Hindus celebrate numerous festivals and events, with major holidays varying by region. Holi celebrates spring with colored powder and water, while Diwali is the festival of lights. Other holidays include celebrating the birth of deities and events from Hindu mythology. Hindu holidays may be designated as community holidays in areas with large Hindu populations. It’s important to remember that different people place different emphasis on different holidays and many Hindus are happy to talk about their celebrations.
In the Hindu faith, there are more holidays than days in the year, with followers of this faith celebrating a wide variety of things with numerous commemorative festivals and events. Major Hindu holidays also vary from region to region, as the faith is practiced slightly differently in some areas. The two most notable are probably Holi and Diwali, which are celebrated by most Hindus around the world.
Holi takes place in March, celebrating spring and colour. During this holiday, festive street parties are held where people throw colored powder and water at each other. Each color has a particular religious significance, with many people using medicinal herbs in their powder pellets. Diwali, the festival of lights, takes place at the end of October. This festival is considered a national holiday in India and devout Hindus in other regions of the world can take Diwali to celebrate with friends and family.
Some other Hindu holidays include days to celebrate the birth of specific deities, such as Shiva Ratri, which commemorates the birth of Shiva in March, and Ganesha Utsava, a day in September to celebrate Ganesha. In August, Krishna Jayanti falls, the birth of the god Krisha. Many people also celebrate Navarati, the festival of Shakti, which traditionally includes a lot of dancing and partying as people celebrate various aspects of the feminine.
Events from Hindu mythology are also celebrated. In April, Hindus commemorate the birth of Lord Rama and towards the end of the year they celebrate Dassera, the festival celebrating Rama’s victory over Ravana. This festival also marks the triumph of good over evil and lasts for ten days in some parts of India.
In areas with large Hindu populations, Hindu holidays may be designated as community holidays, reflecting that it will be difficult to get work done and as a mark of respect for the Hindus in the community. Because so many holidays are celebrated, communities usually choose several important dates, such as Diwali, Holi, and Dassera, to designate official days off.
When working with people of the Hindu faith, it can be important to remember that different people place different emphasis on different holidays. Asking for time off to celebrate usually reflects regional cultural traditions, not a desire to walk away from work with a religious excuse. Many Hindus are also happy to talk about the festivals they celebrate with curious people.
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