This article contains a list of the most important Hindu festivals with a brief description of each one. The dates of these important Hindu festivals for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are also mentioned. The order in which the Hindu festivals are listed is the order in which they occur during the year.

makar sankranti: This is the festival of the Sun God. According to the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranthi marks the end of an inauspicious period beginning in mid-December. It also signifies the end of winter and the beginning of the new harvest season. In many parts of India, this festival is celebrated by flying kites. Unlike most Hindu festivals which are based on the lunar calendar, this festival follows a solar calendar. Hence, it is always celebrated on January 14. Due to the axis of the earth, the date of this festival changes every 80 years.

Dates: January 14, 2011, January 14, 2012, January 14, 2013, January 14, 2014, January 14, 2015.

Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja: This festival celebrates the beginning of spring. It is also a day to honor Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music, and art. Goddess Saraswati has 4 hands that represent intellect, mind, ego, and alertness. With both hands she plays the Veena (an instrument similar to the sitar). In her third hand she holds a lotus symbolizing knowledge and in her fourth hand she holds holy scriptures.

Dates: February 18, 2011, January 28, 2012, February 15, 2013, February 4, 2014, January 24, 2015.

maha shivaratri: There are many stories about why Maha Shivaratri is celebrated. A popular tale is that, according to legend, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva what his favorite ritual was, to which Lord Shiva replied that the thirteenth night of the new moon in the month of Maagha is his favorite day. Since then, that day is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. His devotees fast all day and keep a night vigil. The Shiva Linga is washed with milk, honey, water and bael leaves. This means the purification of the soul.

Dates: March 3, 2011, February 20, 2012, March 10, 2013, February 28, 2014, February 17, 2015.

Holi: According to legend, the demon king Hiranyakashipu received a blessing from Brahma that made him invincible. He forbade the worship of the gods. His son Prahlada continued to worship Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu made many unsuccessful attempts to kill Prahlada. Holika was the demon sister of Prahlada. She had also been given a boon according to which she could not be destroyed by fire. A wooden pyre was created and Holika sat on it. Prahlada was ordered to sit on his sister’s lap. When the pyre was lit, to everyone’s astonishment, Prahlada was unharmed, but Holika, who could not be destroyed by the fire, ended up being turned to ashes. To celebrate this victory of good over evil, Holi is celebrated.

Holi is the festival of colors and traditionally people put color and water on each other. Bhang (cannabis) is also consumed.

Dates: March 20, 2011, March 8, 2012, March 27, 2013, March 17, 2014, March 6, 2015.

navami ram: Lord Ram was the seventh incarnation of God Vishnu. Ram Navami celebrates his birthday.

Dates: April 12, 2011, April 1, 2012, April 20, 2013, April 8, 2014, March 28, 2015.

Hanuman Jayanti: Hanuman jayanti celebrates the birthday of Hanuman, the monkey god. Hanuman was the son of Vayu, the god of the wind. Hanuman is known for his strength and his unwavering devotion to Lord Ram and Sita.

Dates: April 17, 2011, April 6, 2012, April 25, 2013, April 15, 2014, April 4, 2015.

Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan reinforces the special relationship between brothers and sisters. On this day, the sisters tie the Rakhi (sacred thread) on the wrist of their brothers and the brothers reaffirm their promise to protect their sisters.

Dates: August 13, 2011, August 2, 2012, August 21, 2013, August 10, 2014, August 29, 2015.

Krishna Janmashtami: This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was born in a jail at midnight and was to be executed the next day by his wicked uncle Kansa. Krishna’s father, Vasudeva, managed to escape with Krishna and hand him over to his friends Nanda and Yashoda to raise him.

As a child, Krishna was very mischievous. He used to break the clay pot in which his mother kept butter and milk. On Krishna Janmashtami, youngsters recreate this scene by forming human pyramids to break high-hanging pots of butter and milk.

Dates: August 22, 2011, August 10, 2012, August 28, 2013, August 17, 2014, September 5, 2015.

ganesh chaturthi: This 10-day festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh, who is the God of prosperity, good fortune and wisdom. Hindus consider it auspicious to invoke the name of Lord Ganesh before starting any new venture.

On the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, idols of Lord Ganesh are brought and placed on an altar. These idols are worshiped and then immersed in a body of water (sea, lake, river, etc.). Depending on personal beliefs, the immersion can be done at any time during the 10 days of celebration.

Mumbai experiences some of the most colorful and vibrant Ganesh celebrations. Large pandals (tents) are set up where devotees can come and pray. The farewell immersion in the sea is done with music and dance.

Dates: September 1, 2011, September 19, 2012, September 9, 2013, August 29, 2014, September 17, 2015.

Navratri: In Sanskrit, Navratri means nine nights. The nine forms of Goddess Shakti/Devi are worshiped for nine nights and ten days. Navratri is divided into three spaces of three days. During the first three days, Durga (also known as Kali), who is the destroyer of evil, is worshipped. For the next three days the goddess of wealth Lakshmi is worshipped. In the last three days, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music and art, Goddess Saraswati, is worshipped. In the sequence in which it is written, the nine Goddesses are worshiped on the nine nights of Navratri: Maa Shailaputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagowri and Maa Siddhidayini.

Navratri is a joyful occasion to worship, feast, enjoy music and dance. Garba folk dance and Dandiya (stick dance) are very popular in West India.

Dates: September 28, 2011, October 16, 2012, October 5, 2013, September 25, 2014, October 13, 2015.

Dussehra – Vijay Dashami: Dussehra is celebrated on the day after Navrati. This is the day when Lord Ram defeated and killed Ravana. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

As part of the festivities, Ravana’s effigies are filled with fireworks and at night are burned.

Dates: October 6, 2011, October 24, 2012, October 14, 2013, October 4, 2014, October 22, 2015.

Diwali and Lakshmi Puja: “The festival of lights” is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. It celebrates the return to Ayodhya of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman after 14 years in exile. According to legend, the citizens of Ayodhya lit earthenware oil lamps along the path Lord Ram took back to Ayodhya.

The five-day festivities start with Dhanteras during which businessmen start their financial year. It is also a day when families buy decorations.

The second day, “Naraka Chaturdasi”, marks Lord Krishna’s victory over Naraka.

On the third day, Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped to ensure prosperity. This is the main day of Diwali.

The fourth day, “Annakuta”, also called “Shukla Paksha”, marks the day when Lord Krishna started Govardhan worship.

On the fifth day, “Bhai Dooj” strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, Lord Yama visited his sister Yamuna his.

Traditional lights are lit during the five days of Diwali and the sound of firecrackers is expected to be heard throughout the five days.

Dates: October 26, 2011, November 13, 2012, November 3, 2013, October 23, 2014, November 11, 2015.