Raksha Bandhan is a festival that celebrates the love, bond, and duty between brothers and sisters. The word Raksha means Protection and Bandhan means Knot, basically Raksha Bandhan means the Knot of protection. The festival is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month Shravan. On the day, sister ties rakhi on her brother’s wrist and pray for his happiness and prosperity. The brother in return gives her a gift and a promise to protect her. Raksha Bandhan literally translates into 'the bond of protection'.

History: It is believed that before the epic battle of Mahabharata, Draupadi tied a rakhi on Krishna's hand when he hurt his finger while setting off his sudarshan chakra against evil king Shishupala who had insulted the Lord over hundred times. As Krishna's slashed finger bled, Draupadi tore a piece from her sari and tied it around Krishna's hand. Krishna in return vowed to protect Draupadi against all adversities in future.

According to Bhavishya Purana, during the war between gods and demons, Lord Indra, the deity of the sky, rains and thunderbolts, defeated demon king Bali after his wife Sachi tied a thread around his wrist. The holy thread was blessed with prayers and was given to Sachi by Lord Vishnu. Since then the power of sacred thread became popular and women started tying it on men’s wrist to protect them from the evil spirit.

“phulon ka taaron ka sabka kehna hai
ek hazaron mein meri behna hai...”

Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth day or 'Ashtami' of the holy month, Shravana, according to the Hindu calendar. Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, who took birth as a son to Devaki and Vasudev to rid Mathura-wasis (People of Mathura) from the evil and merciless rule of King Kansa.

Born to Devaki and Vasudev, the little lord had to be taken away to the care and nurture of Yashoda and Nanda right at the time of his birth. It was prophesied that the eight son of Devaki and Vasudev would be the cause of Kansa's death. To stop the prophecy from coming true, the evil king had imprisoned Devaki and Vasudev, going on to kill all their six children. But his fate was doomed, and on the night of Krishna's birth, the Gods guided Vasudeva to carry little Krishna to Vrindavan to Yashoda and Nanda, where Krishna spent his childhood, and years later went on to take the life of Kansa as predicted.

At Vrindavan, Krishna was the most notorious child, known across the village for his mischief. Maakhan or white butter was Little Krishna's favourite. It is said that Mother Yashoda would herself feed Krishna his favourite delight Makhan Mishri (sweetened white butter) every day, but so fond was Krishna of Maakhan that he would even go stealing butter across his village as soon as it was churned, much to the dismay his mother, who had to ultimately tie him to a pole to keep him from stealing butter.

The impish act earned him the famous name 'Maakhan Chor'.

Lord Ganesh's homecoming is celebrated in the month of Bhadra, according to the Hindu calendar, which typically falls in the months of August or September. The festival ends on the tenth day of bringing him home, to signify his return to Mount Kailash to his parents Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and exciting 10-day long celebrations. Ganeshotsav or Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in order to commemorate Lord Ganesh's birthday. Ganesh Chaturthi is observed by installing Lord Ganesh's idol at home for a period of 10 days after which it is immersed in the river. The visarjan is followed by loud chanting of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudcha Varshi Lokar Ya', which means 'Lord Ganesha, come back soon next year.'

According to the yogic principles, our material life as well as our spiritual journey starts from the 'Muladhara' chakra which is controlled by Lord Ganesha. Hence, to complete our life cycle without any obstacles, we need the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Since He is the one who gets rid of all the obstacles from our lives, we worship Lord Ganesha before beginning any important work.

It is believed that Goddess Parvati created little Ganesh using the dirt off her body while having a bath and sent him to guard the door while she was bathing. Lord Shiva, who had gone out, returned at that time. Unknowingly, little Ganesh stopped him from entering. An enraged Lord Shiva severed the head of the little child after a heated argument. Looking at an angered and vexed Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva promised her to give Ganesh a new life. The followers were sent to search for a head; however all they could bring was a head of an elephant. Lord Shiva fixed the elephant's head on the child and brought him back to life. That's how he was named Gajanan.

On the last day of Paryushana (in Jainism) it is commonly used to seek forgiveness, and it means - If I have offended you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness.

The Jain festival popularly known as Paryushan Parva organized every year in the auspicious month Bhadrapad of the Hindu calendar extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of the bright fortnight. It is celebrated annually for self-purification and uplift is meant to adhere to the ten universal virtues in practical life; and leads us on the right path, far from the mad strife for material prosperity, which ultimately leads us to our true destination i.e., salvation. The non-Jains also express high reverence for this Jain festival. All members of Jain community- high and low, young and old, and males and females, participate with full vigor and zeal in the various religious rituals and cultural programs. They listen with rapt attention to the holy sermons of the saints and learned Jain scholars arranged during the ten-day festival. In these celebrations lie dormant the seeds of the well being, peace and happiness of the common man. On the eve of this festival all activities, which add to social discord or bitterness are declared taboo from the temple pulpits. These celebrations harbinger social harmony and amity and preach the lofty Jain motto Live and Let live.

The festival is associated to the prominent battle that took place between Durga and demon Mahishasura and celebrates the victory of Good over Evil.These nine days are solely dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine Avatars.Each day is associated to an incarnation of the goddess

Day 1: Shailaputri
           Known as Pratipada, this day is associated to Shailaputri (literally 'Daughter of Mountain'), an incarnation of Parvati. It is in this form that the Goddess is worshiped as the consort of Shiva; she is depicted as riding the bull, Nandi, with a trishula in her right hand and lotus in her left. Shailaputri is considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali. The color of the day is red, which depicts action and vigor.

Day 2: Brahmcharini
           On Dwitiya, Goddess Brahmcharini, another incarnation of Parvati, is worshiped. In this form, Parvati became Sati, her unmarried self. Brahmcharini is worshiped for emancipation or moksha and endowment of peace and prosperity. Depicted as walking bare feet and holding a japamala and kamandalu in her hands, she symbolizes bliss and calm. The color of the day is Royal Blue which depicts calmness-cum-energy.

Day 3: Chandraghanta
          Tritiya commemorates the worship of Chandraghanta - the name derived from the fact that after marrying Shiva, Parvati adorned her forehead with half-chandra(lit. moon). She is the embodiment of beauty and is also symbolic of bravery, and hence, the color of the day is yellow.

Day 4: Kushmunda
           Goddess Kushmunda is worshiped on Chaturthi. Believed to be the creative power of universe, Kushmunda is associated to the endowment of vegetation on earth and hence, the color of the day is Green. She is depicted as having eight arms and sits on a Lion.

Day 5: Skandmata
             Skandamata, the goddess worshiped on Panchami, is the mother of Skand(or Kartikeya). The color grey is symbolic of the transforming strength of a mother when her child is confronted with danger. She is depicted riding a ferocious lion, having four arms, and holding her baby.

Day 6: Katyayani
            Born to a sage, Katya, she is an incarnation of Durga and is shown to exhibit courage which is symbolized by the color Orange. Known as the warrior goddess, she is considered one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati. In this avatar, the Devi rides a lion and has four hands.

Day 7: Kalratri
            Considered the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga, Kalaratri is revered on Saptmi. It is believed that Parvati removed her fair skin to kill the demons Sumbh and Nisumbh. The color of the day is white. Her skin turns black.

Day 8: Mahagauri
            Mahagauri symbolizes intelligence and peace. The color associated to this day is Pink which depicts optimism.

Day 9: Sidhidatri
           On the last day of the festival also known as Navami, people pray to Siddhidaatri(Ardanareeswara). Sitting on a lotus, she is believed to possess and bestows all type of Siddhis. Here she has four hands. Also known as Saraswati Devi.

Diwali, or Deepavali, is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that we light outside our homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.

The Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main celebrations happening on the third day in most places in India.

Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live: