Indian Festivals

Bataan Day commemorates those who lost their lives defending the peninsula of Bataan (in the Philippines) against the Japanese in 1941 – 42 and those who subsequently died on the “Bataan Death March”. Also called “Day of Valor”. Celebrated on April 9th, each year. Bataan Day or Day of Valor (called Araw ng Kagitingan in native Filipino) is celebrated in …

Canada Day — July 1st of each year is Canada’s most significant national holiday, equivalent to the Fourth of July in the United States. It is not an official U.S. holiday. Canadians and Americans enjoy a friendly relationship based on geographic proximity, their shared status as ex-colonies of Britain, and a longtime economic partnership. The Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario …

Carnevale di Venezia — The Carnival of Venice is a public masquerade party associated with the Catholic calendar, celebrated between 1 to 12th of February. It is not an official holiday. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in New Orleans (State of Louisiana) is the equivalent of carnival in the United States. The Carnival of Venice is not an official holiday, but it …

Ridvan is a significant Baha’i observance that centers on the revelations of its founding prophet. Celebrated between April 21 and May 2 (The holiday always begins on the thirteenth day of the Baha’i month of Jalal.) it is considered to be the most important Baha’i festival. The first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days of Ridvan …

Sharad Purnima is observed on the night of full moon of Ashvina. The Moon-good is also the lord of herbs, seeds, the Brahmins, waters and Nakshatras or Constellations. It is believed that on Sharad Purnima, Amrit or elixir is being showered on the earth by the Moon through his beams. On this auspicious day Kshir or Khir (milk thickened with rice …

Anzac Day is a national holiday in Australia and New Zealand, commemorating all soldiers who have died in war. Celebrated on April 25th, each year. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, honoring all soldiers who have died in war. The original remembrance was linked to a battle fought during World War I at …

Lantern Festival – Yuan Xiao Festival — The New Year season ends with a full moon and glowing lanterns. The Lantern Festival is a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition that closes out the Lunar New Year season. This observance falls on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar and changes each year. Description The Lantern Festival (called Yuan …

Baneshwar Fair — This festival is held in Dungarpur, Rajasthan. This is a religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. On this occasion, tribal from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat join their brethren from Rajasthan to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the congregation consisting of …

The Moon Festival – Mid-Autumn Festival (also called the Mooncake Festival) falls on September 19th in 2013. What is the Moon festival? Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year, the Chinese celebrate “zhong qiu jie.” Children are told the story of the …

Pinjore Heritage Festival – One of the oldest yet well maintained Mughal Gardens of the world, Yadavindra Garden was the venue for the first ever Pinjore Heritage Festival. The festival was cerebrated with great enthusiasm and glory. The festival was organized to promote the rich cultural and historical tradition of the region. The Pinjore Heritage Festival in Pinjore, Haryana is …