Calendar

Tulasi Vivah

Tulsi Puja plays a very significant role for Hindus. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu married Goddess Tulsi in the form of Shaligram or his Shri Krishna avatar on Prabodhini Ekadashi. As per the Hindu scriptures, Tulsi Mata is said to be the avatar of Goddess Lakshmi who is the wife of Lord Vishnu. She took birth as Vrinda, as the legends say. Hence, this day is considered to be the most auspicious day for conducting rituals and ceremonies related to marriage along with Kanyadaan.

Married women across India perform the Tulsi Vivah puja for the well-being of their husbands and family members. The Hindus worship the tulsi plant, and Tulsi herself is thought to be an incarnation of Goddess Mahalakshmi, who was previously known as ‘Vrinda.’ To obtain marital bliss, young women pray to Goddess Lakshmi with full dedication. Young, unmarried women also follow Tulsi Vivah rituals in order to find good husbands. Also, many schedule their marriage on Tulsi Vivah day as it blesses the couple with blissful married life.

Shivaratri is great festival of convergence of Shiva and Shakti. It is believed that Maha Shivratri falls on such an auspicious day in the northern hemisphere that it raises a person’s spiritual power. Maha Shivratri also celebrates when Lord Shiva performed the “Tandav,” the cosmic dance.

Vrat Vidhi

One day before Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi, devotees should eat only one time. On Shivaratri day, after finishing morning rituals devotees should take Sankalp (संकल्प) to observe full day fast on Shivaratri and to take food next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Hindu fasts are strict and people pledge for self-determination and seek God blessing before starting them to finish them successfully.

On Shivaratri day devotees should take second bath in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or visiting temple. Shiva Puja should be done during night and devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat.

Holi ( /ˈhoʊliː/), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love, is an ancient Hindu religious festival and one of the most popular festivals in Hinduism. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha Krishna. The day also signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over Hiranyakashipu. It originated and is predominantly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent but has also spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the Western world through the Indian diaspora.

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love and for many, it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. The festival is also an invocation for a good spring harvest season. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon Day) falling in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. The first evening is known as “Holika Dahan” or “Chhoti Holi” and the following day as “Holi”, “Rangwali Holi”, “Dol Purnima”, “Dhuleti”, “Dhulandi”, “Ukuli”, “Manjal Kuli”, “Yaosang”, “Shigmo”, “Phagwah”, or “Jajiri”.

Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire, and pray that their internal evil be destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi (Dhuleti) where people smear and drench each other with colours. Water guns and water-filled balloons are often used to play and colour each other, with anyone and anyplace being considered fair game to color. Groups often carry drums and other musical instruments going from place-to-place singing and dancing. Throughout the day people visit family, and friends and foes come together to chat, enjoy food and drink, and partake in Holi delicacies.

According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Brahma started the creation of the world from the month of Chaitra, which is regarded as the first month of the Hindu calendar. It marks the beginning of the new season when new flowers and fruits start to blossom. Chaitra month fall in March- April, when the Sun starts its journey through the Zodiac cycle. Some people believe that Goddess Durga descended on the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Brahma started the work of creation of the universe at the behest of Mother Durga. Another belief is that Lord Shiva allowed his wife Durga to visit her parent’s house for nine days (Chaitra Navratri). During these nine days, it is said that the Goddess killed demon Mahishasura. This signifies the victory of good over evil. It is customary for Hindu women to visit their parents’ home during this auspicious time.

Maharashtran Hindus refer to the festival, observed on the same day, as Gudi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा).

The Sindhis celebrate the same day as Cheti Chand, which is the beginning of their calendar year.

Manipuris also celebrate their New Year as Sajibu Nongma Panba on the same day.

The Hindus of Bali in Indonesia also celebrate their new year on the same day as Nyepi.

Ugadi is one of the five Hindu national public holidays in Mauritius