List of Hindu festivals

Across the globe, Hindus celebrate a diverse number of festivals and celebrations. The festivals typically celebrate events from ancient Indian and 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 Diwalifestival marks the beginning of lighting ‘diyas’ (earthen lamps), 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)

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

Sublists

  • List of Hindu festivals in Punjab
  • List of festivals observed at Jagannatha Temple, Puri
  • List of Sindhi festivals

List and descriptions of major Hindu festivals