Uttarayana is the six month period between Makar Sankranti around (January 14) and Karka Sankranti around (July 14), when the Sun travels towards north on the celestial sphere. The period from July 14 to January 14 is known is Dakshinayana  The starting of Uttarayana is celebrated as Makara Sankranti.The festival of Uttarayan fillS the skies with kites from before dawn until well after dark. The festival marks the days in the Hindu calendar when winter begins turning to summer, known as Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan.

7-9 pm
SARASWATI’S DAY – VASANT PANCHAMI

We will celebrate with a Puja to Saraswati and her Divine influence in the fields of knowledge.








PURNIMA (FULL MOON)The festivals are based on the Indian lunar almanac, where the month begins and ends with the New Moon. Each month is divided into 2 fortnights, the bright half of the waxing Moon (Shukla paksha), culminating with the Full Moon (Purnima) and the dark half of the waning Moon (Krishna paksha), ending in the New Moon (Amavasya).

Mahashivratri (also known as Shivaratri) is dedicated to LORD SHIVA, who destroys the universe.

Night and day

Mahashivratri is celebrated during the night and day that come just before the new moon.

Each new moon is dedicated to Shiva, but Mahashivratri is especially important because it is the night when he danced the 'Tandav', his cosmic dance.

It also celebrates the wedding of Shiva and Sati.

Night represents evil, injustice, ignorance, sin, violence, and misfortune.

Tradition says that Shiva, like his symbol the new moon, appeared in order to save the world from darkness and ignorance, before the world entered complete darkness.

The festival

Devotees of Shiva observe a fast during Mahashivratri and stay up all night at a place of worship.

Shiva is offered special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables, and coconuts, during ritual worship.

Those who observe the Mahashivratri fast only break their fast the next morning, and eat the prasad (food offerings) offered to Shiva.

FEBRUARY 28TH

HOLI DAHAN (FULL MOON)

6:30 PM

According to Narad Purana, this day is celebrated in the memory of Prahlad's victory and the defeat of his aunt 'Holika'. The legend has it that there once existed a mighty demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who wished that everybody in his kingdom should worship him. His son, Prahlad became a follower of Lord Naarayana. Hiranyakashyap instructed his sister, Holika to sit in the burning fire with Prahlad in lap. She was blessed with a boon, as a result of which no fire could burn her. But the opposite happened, Prahlad survived and Holika was charred to death. Thus 'holi' is celebrated to commemorate the victory of virtue over evil.

It is because of this event, Holika (a bonfire) is burnt every year on Holi. The burning of the effigy of Holika is called Holika Dahan.

MARCH 2010

MARCH 1ST HOLI FESTIVAL

Yes, it is March and Holi, or the the Hindu Festival of Colours, is here once more. Also known as Vasant Utsav, Holi marks the onset of Spring in India. Observed since ancient times, Holi is one of the most popular Hindu festivals.  Typically observed on the full-moon day of Phalguna (February – March), the joyous Holi festival is associated with the worship of Lord Krishna.

Vasant Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratras and Ram Navaratri, is the festival of nine nights dedicated to Hindu Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. This Navaratri is also known as Chaitra Navratras or Spring Navratri as it is observed during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March – April). In 2010, Vasant Navratri begins  on March 16 and ends on March 24.

Most Hindus associate Navratri with the celebrations that take place in the Hindu lunar month of Ashwni (September – October). The second most famous Navratri is celebrated in the lunar month of Chaitra (March – April) and ends with Ram Navami.

Vasant Navratri is held during the beginning of summer. It is a time of thanksgiving to Mother Nature – who protects and sustains us.

The Vasant Navratra also coincides with Ram Navami, which falls on the ninth day of Chaitra month. Due to this the Navratri in March is also known as Ram Navratri.

MARCH 24TH

RAM NAVMI

Puja & worship begins at 6:30 pm

Ram Navami Rama-navami) is a Hindu festival, celebrating of the birth of Lord Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, and a divine figure in Hinduism believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The day also known as Sri Rama Navami, falls on the Navami, ninth day of the Chaitra month of Hindu lunar year in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon, thus named Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami, and marks the end of nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations.



The Shiva Puran cites that since Shiva could not serve Shri Ram in his present form, he inspired the birth of one Rudra from his 11 Rudras, as a monkey, Hanumanji.