Hindu Festivals Types and Significance

Study Notes

Diwali (Festival of Lights): Celebrates triumph of light over darkness, good over evil.
- Five-day celebration with fireworks, lighting diyas, and exchanging gifts.
Holi (Festival of Colors): Celebrates arrival of spring, victory of good over evil.
- Throwing colored powders and liquids, bonfires, and festive gatherings.
Navratri (Nine Nights): Celebrates feminine divine energy, Durga Puja.
- Nine-day celebration with garba and dandiya raas dances, fasting, and worship.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrates birth of Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles.
- Ten-day celebration with idol worship, processions, and immersion in water bodies.
Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi): Celebrates bond between brothers and sisters.
- Sisters tie rakhi threads on brothers' wrists, symbolizing protection and love.
Makar Sankranti: Celebrates winter solstice, beginning of longer days.
- Holy bath in rivers, exchange of gifts, and festive gatherings.

Pujas (worship): Offerings to deities, often with flowers, fruits, and sweets.
Vratas (fasting): Abstinence from food and drink, or specific foods, for spiritual growth.
Satsangs (spiritual gatherings): Congregational singing, prayer, and spiritual discourse.
Mela (fairs): Temporary markets selling festive items, food, and drinks.

Hindu festivals are categorized into three types: secular festivals, regional festivals, and seasonal festivals.

Diwali: A five-day celebration that marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, accompanied by fireworks, lighting diyas, and exchanging gifts.
Holi: A festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil, marked by throwing colored powders and liquids, bonfires, and festive gatherings.
Navratri: A nine-day celebration that honors the feminine divine energy, Durga Puja, and features garba and dandiya raas dances, fasting, and worship.
Ganesh Chaturthi: A ten-day celebration that commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles, marked by idol worship, processions, and immersion in water bodies.
Raksha Bandhan: A festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters tie rakhi threads on brothers' wrists, symbolizing protection and love.
Makar Sankranti: A festival that marks the winter solstice, celebrating the beginning of longer days, accompanied by holy baths in rivers, exchange of gifts, and festive gatherings.

Pujas: Offerings to deities are made with flowers, fruits, and sweets as a form of worship.
Vratas: Fasting or abstinence from specific foods and drinks is practiced for spiritual growth.
Satsangs: Congregational singing, prayer, and spiritual discourse take place in spiritual gatherings.
Mela: Temporary markets are set up during festivals, selling festive items, food, and drinks.