Tag Archives: Indian Festivals Legends & Stories

Lohri: Sikhs Bonfire Harvest Festival – Amidst the freezing cold weather, with the temperature wobbling between 0 – 5 degree Celsius and the dense fog outside, everything seems stagnant in the northern part of India. However, below the apparently frozen surface, you would be amazed to find a palpable wave of activity going on. People, especially in the northern states …

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that occurs in December (the Hebrew month Kislev), also spelled Chanukah, (also called The Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, Feast of the Maccabees) marks the reconsecration of the Temple of Jerusalem (Israel) after its recapture from the Syrian Greeks c.165 BC. A miracle recorded in the Talmud – the burning of a day’s supply …

Bali Yatra: As the name suggests, Bali Yatra means a journey to Bali. Bali Yatra is mainly celebrated in the state of Odisha (Orissa). It is held on the full moon day in the month of Kartik which is considered to be the most auspicious month out of the 12 months of calendar, that coincides with the months of October …

Diwali Festival Information: is an important and popular festival celebrated throughout the country in one form or the other. It falls on the last day of the dark half of Kartika (October – November). As a matter of fact it is a five-day long festival, but the main celebrations are on Diwali. Diwali is associated with several legends. One myth says …

Dussehra Festival Information: Dussehra or Vijay Dashami is a very popular Hindu Festival, celebrated with éclat throughout the country. It is observed on the tenth day of the bright half of Ashvina (September-October). It is a ten-day celebration, during which Ramlila, which is based on the epic story of the Ramayana, is staged at various places in most of the …

Milad-un-Nabi festival, or Bara Wafat is celebrated with eclat and enthusiasm by the Muslims all over India and across the world. It commemorates the birthday of Hazrat Muhammad and falls on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal month. Milad-Un-Nabi: Islam Festival Bara Wafat Prophet Mohammed was born in 571 A.D. on 12th April at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Abdulla was his father …

Ganesh Chaturthi (Birthday of Lord Ganesh) is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha and is known as the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August – September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in …

Hartalika Teej Festival: In the literal sense the word “teej” refers to “three”. Teej falls on the third day after a full and a new moon night. The important days of Teej are – Haryali, Kajari and Hartalika. Hartalika Teej is celebrated in the Northern part of India mainly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. The …

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed on the full moon day of Shravana (July-August). The word “Raksha” means protection. On this auspicious day women and girls tie an amulet-like thread round the right hand wrist of their brothers as a token of protection against evil during the ensuing year. The thread is called “Rakhi” and is made of a …

Hariyali Teej Festival: Lush green surroundings and lively ambiance of the gardens come alive as groups of young women sing songs and sway on the jhoolas (swings) specially created for festivities. The occasion is Teej or popularly known as Hariyali Teej. Teej in its literal sense means ‘third’ and usually falls on third day after Amavasaya. The Teej festivities during …