Indian Festivals-2009

Diwali falls, the Indian festival of lights, falls on the day of 'Amavasyaa', when the moon does not rise and there is darkness all around. Light, being symbol of hope and positive energy, indicates the victory of good over evil. By spreading light in every corner of our premises, we try to destroy the reign of darkness, on the night of Diwali. People decorate their premises with diyas, electric bulbs and other decorative electric lighting fixtures, to make their surroundings filled with colorful light and to make it bright and beautiful. Go through the following lines to learn more about Diwali and its significance.

What Is Diwali
Deepavali - the very name of this festival reveals its meaning. The festival is all about the lighting diyas. Later the term 'Deepawali' became 'Diwali'. Deepawali or Diwali is also known as 'the festival of lights', because on this day, people illuminate their home and premises with diyas and colorful lights. Celebrated usually in the month of October or November, Diwali bears significance in the Hindu culture as well as among Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. The legends connected to the festival are different for different religions.

Importance of Diwali
Diwali is the Indian festival that brings a series of festivals with it. One after another, we get a chance to celebrate five ceremonious occasions. The people of all age groups and classes with equal zeal and enthusiasm celebrate Diwali throughout India. They put on new apparels and participate in the various activities that are related to Diwali celebrations. It is a festival of celebrations such as lightings, crackers, cleanliness, colorful rangoli making, social gatherings to exchange greetings and sharing sweets with your loved ones. Diwali is a festival filled with spiritualism and religious activities, such as worship of Goddess Lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Ma Kali, worship of Lord Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat.

The celebration of the five-day long festival, Diwali, begins on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shudha Vijaya. The first day of this festival begins with 'Dhan Trayodashi' or 'Dhanteras'. After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi the second day of Diwali is 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popular as 'Chhoti Diwali'. The third day of Diwali, which is also called 'Badi Diwali' is the main day of celebrations of the festival of Diwali. People perform Lakshmi Pujan (worship of divine Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to her to bless them with wealth and prosperity. The fourth day of Diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). The fifth day of the Diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honor the brother-sister relationship.


Festival List

Festival	Date	Day
Moharram	8/1/2009	Thursday
Lohri	13-1-2009	Tuesday
Makar Sakranti	14-1-2009	Wednesday
Pongal	15-1-2009	Thursday
Republic Day	26-1-2009	Monday
Vasant Panchami	31-1-2009	Saturday
Maha Shivaratri	23-2-2009	Monday
Id-Ul-Milad	10/3/2009	Tuesday
Holi	10/3/2009	Tuesday
Dhulendi	11/3/2009	Wednesday
Hindu New Year	27-3-2009	Friday
Ramayana Week Starts	27-3-2009	Friday
Ramayana Week Ends	3/4/2009	Friday
Ramanavami	3/4/2009	Friday
Mahavir Jayanti	7/4/2009	Tuesday
Hanuman Jayanti	9/4/2009	Thursday
Good Friday	9/4/2009	Friday
Baisakhi	13-4-2009	Monday
Ambedkar Jayanti	14-4-2009	Tuesday
May Day	1/5/2009	Friday
Boodh Poornima	9/5/2009	Saturday
Raksha Bandhan	5/8/2009	Wednesday
Krishna Janmashthami	14-8-2009	Friday
Independence Day	15-8-2009	Saturday
Ganesh Chaturthi	23-8-2009	Sunday
Anant Chaudas	3/9/2009	Thursday
Pitr-paksha Start	5/9/2009	Saturday
Pitr-paksha End	18-9-2009	Friday
Id-Ul-Fitar	21-9-2009	Monday
Navaratri Start	19-9-2009	Saturday
Navaratri Ends	27-9-2009	Sunday
Vijay Dashami (Dasera)	28-9-2009	Monday
Gandhi Jayanti	2/10/2009	Friday
Balmiki Jayanti	4/10/2009	Sunday
Deepavali (Diwali)	17-10-2009	Saturday
Vikram New Year	18-10-2009	Sunday
Guru Nanak Jayanti	2/11/2009	Monday
Id-Ul-Zuha	28-11-2009	Saturday
Guru Gobind Singh Birthday	24-12-2009	Thursday
X-Mas Day	25-12-2009	Friday
Morarram	28-12-2009	Monday