August 9, 2025
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. The festival’s main tradition involves sisters tying a sacred thread, known as a rakhi, on their brothers’ wrists, symbolising their love and prayers for their brother’s well-being. In return, brothers pledge to protect and support their sisters, often giving them gifts as a token of their appreciation.
August 16, 2025
Janmashtami
It is a vibrant Hindu festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, believed to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This festival is observed on Ashtami, the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) in the month of Shravana. Devotees honor this occasion by fasting, chanting devotional hymns and participating in religious and cultural events. One of the most exciting traditions of Janmashtami is Dahi Handi, where groups of young people form human pyramids to break an earthen pot filled with curd or butter. This ritual symbolises Lord Krishna’s playful nature, as he was known for stealing butter in his childhood.
August 27, 2025
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity symbolizing wisdom and prosperity. During the festival, people place beautifully crafted Ganesha idols in homes and public spaces, accompanied by devotional songs, prayers and cultural performances. Devotees offer Lord Ganesha sweets, fruits and flowers, seeking his blessings for wisdom, success and the removal of obstacles.
September 4, 2025
Onam
Onam (OH-num) is celebrated for ten days. In India’s southern state of Kerala, Onam is considered a state festival. It commemorates New Year’s Day and is also recognized as a harvest festival with celebrations centered around devotion and selflessness.
September 22- October 1, 2025
Navaratri
Navaratri (nuhv-uh-RA-three) is a nine night celebration of the feminine divine that occurs four times a year — the spring and fall celebrations being amongst the more widely celebrated. Some traditions honor the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, while others celebrate the three goddesses (Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati) with three days dedicated to each. This is a time to recognize the role in which the loving, compassionate, and gentle — yet sometimes powerful and fierce — feminine energy plays in our lives.
September 30, 2025
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is celebrated with immense grandeur and devotion. This five-day festival, which concludes with Dussehra, honours the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. On the final day of the festival, devotees carry beautifully crafted clay idols of Goddess Durga to the river, where they are immersed in water as a symbolic farewell, while participants, dressed in red and white, bid an emotional goodbye to the goddess.
October 9, 2025
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth (kuhr-vah-CHOATH) is a North Indian holiday in which wives fast for the longevity and health of their husbands, however, many unmarried women celebrate in hopes of meeting their ideal life partner. Typically, wives spend the day preparing gifts to exchange, and fasting until the moon is visible. It is believed that its light symbolizes love and blessings of a happy life. While there are varying legends behind this holiday’s traditions and meaning, the message of honoring of relationships women form with their family and community prevails.
October 20, 2025
Diwali
The festival is celebrated over five days: Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, the main Diwali day (Lakshmi Pujan), Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Deepavali or Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights” and is a Hindu holiday widely celebrated in India, in South Asia, and across the Hindu diaspora. ‘Deepavali’ derives from Sanskrit and means “row of lights.” Festivities include the illumination of lights, candles, firecrackers, and diya (clay lamps) to symbolize the victory of good over evil, inner light over spiritual darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is a time for gathering with loved ones, celebrating life, and committing to making the right decisions in life.
