Hinduism
Most special events are based on the lunar calendar. The dates may vary from year to year. Ways to celebrate the special days vary among communities.[3, 13, 15, 16]
Caturmasya: A four-month period of practicing varying degrees of self-denial to minimize gratification of the senses, generally occurring July–November.
Diwali (Festival of Light): The New Year festival, taking place in September–-October and is a five-day festival. It is the beginning of the new Hindu year.
Dussehara (Celebrated during September or October for ten days.) The festival is focused on the worship of the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Holi (Occurs in February or March): Celebration is symbolic of destroying all the evils of the world.
Kumbh Mela (Festival held every 12 years): Hindus make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Allahabad, located on the banks of the Ganges River to bathe in the water. It is believed that bathing in the river will wash away their sins. The last festival was held in 2001.
Makara Samkranti (Winter Solstice Festival occurring in mid-January): The day is spent in prayer.
Navarātri (Nine day Durgā festival, occurs September–October): Some persons fast for the full nine days of the celebration.
Purnima: Day of the full moon.
Rām Navamī (Birthday of Rama): Fasting accompanies this celebration.
Shiva Rātri (Celebrates the birth of Lord Shiva; occurs February–March): Fasting accompanies this celebration.
Krishna Janmāsthtamī (Birthday of Lord Krishna): Occurs August–September.
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