Many Hindu observances follow the lunar (chandra) or lunisolar calendar. Certain days recur every month or fortnight and are considered especially auspicious for worship, fasting, or pilgrimage. Below are some of the most widely observed recurring dates.
Ammavasai (Amavasya)
Amavasya is the new moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar, occurring once every month. It is considered a powerful day for honoring ancestors (pitr tarpan, shraddha). Many devotees offer prayers and perform rituals for departed ancestors. It is also associated with certain forms of goddess worship and is observed with fasting and temple visits in various regions.
Pradhosham (Pradosha)
Pradosha is observed on the 13th day (trayodashi) of both the waxing and waning lunar fortnight, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Pradosha period is the window of time just before and after sunset on that day. Devotees fast and worship Shiva, and many visit Shiva temples. It is believed that observing Pradosha vrata (vow) pleases Shiva and can remove obstacles and grant blessings.
Sashti (Shashti)
Shashti is the sixth day of the lunar fortnight. It is especially significant for worshipping Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) in South India, and for Skanda Shashti, a six-day festival celebrating Murugan’s victory over evil. Fasting and temple visits on Shashti are common among Murugan devotees. In some traditions, Shashti is also associated with the worship of the divine mother or other deities.
Sankatahara Chathurthi (Sankashti Chaturthi)
Sankashti Chaturthi is the fourth day (chaturthi) of the waning moon (Krishna paksha), dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Devotees fast until moonrise and then break the fast after sighting the moon and offering prayers to Ganesha. It is believed to remove obstacles (sankata) and is observed monthly by many Ganesha devotees. The corresponding Chaturthi in the waxing fortnight is Vinayaka Chaturthi, associated with Ganesha’s birth.
Pournami (Purnima)
Purnima is the full moon day, occurring once every month. It is considered highly auspicious for bathing in sacred rivers, performing puja, and fasting. Major festivals such as Guru Purnima and Kartik Purnima fall on this day. Full moon nights are also linked to certain deities and spiritual practices in various traditions.
Ekadashi
Ekadashi is the 11th day of both lunar fortnights. Many Hindus observe a fast on Ekadashi, consuming only fruit, milk, or a single meal, and dedicate the day to Lord Vishnu. There are 24 Ekadashis in a year, each with a name and specific significance. Observance is believed to purify the mind and body and to earn spiritual merit.
Festivals
Hindu festivals (utsavas) mark the rhythms of the lunar calendar, seasons, and mythology. They vary by region and tradition but share themes of devotion, thanksgiving, and community. Below are major festivals with when they are observed and why they are celebrated.
Diwali
When: Diwali falls on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the month of Kartika (October–November), and is observed over five days in many regions, with the main day being Lakshmi Puja.
Why: Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is associated with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana (in the Ramayana), with the goddess Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity), and in some regions with Lord Krishna’s defeat of Narakasura. Lamps (diyas), rangoli, sweets, and family gatherings are central to the celebration.
Holi
When: Holi is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Phalguna (February–March), with Holika Dahan on the night before and Rangwali Holi (play of colors) the next day.
Why: Holi marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of devotion over tyranny. It is linked to the story of Prahlada and the burning of Holika, and to Lord Krishna’s playful use of colors with the gopis. People throw colored powder (gulal), exchange sweets, and celebrate with music and dance.
Navaratri
When: Navaratri (“nine nights”) is observed twice a year: in the month of Chaitra (March–April), and more widely in Ashwin (September–October), ending with Dussehra (Vijayadashami) on the tenth day.
Why: The festival honors the divine feminine (Shakti) in her various forms—Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati—and celebrates the goddess’s victory over evil (e.g. Durga over Mahishasura). Fasting, nightly worship, garba/dandiya dances (in some regions), and storytelling are common. The tenth day also commemorates Rama’s victory over Ravana and the triumph of dharma.
Pongal / Makar Sankranti
When: Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu over three days in mid-January (Thai month), at the start of the sun’s northward journey (Uttarayana). Makar Sankranti is observed around the same time (14 January in the Gregorian calendar) across North and other parts of India.
Why: Both are harvest festivals marking the end of the winter crop season. Thanksgiving to the sun, the land, and cattle is central. Pongal involves cooking the new rice (the dish “pongal”), offering it to the sun god Surya, and honoring cattle. Makar Sankranti is associated with holy dips in rivers (e.g. Ganges), kite flying, and sharing til (sesame) and jaggery.
Maha Shivaratri
When: Maha Shivaratri (“great night of Shiva”) is observed on the 14th day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Chaturdashi) in the month of Phalguna (February–March).
Why: The night is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees stay awake, fast, and offer milk, bilva leaves, and water to the Shiva Linga. It is believed to be the night when Shiva performed the cosmic dance (Tandava) and when devotion to Shiva yields great merit. It also marks the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati in some traditions.
Ganesh Chaturthi
When: Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada (August–September). Celebrations can last from one day to eleven days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi.
Why: The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and god of wisdom and new beginnings. Idols of Ganesha are installed at home and in public pandals, worshipped with flowers and modak (sweets). At the end, idols are immersed in water (visarjan) in a symbolic farewell, especially in Maharashtra and other regions.
Practices
Hindu practice encompasses daily and life-cycle rituals as well as spiritual disciplines. Daily worship (puja) at home or in temples, meditation (dhyana), and recitation of mantras are common. Life-cycle rites (samskaras) include naming, sacred thread (upanayana), marriage, and funeral ceremonies. Pilgrimage (tirtha yatra) to sacred rivers, temples, and sites is widely undertaken. Fasting on certain days, offering food and flowers to deities, and following dietary and ethical codes (such as ahimsa) are also integral. Practices vary by family, region, and sect but are united by the aim of living in accordance with dharma and progressing toward liberation (moksha).
Homam
Homam (Havan) is a Vedic fire ritual in which offerings are made into a consecrated fire while chanting mantras. It is performed for specific deities or purposes to invoke blessings, remove obstacles, and restore balance. Below are brief introductions to a few widely performed homams.
Maha Ganapathy Homam
Performed to remove obstacles, bring success in new ventures, and ensure good beginnings.
Thila Homam
Thila Homam is a sacred Vedic ritual performed to appease departed ancestors, specifically to relieve souls stuck on earth due to unnatural deaths and to remedy Pitru Dosha (ancestral curses). It involves offering black sesame seeds ("thila") into a holy fire, typically performed at sacred sites like Rameswaram, to bring peace to the souls and prosperity to the family.
Purpose: Clears Pitru Dosha, aids ancestors in obtaining liberation (Moksha), and resolves family issues related to health, marriage, or childbirth.
Significance of "Thila": Sesame seeds are believed to be loved by ancestors and aid in cleansing karmic debts.
Swayamvara Parvathi Homam
Swayamvara Parvathi Homam is a powerful Vedic ritual dedicated to Goddess Parvathi (in her Swayamvara form) and Lord Shiva, performed to remove obstacles delaying marriage, resolve marital discord, and attract a suitable life partner. It is highly effective for overcoming doshas like Mangal Dosha and is best performed on Fridays, during Shukla Paksha, or Navaratri.
Purpose: To find a compatible life partner, hasten marriage, and bring harmony and peace into married life.
Deity: Goddess Parvathi (depicted in her bridal form) and Lord Shiva.
Procedure: Involves chanting the Swayamvara Parvathi mantra (minimum 1008 times in the homa) and using offerings like Lotus flowers, Kumkum, and Ghee.
Best time: Fridays are considered the most auspicious day for this ritual.
Location: Can be performed at temples (such as Thirumanancheri, Gokarna, or Kumbakonam) or at home with the guidance of a qualified Vedic priest.
Benefits:
Removes marriage obstacles: Helps overcome delays caused by karmic blocks or unfavorable planetary positions.
Marital harmony: Resolves misunderstandings, reduces friction, and increases affection between couples.
Ideal match: Attracts a suitable, desired, or destined life partner.
Navagraha Homam
Navagraha Homam is a powerful Vedic fire ritual performed to appease the nine planetary deities (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu) to mitigate negative astrological effects and enhance positive influences. It promotes health, prosperity, success, and harmony by balancing planetary energies, often recommended for addressing career, relationship, or health obstacles.
Purpose: To alleviate the malefic effects of badly placed planets in a horoscope (Jathaka Kundali) and reduce or eliminate Graha Charadosha.
Benefits: It enhances overall well-being, brings peace, career success, and helps overcome financial or health struggles. It is also used to remedy doshas like Kaal Sarpa and Kalathra.
Procedure: Experienced priests chant specific mantras and make offerings to each of the nine planetary deities in the sacred fire.
Timing: The homam is highly recommended when facing constant, inexplicable hurdles in life, during unfavorable planetary transits, or on birthdays.
Offerings: Special items like sesame seeds, rice, and in some cases the nine grains associated with each planet are used.