There is also much vulgar behaviour, often connected with phallic themes. It is a time when pollution is not important, a time for license and obscenity in place of the usual societal and caste restrictions.

It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in society and even enemies turn friends on this day. People of all communities and even differing religions participate in this joyous and colourful festival and in doing so strengthen the secular fabric of the nation.

Mythology of this nature, when re-enacted by the crowds of excited Hindus today, is essentially an act of praise and devotion, and particularly so for those who seek to honour Vishnu, seen as the Lord and Preserver of all life.

6th April 2025

Hindu

This is the birthday of Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. It is one of the most important festivals for Hindus, particularly for those of the Vaishnava sect. On this auspicious day, devotees repeat the name of Rama with every breath and vow to lead a righteous life. The festival is celebrated especially at twelve noon since Rama was reputedly born at that time, and it takes the form of the ceremony of aarti (pronounced aar-tee). This is usually performed in front of the baby Rama (represented by a doll in a swinging cradle) or a devotional picture showing the scene of his birth.

Dedicated worshippers of Lord Rama normally observe a fast at this time, taking only milk and fruit for all nine days of the festival. Some fast only on the Rama Navami day itself. Apart from fasting, the day is marked by extremely colourful ceremonies. Temples are decorated and the image of Lord Rama is richly adorned. Devotees greet one another with ‘Sri Ram’ or ‘Jai Ram-ji-ki’, and invoke his name to grant them blessings and protection.

The epic poem ‘Ramayana’ is read in the temples and learned scholars narrate the thrilling episodes of the poem. Those who cannot recite the entire epic may repeat a single verse, which contains, in a nutshell, the story of the Ramayana. The two great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, have exerted great influence on generations of believers. Rama is considered to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and the Ramayana tells the story of his life and his search for human values that are a model for all to follow. Rama is regarded as the perfect person, the embodiment of compassion, gentleness, kindness, righteousness and integrity. Although he had all the power in the world at his fingertips, he still remained peaceful and gentle.

Rama Navami occurs in the month of March. Celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. At midday a special prayer is performed in honour of Rama. A ‘havan,’ or sacred fire ceremony, is also performed.

In northern India especially, an event that draws popular participation is the Rama Navami procession. The main attraction here is a gaily decorated chariot in which four persons are dressed up as Rama, his brother Laxman, his queen Sita and his disciple Hanuman. The chariot is accompanied by several other people in ancient costumes as worn by Rama’s solders. The procession is a lively affair with the participants shouting praises, echoing the happy days of Rama’s reign.

It is claimed that the repetition of his name (Rama Nama) is the surest, fastest and easiest way to attain purity, peace, wisdom, understanding, joy, prosperity and ultimately liberation. Rama Himself said, ‘Repetition of My name once is equal to the repetition of a thousand names of God or to the repetition of a Mantra a thousand times.’

In addition to this meditation, devout followers clean their homes and put pictures of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman on a dais in preparation for the puja. Fruit, flowers and incense are placed before the family deities. The ceremony begins with the youngest female member of the family applying tika to all the male members present. A red bindi is also applied on the foreheads of the female members. Everyone participates in the puja by first sprinkling water on the gods and then showering handfuls of rice onto their heads. Then all stand up to perform the aarti, at the end of which ganga water (or plain water if that is not available) is sprinkled over the gathering. The singing of bhajans goes on for the entire puja. Finally, prasad is distributed among all the people who have gathered.

12th April 2025

Hindu

Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival which recalls the birth of Lord Rama’s supreme devotee, the monkey-headed Hanuman, whose feats figure in the Ramayana epic. Hanuman’s birth is celebrated at sunrise on the full-moon day of the lunar month of Chaitra.

Hindus believe in ten avatars of Lord Vishnu among a multitude of other gods and goddesses. One of Vishnu’s avatars is Rama, whom he became to destroy Ravana, the evil ruler of Lanka. In order to aid Rama in this undertaking, Brahma commanded some gods and goddesses to take on the avatar of ‘Vanaras‘ or monkeys. Pavana, the god of the wind, was reborn as Hanuman, the wisest, swiftest and strongest of all apes.

Hanuman, the mighty fighter who aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil forces, has become one of the most popular deities in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be the eleventh avatar of Lord Shiva, he is worshipped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance, and devotion. His story in the epic Ramayana – where he is assigned the responsibility of locating Rama’s wife Sita, who had been abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka – is known for its ability to equip those who read it with all the ingredients they need to face ordeals and conquer obstructions in this world.

The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each of us. Hanuman directed all his energies towards the worship of Lord Rama, and his undying devotion made him such that he became free from physical fatigue. Hanuman’s only desire was to go on serving Rama. He perfectly exemplifies ‘Dasyabhava devotion’ – one of the nine types of devotion – that bonds the master and the servant. His greatness lies in his complete dedication to his Lord, which also formed the basis of his genial qualities.

Hanuman accordingly has become a model of devotion, strength, knowledge, divine power, bravery, intelligence, and the spirit of selfless service. He devoted his life to his Lord, Rama, and to Mata Sita and never displayed his bravery and intelligence without a specific purpose. He is worshipped in different ways by his many devotees: some meditate by repeating his name many times; others read the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’.

People worship Hanuman as a symbol of devotion, magical powers, strength and energy. Those who read the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ do so since it gives the ability to conquer evil spirits and provide peace to the mind. Devotees visit Hanuman temples after a holy bath in the early morning, apply a red tilak (vermillion) to the forehead of the Hanuman image, offer prasad, perform aarti by chanting mantras and songs, circulate around the temple and perform many other rituals. As Lord Hanuman was born to the Vanara community, he had a reddish/orange coloured body, and in Hanuman temples his image is also reddish/orange in colour. After puja, people apply red sindur to their own foreheads as a form of prasad and distribute laddoo prasad among others to receive a blessing from Hanuman.

27th June 2025

Hindu

‘Chariot journey’. This is observed most notably at Puri in the Indian state of Orissa, where processions of thousands of devotees pull huge waggons (rathas) supporting images of Krishna. He is known under the name of ‘Jagannath’, (Lord of the Universe), from which the English term ‘juggernaut’ comes. Krishna is attended on his journey by his brother and sister. The festival and others like it are celebrated in Britain with processions through various parts of London on appropriate Sundays.

9th August 2025

Hindu /Jain

This festival takes place on the full moon of the month of Shravana. Raksha means ‘protection’ and bandhan means ‘to tie’. Girls and married women in families which come from a north Indian background tie a rakhi (amulet) on the right wrists of their brothers, wishing them protection from all sorts of evil influences of various kinds. The brothers in return promise to protect their sisters and offer them gifts and sweets. This ritual not only strengthens the bond of love between brothers and sisters, but also reinforces the unity of the family.

Rakhis are traditionally simple, colourful bracelets made of interwoven red and gold threads. Some of them feature precious silk, beautifully crafted with gold and silver threads, embroidered with sequins and studded with semi-precious stones.

The key to understanding Raksha Bandhan is to know that it is marked by happiness and excitement, especially for young girls and women. Preparations for the festival begin well in advance. Then, on the Raksha Bandhan day, the festivities start at day break. Everyone is ready early and they gather for the worship of the deities. After invoking the blessings of the gods, the sister performs ‘brother’s arti’, puts a tika on his forehead and ties her rakhi amidst the chanting of mantras. Then she gives him sweets and gifts. The brother accepts her offerings and vows to take care of her and be by her side in the time of her need. As a token he gives the sister a return gift and sweets. The family reunion itself is sufficient reason for celebrations, marked by . Tasty dishes, sweets, gifts, song and dance.

This is a universal opportunity for reunion and celebration. People exchange gifts and share exotic dishes and wonderful sweets. For those who are not able to meet each other, rakhi cards, e-rakhis and rakhis sent by post perform alternative ways of communicating the rakhi messages. Handmade rakhis are bought and sold, and homemade rakhi cards are increasingly frequent. It is typically a Hindu festival but nowadays people from different faiths celebrate it too.

No Hindu festival is complete without these typical Indian festivities, the gatherings, celebrations, exchange of sweets and gifts, lots of noise, singing and dancing. Raksha Bandhan has now become a regional celebration of just this sort to celebrate the sacred relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated in different forms in different areas of India and is also known by different names. So. for example, in western Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, Hindus offer coconuts to the sea god, Lord Varuna, and the festival is accordingly called Nariyal Purnima, coconut full-moon.

Throughout the country, but especially in north and western India, females tie rakhis around the wrists of boys and men who have no sisters. A man might acquire a sister who in every respect is such except in biological fact; or a woman may tie a rakhi around the wrist of her male first cousin who is without sisters. Indian texts are replete with the observation that men should look upon women as their sisters and mothers.

15th August 2024

Hindu

The birthday of Krishna is widely celebrated throughout the Hindu world. He is the very popular eighth avatar/incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and many Hindus fast in his honour for 24 hours until midnight, the time of Krishna’s birth. For them, Vishnu and Krishna are essentially one and the same. Those unable to fast will take a little fruit and milk. Krishna is welcomed in temples with singing, dancing and the distribution of sweets. At many homes and temples an image in blue of the new-born Krishna is put in a cradle and again special sweets (e.g. panjiri, the powder given traditionally to women after childbirth) are offered and distributed.

The celebration mainly consists of spending the whole night in the worship of Krishna, reciting hymns of praise and stories of his pastimes, repeating prayers from the Bhagavata Purana, offering respect to Krishna, and finally the ceremonial breaking of the fast. Temples are decorated for the occasion, kirtans are sung, bells are rung, the conch is blown, and Sanskrit hymns are recited in praise of Lord Krishna. At Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, special spiritual gatherings are organised, and pilgrims from all over India attend these festive gatherings. The next day is celebrated as Krishna Jayanti, Krishna’s birthday.

Krishna is thought to be ideal in all his human relationships – a darling son to his parents, an endearing and humble friend and comrade, playing the flute and mingling easily with cowherd boys and girls, a loving husband and a trusted brother.

At Krishna Jayanti, Hindu women in South India decorate their houses beautifully, ready to welcome their Lord. From the doorway to the inner meditation room of the house the door is marked with a child’s footprints, using rice-flour mixed with water. This creates the feeling in them that their God’s own feet have made these marks. For him they prepare various sweetmeats and offer them to him. These normally include butter, since as a child, Krishna was said to be fond of homemade delicacies and was known to steal fresh butter from neighbourhood homes and distribute it among his friends with great compassion.

The Bhagavad Gita, in which Krishna reflects on the nature of Truth and Duty, has formed the basis and inspiration for much of Hindu belief, describing the various paths to God in a profound and yet concise manner. The setting of the Gita in Kurukshetra represents the eternal battlefield in the human soul. Here Krishna himself often affirms his role in life while he explains to Arjuna the intricacies of the highest spiritual philosophy, explaining the meaning and purpose of life. He shows how he was engaged incessantly in ‘worldly’ actions – but only for the welfare and sustenance of other people and the society in which he lived.

Krishna had indeed uttered falsehoods many times, had broken his pledges, had several wives and even ‘married’ 16,000 women, but still none of these actions violated the truth of his dedication, claiming that he did all these actions in a spirit of supreme detachment, motivated only with the highest goal of safeguarding Dharma.

26th – 27th August 2025

Hindu

Ganesh Chaturthi (or Vinayaka Chaturthi) is a Hindu festival that honours the birth of the beloved Hindu elephant-headed god, Ganesh, (also known as Ganesha, Ganapati and Vinayaka). He is the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is a popular god of wisdom and prosperity, worshipped for his ability to remove obstacles and bring good fortune. He is accordingly invoked by Hindus at the outset of any auspicious events, rites and rituals such as marriage, journeys, etc. This festival is particularly significant for Hindus from Maharashtra and is celebrated in a major way in Mumbai (Bombay). Celebrations last for one, five or ten days, and conclude with the immersion in water of the image of Ganesh.

There are numerous stories in Hindu mythology associated with the birth and life of this elephant-headed god, whose vehicle is the rat. Legend has it that Parvati created Ganesh out of the sandalwood dough that she used for her bath. She then breathed life into him. Leaving him to stand guard at the door, she went to have her bath in privacy. When her husband, Shiva returned, the child who had never seen him before refused to let him enter. Shiva cut off the head of the child and entered the house. When Parvati, learnt that her son was dead, she was distraught and asked Shiva to bring him back to life. He sent his servants to fetch the head of the first creature they met. They encountered a young elephant, cut off its head, and Shiva fixed it on the body of Ganesha.

Another story tells of the wedding of Ganesh. Shiva and Parvati decided that one of their sons, Kartikeya or Ganesh, whichever was the first to circumambulate the earth three times, would be the first to be married. Kartikeya flew off on his vehicle – a speedy peacock. Ganapati’s vehicle, the rat, was no match for it. But Parvati showed Ganesh, as the more devoted of the two, a simpler way to win. She advised him to walk around his parents, and explained that whoever offered puja to his parents and circled round them would receive the same merit as he who went around the earth. So Ganapati won the race and married first, showing that he who respects his parents attains what he most wishes.

Furthermore, as the designated scribe for the Mahabharata, Ganesh is said to have removed one of his tusks and from it carved a quill. He used this to write the epic poem on palm leaves as the sage Ved Vyas recited it to him. The writing of the epic is said to have taken three years!

On the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, ardent followers of the god meditate early in the morning on the stories connected with Ganesha. After taking a bath, they go to the temple and offer prayers to him, along with coconut and sweet pudding. They pray with faith and devotion that he will remove all the obstacles they experience on their spiritual path. They also worship him later on at home.

Life-like clay models of Ganesha are made some two to three months prior to the day of the festival. The size of these images may vary from threequarters of an inch to over 25 feet. The artists who create the images of Ganesh often compete with each other to make bigger and more magnificent and elegant ones. These larger versions can be anything from 10 metres to 30 metres in height. Once an image of Ganesh is created, a special ceremony is undertaken to invoke the god’s holy presence into the image. Offerings of sweets, flowers, rice, coconut and coins are made to the deity, and the image is also anointed with red chandan powder. Prayers are offered to Ganesha every day during the festival, and temples devoted to him organise special events and prayers. Those who have an image of Ganesha in their house also treat and care for him as a well beloved guest.

For 10 days, Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th and last day of the festival, his image is taken through the streets in a procession, accompanied by dancing and singing, to be immersed in a lake, river or the sea. This symbolises his journey towards his abode in Kailash, where he takes with him each year the misfortunes of all humanity.

^{22nd September – 1st} October 2025

Hindu

All around the world Hindu families gather at this time to participate in circle dances associated with the goddess Durga and with Lord Krishna. Navaratri means nine nights, the length of the festival. Hindus from different areas of India, and especially from Gujarat, celebrate it in different ways: in the north the Ram Lila is performed each night, in celebration of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, the demon king of Sri Lanka; many Punjabis worship the goddess daily during Navaratri, and observe a strictly vegetarian diet; on the eighth day, Durga Ashtami, Punjabi Hindus fast before conducting worship of the Goddess that involves honouring young girls as the embodiment of her power.

The significance of Navratri lies in offering devotion to the mother goddess Amba (Durga), who is worshipped in many forms. These are known as ‘shakti’ (power), since the tales tell of the goddesses’ power in the killing of demons. Parvati, the wife of Shiva is also said to have taken the forms of several different goddesses.  In particular, the goddess Durga is worshipped for the first three days of Navratri, followed by the goddess Laxmi for the next three. The last three days are devoted to the goddess Saraswati. The significance of these female deities lies in the variety of methods they portray for deriving solutions to life’s problems, and so Durga triumphs over evil, Saraswati removes ignorance, and Lakshmi brings prosperity.

Navratri in India witnesses myriad forms of devotion across the country, but everywhere the common underlying theme is of the struggle between and the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated all over India and also among the Hindu diaspora with great enthusiasm. A common greeting during this festival is Shubh Navratri (Happy Navratri). Before the festival, skilled artisans prepare clay models of the goddess in her various forms. At the end of the festival these are transported to rivers or the sea where they are immersed.

Many Hindus take part in special ceremonies, rituals, fasts and festivities. People buy new clothes, prepare delicious sweets and organise gifts for family and friends. During Navratri, many Hindus in Gujarat and elsewhere wear colourful costumes and perform a special type of vigorous dance known as garba. Traditionally, garbas are performed around an earthen lamp or an image of the mother goddess. It is a devotional dance form that derives from the folklore of Lord Krishna singing and dancing with the gopis, using ‘dandiya’ or slim wooden sticks. Over the years the Navratri festival has seen many changes, with well-choreographed dance performances, high-end acoustics, innovations in music, and people dressed in made-to-order, bright costumes. Performances of the ‘Ramlila’, in which people enact scenes from the Ramayana are a regular feature.

^28th September – 2nd October 2025

Hindu

Durga Puja is a celebration of the Mother Goddess, and the victory of the revered warrior Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival honours the powerful female force (shakti) in the Universe.

In Nepal, Bangladesh and West Bengal and other north eastern areas of India, Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival and lasts for several days.  In Kolkota (Calcutta) hundreds of pandals (decorated temporary shrines) are put up. The Goddess’s slaying of the demon is celebrated, and in Nepal the celebration may involve animal sacrifices. The festival frequently ends with the immersion of figures of Durga in rivers and in the sea.

The name ‘Durga’ means ‘inaccessible’, and she is the personification of the active side of the divine ‘shakti’ energy of Lord Shiva. In fact, she represents the furious powers of all the male gods, and is the ferocious protector of the righteous, and destroyer of the evil. Durga is usually portrayed as riding a lion, and carrying weapons in her many arms.

The celebration of total victory over this personification of evil, together with the role of the female goddess in achieving an annual victory as great as this, are grounds for widespread rejoicing throughout the Indian subcontinent. The immersion of the goddess in water is, however, an act of purification and adoration. It denotes cleansing and rebirth rather than drowning and destruction.

2nd October 2025

Hindu

The festival of Dussehra, usually falls on the last day of the Durga Puja celebrations, which is also the tenth day after the start of Navratri. It is observed throughout India to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon Ravana. He, Ravana, was the king of Lanka who had abducted Rama’s wife, Sita, and was subsequently vanquished in battle. Large effigies of him are burnt as the sun goes down. This day is celebrated as the ‘Victorious Tenth’ (Vijaya Dashami) and huge figures of Ravana alongside his son, Meghnada, and his brother, Kumbhakarna, are filled with fireworks and set on fire in public parks. In the UK some temples carry this out, even if on a smaller scale.

On this day, Hindus worship the goddess Durga, who, pleased with Rama’s devotion, gave him the secret knowledge of how to kill Ravana. By using this, he was able to defeat Ravana and rescue his abducted wife, Sita. On this last day of the festival, young men and small boys, dressed as Rama, as Lakshman, his brother, as Hanuman, Rama’s chief supporter, and as Ravana, the demon, proceed through the streets of the community as part of an elaborate float. Rama and Ravana engage in battle; Ravana is defeated. At the end of the day, images of Ravana are placed in lakes and rivers to symbolise his defeat.

Then at sunset Rama fires an arrow into giant sized images of Meghnada and Kumbhakarna, stuffed – as is the effigy of Ravana – with crackers and explosives; finally an arrow is shot into Ravana’s effigy also, to the encouraging shouts of ‘Ramchandra ki jai’, ‘Victory to Rama’, and large explosions ripple through the sky.

Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of the warrior goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. The story relates how asuras or demigods had become powerful and tried to defeat the devas and capture heaven. The goddess Durga came to the rescue and took up the form of Shakti to kill Mahishasura. Riding on a lion, she fought him for nine days and nights. On the tenth day, she killed him. Thus, in both legends, the festival tells a story of the victory of good over evil.

Dusshera is celebrated with excitement and fervour across the country. People revel in the festivities by wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts, preparing delicacies, watching Ramlila plays and burning huge effigies of Ravana in the evening. However, every state in India has its own story behind the festivity and its own unique way of celebrating it. Dusshera is celebrated not just in India, but in other countries as well including Nepal, Bangladesh and many others. It is a time when Hindus all over the world visit their relatives and friends.

For the nine days of Navaratri, people fast and perform religious rites so as to sanctify themselves and take a step towards purity, piousness and prosperity. On the tenth day, they burn everything that is evil in them, hatred, maliciousness, greed, anger and violence (symbolically represented by the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakaran) and so they emerge as better individuals filled with a sense of gratitude, devotion and reverence.

Though there are several legendary tales behind the festival and its celebration, all culminate by marking the rise of goodness over evil, of positivity over negativity. In burning the effigies people attempt to burn away all their selfishness, and then follow the path of truth and goodness. According to Hindu Scriptures, by worshipping the ‘shakti’ on these nine-days, householders attain the threefold powers, (physical, mental and spiritual), which help them live their lives as the gods direct.

The festival of Dusshera is noteworthy for both its moral and its cultural significance. People, irrespective of their creed, culture or religion, gather to vanquish all evil and unpleasant things and imbibe the goodness around them. The essence of the festival lies in its message: with devotion to the goddess it is possible to overcome all obstacles and emerge victorious and successful.