Pitru Paksha, also known as Mahalaya Paksh, Shradh, Sola Shraddha and Pitr Paksh is a very auspicious festival for Hindus all around the world. Pitru Paksha falls on the dark fortnight of Ashvina, which usually begins late September or early October according to the English calendar.  Pitru Paksha is a special occasion where Hindus perform rituals [...]

Ganesh Chaturthi (also called Vinayaka Chaturthi) festival and celebrations have begun today all over the world. It is a Hindu festival for Lord Ganesha who is believed to have a presence on earth for all his devotees for the duration of this festival. Ganesh Chaturthi is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada and [...]

Kshamavani, also known as Forgiveness Day is a Jainism celebration and a day of universal forgiveness, in which Jains ask forgiveness of others for wrongs committed during the previous year, and they also forgive those who have caused them suffering. In 2012 Ksamavani is celebrated on the Samvatsari, the last day of the annual Paryusana festival, which [...]

In the Indian state of Kerala the biggest festival is called Onam, which is also referred to Kerala’s harvest festival. Most commonly celebrated by Hindus and Malayalees based around the state of Kerala and signifies the home-coming of King Mahabali. Onam is also celebrated as the day of advent of Vamana and Bali. It marks the [...]

Obon is an annual Japanese and Buddhist-Confucian event for remembrance and commemoration of one’s ancestors. It is believed that each year during Obon (also known as the Bon festival), the spirits of ancestors return to this world in order to visit their loved ones and relatives. The festival of Obon lasts for 3 days in [...]

Krishna Janmashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday, also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti,Sree Jayanti or sometimes just Janmashtami, is one of most important festivals for many Hindus celebrating the birth of Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. This year in 2012, Janmaashtami is celebrated on August 10th and has large celebrations all [...]

This year in 2012, August 2nd is a very special day for Indians and Hindus as it is Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi. August 2nd is also a special day for Tibetan Buddhists as it is Amitabha Buddha day. Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is celebrated by Hindus and Indians all over the world but is most [...]

(CHAKRA) Naga Panchami falls on July 24th in 2012 and is a Hindu festival. It is on the 5th day of Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated in India, Nepal and other places with large Hindu populations around the world.  Many Hindu mythologies are filled with stories about snakes, the [...]

Guru Har Krishan was born on Wednesday, 23 July 1656 and was the 8th of the 10 Gurus of Sikhism. He became Guru on Sunday, 20 October 1661 following in the footsteps of his father, Guru Har Rai Ji. Before Guru Ji died, he nominated Baba Bakala ji, as the next Guru of the Sikhs. [...]

(CHAKRA) Guru Purnima is a festival most commonly celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists. On July 3rd 2012, disciples & students offer worship and pay their respects to their Guru (spiritual teacher). It falls on the day of full moon, Purnima, which is usually in the month of Ashadh (June–July) of the Shaka Samvat, Indian national [...]