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.

Monday 11 February:
Vasant Panchami: Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Thursday 6 March:
Mahashivratri: Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Friday 21 March:
Holi: The Hindu spring festival.

Sunday 6 April:
Bikarami Samvat - Varsha-Pratipada: The Hindu Spring New Year celebrated particularly in South India. Diwali, another Hindu New Year, is the more popular in the UK.

Monday 14 April:
Rama Navami: Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Saturday 19 April:
Hanuman Jayanti: This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Saturday 16 August:
Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Sunday 24 August:
Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti: The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Wednesday 3 September:
Ganesh Chaturthi: Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God.

Monday 29 September:
Navaratri (start): Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Thursday 9 October:
Dussera: Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Tuesday 28 October:
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.

For information read > Hinduism

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