Mahashivaratri( Shiva Ratri)
Famous Hindu Rites and Rituals:
Other sacred days:
INDIAN SPIRITUAL
Diwali, from the Sanskrit word Dīpãvali, meaning“ row of lights” is a Hindu festival of lights lasting five days. For many Hindus, Diwali is also New Year’ s Eve. Diwali is held on the final day of the Vikram calendar, a type of Hindu calendar followed by North Indians.
Mahashivaratri( Shiva Ratri)
Utsava)- festival of Ganesh( August-September)
Dassera- victory of Rama over demon king Ravana( September-October)
Navaratri- festival of Shakti( in Bengal) or Rama’ s victory over Ravana( South India)( September-October)
Famous Hindu Rites and Rituals:
The ritual world of Hinduism, manifestations of which differ greatly among regions, villages, and individuals, offers a number of common features that link all Hindus into a greater Indian religious system and influence other religions as well.
The most notable feature in religious ritual is the division between purity and pollution. Religious acts presuppose some degree of impurity or
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Mahashivaratri( also called Shiva Ratri) is the Great Festival of Shiva. It is held on the 14th day of the dark half of the lunar month of Phalguna. Mahashivaratri is especially important to Saivites( devotees of Shiva), but it is celebrated by most Hindus.
Other sacred days:
Rama Navami- birthday of Lord Rama( April)
Krishna Jayanti- birthday of Lord Krishna( July-August)
Raksābandhana- renewing bonds between brothers and sisters( July-August)
Kumbh Mela- pilgrimage every 12 years to four cities in India( July-August; last one 2003)
Ganesha-Chaturthi( Ganesha
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