Tag Archives: Hindu Culture and Traditions in USA

Diwali Date: Diwali (Dipavali, Divali or Deepawali), also known as ‘the festival of lights’, is an Indian festival that brings a series of festivals with it. The people of all age groups and classes celebrate Diwali throughout India with equal zeal and enthusiasm. They put on new clothes and participate in the various activities that are related to Diwali celebrations. …

Navratri Date: Navratri is an important Hindu festival, celebrated with religious fervor and great enthusiasm by the Hindus in different parts of the country. It is celebrated twice a year – in March-April (as Chaitra Navratri) and in October-November. While the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Rama Navami, the festival celebrated in September-October (Sharad Navratri) commemorates the …

Today, a number of gift galleries have come up with attractive greeting cards for various ceremonious occasion. It is not surprising to see greeting cards for Hindu festivals flocking the markets, because sending and receiving cards has become customary amongst the people. Greeting cards for religious occasions such as Ram Navami are also available in India, in most of the …

Chaitra Navratri, also popular as Chait Navratras, is the nine-day festival observed in Chaitra month. Chaitra Navratras starts on the first day in Chaitra month and ends on Sri Rama Navami, the ninth day of the month. The first of Chaitra month is celebrated as Ugadi or Yugadi. Durgashtami or Durga Ashtami in Navratri is the most auspicious day for …

One of the ancient Sanskrit mantra, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a verse of Yajurveda. It is the great death-conquering mantra, which is popularly referred to as Tryambakam Mantra, as it is identified with the three-eyed Hindu deity – Lord Shiva. The Mantra has many names and forms. It is sometimes called the Rudra Mantra, with reference to the furious face …

It is believed that there was once an Ogress called Dhundhi in the kingdom of Prithu (or Raghu). The female monster used to specially trouble little children who became fed-up of her. Dhundhi, had a boon from Lord Shiva that she would not be killed by gods, men nor suffer from arms nor from heat, cold or rain. These boons …

People of Maharashtra have their own grand style of celebrating Holi. Besides other things, not to be missed is their mouthwatering delicacy – Puran Poli. Holi is called Shimga or Rangpanchami People of Maharashtra commonly know this festival of colors by the name of Shimga or Rangpanchami. For, the play of colors is reserved for the fifth day here. The …

Holi Pooja takes place a day before the Holi Festival. This day is called as ‘Holika Dahan‘. There is no special pooja performed on the Holi day. This day is only meant for celebrations and play of colors. Holika Dahan is the major ritual performed at the time of Holi which is also considered an important Holi Puja. People light …

The Legend of Holi There was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who won over the kingdom of earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Narayana and refused to worship his father. Hiranyakashyap tried …

People from all corners of India, rather, world gather at Mathura-Vrindavan every year to feel the essence of Holi in the land of Krishna. People relive the legends of Holi associated with Radha and Krishna and play pranks the young Krishna played with the cowgirls called gopis. The underlying feeling of this fun-frolic was love and devotion. Even today, romance …