Hinduism

Hinduism, also called Sanatana Dharma, is the world’s oldest organized religion. It evolved over many centuries in the Indian subcontinent and has no single founder or scripture. Adherents believe in one omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient God. Followers refer to a number of holy texts – Veda, Purana, Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata – and many worship many male and female manifestations of God either in temple or at home.

Hinduism’s core beliefs include:

Dharma (righteous practices)
Karma (action with cause and effect)
Moksha (liberation from cycle of rebirth)
Atman (eternal soul)
Ahimsa (non-violence)
Bhakti (devotion)
Jnana (knowledge and spiritual enlightenment)

The Hindu calendar – Vikram Samvat and Panchang – uses both lunar and solar calculations.

This is the tenth and final day of the festival celebrating worship of Lord Vishnu and includes colourful processions. It is celebrated by Hindus and Jains.

This is a nine night celebration in which Hindus fast and worship of Goddess Durga.

This very popular Hindu festival is celebrated for five continuous days and is known as the Festival of Lights. During this festival, lights are lit inside and outside followers’ homes. Lighting the lamp is a symbolic representation of 'illuminating the lamp of knowledge within us'. It is a time to celebrate new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Families visit their places of worship and spend time with family and friends. Customs and traditions vary based on geographic region, culture and language.

This is the eighth day of Navaratri celebrations and is an important day in Goddess worship in Hindu religion. The Goddess Durga is worshipped and devotees of Hinduism fast and perform religious ceremonies on this day.

On this day Hindus all over the world celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh (Ganesh Chaturthi). Ganesh is depicted with an elephant's head on a human body and in the Hindu tradition he is the son of Lord Siva and the Goddess Parvati. He is known as the Remover of Obstacles and is prayed to particularly when people are beginning a new enterprise or starting a new business. Ganesh is also known as the patron god of travelling.

In some places in India, the festival is celebrated for ten days and is a joyous event and regarded as a public occasion. In other places it is simply celebrated at home and hymns are sung and offerings made to Ganesh. Sweets are also distributed because in Hindu legend Ganesh liked them.

This ten-day festival celebrates Lord Ganesh, God of Success. Celebrations range from ceremonies and prayers in the home to large community festivities. The festival ends with ends with Anant Chaturdashi.

This day is celebrated around the world by disciples to revere and honour their Gurus (spiritual masters). The same day is celebrated by Jains as well as Hindus.

Also referred to as the Festival of Colours, Holi is a colourful and joyous festival that welcomes spring and is dedicated to Krishna or Kama (longing). The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated with people throwing colourful powder and coloured water.

This one day festival is celebrated by married women who take part in a one-day fasting ritual for the safety, prosperity and well-being of their husbands.

The Bonfire Festival celebrates the winter harvest. Hindus who partake in this festival relax and enjoy traditional folk song and dance.

This day is dedicated to Shiva, one of the major deities to whom Hindus direct their devotion. The night before the feast, Hindus recite texts, sing and tell stories in honour of this God whose dynamic cosmic dance creates, preserves, destroys and recreates the world.

This harvest festival marks the change from a decrease to an increase in sun.

The Hindu calendar uses both lunar and solar calculations, and therefore the celebration of the New Year differs greatly from the Gregorian calendar. New Year celebration dates differ throughout the regions, but most often occur at the same time as the beginning of spring.

This is a festival in which married and unmarried girls and women tie amulets on the wrists of their brothers for protection against evil. 

Rama Navami celebrates the birth day of Rama, the seventh incarnation of the God Vishnu. During the previous eight days, Hindus read the Ramayana, a Hindu epic, which tells the story of Rama.

Also known as Durga Puja, Navaratri (nine nights) symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn. Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects of the supreme goddess or goddesses. The festival culminates with Dussehra, the victory of good over evil, on the tenth day.

Celebrates the birthday of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the God of Vishnu.

This is the first day of the solar year and celebrates the harvest. It is especially important in North India.

Spring Navaratri is a nine night celebration in which Hindus fast and worship of Goddess Durga.

This North Indian celebration is associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, and with Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. Vasanta Panchami is the first day of spring. Ceremonies are held to honour Saraswati. Marigold flowers are featured in religious ceremonies. Adherents dress in yellow and gather with their families.

This day celebrates the victory of good over evil: of Lord Rama over the demon Ravan, and the Goddess Durga over a demon. It follows the nine-day celebration of Navaratri (nine nights) and Durga Puja (worship), when other goddesses are worshipped.