Festivals 2020: Indian Calendar 2020 - Hindu Religious Calendar 2020

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Festivals 2020: Festivals in India are celebrated with utter zeal, enthusiasm and fervour. These occasions act as an opportunity to bring the family members living far away and friends together. India is a land of innumerable cultures, beliefs, customs and religions coming together as one. From these originates the concept of celebrating a myriad of festivals bound with rituals, events and virtuous deeds. In India, Hindu Calendar or Panchang formed on the basis of Moon (Lunar Calendar) and Sun (Solar Calendar) is referred to when calculating the date and muhurat of the festival. Below are some of the important festivals, religious and public both, mentioned in the table with their date of observance.

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Festivals 2020: List Of Festivals from Indian Calendar 2020

Muhurat For Festivals

In India, Hindu festivals are celebrated after calculating an auspicious time period using the ancient calendar called the Panchang. Not only festivals, any important or big task, ceremony or yagna is commenced after finding the auspicious muhurat. Doing so is considered important as it beget beneficial results, prosperity and happiness in the future. Muhurat concludes both auspicious (choghadiya, hora) and inauspicious (rahu kaal) time periods based on the placement of the Nakshatras and Planets and the time when the Sun rises or sets. Several elements of the Panchang contributes to figure out a beneficial muhurat during which any auspicious task can be started.

Popular Festivals in India

Below is a quick list of major festivals celebrated in India with enthusiasm and happiness. Read about their significance, when they will be celebrated in the year 2020 and what is the mythological reason behind its observance.

Diwali

Diwali is one of the prominent Indian festivals celebrated with huge pomp and enthusiasm. The main concept lies behind the light dominating the darkness, both mythologically or figuratively. Known as the “Festival of Lights”, people light Diyas, decorate their homes with rangolis, make various delicacies and exchange gifts and sweets. As per the mythological stories, Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana, saved his wife, Lady Sita, and returned to Ayodhya with his wife and Laksham, his brother. The natives of Ayoshya welcomed the trio by lighting diyas, and from that day, it has become a ritual.

Holi

Holi, the festival of colours, adds vibrancy to the life in the form of colourful hues. The festival of Holi is started off by burning logs of wood with an effigy of Holika kept upon it. People pray for the victory of right or wrong, and make merry all night. The very next day, people prepare delicacies such as Gujhiyas and smear colours on each others’ faces. People of every age group enjoy this day and forgive the bad.

Dussehra

Dussehra announces the victory of good over evil, and is celebrated on the tenth day after the ninth day of Navratri. It is believed that after the ninth day, Lord Rama killed the Ten-Headed Ravana and emerged victorious on the battlefield. Since that day, people burin the effigies of Lord Ravana, Kumbhakarana, Ravana’s brother and Indrajeet, Ravana’s son, as they all manifests anger, lust, delusion, greed, stubbornness, inhumanity and so on.

Republic Day

One of the national holidays granted by the government is Republic Day. on this day, the Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act (1935) and came into effect as the driving legislative force. On this day, the whole country enjoys their time watching the parades and attending the flamboyant function being organized at the India Gate, New Delhi with the PM, a Political Leader as the main guest and other ministers.

Eid

Eid is a significant Islamic festival celebrated in India with fervour and excitement. Two types of Eid are celebrated in India, Eid al-Fitr, which marks the completion of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-al-Adha, which is a festival of sacrifice. The religious time for these festivals are calculated according to the Hijri or Islamic Calendar. On these two days, friends, family and relatives come together, fast throughout the day and perform the prayers together. After that, people wish each other and share gifts.

Shivratri

Lord Shiva the Destroyer, and one amongst the Trio, is venerated on the day of Mahashivratri. This day celebrates the marital union of Lord Shiva with Maa Parvati. On this day, devotees pray to Lord Shiva, seek his blessings and fast the whole day to purify their souls and hearts. Chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra on this day make you closer to the Lord.

Navratri

Navratri is observed for nine days and nights, and celebrates various incarnations of Goddess Durga. On the eighth and ninth day of Navratri, younger girls are worshipped and people seek their blessings, as they personify nine forms of Maa Durga. Five kinds of Navratri is celebrated in an yar: Chaitra Navratri, Magh Gupt Navratri, Ashadha Gupt Navratri, Sharad Navratri, and Paush Gupt Navratri. People fast throughout these nine days and avoid consuming alcohol, meat or onion-garlic.

Christmas

Christmas is a festival widely celebrated by the Christians and marks the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. On this day, people attend the early morning Church Mass after celebrating Christmas Eve with their families and friends, and decorate their houses. People sing carols and Christmas songs, perform plays depicting the birth of Jesus, eat specially-prepared dinners and exchange gifts and cards.

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is observed in the regions of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand on a gigantic scale. Chhathi Maiya and Lord Sun are worshipped on this day, which is why it is also known as the Sun Shashthi. People fast on this day and seek their blessings for a wondrous and healthy life ahead. This festival stretches up to four days, with the first being called Nahaye Khaye, second being Kharna, third being Sandhya Arghya and fourth being Usha Arghya. Where on one hand Lord Sun blesses one with intelligence and power, Chhati Maiyya, on the other hand, protects the children and grant them good health.

Rakhi

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a significant festival highlighting the pious bond between a sister and her brother. The word itself means the protective bond of love, trust and togetherness. On this day, sisters get ready, wear beautiful clothes and worship their brothers. After this, they tie the Rakhi on their wrist and pray for their longevity and prosperity. In return, the brother blesses his sister and swears to protect her for life. This is a beautiful depiction of an innocent relationship between a brother and his sister. It is believed that Draupadi, during the era of Mahabharata, tied a piece of cloth on Lord Krishna’s wounded wrist. Out of love, he promised to protect her forever.