Visiting BAPS Swaminarayan temple in NJ? Keep these Hindu holidays in mind

The list of Hindu festivals is expansive and can vary depending on the specific sect and its region. The following overview includes some of the most prominent holidays celebrated by the world's 1.2 billion Hindus .

Diwali

The festival of lights, known as Diwali or Deepavali, is the Hindu faith's most popular festival. Its essence revolves around light overcoming darkness, or the triumph of goodness over evil. The holiday is observed by adorning the home with glimmering diyas, or lamps, setting off fireworks and making a traditional banquet. The day after Diwali also marks the new year for many Hindus.

The five-day celebration typically falls over the darkest night of the year, usually between mid-October and mid-November. This year, Diwali will be observed on Friday, Nov. 1.

More: Visiting the biggest Hindu temple in the USA? Everything you need to know about BAPS in NJ

Holi

Holi is a colorful festival that ushers in the spring. Celebrants often burn an effigy of the villainous Holika to symbolize the victory of good over evil. This is followed by a night of revelry around a bonfire.

The holiday comes at the end of winter and will be next observed on March 14.

Onam

Onam is a 10-day harvest festival celebrated in southern India with traditional sporting events, such as boat races and a tug-of-war. The festival celebrates the legendary homecoming of the king Mahabali and the triumph of hope over despair.

The next Onam is on Sept. 5, 2025.

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri, or "the great night of Shiva," commemorates the supremacy of Shiva, an important deity in the Hindu pantheon. Believers celebrate by praying, fasting and chanting hymns to Tandava, a dance performed by Lord Shiva.

The holiday generally is celebrated in February or March and will be observed next on Feb. 26.

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami is a joyous festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, who has a significant place in Hindu tradition. The day is observed with dancing, singing and traditional competitions.

It will be observed next on Aug. 16, 2025.

Makar Sankranti

This festival is dedicated to worshipping the sun deity and is often celebrated with kite-flying, bonfires and riverbank rituals. It falls next on Jan. 14.

Ganesh Chaturthi

This 10-day festival celebrates the birth of Ganesh. A revered deity in Hinduism, Ganesh is recognized for having the head of an elephant and being the son of Lord Shiva. The day is observed with prayers and rituals with a clay idol, which is later immersed in a body of water amid further festivities.

The holiday will next be celebrated on Aug. 27, 2025.

Navratri – Dussehra – Durga Puja

The legend behind the Navratri festival is related to Lord Rama’s triumph over Mahishasura, a demonic entity. (The victory of good over evil is a recurrent theme in Hinduism.) An alternative telling of the holiday revolves around the victories of the goddess Durga against the diabolical forces that once walked the face of the Earth. Navratri, meaning "nine nights," is a time to honor the deities and plead for their blessings and goodwill. The invigorating festival centers around the goddess Durga in East India, and goes by the name of Durga Puja. It often ends with the Dussehra celebration, which is celebrated with candles and fireworks.

Navratri begins on Sept. 22 in 2025.

Rama Navami

The day marking the birth of Lord Rama is an auspicious festival celebrated as Rama Navami, and the observances include visiting temples, prayers, fasting and devotional songs.

It will be next observed on April 6.

Ugadi

The festival of Ugadi is New Year’s Day for many Hindus. It is a joyous celebration that symbolizes the end of winter as the warm weather of spring sets in. Ugadi is a time for new beginnings, as the longer and brighter days bring hope for growth in work, relationships and religious practice. People buy new clothes, clean their homes, decorate with flowers and other embellishments, and serve savory snacks. Additionally, the consumption of bevu bella — a blend of neem flowers (bevu) and jaggery (bella), a type of unrefined sugar — is obligatory. The pairing of bitter neem and sweet jaggery signifies the acceptance of life’s lows and highs in equal parts.

It will be celebrated on March 30, 2025.

Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today .

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Visiting BAPS Swaminarayan temple in NJ? Keep these Hindu holidays in mind