The Hindu Festival Calendar 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015: The Feasts, Fasts and Festivals of Hinduism

Hindu Festivals

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Hindu calendar for 2012

Saturday 14 January

Makar Sankrant: Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Saturday 28 January

Vasant Panchami: Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Monday 20 February

Mahashivratri: Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Thursday 8 March

Holi: The Hindu spring festival.

Sunday 1 April

Rama Navami: Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Swaminarayan Jayanti: This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Friday 6 April

Hanuman Jayanti: This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Thursday 2 August

Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Friday 10 August

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti: The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Tuesday 16 October

Navaratri (start): Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Wednesday 24 October

Dussera: Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Tuesday 13 November

Diwali: Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2013

Monday 14 January

Makar Sankrant: Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Friday 15 February

Vasant Panchami: Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Friday 19 April

Swaminarayan Jayanti: This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Saturday 5 October

Navaratri (start): Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Monday 14 October

Dussera: Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Sunday 3 November

Diwali: Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2014

Jan Tue 14

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Mar Mon 31

Ugadi (Yugadi)

Ugadi (literally 'the start of an era') is the New Year festival for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in southern India. It occurs on the first day of the month of Chaitra.

Apr Tue 8

Swaminarayan Jayanti

This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Sep Thu 25

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Oct Sat 4

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Oct Thu 23

Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2015

Jan Wed 14