Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
HAFSITE.ORG
2
Promoting Dignity Mutual Respect & Pluralism
Holy Days & Festivals Promoting Dignity Mutual Respect & Pluralism
3
Hindu holidays Deity Season Historical Event
Celebrated on the schedule of the lunar calendar, each event may commemorate many things.
4
Deity Celebrations
5
Shivaratri PAYS HOMAGE TO SHIVA, THE GOD OF TRANSFORMATION
Fasting all day (ranges from eating only fruit to abstaining from food) Chanting his name and singing hymns all night Adorning a Shiva linga (a murti) with milk, honey, water, fruits, and leaves from certain trees Sitting in meditation with Shiva February/March
6
9 Ramanavami CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF RAMA, AN
INCARNATION OF VISHNU Some Hindus choose to fast for 9 days 9 Depicting the Ramayana through song, dance, and dramas. March/April
7
Krishna was born at midnight
Krishna Janmashtami CELEBRATES THE BIRTH AND LIFE OF KRISHNA, THE AVATAR OF VISHNU WHO DELIVERED THE BHAGAVAD GITA Many Hindus choose to fast up to midnight They blow conches, sing Krishna’s praises, and feast on sweets at midnight Krishna was born at midnight August/September
8
A multiple-day festival
Ganesha Chaturti PAYS HOMAGE TO GANESH, THE REMOVER OF OBSTACLES Devotees immerse murtis of Ganesh into a body of water The murtis are made of material that dissolves in the water A multiple-day festival The ritual is symbolic of the cyclical nature of time, and that even the Gods themselves will eventually dissolve August/September
9
The most popularly worshiped manifestations of the Feminine Divine
Navaratri WORSHIPED MANIFESTATIONS OF THE FEMININE DIVINE The most popularly worshiped manifestations of the Feminine Divine Durga (the Mother Goddess), Saraswati (The Goddess of Knowledge, Speech, and the Arts) Lakshmi (the Goddess of Health, Wealth, and Prosperity) Nine-night celebration of the Feminine Divine 9 The tenth night is known as Dusshera and is marked with many festivities 10th MANY FASTS AND RITUALS ASSOCIATED WITH NAVARATRI ARE EXCLUSIVE TO WOMEN 5 Times a Year (the spring and fall celebrations are the most widely celebrated)
10
Seasonal Celebrations
11
Makara Sankranti | Uttarayana | Pongal
PAY HOMAGE TO GODDESS SARASWATI, AS WELL AS TO ANCESTORS Hindus thank God for the bountiful harvest, which broadly coincides in winter Marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (Makara rashi) on its celestial path Pongal is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka January 14th
12
Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists
Holi CELEBRATES TRIUMPH OVER DIVISIVENESS & NEGATIVITY AND LOVE & UNITY WELCOMES THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING AND THE HARVESTS Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists Many celebrate by tossing colored powders in the air and using dyed water to color each other. In the evening, Hindus celebrate by lighting bonfires and eating festive foods.
13
Other Celebrations
14
CELEBRATES THE BOND BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Raksha Bandham CELEBRATES THE BOND BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS Sisters tie a decorative sacred amulet (rakhi) on her brothers’ right wrist and pray for their protection (often including distant cousins and friends considered honorary brothers) Brothers give their sisters small tokens or gifts of appreciation August
15
One of the most celebrated Hindu festivals
Diwali | Deepavali COMMEMORATES THE VICTORY OF GOOD OVER EVIL The light from these lamps symbolizes the illumination within the individual The word refers to rows of earthen lamps celebrants place around their homes One of the most celebrated Hindu festivals October/November
16
Diwali, the festival of lights
Key takEaways HINDUS FESTIVALS ARE very diverse and vary by region and tradition Diwali, the festival of lights is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals
17
THANK YOU
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.