Indian Hindu Festivals
and Jyotish Astrology
Indian Hindu Festivals
and Astrology
By: - Dr.A.S.Kalra Astrologer
Indian Hindu Festivals & Jyotish Astrology
Indian festivals are correlated with Astrology or Jyotish (movement of Moon & Sun in the sky). Most festivals are based upon the phase of Moon in a particular Indian month (or maah) & paksha (or fortnight). A few like 'Lohari' or 'Lohadi' & 'Baisakhi' are based upon the transition of Sun from one rashi to another (saur sankranti). 'Lohri' comes on Makar Sankranti (which means when Sun enters in the sign of Capricorn or Makar) & Baisakhi comes on Maish Sankranti (which means when Sun enters in the sign of Aries or Maish). It is surprising to learn that most great saints & philosophers of India like Budh, Ved Vyas, Nanak, Balmiki, Kabir & Ravidas have taken birth on Poornimas or Full Moon days. Poorna Kumbha Mela in Haridwar takes place whenever Jupiter enters the sign of Aquarius (Kumbh rashi) & Sun enters the sign of Aries (Maish rashi). Ardh Kumbha (or Singhasth) takes place whenever Jupiter enters the sign of Leo (Singh rashi) & Sun enters the sign of Aries (Maish rashi).| S.No. | Indian Festival | Indian Month | Paksh | Tithi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beginning of Indian New Year & Chaitra Navratras | Chaitra | Shukla | Prathama |
| 2 | Ram Navami | Chaitra | Shukla | Navami |
| 3 | Mahavir Jayanti | Chaitra | Shukla | Trayodashi |
| 4 | Akshay Tratiya | Vaishakh | Shukla | Tratiya |
| 5 | Budh Jayanti | Vaishakh | --- | Poornima |
| 6 | Ganga Dussehra | Jyeshtha | Shukla | Dashami |
| 7 | Kabir Jayanti | Jyeshtha | --- | Poornima |
| 8 | DevShayani Ekadashi | Aashaar | Shukla | Ekadashi |
| 9 | Guru or Vyaas Poornima | Aashaar | --- | Poornima |
| 10 | Hariyali Singhara Teej | Shraavana | Shukla | Tritiya |
| 11 | Naag Panchami | Shraavan | Shukla | Panchami |
| 12 | Raksha Bandhan | Shraavan | --- | Poornima |
| 13 | Kajjli Teej | Bhadrapad | Krishna | Tritiya |
| 14 | Sri Krishna Janmashtami | Bhadrapad | Krishna | Ashtami |
| 15 | Gugga Navami | Bhadrapad | Krishna | Navami |
| 16 | Haritalika Gauri Teej | Bhadrapad | Shukla | Tritiya |
| 17 | Kalank Chaturthi | Bhadrapad | Shukla | Chaturthi |
| 18 | Shraadh | Aashvin | Krishna | All Tithis |
| 19 | Navratraa Beginning | Aashvin | Shukla | Prathma |
| 20 | Dussehra | Aashvin | Shukla | Dashami |
| 21 | Baalmiki Jayanti | Aashvin | --- | Poornima |
| 22 | Karva Chauth | Kaartik | Krishna | Chaturthi |
| 23 | Ahoi Ashtami | Kaartik | Krishna | Ashtami |
| 24 | Dhan Teras | Kaartik | Krishna | Trayodashi |
| 25 | Narak Chaturdashi & Hanuman Jayanti | Kaartik | Krishna | Chaturdashi |
| 26 | Deepavali or Diwali | Kaartik | --- | Aamavasya |
| 27 | Goverdhan Puja | Kaartik | Shukla | Prathama |
| 28 | Bhaiya Dooj | Kaartik | Shukla | Dvitiya |
| 29 | Dev Prabodhini or Devothaan Ekadashi | Kaartik | Shukla | Ekadashi |
| 30 | Guru Nanak Dev Birthday | Kaartik | --- | Poornima |
| 31 | Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami | Maagh | Shukla | Panchami |
| 32 | Ravidas Jayanti | Maagh | --- | Poornima |
| 33 | Maha Shivratri | Faalgun | Krishna | Chaturdashi |
| 34 | Holi | Faalgun | --- | Poornima |
