An introduction to some special dates:
Diwali
Diwali (or Deepavali) is the most popular festival in the Hindu calendar and literally means 'rows of lamps'. It is commonly known as the Festival of Lights. Hindus celebrate Diwali over a period of days which includes the beginning of the Hindu New Year.
Diwali is a reminder that justice brings victory and signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and goodness over evil. It is a joyous occasion when Hindus gather to exchanged gifts with family and friends.
Holi
Holi is the Hindu spring festival. Little religious activity is involved in the celebration even though it has religious roots. It is also called The Festival of Colours as people smear each other with coloured powder and throw coloured water around. This breaks down all barriers of discrimination as everyone ends up looking the same – a colourful mess!
There are various stories associated with the festival. The tradition of throwing coloured powder around comes from a story about Krishna. Another story about Prahlada and Holika gives rise to the tradition of lighting bonfires in parts of India. The moral of this story is that good wins over evil.
Rama Navami or Ramnavmi
Rama Navami celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and hero of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. Highlights of the story are read in the temple but the whole epic may be recited during the week beforehand. Rama is said to have been born at noon, so at this time a special prayer is said and Prasad or blessed food is offered to a picture of baby Rama which has been placed in a cradle. The food may then be shared among the congregation. Homes are cleaned and decorated and offerings of fruit and flowers placed on the family shrine. The youngest female member of the household applies a red mark (tilak) to the other members of the family before everyone joins together in worship. The festival is a focal point for moral reflection and being charitable to others.
Calendar of Festivals and Holy Days
You can find lists of Festivals and Holy days on the following websites: