Calendar

Ram Navami Rituals: Hindu Culture & Traditions

This festival is observed in order to celebrate the birth of Marayada Purshottam Ram, considered to be a form of Lord Vishnu, one of the prime deities of Hindu trio. It is said that, Lord Rama is not only god but also the ideal figure for a human being. He is considered to be an ideal son, a doting husband, a mighty king, a wonderful brother and a great father. On the occasion of Rama Navami, mot only the people in India but also the Hindu community living in the other parts of the world celebrate this great day with immense joy and fervor.

Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman was the son of Anjana, a female spirit of the clouds and waters, and Desari, the chief of the vanara, a group of powerful monkey people who lived in the forests. The wind god Vayu also played a role in the conception and birth of Hanuman. Some texts identify Hanuman as an incarnation of Shiva, but Hanuman is best known for his role in the epic poem and sacred text the Ramayana.

Hanuman is worshipped as a deity with the ability to attain victory against evil and provide protection. On this festival, devotees of Hanuman celebrate him and seek his protection and blessings.

Vaisakhi is a harvest festival for people of the Punjab region. In the Punjab, Vaisakhi marks the ripening of the rabi harvest. Vaisakhi also marks the Punjabi new year. This day is observed as a thanksgiving day by farmers whereby farmers pay their tribute, thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for future prosperity.

Vaisakhi is traditionally observed on 13 or 14 April, every year. For many Hindus, it marks the solar new year.