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.

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.