Category: Festivals
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Mesha Sankranti – Hindu Solar New Year
The Sankranti (transit) of the Sun into Mesha Rashi (Taurus) is celebrated as the New Year* by Hindu communities that follow the Solar Hindu calendar. This largely includes the Assamese (Rongali Bihu), Bengali (Pohela Boishakh), Bodo (Bwisagu), Maithali (Jur-Sital), Malayalam (Vishu), Odia (Pana Sankranti), Punjabi (Vaisakhi), Tamil (Puthandu) and Tullu (Bisu) Hindu communities. The name…
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Varsha Pratipada, Chetichand & Vasanta Navaratri
The first day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha marks the start of the year in most regions of Bharat that follow the Lunisolar Hindu calendar*. This New Year festival (Varsha Pratipada) is marked by Marathi, Konkani, Kanadinga, Telugu, Kashmiri and Sindhi-speaking Hindus and by some members of Hindi, Nepali and Rajasthani linguistic groups. Ugadi, Yugadi and…
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Hindu festival of light begins today
Diwali is a multifaceted festival with different Hindu communities marking this time of year with their own unique narratives and customs. The duration of Diwali differs across regions, with many Hindus starting 6 days of festivities today. Diwali is perhaps the best example of how Hinduism gives space to a level of diversity, often unseen…
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Hindus express gratitude for public service on Raksha Bandhan
The festival of Raksha Bandhan, which was marked in August, is traditionally associated with the renewal of sibling bonds, where sisters tie a sacred thread (Rakhi) on the wrists of their brothers. This symbolises protection, and comes from the idea of protective feminine power. Across the diaspora, Raksha Bandhan has also become a time to…
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Pitru Paksha – a fortnight of venerating and honouring our ancestors
From 29th September Hindus observe the fortnight (Paksha) of the ancestors (Pitrus). Ancestor veneration is a unique facet of Hinduism and many ancient polytheistic/nature-based religions, where the living offer gratitude to those who preceded them. For Hindus, there are several days in the year when the Pitrus are honoured – Pitru Paksha is the most…
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Narasimha Chathurdasi: Appearance of Vishnu’s man-lion avatar
Narasimha is the most fierce form of Vishnu who’s manifestation is marked at sunset Narasimha is the half man-half lion incarnation of Vishnu. As one of the most ferocious forms of Vishnu, he is worshiped for destruction of negative energies, protection from calamities and removal of fear. On his appearance day (Vaishaka Shukla Chaturdasi) which is being observed either today or tomorrow*…
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Mesha Sankranti – Hindu Solar New Year
The Sankranti (transit) of the Sun into Mesha Rashi (Taurus) is celebrated as the New Year by Hindu communities that follow the Sauramana (solar) Hindu calendar. This largely includes the Assamese (Rongali Bihu), Bengali (Pohela Boishak), Bodo (Bwisagu), Maithali (Jur-Sital), Malayalam (Vishu), Odia (Pana Sankranti), Punjabi (Vaisakhi), Tamil (Puthandu) and Tullu (Bisu) Hindu communities. The…
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The seven themes of Diwali
From all of us at British Hindus, we wish you and your family a happy and prosperous Diwali! To celebrate, we are sharing with you the 7 themes that are central to Diwali. Acknowledging our mortalityThroughout the festival there are many rituals to honour Yama (Deva of death)and the Pitrus (ancestors). Through these observances, Hindus…
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Karva Chauth Diya
Karva chauth is a festival performed by women in Northern India, carried out for the well-being of their husbands.