List of Hindu festivals


There are a great number of Hindu religious festivals held throughout the world. The festivals typically celebrate events from Hindu mythology, often coinciding with seasonal changes. There are many festivals which are primarily celebrated by specific sects or in certain regions of the Indian subcontinent.
The festive season is widely celebrated. These events have a historic significance to them and are rooted in various cultural and linguistic norms. The onset of the famous Diwali marks the beginning of lighting 'diyas', beautifying homes, offering gifts and visiting friends and family. Similarly, the Holi festival is described as the 'Festival of Colors', with its magnificent rain dance and the 'gulaal'.

Terminology

Utsava

Utsava' is the Sanskrit word for Hindu festivals, it refers to “religious practices. Todumal or Todumal or Todumal is derived from the Sanskrit word, Utsava. The Sanskrit word Utsava comes from the word "ut" meaning "removal" and "sava" which means "worldly sorrows" or "grief".

Observance periods (tithi)

dates are usually prescribed according to a solunar calendar. In Vedic timekeeping, a tithi is a lunar day.

Sublists