Hindu festivals are numerous, so much so that on nearly every day in India there is a festival being celebrated somewhere. The dates of festivals are worked out with reference to the Hindu lunar-solar calendar, each month of which is associated with a particular god or goddess. The creation of Rama (7th avatar or incarnation of Vishnu) is celebrated in the first month (Chaitra).

One of the most stunning festivals takes place during the fourth month (Ashard), it celebrates Vishnu Jagannath (protector of the world). The births of both Krishna and the elephant-headed Ganesha are celebrated in the sixth month (Bhadra). Divali, the festival of lights, during which thousands of multi-coloured lamps (dipas) adorn the streets and houses is celebrated in the eighth month (Kartik); this festival is dedicated to ‘Divali Mata’ (the mother of the festival of Divali) namely the goddess of abundance and happiness, Lakshmi. The ‘night of Siva’ (Siva Ratri) is celebrated in twelfth month (Phalgun).

Festivals are also held to venerate local saints, Brahmanic doctors, poets and deities. Melas or giant community festivals are also held. Melas are associated with particular astronomical constellations. The most famous mela is the Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years in connection with movements of Jupiter.