2003 Hindu Holidays
(includes Shaiva, Vaishnava & Tantric dates)
* 1/1: Day to meditate for peace throughout the world. [World Peace Day; Universal Hour of Peace: 7:00-8:00 a.m. EST.]
* 1/1: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 1/4: Day ethnic discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1969); day to mourn all manifestations of racism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: signed/adopted 3/7/1966; entered into force 1/4/1969.][Text of Convention] [For more information, see Anti Racism Information Service website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 1/10: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 1/13: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 1/14: Makar Sakranti--Beginning of Hindu pilgrimage to holy rivers to bathe and pray, to purify themselves of their sins. Hindus' life goals are ethical living, passionate love, prosperity, and spiritual devotion. [a/k/a Magh Mela, Kumbh Mela]
* 1/19: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.
* 1/31: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 2/4: Vigil for peace, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all in Sri Lanka. [Sri Lanka gained its independence on 2/4/1948; Sri Lanka's civil war arises out of the legal preference given to the Sinhala people, the Sinhalese language, and the Buddhist religion over the Tamil people, the Tamil language, and the Hindu religion. The Sri Lankan civil war has been ongoing since 1983. On 2/22/2002, the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers guerrilla organization signed a cease fire and, on 12/5/2002, an agreement was reached to develop a federal structure of government with regional autonomy. However, the Tamil Tigers pulled out of peace talks in 4/2003, claiming they were being marginalized.] [For a timeline on the conflict, see BBC News website. For information on the peace process, see Sri Lankan government peace process website; National Peace Council of Sri Lanka website. For information on the human rights situation, see Human Rights Watch report: Sri Lanka; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2002: Sri Lanka.]
* 2/6: Sarasvati Puja--Hindu festival honoring Goddess Sarasvati, who represents wisdom, intellect, and knowledge, as well as inspiration, arts, and music. Hindus' life goals are ethical living, passionate love, prosperity, and spiritual devotion. [See Mantra to Sarasvati.] [a/k/a Vasant Panchami, Sri Panchami] [Magh Shukla 5]
* 2/9: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 2/12: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 2/18: Birthday of Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836), Hindu mystic who fervently loved Great Goddess Maha Devi - Mother of God, Mother of Nature, Elemental Matter, and Cosmic Power. He recognized Her immanence in all, and knew Her to be a manifestation of the one universal Deity. [Death day 8/16/1886]
* 3/1: Day the production and use of landmines was outlawed world-wide (1999); day to mourn their victims. [Protocol on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices a/k/a Convention on Landmines a/k/a Mine Ban Treaty, amending the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects: Treaty signed/adopted 10/10/1980; entered into force 12/2/1983; Protocol signed 12/3/1997; entered into force 3/1/1999.] [The U.S., India, and Nepal have not ratified the Protocol.] [There are between 60 and 70 million landmines in the ground of 70+ countries. Landmines maim or kill approximately 26,000 civilians each year, including 8,000 to 10,000 children. In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production and use of landmines, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing landmines.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see International Campaign to Ban Landmines website; Adopt a Minefield website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 3/1 to 3/2: Mahashivaratri--Hindu fast, night vigil, and feast for God-Goddess Shiva-Shakti (union of Will and Power), who dances to create, destroy, and re-create the Universe. Tantric Hindus believe Shiva is within all men and Shakti within all women; they recognize gender equality and reject caste. [See Mantra to Shiva and Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Shivaratri, Mahashivaratra, Shiva's Night, Bhole ka Vrat, Shiva Vrat, Shiva's Fast, Shiva Puja] [Phalgun Krishna 13-14]
* 3/8: International Women's Day--Day to mourn victims of gender-based oppression and misogyny (past and present), make peace, and celebrate women's empowerment. [For information on International Women's Day, see United Nations website; A history of International Women's Day.]
* 3/11: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 3/14: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, Watering Eleventh, Amalaki Ekadashi, Amla Sinchan Gyas] [Phalgun Shukla 11]
* 3/14 to 3/18: Holi--Hindu festival celebrating the courting of God Shiva by Goddess Parvati, and the efforts on Her behalf by Kama (God of Love) and Rati (Goddess of Passion). Hindus believe all Gods and Goddesses are aspects of the one Great God-Goddess Maha Deva-Maha Devi, the limitless, attributeless, immanent, and transcendent Brahman. Shaivas are devoted to God Shiva in all His aspects. [See Mantra to Shiva and Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Little Holi, Bihar Holi, Sri Chaitanya, Big Holi, Dulhendi] [Phalgun Shukla 11-15; Chaitra Krishna 1]
* 3/26: Day production and use of biological weapons was outlawed world-wide (1975); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction a/k/a Biological Weapons Convention: signed 4/10/1972; entered into force 3/26/1975.] [India is believed to currently have a biological weapons research program in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. India has ratified the Treaty.] [In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of biological weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention website; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 3/31: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 4/2 to 4/11: Navaratri/Gangaur--Hindu festival honoring Great Goddess Maha Devi as Gauri - life, growth, and fruition. Shaktas are devoted to Great Goddess Maha Devi in all Her aspects. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Vasant Navaratri, Vasant Navratri, Chaitra Navaratri, Chaitra Navratri, Navratras, Navaratra, Gauri Tritiya, Devi Puja, Devi Vrat] [Chaitra Shukla 1-9]
* 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website; UN Dag Hammarskjold Library website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]
* 4/10 to 4/11: Ramanavami--Birthday of Hindu God Rama (avatar of Vishnu), protector of beloved wife, Goddess Sita (avatar of Lakshmi). [See Mantra to Rama.] [a/k/a Rama Navmi, Ram Navmi] [Chaitra Shukla 8 & 9]
* 4/13: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day] [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.]
* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, or political opinion (1954). [Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: signed 7/28/1951; entered into force 4/22/1954.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 4/29: Day production and use of chemical weapons was outlawed world-wide (1997); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons a/k/a Chemical Weapons Convention: signed 1/13/1993; entered into force 4/29/1997.] [India is believed to currently possess chemical weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. India has ratified the Treaty.] [In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of chemical weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons webpage; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Chemical Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 4/29: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 5/1: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state throughout the world. [Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. For text and information on the First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website. For domestic organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website and American Civil Liberty Union website. For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report; Human Rights Watch website; and Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief website.]
* 5/12: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 5/28: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 6/8: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 6/11: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, Waterless Eleventh, Nirjala Ekadashi] [Jyestha Shukla 11]
* 6/27: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 7/1: Day the world's nations committed to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons (1968); vigil to protest the production and use of all nuclear weapons world-wide. [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: signed 7/1/1968; entered into force 3/5/1970.] [India has developed nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. India has not ratified the Treaty.] [In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of nuclear weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) website. For information on India's nukes, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.]
* 7/7: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 7/10: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, God-Sleeping Eleventh, Dev-Shayani Ekadashi] [Ashadha Shukla 11]
* 7/27: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 8/5: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 8/8: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 8/15: Day India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, and Kashmir joined India over Pakistan's objection (1947); vigil for true peace, justice, and religious tolerance for all in South Asia. [About the Indo-Pakistani conflict] [For information on the nuclear problem, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) website: Indo-Pakistani Conflict; India's nukes; Pakistan's nukes. For information on the history of the conflict, see Jammu & Kashmir : The Complete Knowledge Base. For information on human rights, see Human Rights Watch report: India; Human Rights Watch report: Pakistan; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2002: India; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2002: Pakistan.]
* 8/19 to 8/20: Sri Krishna Jayanti--Birthday of Hindu God Krishna (avatar of God Vishnu), beloved of Goddess Radha (avatar of Goddess Lakshmi). Vaishnavas are devoted to God Vishnu and His avatars. [See Mantra to Krishna.] [a/k/a Janmashtami, Janmastami, Govinda] [Bhadrapad Krishna 7 & 8]
* 8/25: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 8/28: Opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions (1993), attended by members of all the world's religions. A Global Ethic was adopted that condemns hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion. [Text of Global Ethic] [See also website for the Parliament of the World's Religions.]
* 8/31 to 9/9: Ganesha Chaturthi--Hindu festival honoring God Ganesha (son of Goddess Parvati and God Shiva) as the Challenger - creator and remover of obstacles. [See Mantra to Ganesha.] [a/k/a Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Chaturathi, Ganesh Chauth] [Bhadrapad Shukla 4-14]
* 9/3: Day gender discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1981); day to mourn all manifestations of sexism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: adopted by U.N. General Assembly 12/18/1979; signed 3/1/1980; entered into force 9/3/1981.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see WomenWatch: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 9/6: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 9/10 to 9/26: Saradhas--Hindu festival in which offerings are made for departed ancestors. [a/k/a Sraddhas, Pitr-Paksha] [Ashwin Krishna 1-15/30]
* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [a/k/a U.N. International Day of Peace] [For more information on the International Day of Peace, see International Day of Peace website and International Day of Peace Vigil website.]
* 9/24: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 9/26 to 10/5: Navaratri/Durga Puja--Hindu festival of Great Goddess Maha Devi as Durga, Protector of the Powerless; celebrates Her destruction of evil and restoration of cosmic order. [See Mantra to Durga.] [a/k/a Sharad Navaratri, Sharad Navratri, Ashwin Navaratri, Ashwin Navratri, Maha Navaratri, Navratras, Navaratra, Vijaya Dashami, Dussehra, Dasara, Dasehra, Devi Puja, Devi Vrat] [Ashwin Shukla 1-10]
* 10/2: Birthday of Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi (1869), Hindu advocate for human rights and self-reliance, who practiced active non-violent resistance to injustice. [a/k/a Gandhi Jayanti] [Death day 1/30/1948]
* 10/5: Dussehra--Recounts the rescue of Hindu Goddess Sita (avatar of Lakshmi) by God Rama (avatar of Vishnu) from an evil demon. [See Mantra to Rama.] [a/k/a Dasara, Dasera, Dussera, Dassehra] [Ashwin Shukla 10]
* 10/6: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
* 10/22 to 10/25: Diwali/Lunar New Year/Festival of Lights--Hindu festival for Goddess Lakshmi (source of health, fertility, and prosperity) and Her consort, God Vishnu (the preserver of life); focus is on peace-making and new beginnings. [See Mantra to Lakshmi and Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Divali, Dipavali, Deepavali, Bandi Chhor Divas] [Kartik Krishna 12-15/30]
* 10/23: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 10/25: Kali Puja--Hindu festival honoring Great Goddess Maha Devi as Kali - decay, death, and transformation. [See Mantra to Kali.] [Kartik Krishna 15/30]
* 11/1: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 11/4: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, God-Awakening Eleventh, Dev-Prabodhini Ekadashi, Dev Uthani Gyas] [Kartik Shukla 11]
* 11/7: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people - all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.
* 11/20: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.]
* 11/22: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 11/27: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.
* 12/1: World AIDS Day--Day to pray for healing of all those suffering with AIDS and HIV. [For information on World AIDS Day, see World AIDS Day website. For information about the global fight against AIDS, see UNAIDS website.] [For information on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, see Human Rights Watch website.]
* 12/1: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
* 12/4: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Vishnu.] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh] [Shukla Paksha 11]
* 12/10: Day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and fundamental rights were recognized world-wide (1948). [The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R.) in Resolution 217 A(III). See Text of Declaration. For more information on the history of the U.D.H.R., see Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute website. The U.D.H.R. is generally recognized as binding customary international law. In 1966, the concepts of the U.D.H.R. were expanded and drafted into two binding international treaties with enforcement mechanisms. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Human Rights Committee (see Human Rights Committee website; University of Minnesota Human Rights Library website) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (see Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website). The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights(see Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights website).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day]
* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [Text of Bill of Rights] [For more information about the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, see U.S. National Archives & Records Administration website and the Bill of Rights Institute website. For information on organizations that advocate for enforcement of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights, see Center for Constitutional Rights website; American Civil Liberties Union website.] [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day]
* 12/17: Day the Clean Air Act was enacted (1963); day to give thanks for the air we breathe. [Pub. L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
* 12/21: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Shiva.] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth] [Krishna Paksha 13]
* 12/28: Day the Endangered Species Act was enacted (1973); day to mourn those creatures already extinct. [Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
* 12/30: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [See Mantra to Devi.] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth] [Shukla Paksha 8]
[Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) originated in India but is now practiced throughout South Asia, and in East Asia, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. The holy scripture of the Hindus is the Vedas: the Rig Veda (containing verses of praise), the Yajur Veda (containing ritual offering requirements), the Sama Veda (containing verses or chants for ritual offerings), and the Atharva Veda (containing magical verses). Hindu sacred literature also includes the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, the Upanishads, the Sutras, the Sastras, the Epics, and the Puranas. There are three primary denominations of Hinduism: Shaivism (including Yoga) is focused on God Shiva in all His aspects, Shaktism is focused on Great Goddess Maha Devi (who encompasses all Goddesses), and Vaishnavism is focused on God Vishnu and His avatars (including Rama and Krishna). Tantrism (Tantra), a smaller denomination of Hinduism, is focused on either Shiva and Devi/Shakti or Vishnu and Devi/Lakshmi (or Krishna and Radha). Hinduism is also practiced as Smarta (first introduced to non-Indians in the United States by Swami Vivekananda), and includes organizations such as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON/Hare Krishna Movement), founded by Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda.]
[Devotion to Deity (Bhakti) is often expressed with poetry, music, and dance. Hindus offer daily puja (worship) to the Deity in home shrines or village temples. To honor a Deity, some Hindus fast from grains (vrat) (in addition to meat) for a day each week, fortnight, or month. Deities are also honored during Hindu festivals. Hindu holidays have different names, meanings, and practices, depending on whether the celebrants are Shaivas, Shaktas, Vaishnaivas, or Tantrics, and depending on the region of India that the holiday is celebrated.]
[Hindu holidays are dated based on the Indian lunisolar calendar (Bikrami calendar or Vikram Samvat). In different localities, festivals may be celebrated a day earlier or a day later than the date given.]
Some Hindu Mantras:
* Shiva Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya
* Devi Mantra: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti
* Durga Mantra: Om Sri Durgayai Namah
* Kali Mantra: Om Kreem Kalikayai Namah
* Vishnu Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
* Rama Mantra: Om Sri Ramaya Namah
* Krishna Mantra: Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah
* Lakshmi Mantra: Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah
* Sarasvati Mantra: Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah
* Ganesh Mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
[It is recommended that mantras be used only after receiving appropriate teachings and initiations.]
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Permission to use and distribute these excerpts is granted for non-commercial purposes, provided the following information is included:
Excerpted from
THE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2003
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2002 Marija Miovski
www.WheeloftheYear.com
