Makar Sankranti Makar Sankranti (harvest festival also known by other various names) is the only Hindu festival which is based on the Solar calendar rather than the Lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated by taking dips in the Ganges river or any river and offering water to the Sun god. In Tamil Nadu this is popularly called Pongal, and special prayers and offerings are given the Sun to thank him for the harvest.
Vasant Panchami (also called Saraswati Puja is celebrated for the blessing of Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and fine arts.
Maha Shivaratri is the great night of Shiva, followers of Shiva observe religious fasting and the offering of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Shiva.
Holi commemorates the slaying of the demoness Holika by Lord Vishnu's devotee Prahlad. Thus, the festival's name is derived from the Sanskrit words "Holika Dahanam", which literally mean "Holika's slaying"
Navratri is the Hindu festival of worship and dance. In Sanskrit the term literally means "nine nights". During this festival the forms of Shakti are worshipped.
Rama Navami is the celebration of the birth of Sri Rama.
Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month, and is celebrated as New Year's Day by Marathis. According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world.
Ugadi (meaning "the start of an era" in Kannada) is the New Year's Day for the Deccans. It takes place on the same day as Gudi Padwa.
Hanuman Jayanti is the celebration of the birth of Hanuman; Rama's
Vat Pournima is observed in Maharashtra. Pournima means "full moon." Women pray for the prosperity of their husbands by tying threads around a banyan tree.
Guru Purnima is the day devotees offer puja (worship) to their Guru. This was the day when Vyasa; author of the Mahabharata was born.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrated mainly in northern Indian states. Rakhi is a special occasion to celebrate the chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister.
Krishna Janmaashtami is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Sri Krishna.
Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of the birth of Ganesh.
Navratri is the Hindu festival of worship and dance. In Sanskrit the term literally means "nine nights". During this festival the forms of Shakti are worshiped.
Diwali is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit word "Deepavwali", which means "row of lights". The festival is celebrated on the occasion of Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama killing a demon Narakasura. Another story says the festival is celebrated for the return of Rama and Sita to the kingdom Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile.
A unique festival is celebrated in Varanasi this day which is called Dev Devali. The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Jain light festival and Guru Nanak Jayanti