Most Celebrated Hindu Festivals in the World | List of Most Popular

Which Hindu Festival is the Best? - List of all Hindu Festivals

The Hindu festivities are those religious and social celebrations most followed within Hinduism. With the term utsava (or Uthsav) it comes to indicate in its generality a party or celebration of a joyous occasion, it derives from "ut" which means "removal" and "Sava", which means "material sadness" or "pain", therefore assumes the value of "removal of material pains and sorrows" given by existence. A festival can be observed through specific acts of worship and charity, offered to the deities, fasting, but also vigils, rituals of Pūjā, Homa (ritual), arathi etc. In the Hindu calendar the dates connected to the major festivals follow a type of lunar calendar. In the Vedic measure of time, which is also the chronological and temporal unit of Hindu mythology, a tithi corresponds to a lunar day. The celebrations usually come to celebrate the mythological events of the life of the greatest divine figures, often coinciding with seasonal changes.

There are many festivals that are mainly celebrated by seven specifics or in certain regions of the Indian subcontinent. Below is the list of almost all of the Hindu festivals in the order of most celebrated.

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1. Diwali

Diwali

Divali, also called Deepavali, Diwali or Deevali is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism and finds its origin in India. The word is derived from the Sanskrit dipavali, which means a row of lights. The oil lamps, Deep, traditionally a clay-baked lamp, Diya or Dia, with cotton wool and clarified butter (ghee). During the party, the house and the heirs will light the lights. Divali, also known as Festival of Lights, is symbolically referred to as "the victory of good over evil, victory of light over darkness, victory of bliss over ignorance." Celebrating this party is accompanied by the consumption of sweet food. In India they also light fireworks. Divali is a happy party and is often celebrated as a family. It is a party for everyone, young and old, male and female, rich and poor. Divali is celebrated to welcome the light into life.

2. Holi

Holi

The spring festival, also known as the one of colors and the feast of love, is an ancient Hindu religious holiday that has become popular among non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people from other communities. It is celebrated mainly in India, Nepal and other regions of the world with important populations of Hindus or people of Indian origin. The festival has been, in recent times, celebrated in parts of Europe and North America as a spring holiday of love and colors. Holi refers to Joliká, the evil sister of King Hiranyakashipu and aunt of Prince Prahlada. When the powers granted to the king blinded him, believing the only deity that his people should worship, Prince Prahlada decided to continue worshiping Vishnu and angered his father. The king decided to punish his son cruelly, but nothing changed: Prahlada was not going to worship his father. That is why his aunt decided that the only possible solution was to kill the prince and invited him to sit on a pyre with her, who wore a flame retardant mantle that protected him from the flames. But, at that moment, the mantle changed ownership and protected Prahlada, who watched as his aunt was burned by the flames. The god Vishnu, the one the prince worshiped, appeared just then and killed the arrogant king.

3. Durga Puja

Durga Puja

The Durgá Puyá takes place annually throughout the northeast of India (mainly in Bengal), in the month of ashwin (between September and October). The date of celebration is set according to the traditional Hindu calendar. The fortnight that corresponds to the festival is called in Bengali Debí pokkho (fortnight of the goddess). The Deví pokkho is preceded by Majalaia, the last day of the previous fortnight Pitrí pokkho (fortnight of the ancestors), and ends with the Kojagori Lokkhi Puja (worship of the goddess Laksmí on the full moon night of Kojagori). During this holiday, images of the goddess are made and prayers are made for 5 days, accompanied by colorful parades and public and private celebrations.

4. Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means "the tie or knot of protection." The word Raksha means protection, while Bandhan is the verb to bind. It is a Hindu festival that ritually celebrates love and duty between brothers and sisters. The sister performs the Rakhi ceremony, praying to express her love and desire for the well-being of her brother. In return, the brother ritually agrees to protect and take care of his sister in all circumstances. It is one of the occasions when family ties are reaffirmed in India. The festival is also an occasion to celebrate family ties between cousins or distant relatives and sometimes between biologically unrelated men and women. For many, the festival transcends the biological family, brings together men and women of all religions, various ethnic groups and ritually emphasizes harmony and love. It is celebrated in the month of srava?a of the Hindu calendar, and usually falls in August of each year.

5. Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri, also called "the great night of Shiva", is a popular Hindu holiday celebrated every year in honor of the god Shiva. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva. It is celebrated on the night of the thirteenth day of the month Phalguna of the Hindu calendar. This festival is celebrated every year on the sixth night of the Hindu month of Phalgun, which usually falls between the months of February and March of the Gregorian calendar. The faithful fast the day before and remain on vigil throughout the night, which they usually devote to the practice of yoga and meditation. The party is also usually accompanied by popular games and celebrations, which vary depending on the region where the party is held.

6. Kanwar Yatra

Kanwar Yatra

Every year, in the month of Shravan, a large number of crores of Kavandiyas come from remote places and take a Kavad filled with Ganga water and return to their village after taking a pilgrimage, this yatra is called Kavand Yatra. On the day of Shravan's Chaturdashi, Shiva is anointed in Shiva temples around their residence with that Ganges water. To say this is just a religious event, but it also has social concerns. This festival of water journey through Kavand is to worship Shiva in the form of creation. Water, along with the common man, is an extremely important item for tree plants, animals - birds, thousands of insects and residing in the earth and the entire environment. If we look at the geographical location of North India, human life in the plains here depends on rivers.

7. Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela

Each twelve-year cycle, when according to Vedic astrology (jyotish), Jupiter enters the constellation of aquarium (kumbha), includes a mahā kumbhamela (or 'great aquarium meeting') in Praiag, on the banks of the Ganges, in the Several million people participate, which probably makes it the biggest pilgrimage celebrated in the world. Estimates consider that in the three weeks of the last mahā kumbhamela (held in 2001), 70 million people gathered. Literally, in Sanskrit, the kumbhá: 'aquarius (jyotish zodiac) jug, pot, pitcher, glass'; la mélā: 'meeting, assembly').

8. Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami or Ayudhapuja, is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as in parts of Pakistan. The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit. Dasha-Hara literally means Dashanan Ravan (named after Ravan and in Dasha and Hara (defeat)) in reference to Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. The day also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. The name Dussehra is also derived from the Sanskrit Ajaja, which means day. For example, Aharnisha is derived from Ajaja + nisha. The goddess fought with the evils for nine nights and ten days. The name Vijayadashami is also derived from the Sanskrit words "Vijaya-Dashami", which literally means victory in the Dashami (Dashmi is the tenth day of the lunar month of the Hindu calendar).

9. Ratha Yatra

Ratha Yatra

The Ratha-Yatra is a huge Hindu festival associated with the worship of Yáganat, commemorated in the city of Puri, in the state of Orissa, in eastern India, during the month of June. It is the most important festival in the city and it includes the worship of Yagannātha (one of the manifestations of the god Krisna) in the surroundings of the temple, which constitutes an essential part of the area's folklore. The festival celebrates Yagannātha's visit to the temple of Queen Gundicha. The Ratha-iatra or Festival of the Chariots of Lord Yáganat is celebrated every year in Puri, on the second day (dwitiya) of crescent moon (shukla pakshya) of Ashadh Maas (third month in the lunar calendar).

10. Navaratri

Navaratri

Navratri is a major festival of Hindus. The word Navaratri is a Sanskrit word, which means 'nine nights'. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Goddess are worshiped. The tenth day is known as Dussehra. Navratri comes four times a year. Pausha, Chaitra, Ashada, is celebrated in Ashwin month from Pratipada to Navami. The nine nights of Navratri worship the nine forms of the three goddesses - Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati or Saraswati and Mahakali, whose names and places are respectively Nanda Devi (Vindhyavasini), Raktdantika, Shakambhari (Saharanpur), Durga, Bhima (Pinjore) and Bhramari (Bhramramba) says Navadurga. Navratri is an important major festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India. Navratri is celebrated differently in different parts of India. This festival is widely celebrated in Gujarat. Navratri celebrations in Gujarat are known as Dandiya and Garba.

11. Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami

12. Rama Navami

Rama Navami

13. Chhath

Chhath

14. Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti

15. Teej

Teej

16. Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja

17. Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi

18. Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami

19. Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja

20. Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti

21. Naga Panchami

Naga Panchami

22. Vishwakarma Puja

Vishwakarma Puja

23. Lohri

Lohri

24. Bhai dooj

Bhai dooj

25. Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya

26. Ekadashi

Ekadashi

27. Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami

28. Nirjala Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi

29. Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth

30. Kartik Purnima

Kartik Purnima

31. Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima

32. Kanya Puja

Kanya Puja

33. Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan

34. Ganga puja

Ganga puja

35. Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima

36. Ganesh Jayanti

Ganesh Jayanti

37. Bihu

Bihu

38. Agrasen Jayanti

Agrasen Jayanti

39. Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha

40. Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa

41. Kali Puja

Kali Puja

42. Magha Purnima

Magha Purnima

43. Gita Jayanti

Gita Jayanti

44. Pongal

Pongal

45. Onam

Onam

46. Dahi Handi

Dahi Handi

47. Narmada Pushkaram

Narmada Pushkaram

48. Prathamastami

Prathamastami

49. Jhulan Purnima

Jhulan Purnima

50. Sarasvati Pushkaram

Sarasvati Pushkaram

51. Gaura-purnima

Gaura-purnima

52. Chandan Yatra

Chandan Yatra

53. Rathayatra of Mahesh

Rathayatra of Mahesh

54. Ayudha Puja

Ayudha Puja

55. Sindhu Darshan Festival

Sindhu Darshan Festival

56. Yatra

Yatra

57. Hulivesha

Hulivesha

58. Mesha Sankranti

Mesha Sankranti

59. Festival of Chariots

Festival of Chariots

60. Harela Mela

Harela Mela

61. Shakambhari Purnima

Shakambhari Purnima

62. Dindi festival

Dindi festival

63. Harela

Harela

64. Vishu

Vishu

65. Madikeri Dasara

Madikeri Dasara

66. Prabodhini Ekadashi

Prabodhini Ekadashi

67. Thiruvathira

Thiruvathira

68. Ahoi Ashtami

Ahoi Ashtami

69. Maghi

Maghi

70. Ker puja

Ker puja

71. Atla Tadde

Atla Tadde

72. Dhanurmas

Dhanurmas

73. Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

74. Pana Sankranti

Pana Sankranti

75. Paryaya

Paryaya

76. Godavari Maha Pushkaram

Godavari Maha Pushkaram

77. Tulsi Pujan Diwas

Tulsi Pujan Diwas

78. Kamada Ekadashi

Kamada Ekadashi

79. Maghotsab of Brahma Samaj

Maghotsab of Brahma Samaj

80. Vat Purnima

Vat Purnima

81. Snana Yatra

Snana Yatra

82. World Sanskrit Day

World Sanskrit Day

83. Kumauni Holi

Kumauni Holi

84. Attukal Pongala

Attukal Pongala

85. Lolark Sasthi

Lolark Sasthi

86. Sadar

Sadar

87. Bhima Pushkaram

Bhima Pushkaram

88. Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha

Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha

89. Biruda

Biruda

90. Bheemana Amavasya

Bheemana Amavasya

91. Tirumala Shanivaralu

Tirumala Shanivaralu

92. Sirimanothsavam

Sirimanothsavam

93. Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

94. Charak Puja

Charak Puja

95. Hera Panchami

Hera Panchami

96. Jagaddhatri

Jagaddhatri

97. Wangala

Wangala

98. Yenya

Yenya

99. Datta Jayanti

Datta Jayanti

100. Gaura Festival

Gaura Festival

101. Karthikai Deepam

Karthikai Deepam

102. Kavadi

Kavadi

103. Mahalakshmi Vrata

Mahalakshmi Vrata

104. Mamankam festival

Mamankam festival

105. Pongala

Pongala

106. Sankashti Chaturthi

Sankashti Chaturthi

107. Skanda Sashti

Skanda Sashti

108. Sri Narayana Jayanthi

Sri Narayana Jayanthi

109. Tamil New Year

Tamil New Year

110. Ugadi

Ugadi

111. Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

112. Varalakshmi Vratam

Varalakshmi Vratam

113. Amalaka Ekadashi

Amalaka Ekadashi

114. Amavasya

Amavasya

115. Ambubachi Mela

Ambubachi Mela

116. Anant Chaturdashi

Anant Chaturdashi

117. Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi

Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi

118. Ayya Vaikunda Avataram

Ayya Vaikunda Avataram

119. Balipratipada

Balipratipada

120. Bandna

Bandna

121. Basava Jayanthi

Basava Jayanthi

122. Bathukamma

Bathukamma

123. Besan mehndi

Besan mehndi

124. Bhadrotsav of Brahmo Samaj

Bhadrotsav of Brahmo Samaj

125. Bhairava Ashtami

Bhairava Ashtami

126. Bhishma Ashtami

Bhishma Ashtami

127. Bonalu

Bonalu

128. Brij Mahotsav

Brij Mahotsav

129. Chalio

Chalio

130. Champa Sashti

Champa Sashti

131. Chandani Padva

Chandani Padva

132. Chatar jatra

Chatar jatra

133. Chaturmas

Chaturmas

134. Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand

135. Chitra Pournami

Chitra Pournami

136. Coconut day

Coconut day

137. Danda Nata

Danda Nata

138. Dashain

Dashain

139. Deepothsavam

Deepothsavam

140. Dev Deepawali

Dev Deepawali

141. Dhanteras

Dhanteras

142. Dhanu

Dhanu

143. Dhanu jatra

Dhanu jatra

144. Dhodha

Dhodha

145. Dol Purnima

Dol Purnima

146. Dola Puja

Dola Puja

147. Eknath Sashti

Eknath Sashti

148. Gadhimai festival

Gadhimai festival

149. Gajan

Gajan

150. Ganga Pushkaram

Ganga Pushkaram

151. Gangaur

Gangaur

152. Ganivada

Ganivada

153. Garia puja

Garia puja

154. Godavari Pushkaram

Godavari Pushkaram

155. Golu

Golu

156. Gopastami

Gopastami

157. Gorehabba

Gorehabba

158. Gowri Habba

Gowri Habba

159. Gulal

Gulal

160. Heikru Hidongba

Heikru Hidongba

161. Hindola

Hindola

162. Jaya Parvati vrat

Jaya Parvati vrat

163. Jiuntia

Jiuntia

164. Jivitputrika

Jivitputrika

165. Juggernaut

Juggernaut

166. Kandali Festival

Kandali Festival

167. Kandhei Jatra

Kandhei Jatra

168. Karam

Karam

169. Kaveri Pushkaram

Kaveri Pushkaram

170. Kharchi puja

Kharchi puja

171. Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam

Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam

172. Krishna Pushkaralu

Krishna Pushkaralu

173. Machideva Jayanthi

Machideva Jayanthi

174. Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti

175. Mahamaham

Mahamaham

176. Mahesh Navami

Mahesh Navami

177. Mandi Shivaratri Fair

Mandi Shivaratri Fair

178. Mangalore Dasara

Mangalore Dasara

179. Mitrotsavam

Mitrotsavam

180. Mohani

Mohani

181. Mokshada Ekadashi

Mokshada Ekadashi

182. Mopin

Mopin

183. Mysore Dasara

Mysore Dasara

184. Nabakalebara

Nabakalebara

185. Nag Nathaiya

Nag Nathaiya

186. Nagula Chavithi

Nagula Chavithi

187. Nammoor Jatre

Nammoor Jatre

188. Nandotsava

Nandotsava

189. Naraka Chaturdashi

Naraka Chaturdashi

190. Nuakhai

Nuakhai

191. Pahan Charhe

Pahan Charhe

192. Pancha Ganapati

Pancha Ganapati

193. Panchaka

Panchaka

194. Panchalinga Darshana

Panchalinga Darshana

195. Panguni Uthiram

Panguni Uthiram

196. Pargat Diwas

Pargat Diwas

197. Peshwai Procession

Peshwai Procession

198. Phalguna Mela

Phalguna Mela

199. Pranahita Pushkaralu

Pranahita Pushkaralu

200. Pushkaram

Pushkaram

201. Puthur-Vela

Puthur-Vela

202. Radhastami

Radhastami

203. Raja

Raja

204. Raja Parba

Raja Parba

205. Ramman

Ramman

206. Rang Panchami

Rang Panchami

207. Ratha Saptami

Ratha Saptami

208. Rishi Panchami

Rishi Panchami

209. Sama Chakeva

Sama Chakeva

210. Sanjhi

Sanjhi

211. Satyanath

Satyanath

212. Savitri Brata

Savitri Brata

213. Sethubandhanam at Sreeraman Chira Chemmappilly

Sethubandhanam at Sreeraman Chira Chemmappilly

214. Shayani Ekadashi

Shayani Ekadashi

215. Sheetala Asthami

Sheetala Asthami

216. Shigmo

Shigmo

217. Sindhu Pushkaram

Sindhu Pushkaram

218. Sitalsasthi

Sitalsasthi

219. Sohrai

Sohrai

220. Srivari Brahmotsavam

Srivari Brahmotsavam

221. Suna Besha

Suna Besha

222. Swanti

Swanti

223. Tapti Pushkaravahini

Tapti Pushkaravahini

224. Teejdi

Teejdi

225. Teejri

Teejri

226. Tendong Lho Rumfaat

Tendong Lho Rumfaat

227. Thaipusam

Thaipusam

228. Theppothsava

Theppothsava

229. Theppotsavam

Theppotsavam

230. Thimithi

Thimithi

231. Tiruvarur Chariot festival

Tiruvarur Chariot festival

232. Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah

233. Tungabhadra Pushkaralu

Tungabhadra Pushkaralu

234. Ujjain Simhastha

Ujjain Simhastha

235. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi

236. Varuthini Ekadashi

Varuthini Ekadashi

237. Vasant Navratri

Vasant Navratri

238. Vat Pournima

Vat Pournima

239. Vesak

Vesak

240. Vivaha Panchami

Vivaha Panchami

241. Yamuna Pushkaram

Yamuna Pushkaram

242. Yanam Venkanna Babu Brahmōtsavam

Yanam Venkanna Babu Brahmōtsavam

243. Yanam Venkanna Babu Kalyāṇōtsavam

Yanam Venkanna Babu Kalyāṇōtsavam

244. Yanam Śrī Rājarājeśwara Kalyāṇōtsavam

Yanam Śrī Rājarājeśwara Kalyāṇōtsavam

245. Yaosang

Yaosang

246. Zatra

Zatra