Hindu Festivals nurture Relations

 
Hindu festivals nurture the personal bonding among different members of the joint family. Unlike mechanical western system of designating one day for a particular relation of the family member, Hindu festivals have religious, spiritual, social and economic importance. They have a very strong foundation which enhances the bonding of the relations.
 
Western countries have designated different dates for different relations – Baby Day (May 2nd), Brother & sister day (May 2nd), Parents day (as per UNO - June 1), Father Day (various dates), Mother Day (various dates), Brother Day (May 24th), Sisters Day (first Sunday of August), Son & daughter day (August 11th), Children Day (November 20th), Husband appreciation day (third Saturday of April), Wife appreciation day (third Sunday of September), Grandparents Day (various dates), Family Day (May 15th), Father-in-Law Day (July 30th), Mother-in-Law Day (fourth Sunday of October), Son-in-Law Day (April 10th), Aunt & Uncle Day, Cousins Day (July 24th), Daughter-in-Law Day, etc.
 
Every Hindu festival celebration centre around the rituals of prayer, fasting and seeking of blessings, and involves the decoration of homes, wearing of new clothes, music, dancing, and feasting. Hindu Festivals are many and celebrated for different relations. Under the influence of western culture, Hindus are gradually forgetting or ignoring the celebration of these festivals. The purpose of this article is to remind about the rich Hindu culture and festivals.
 

1. Mother day (मातृ नवमी) - The ninth day of pitru paksha is called Matri Navami.  It falls on the ninth day of krishna paksha in the month of Ashwin (October-November).  On this day worship and Shraddha are performed for the women of the family who have passed away. It is believed that by performing Shradh on this day, mothers are blessed
2. Father day (पित्र दिवस) – Pitru divas is falls in Kushe ahusi or pita ahusi (Father new moon). It usually celebrated in first or second week of August. In Nepal, this day is called typically as father face seeing day. It is celebrated by honouring father with special gifts to father. According to Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma to respect, protect, taking care of father, mother and Guru ( special Teacher) is equal to worshiping any god cause they are god for their children and student.
3. Valentine day (कौमुदी महोत्सव) - The Kaumudi Festival is a festival celebrated on the day of Kaumudi (the full moon of Kartik month, November-December). The Kaumudi Festival is synonymous with love. The festival was celebrated on the day of Sharad Purnima in ancient India. It was a state festival in the state of Magadha. The highway from Patliputra to Rajgir was decorated with good smelling flowers. Young men and women used to express their love. Married couples used to be in different locations. The youth used to wait for the Kaumudi Festival the whole year. The couples used to be well dressed and with beautiful makeup. The young man used to say to the young woman, "Bhavyami." The young woman used to say, "Paribhavyami." Bhavyami means "I want you from the depths of the soul. Parivbhavyami means "I want you more. I would give you more love than yours. "
4. Teacher day (गुरु पूर्णिमा) - Guru Purnima is celebrated as the birthday of Maharishi Vedvyasa on Aashaadha Purnima (full moon day of shukla paksha of Aashaadha month, August). On this festival, faith is expressed in   the teacher.
5. Doctor day (धन्वन्तरि जयन्ती) - Lord Dhanvantari is considered to be the incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. Dhanvantri Jayanti is celebrated on the day of Kartik Krishna Triyodashi (November), two days before Deepawali. Lord Dhanwantari is known as father of Ayurvedic medicine system. It is considered auspicious to purchase brass utensils on this day. Worshipping Dhanwantari on Dhanteras day brings blessings of good health.
6. Children day (सन्तान सप्तमी) - On the seventh day of shukla paksha of Bhadrapada month (October), the fast for children is done. On this day, Bhagwan Shiva and Ma Gauri are worshipped to make them happy and get blessings of children, their protection and progress.
7. Daughters’ day (नव रात्रि - कन्या भोज) – This festival is celebrated in Navratri (March-April, October-November).  On this day, people worship Ma Durga and feed the young girls (age of girls in range of two to five years preferred) on ashtami and navami to bring the grace of Mahalaxmi along with Goddess Annapurna.
8. Sisters’ day (रक्षा बंधन) - The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Shravan month (August-September). This festival binds brother and sister in the bond of affection. On this day the sister ties a tika on her brother's forehead and ties the bond of protection, which is called Rakhi.
9. Brothers’ day (भाई दूज) - Bhai Dooj) is a Hindu festival celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Kartika month (November-December), which is also known as Yama Dwitiya. It is such a festival that comes two days after Diwali, which expresses the affection of sister towards brother and sisters wish for the happiness of their brother.
10. Environment day (आंवला नवमी, तुलसी विवाह) –

Amla Navami Dev Uthani is celebrated two days before Ekadashi on ninth day of Kartika Shukla Paksha (November). It is believed that Bhagwan Vishnu resides on the amla tree on the day of Amla Navami.  According to the scriptures, chanting of mantra, Tapas and charity done on the day of Amla Navami, return being multiplied. On this day, sitting near the amla and worshipping removes all sins.
 
Tulsi Marriage festival is celebrated on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Kartika month (November-December). On this day, marriage of Tulsi plant with Shaligram is performed. By worshipping them, Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi ji are made happy and this increases prosperity and happiness at home.
 

1. Ancestors’ day (पितृ पक्ष) - In Hinduism, the service of parents is considered to be the biggest worship. People should not forget their parents and ancestors even after death, so they need to perform their Shraddha. The sixteen days from Bhadrapada Purnima to Ashwin Krishna Paksha Amavasya (October-November) are called Pitru Paksha in which people serve their ancestors. They offer water and food to the poor, cow, crow, dog & Brahmins and charities to poor and Brahmins. 
2. Friends and relatives’ day (होली) – Holi is celebrated on first & second day of Krishna Paksha Phalguna (March). It is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the "Festival of Love", the "Festival of Colours", and the "Festival of Spring". The festival celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha Krishna. It also signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it celebrates the victory of Bhagwan Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over Hiranyakashipu. Holi celebrations start on the night before the day of Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evil be destroyed. Next day, Rangwali Holi (Dhuleti) – a free-for-all festival of colours, where people smear each other with colours and drench each other. On this day, people having tiff also forget their bickering and rejuvenate their friendship.
3. Husband day (करवा चौथ, वट सावित्री) –

Karva Chauth is celebrated on the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month (November-December). Married women celebrate this festival. Bhalchandra Ganesh ji is worshiped on this day for the longevity and good fortune of the husband.
 
Vat Savitri fast is famous by the name of Vat Savitri due to the ritual of worshiping the Vat tree and remembering the story of Savitri-Satyavan. Worshiping the banyan tree for the longevity of the husband became a part of this fast. Women perform fast-worship along with Katha Karma and wrap threads of cotton around the Vat tree during the circumambulation. It is considered to give good luck and help in the attainment of children. There are different opinions regarding the date of this fast. According to Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana, there is a law to observe this fast on the full moon day of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month, while according to Niyasamrit etc., it has been said to fast on Amavasya of Jyeshtha month.  

1. Married daughters’ day (श्रावण शुक्ल तीज) - The festival of Hariyali Teej is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Shravan (August-September).  This festival is a celebration of married women. In the month, whole nature is covered with a green sheet. This festival of faith, enthusiasm, beauty and love is celebrated to commemorate the reunion of Shiva and Parvati. On this occasion, women swing, sing folk songs and celebrate. Married women on Hariyali Teej do fasting for the long life and happiness and prosperity.
2. Sons’ day (बहुला चौथ, अहोई आठे)

Bahula Chauth (Bahula Chaturthi) is celebrated on the fourth day of krishna paksha of Bhadrapada (October).  It is also known as Bahula Ganesh Chaturthi. On this day, women do fast to wish the children a long life.
 
Ahoi Ashtami fast is celebrated on the eighth day of Kartik Krishna Paksha (November-December). Mothers keep fast throughout the day for the long life and happy life of their son. During the fasting of Ahoi Ashtami, Hoi is worshiped when the stars are visible in the evening. Arghya is also offered to the stars. This hoi is made on the wall or it is hung on the wall at the time of worship after wrapping hoi on a thick cloth.