In India Festivals have a place of pride in our hearts. Hindu festivals have a rich Social and cultural values. We are giving this information for Generation next to know the importance of our festivals and its celebration.

KARTIK:

• New Year Day: Kartik sud Ekam is celebrated as New Year Day, wearing new dresses we greet each other on this day. Sweets are distributed. Toran are put on the door and entrance is decorated with Rangoli. People go to temples. Businessman starts their accounting entries from this day and commences their Business in auspicious muhurat.
• Bhaibij: Kartik sud Bij : On this day Lord Yamraj had visited Sati Savitri's house as her brother as promised, hence this day is celebrated as “Bhaibij” On this day sister invites brothers to her house and give blessing to him and prays to God for her brothers prosperity and long life.
• Labh Pancham: Kartik sud Pancham is an auspicious day to perform puja of weighing scale and businessmen pray to God for success and prosperity throughout the year.
• Dev Diwali: Kartik sud Agiaras - The period between the Kartik sud Agairas to Kartik Poornima is known as “Dev Diwali” On this day “Tulsi -Vivah” is solemnized, [from this day onwards marriage season starts.] As per our Holy Books Tulsi (Vrinda) married Lord “Shaligram”.

MAGHSAR:

Period of Magashirsh Ekam to Naum is known as Mataji’s Navratri. This Navratri is one of the four Navratri celebrated throughout the year.

PAUSH:

• Makar Sankranti: From 14th January onwards, the sun moves from South to North, therefore this day is also known as “Uttarayan” On this day, one does charity. It is very holistic to take bath in the rivers like Ganga, Godavari, Yamuna, and Prayag, adding “til” to the water. Ladoos are made of ‘Til’. One more attraction of this day is kite flying enjoyed by children as well as grown-ups. Suhashin distributes gifts among themselves.

MAHA:

• Vasant Panchami: Vasant (Spring) is known as King of seasons. On this day Goddess Sarasvati is worshipped. It is also the begining of colour festival.
• Mahashivaratri: Maha vad Teras is known as Mahashivaratri. On this day, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. People observe fast.

FAGAN:

Holashtak begins from Fagan sud Aatham (Eighth day} to Poornima (Fifteenth day) when the Holy fire is lit. It is believed that holika was burnt alive in this fire. People praise Lord Narshinha” who saved Bhakta Prahlad. Immediately on next day colour festival is celebrated, wherein people sprinkle gulal on each other and greet each other.

CHAITRA:

• Gudipadvo: It is the first day of Chaitra Month. Second Navratri is also celebrated quite intensely in our community, continuously for eight days, Garba -Puja is held, prasad (naivaidh) is offered to Mataji. Yagna is performed on the eight day. Our Kuldevi is worshipped on this day.
• Ram Navmi: Ninth day of this month is celebrated as Ram Navmi. Lord Ram was born on this day. at 12.00 Noon.
• Hanuman Jayanti: Fifteenth day (Poornima) of this month is celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti. Flag Mahotsav is held with mela at Dahanu Mahalaxmi Temple.
• Akhatrij (Akshaya Tritiya): Farmers starts farming from this day. They perform pooja and seeds are sown. People start journey of Chardham (four pilgrim places) from this day.

JYESTHA:

• Vat savitri: This day is very important for married women. They perform pooja of vat (Banyan) tree by tying thread around its trunk. They also distribute things which represent signs of ‘Saubhagya’ to other married women. Wives perform pooja of their Husbands on this day and take the blessings of ‘Akhand Saubhagyavati.’

ASHADH:

• Ashadhi Beej: Rath yatra is taken out from Lord Jagannath Temple at Jagannath Puri on this day. It is believed that Lord Krishna went to his Mama’s house on this day.
• Dev Podhi Ekadashi: Eleventh day of this month is known as “Dev Podhi Ekadashi”. From this day marriages are not solemnised in our Community.
• Molakat Vrat: From Ashadh sud Ekadashi (Eleventh day) to Poornima (Fifteenth day), unmarried young girls start fasting and begin the “Molakat Vrat.” From Ashadh sud Teras to Ashadh vad Beej girls / women perform the vrat of Jaya Parvati and on the last day they stay awake upto dawn.
• Guru Poornima: On this day people worship their Gurus and take blessings from them. It is known as Vyas Pournima also.
• Hariyali Amavasya: This day is also known as “Divaso”. Deep Pujan is done.

SHRAVAN:

The month of Shravan is the most holy month for all of us. In this month Lord Shiva is worshipped with Bilipatra-Water-Milk-Curd etc.

• Nag Panchami: On this day snake is worshipped by offering milk. Khichadi and Bhaji is cooked.
• Randhan Chhath-Satam: On Randhan chhath day food, sweet are made. After completion of all cooking, stove/gas is worshipped. Stove/gas are decorated with rangoli. A sapling of mango is also put. Next day is known as Shitala Satam”. On this day food is not cooked / even not warmed. We eat food prepared on Radhan chhath day. We go to the Temple of ’Shitla Mata’ and Pray & perform Puja.
• Raksha Bandhan: The Fifteenth day of this month is celebrated as Raksha Bandhan or Nariyeli Poornima. On this day sisters tie “Rakhi” on the wrist of their brothers. On the same day in the eveninig Milk - Water - Coconut is offered to the Sea. Fishermen offer coconut to the sea and perform pooja. They start their fishing from this day.
• Janmastami (Gokul Astam): Lord Krishna was born on this day. When Lord Krishna was taken to the house of Nand at Gokul, Nand Ustav is celebrated. The birth of ‘Lord Krishna’ is celebrated at 12.00 midnight ‘DahiHandi’ is put on every nooks and corner of the locality and Govindas breaks ‘Dahi Handi’ with great funfare. This festival is more religiously celebrated at Gokul, Dwarka, Vrindavan.

BHADARVO:

• Ganesh Chaturthi: The festival of Ganapati is celebrated from Sud Chauth (fourth day) to Sud Chaudash for ten days. This festival is celebrated with great funfare. The idol of Ganpati is brought in the houses. People keep this idol for one and half days/four days/eight days. Idols of Ganapati is worsniped on those days in the morning as well as in the evening. Ganapati idols are immersed on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. This festival is widely celebrated in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Shraddh Paksh: From Bhadrapad Poornima to Amavasya is known as period of Shraddha Paksh. During this period our dead ancestors are revered and remembered.

ASHO:

• Navratri: From Asho Sud Ekam to Navami, Navratri festival is celebrated with pomp and gaitey for nine days. On the first day Goddess “Amabamata’s Garbi” is installed. Garba. Dandia Ras is played. People wear traditional dresses and come out in large numbers to play Garba/Ras for nine days. Even today in various housing colonies and gullies, Garba and Dandiya Ras are played as per old customs and practices. The eighth day of navratri is called ’’Durga Ashatmi’’. On this day performing havan is prevalent practice among various household. Kar Pujan is done to worship Kuldevi.
• Dasera: Tenth day of Asho month is called Dasera. On this day Lord Ram prevailed upon Ravana. Statue of Ravana is burnt on this day. People worship tools and machinery, blessings are taken from elders, leaves of sarig vriksh is distributed as gold.
• Sharad Poornima: The fifteenth day of Asho month is called Sharad Poornima. It is also known as Kojagiri Poornima or full moon day. People celebrate this festival by serving milk and pauva. They Sing/Dance and play various entertaining games. People of all ages enjoy this festival very much.

From Asho vad Ekadashi to Amavasya, Diwali festival is celebrated. Diwali is the biggest festival for all of us. On all five days of Diwali, Rengoli are made at the entrance of the house. Candle and lights are put on the windows. It is also called festival of lights. Fire crackers are burst and everyday new Dresses are worn.

• Laxmi Pujan/Dhanteras: The third day of Diwali Festival is known as Dhantreras. On this day ornaments and valuables are kept for pujan vidhi. This day is also known as day of Laxmi Pujan. Businessmen buys New books of accounts and perform pooja. Milk and Pauva is kept as Prasad.
• Narak Chaturdashi: This is the fourth day of Diwali and also known as Kali Chaudas. On this day we get up early and perform ‘Abhyang Snan’ (Holy bath). Also Vada-Puri is prepared and kept at the four corners of the road.
• Diwali: Last day of Asho month is called Diwali. On this day, New books of accounts bought on Dhanteras is put up for its Pujan Vidhi. It is also known as Sharda Pujan. After Chopada Pujan (Pujan of books), fire crackers are burst in plenty. All over Joyus atmosphere prevailes.

ADHIK MONTH

Vikram Panchang is based on position of the Moon. Therefore every 3rd year an extra Month comes, known as “Adhik Month”. It is also known as Purushottam Mas, during the month people eat moong /chapati for entire month once in a day. They read stories of Lord Purushottam, take bath in the ocean/sea.