This document discusses several important Hindu festivals celebrated in India. It provides brief descriptions of festivals such as Sankranti (harvest festival), Maha Shivaratri (night of Shiva), Holi (commemorates slaying of demoness Holika), Raksha Bandhan (celebrates bond between siblings), Krishna Janmashtami (birth of Krishna), Karva Chauth (symbolizes love between husband and wife), Ganesh Chaturthi (birth of Ganesh), Navaratri (festival of worship and dance), Vijayadashami (celebration of good over evil), Diwali (celebrates return of Lord Rama and killing of demons), and

1. Hindu Festivals
• Dr Kranti Hiremath MBE

2. Introduction
1. Festivals in India
2. Hindu Festivals
3. Q & A

3. Festivals in India
• Indian History
• 6000BC
• Invasion of Muslims and
Europeans
• India Multicultural Society
• Indian Festivals
• Hindu
• Islamic
• Christian
• Others

4. Sankranti
• Most Popular Harvest festivals of
Southern India
• Marks Sun's Journey Northwards

5. Maha Shivaratri
• Night of Shiva
• Followers of Shiva observe
religious fastings

6. Holi
• Commemorates the slaying of the
demoness Holika by Lord Vishnu
• Colourful festival bridges the social gap

7. Raksha Bandhan
• Thread of love
• Special Occasion to celebrate
the chaste bond of love between
a brother and a sister.

8. Krishna Janmaashtami
• Celebrating the birth of Krishna

9. Karwa Chouth
• Symbolizing the love
between a husband and
wife
• Married women fast from
sunrise to moonrise for
the safety and longevity of
their husbands

10. Ganesh Chaturthi
• Celebration of the birth of
Ganesh.

11. Navaratri
• Means Nine Nights
• Festival of Worship of Shakti and
Dance.
• Effigies are burned.

12. Vijayadashami
• Durga pooja in Bengal
• Dusherra in Karnataka
• Celebration of good over evil

13. Diwali
• North and central India
• Occasion of Lord Krishna
killing a demon.
• Return Rama and Sita to the
kingdom after fourteen years
of exile
• Celebration of good over evil

14. Diwali Cont.

15. Diwali Cont.

16. Diwali Cont.

17. Diwali cont.

18. Diwali cont.

19. Kumbh Mela
• Takes place every twelve years
• Bathe in Ganges for purification
from sin.

20. Q and A