Our Festivals

Hindu festivals are more than holidays. Each one remembers a story from the Puranas or the epics, welcomes a change of season, and brings the family together for puja, fasting, prasad and bhajans. Many of the bhajans Hansaben Poriya sings belong to these days: Diwali aartis, Janmashtami kirtans, songs for Navratri and Ram Navami. When you know what a festival means, its bhajans are easier to understand and to enjoy.

These pages explain each festival in simple language, the way it is celebrated in Gujarati homes, without assuming that you already know the rituals. They are written for children and young people learning about their traditions, for families living far from Gujarat, and for anyone curious about Indian culture.

What each festival page contains

• When the festival falls in the Hindu calendar, and why its date changes every year
• The meaning of each day, for festivals that last several days, such as Diwali
• The stories behind the festival, retold briefly
• How the puja is usually done at home, step by step
• How Gujarat celebrates it, with practical tips and answers to common questions

We have started with Diwali and will keep adding festivals. If you would like to read about a particular festival, please write to us from the Contact page.