Indian festivals
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List of Festivals in India
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Hindu
- Makar Sankranti, Kite Flying Day, Winter festival
- Baisakhi
- Mahashivratri
- Holi
- Gudi Padwa
- Ram Navami
- Guru Purnima
- Gokul Ashtami
- Karthikai deepam
- Pongal
- Raksha Bandhan, Rakhi, Sacred Thread tied by sister on Brother's hand
- Onam
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Durga Puja
- Dussehra or Daserra
- Diwali
- Diwali Amvasaya (Laxmi Puja)
- Diwali (day 2)
- Bhaubeej
- Hanuman Jayanti, birthday of Hanuman
Islamic
Sikhism
- Guru Nanak's Birthday Jayanti (Sikhism)
- Guru Govind Singh's Birthday Jayanti (Sikhism)
- Guru Teg Bahadur's Martyrdom Day (Sikhism)
- Vaisakhi (Sikhism)
Zoroastrian
Though Parsis account for less than 1% of the Indian population, Gandhiji said, "In numbers, Parsis are beneath contempt, but in contribution, beyond compare." The same could be said of their festivals. Unfortunately; like the Parsis themselves, these are private and celebrated within the community. The Parsis use the Shahenshahi calendar opposed to their Irani co-religionists. For example, the spring festival celebrated in April by Iranis, falls in October for Parsis due to the lack of intercalation over hundreds of years! In addition to seasonal festivals, called Gahambars, and many other Jashans (festivals), the most eminent festivals are listed below.
- Maidyozarem Gahambar - Mid-Spring Festival. Early October.
- Maidyoshahem Gahambar - Mid-Summer Festival. Early December
- Paitishahem Gahambar - Festival of bringing in the harvest. Mid February.
- Ayathrem Gahambar - Festival if bringing home the herds. Mid March.
- Maidyarem Gahambar - Mid-Winter Festival. Lit. 'Mid-Year'. Early June.
- Hamaspathmaidyem or Muktad - All Souls Festival. Cf. Día de los Meurtos
- Pateti - New Year's Day Eve. August-September.
- Jamshed-e Navroz - New Year's Day, (Noruz). August-September.
- Jashan-e Sadeh - Festival of Fire. Lit. the 100th day (before Navroz).
- Jashan-e Mihragan - Festival of Mihr. A day of thanksgiving dedicated to the highest Angel, Mithra (c.f. Metatron).
- Jashan-e Tirigan - Festival of Tir. A day dedicated to Tishtrya, Angel of the star Sirius and rain.
- Farvardigan - Festival of the Farohars ('guardian angels').
- Khordad Sal - Birthday of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
- Zartosht No-Diso - Anniversary commemorating the death of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
Christian
Others
- Mahavir Jayanti, Jain
- Buddha Purnima (Buddha Jayanti or Vesak); Buddhist
Unofficial
- New Year's Day
- Valentine's Day, in Cities only
- April Fool's Day
- Halloween, in Cities only
- Children's Day, 14th November
External Links
Indian Festivals Calendar (http://festivals.tajonline.com) Kamat's Potpourri: Indian Festivals (http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/festive/) Zoroastrian Religious Calendar (http://www.avesta.org/zcal.html)