India is a country of festivals. From East to West and North to South, everyday some festival is going on somewhere on the land. It is said about her festivals that she celebrates 370 festivals a year. Well, festivals, festivity etc. are the occasions of joy, or remembrance of somebody or some event, or to mark something.

In celebrating Indian festivals there are many terms which are necessary to understand the basis of those festivals and activities performed on those days. A simple glossary is given to explain those terms and their importance.

Here are the main festivals of North India (UP, Uttaraanchal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and some towns of Punjab):

      Festival                            English Month                  Hindi Month

1. Ganesh Chaturthee            January                       Poos / Paush

2. Sankraanti                           January                       January 14th

3. Vasant Panchamee          January-February           Magh / Maargsheersh

4. Shiv Raatri                       February                      Phaalgun

5. Holee                                    March                          Phaalgun

6. Nava Raatri                         March                          Chaitra

7. Raam Navamee               March                          Chaitra

8. Bad Amaavasyaa                June                            Jyeshtha

9. Naag Panchamee               July                             Shraavan

10. Hariyalee Teej                  July                             Shraavan

11. Rakshaa Bandhan           August                         Shraavan

12. Krishn Janmaashtamee  August                         Bhaadrapad

13. Pitra Paksh                        August-September          Kuaar / Aashwin

14. Dashaharaa                      September                     Kuaar / Aashwin 

15. Sharad Poornimaa           September-October         Kuaar / Aashwin

16. Karavaa Chauth                October                         Kaartik

17. Hoyee Ashtamee              October                         Kaartik

18. Divaalee / Deevaalee      October                         Kaartik

19. Kaartik Poornimaa           November                      Kaartik

Most festivals have one or the other story behind them. So on that day that story is told and heard in a group, if the group is not there then one person tells the story loudly so that she can hear it. Besides, only one story is not told, there should always be at least two stories. So another story normally relates to Ganesh Jee. Some stories of Ganesh Jee are also given here in which His worshipper always gets lots of riches, comfortable living and peaceful life.

Stories of Ganesh Jee

Hindu Festivals - 2007

Hindu Festivals - 2008