The Shivaratri fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of the Shivaratri festival.

Pictures of Lord Jagannatha in Puri during the annual Snana Yatra festival. Once a year the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out of the temple for a bathing ceremony. This occurs around two weeks before the Ratha Yatra festival.

Ratha Jatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha is celebrated every year at Puri, the temple town in Orissa, on the east coast of India. The presiding deities of the main temple, Sri Mandira, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, with the celestial wheel Sudarshana are taken out from the temple precincts in an elaborate ritual procession to their respective chariots.

Quite unexpectedly, on the auspicious occassion of Naga Panchami (the traditional day for worshipping snakes and Nagas), a divine Naga appeared at our Sri Jagannatha temple in Bhadrak to bless devotees. As word spread, more than 1,000 villagers arrived throughout the day and night, bringing offerings of milk and deepams to offer to the Naga.

The people of the former tributary states and the present Daspalla, Khandapara, Nayagarh and Ranpur area of Nayagarh district of Orissa observe a number of festivals all the year round. These festivals may broadly be divided into two categories, viz, domestic festivals observed in each and every household, and public festivals and fairs where people congregate in large numbers on some auspicious days.

Until recently, the mysterious Lord of the Universe, Jagannath Mahaprabhu, and His art and culture was Greek to Mohammad Abid Ali, a Muslim resident in Bhubaneswar. The town of Bhubaneswar lies about 60 kilometers from Jagannath Puri. Because he is a non-Hindu, quite understandably has no access to the 12th century shrine, which is off limits to Ali and his ilk. But he is all smiles now, for within seven days, he not only gained knowledge on Jagannath art and culture but also saw the Lord’s daily rituals and veshas (decorations) without going into the temple!

In days of yore, there were communities of cannibals in India. They caused much havoc. They threatened the lives of many innocent people. One of them was Holika or Putana. She took immense delight in devouring children. Sri Krishna destroyed her and thus saved the little children. Even today, the effigy or figure of Holika is burnt in the fire. In South India, the clay figure of Cupid is burnt. This is the origin of the great festival of Holi.

Celebrated all over India since ancient times, Holi's precise form and purpose display great variety. Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring. This aspect still plays a significant part in the festival in the form of the colored powders: Holi is a time when man and nature alike throw off the gloom of winter and rejoice in the colors and liveliness of spring. Holi also commemorates various events in Hindu mythology, but for most Hindus it provides a temporary opportunity for Hindus to disregard social norms, indulge in merrymaking and generally "let loose."

After dakshayAga, shakti took the form of the daughter of the mountain king himavAn called pArvatI. From the early childhood she was devoted to Lord shiva and started penance for getting married to the God shiva. Lord shiva was however staying as dakshiNAmUrthi (2) making the sages sanaka, sanandana, sanAtana, sanatkumAra realize the Ultimate Truth.

This festival is very ancient. Known originally as ‘Holika’ it has been mentioned in very early religious works such as Jaimini’s Purvamimamsa-sutras and Kathaka-grihya-sutras. It must have therefore existed several centuries before Christ. It was at first actually a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was the deity worshipped by them.

Hiranyakashipu was the king of the asuras (demons). Hiranyakashypu's brother had been slain by Vishnu for terrorising the gods and goddesses, so Hiranyakashypu wanted to destroy Vishnu and keep the other devas in heaven subdued. He told his soldiers to crush all those who worship Vishnu, but the devas protected the devotees of Vishnu...

Amongst India's innumerable festivals, Holi ranks as the most colourful. It celebrates the arrival of spring and death of demoness Holika; it is a celebration of joy and hope. Holi provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy themselves. In a tight knit community, it also provided a good excuse for letting off some steam and settling old scores, without causing physical injury.

On this day, the great night of the Lord Shiva, devotees stay awake throughout the night offering prayers to Lord Shiva. They offer special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables and coconut to the Lord. Special celebrations are held in some of the major Shiva temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu).

The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take a drop of water. They keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra Om Namah Shivaya continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred as, it is said, Lakshmi resides in them.