The most important festival of the Jain community is Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir. This is observed on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Chaitra. The day is celebrated with great zeal and devotion. People visit sacred places and worship Teerthankaras (spiritual guides) on this day.

Read more here: » Jainism: Indian Festivals - Mahavir Jayanti

Nearly 80 per cent of the people of Assam are dependent on agriculture and spontaneous celebration of festivities is associated with the beginning and end of the harvest season. Bihu from the Sanskrit Vishu, is the harvest festival of Assam and is celebrated thrice in a year. The festival at the beginning of the spring season is Bohag Bihu, associated with the Vernal equinox in Chaitra Sankranti. The Kati Bihu is associated with the Autumnal equinox in Ashwina Sankranti.

People often call the Kati Bihu as Kangali Bihu as there is nothing much to eat during that period. People welcome budding paddy crops. The Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu associated with the winter solstice is celebrated with food and drinks after harvest, in Pausa Sankranti.

(See also: Bihu, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Chaitra (Hindi: चैत cait or चैत्र caitr) is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Chaitra is the first month of the year, beginning on 22 March (or 21 March in leap years) and ending on 20 April. It is also the last month in the Bangla Calendar, where it is called Choitro, and the Bikram Sambat, where it ends on April 13. In lunar religious calendars, Chaitra may begin on either the new moon or the full moon around the same time of year, and is usually the ...

Read more here: » Chaitra: Encyclopedia - Chaitra

Telugu New Year's Day

THIS FALLS on the first day of the month of Chaitra (March-April) according to Chandramana. This is a day of rejoicing. This is new year's day for the people of Andhra Pradesh and also the Telugu people all over the world.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Telugu New Year's Day: Hindu Traditions - Telugu New Year's Day

In Jainism, Mahavir Jayanti is the most important religious holiday. It celebrates of the birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. He was born on the 13th day of the rising moon of Chaitra, in either 599 BC or 615 BC (depending on religious tradition). The holiday occurs in late March or early April on the Gregorian calendar. In 2005, Mahavir Jayanti falls on April 22. ...

Read more here: » Mahavir Jayanti: Encyclopedia - Mahavir Jayanti

Durga Puja or Navaratri:

This festival is observed twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja. It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Durga. During Navaratri (the word literally means "nine nights") devotees of Durga observe a fast. Brahmins are fed and prayers are offered for the protection of health and property.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Durga Puja or Navaratri: Hindu Festivals - Durga Puja or Navaratri

The psychological effect of this worship, done on the very first full moon day of every year (Chaitra is the first of the twelve months), is to vividly remind us of the higher power that maintains a constant watch over every act of ours on this earth-plane. This memory serves as an invisible check on one's conduct. The conception of the Chitra Guptas as located within each shoulder is a powerful inducement to keep oneself engaged in constantly doing good actions only.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Chitra Purnima: Hindu Worship - Chitra Purnima

Ramnavmi

Lord Rama, an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is measureless, who is of the nature of pure Consciousness and bliss, who is the consort of Sita, Master of Sri Hanuman, and the Lord of the three worlds, who took His birth at His own will in order to establish righteousness, destroy the wicked and protect His devotees.

Ramnavami or the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Ramnavmi: Hindu Worship - Ramnavmi

Hanuman, the monkey-god, was an ardent devotee of Rama. His devotion took him wherever he was required to help Rama tide over difficulties. Most famously, Hanuman searched and found Ram's kidnapped consort Sita, brought vital healing herbs from the mountain to make a seriously wounded Lakshman well, and acted as the commander of Ram's forces.

Hanuman, therefore, is popularly referred to as the sankat mochan , resolver of problems, easy to please. He was born on Chaitra Shukla Purnima, and there are many legends surrounding his birth. He is also known as Shankarsuvan, Kesarinandan, Pawansut - that is, son of Shankar, of Kesari and Anjani and of Pawan, the god of the winds respectively.

(See also: Hanuman and Ram, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Tyagaraja (Telugu: శ్రీ త్యాగరాజ; d. 1848) was one of the most important composers of Carnatic music. He is regarded as one of the "trinity" of Carnatic music composers, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. He was a devotee of Rama. Tyagaraja - Biography. In Thiruvarur in the Thanjavur district of present-day Tamil Nadu, in the Hindu lunar year Sarvajit 27th Soma, on Chaitra Sukla Sapthami, the 7th day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Chaitra, under the Including:

• Tyagaraja - Biography
• Tyagaraja - Education and purpose
• Tyagaraja - Career
• Tyagaraja - Remembrance and celebration

Read more here: » Tyagaraja: Encyclopedia - Tyagaraja

Maryada Purusha , Rama Navami , Rama nama, Rama nama mantra, Rama nama contains the power of all mantras. Just uttering the syllable 'Ra' can purge us of all sin. The following syllable 'Ma' ensures that expunged sins do not return to plague us.

The Rama nama mantra stands for Supreme Reality. Chanting Rama's name produces a rhythmic sound that soothes and relaxes the mental and physical system. Mental recitations are equally, if not more, effective. 'Ra' is taken from the Astakshari Mantra Om Namo Narayanaya and 'Ma', from Panchakshari Mantra, Namah Shivaya . The word Rama stands for one who is always present in the hearts of yogis and makes them feel happy. Rama nama liberates from ego and desires. If you are depressed, the mantra will lift your spirits.

(See also: Rama Navami, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

SRI HANUMAN is worshipped all over India - either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Hanuman Jayanti: Hindu Worship -Hanuman Jayanti

Satya Narayana Vrata

The observance of the Satya Narayana Vrata does not cost much. You need only give a small gift to the pundit who comes to read the story and then distribute some prasad which also need not be very costly. Some wheat flour and sugar will make up the prasad. A little curd and some fruit are required. Even the poorest man can observe this Vrata.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Satya Narayana Vrata: Hindu Rituals - Satya Narayana Vrata

Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of a Hindu lunar year (or Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami). This day is observed as the marriage day of Rama and Seetha as well as the birthday of Rama. People normally perform Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration) for small murtis of Rama and Seetha in their houses and at the end of the day the idols are taken in a procession on the streets. This day also marks the end of nine day utsavam called Vasanthothsavam ...

Read more here: » Rama Navami: Encyclopedia - Rama Navami

Ugadi (literally - the start of an era) is the new year's day for the people of the Deccan region of India. While the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka use the term Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa. Ugadi - The Lunar Almanac of the Deccan. The festival marks the new year day for people who follow the southern Indian lunar calendar, pervasively adhered to in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtr ...

Including:

• Ugadi - The Lunar Almanac of the Deccan
• Ugadi - Observance in Andhra and Karnataka
• Ugadi - Observance in Maharashtra
• Ugadi - Trivia

Read more here: » Ugadi: Encyclopedia - Ugadi

Kumbh Mela (the Urn Festival) is a Hindu pilgrimage that occurs four times every twelve years and rotates between four locations: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Each twelve-year cycle includes one Maha Kumbh Mela (Great Kumbh Mela) at Prayag, which is attended by millions of people, making it the largest pilgrimage gathering anywhere in the world. Kumbh Mela - Astrology and Kumbh Mela. The precise dates of the Kumbh Mela are astrologically determined, based upon the positions of t ...

Including:

• Kumbh Mela - Astrology and Kumbh Mela
• Kumbh Mela - The legend
• Kumbh Mela - Rituals of Kumbh Mela
• Kumbh Mela - Kumbh Mela 2003

Read more here: » Kumbh Mela: Encyclopedia - Kumbh Mela

The Bangla calendar also known as Bangabda in the Bengali language, is the traditional calendar used in Bangladesh and Bangla (Bengali)-speaking regions of India. The calendar is based on the solar year. New Year's Day falls between 13 April and 15 April. Bangla calendar - History. Under the Mughals, agricultural taxes were collected according to the Hijri calendar. However, as the Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar, the agricultural year did not coincide with the fiscal year. Therefore, farmers were ...

Including:

• Bangla calendar - History
• Bangla calendar - Months
• Bangla calendar - Organization
• Bangla calendar - Beginning of day
• Bangla calendar - Rule of leap year

Read more here: » Bangla calendar: Encyclopedia - Bangla calendar

Mahavira (वर्धमान महावीर) or Mahavir (the "Great Hero" -- Also, Vardhamana (increasing) or Niggantha Nathaputta -- 599 BC-527 BC, though possibly 549 BC-477 BC) was the 24th, and last, Jainist Tirthankara. Mahavira established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism and was a contemporary of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Mahavira - Overview of Mahavira's life. Mahavira was born on the thirteenth day under ...

Including:

• Mahavira - Overview of Mahavira's life
• Mahavira - Awakening and enlightenment
• Mahavira - Honours
• Mahavira - Quotes
• Mahavira - Footnotes

Read more here: » Mahavira: Encyclopedia - Mahavira

The Hindu calendar is of two types: the solar calendar or the saura māna the lunisolar calendar or the chāndra māna Both are described in this article. Hindu calendar - Basic structure. The structure of the Hindu calendar is of course composed of days making months making years. The system of describing days is the same in both the solar and lunisolar calendars. The system of describing months and hence years is what distinguishes the solar and lunisolar ...

Including:

• Hindu calendar - Basic structure
• Hindu calendar - Day
• Hindu calendar - Tithi
• Hindu calendar - Vaasara
• Hindu calendar - Nakshatra
• Hindu calendar - Yoga
• Hindu calendar - Karana
• Hindu calendar - Month and year of the solar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Months of the lunisolar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Naming lunar months
• Hindu calendar - Religious observances in case of extra and lost months
• Hindu calendar - Year of the lunisolar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Another kind of lunisolar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Correspondence of the lunisolar calendar to the solar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Year numbering
• Hindu calendar - Year names
• Hindu calendar - Eras
• Hindu calendar - History

Read more here: » Hindu calendar: Encyclopedia - Hindu calendar

Samvat is any of the various Hindu calendars. In India, there are several calendars in use: Vikrama Samvat: lunar months, solar sidereal years Shaka Samvat (traditional): lunar months, solar sidereal years Shaka Samvat (modern): solar tropical Bangla Calendar: solar tropical years Tamilnadu/Kerala: solar tropical years such as Malayalam calendar Nepa ...

Including:

• Samvat - Months and Approximate Correspndence
• Samvat - The time cycles in India
• Samvat - Date Conversion
• Samvat - Variations
• Samvat - Also See

Read more here: » Samvat: Encyclopedia - Samvat