GANESH CHATURTHI

Time : September
Place : Maharashtra / Tamil Nadu

This day is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of all good beginnings and success. Held annually, this festival is a ten day long event. The images of Lord Ganesha are installed and worshipped and on the last day these are taken in processions to be immersed in flowing water. The seafront at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular sight

RATH YATRA

Time : June/ July
Place : Orissa

This spectacular chariot festival is held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri. Images of Lord Jagannath - the Lord of the Universe, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in procession in three immense chariots. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels. Thousands of devotees pull these chariots to Gundicha Mandir, a temple 1.5 km away.

SHIVRATRI

Time : February / March
Place : Nation wide

All over the country, Shivratri is observed as the night, when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav' - his cosmic dance. Fasts and prayers mark the day and devotees throng the temples. The major Shaivite temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu) are noted for their special celebrations.

JANMASHTAMI

Time : August, September
Place : Northern States

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour all over the country.
In Mathura and Brindavan - where Lord Krishna spent his childhood and youth, the Janmashtami celebrations are quite elaborate. The Krishna Leela - stories of his eventful youth are enacted.

In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd and butter are hung high up over the streets. Young men enacting an episode from Krishna's childhood form human pyramids by climbing on each others' shoulders and try to break these pots.

RAMNAVAMI

Time : March-April
Place : Northern India

The anniversary of Lord Rama's birth is celebrated as Ramnavami by the Hindus. The epic 'Ramayana' is read for eight days preceding the festival.People observe Fast on this day, which is reputed as one of the five most important vratas among the Hindus. In the morning prayers are offered to Lord Rama. People also visit temples, which are decorated with flowers and tableaus, depicting various stages of Lord Rama's life.

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama, a huge fair is organized for two days and rathyatras or chariot processions of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are taken out.

VASANT PANCHAMI

Time : January
Place : Northern India

The ceremonial welcome to spring when people, colourfully attired, especially in bright shades of yellow, dance, sing and make merry. In West Bengal, 'Saraswati' - the goddess of learning is worshipped. The festival is celebrated with great fervour in the university town of Santiniketan.