Ratha Saptami, also known as Surya Jayanti, is a highly auspicious festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya, the Sun God. Celebrated on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Magha month, this festival is observed with great devotion by millions of Hindus worldwide. In 2026, Ratha Saptami will be observed on January 25th. The day honors Lord Surya for his life-giving energy, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth. Th

Vasant Panchami 2026 is a significant Hindu festival that heralds the arrival of spring and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, and arts. The festival, also known as Saraswati Panchami, is celebrated on the fifth day of the lunar month of Magha. In 2026, it will be observed on January 23rd. This festival holds great significance, especially for students, educators, and anyone involved in the arts. The day is dedicated to

Sri Rajarajeshwari Peetham has announced the schedule and spiritual framework for its Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2026, while also outlining the broader scope of religious and ritual activities conducted by the organization across multiple countries. The yatra, scheduled from July 20 to August 4, 2026, is positioned as one of the organization’s major pilgrimages, distinct from its year-round spiritual programs carried out globally. The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra will take pilgrims th

Makara Sankranti is one of the most auspicious and widely celebrated festivals in India. Observed every year in mid-January, the festival marks the transition of the Sun into Makara Rashi (Capricorn), beginning the Sun’s northward journey known as Uttarayana. In 2026, Makara Sankranti will be celebrated on Thursday January 15 across most parts of India. Unlike many Hindu festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makara Sankranti is based on the solar calendar

Christmas 2025 arrives on December 25, celebrated worldwide as a season of joy, warmth and togetherness. Rooted in the birth of Jesus Christ, the festival has evolved into a global cultural occasion that blends faith, tradition, food, music and family gatherings. While Christmas began as a religious commemoration, it now speaks to people of many backgrounds, offering a sense of connection and celebration as the year comes to an end. Today, streets light up with decorations, homes fill with fe

The Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple, one of India’s most revered Shiva temples, stands at the foothills of the sacred Arunachala Hill in Tamil Nadu. Known as the temple of fire (Agni) among the five Panch Bhoota Sthalams, it holds deep spiritual significance. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva manifested here as an infinite column of light, symbolizing supreme truth and divine power. Rich in history, the temple has been shaped by the Chola, Pallava, Hoysala, Pandya, and Vijayanagara dynas

Rooted in the Shiva Purana, the sacred Rudraksha is regarded as a living embodiment of Lord Shiva — a symbol of His compassion and presence. At RudraTattva, this divine essence takes form as a humble seva initiative, offering consecrated Rudrakshas to seekers across the United States, not as a product, but as Shiva’s blessing. Each Rudraksha offered by RudraTattva begins its journey in the serene Dingla Valley of Nepal, home to some of the world’s most revered

Kartik Purnima, also known as Dev Diwali or Tripurari Purnima, is one of the most sacred and spiritually uplifting festivals in the Hindu calendar. In 2025, it will be celebrated on Wednesday, 5th November, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Kartik — the “month of light.” Devotees across India and abroad honor this full moon day with prayers, fasting, charity, and by lighting thousands of lamps that symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This

Halloween, celebrated every year on October 31, is one of the world’s most recognizable festivals, combining ancient traditions, spiritual symbolism, and modern fun. What began thousands of years ago as a harvest festival in Celtic Europe has transformed into a global celebration of creativity, costumes, and community gatherings. In 2025, Halloween will be celebrated on Friday, October 31, bringing a weekend of festivities across several countries. The origins of

In times of suffering, both for the afflicted and those who care for them, the human mind often searches for relief. It is common to hear phrases such as “thank God they are free now” or “I pray for their suffering to end.” While these words may appear compassionate, they often reveal a deeper tension between genuine empathy and emotional convenience. Spiritual understanding shows that wishing for an end, whether for oneself or for others, can reflect attachment and impatience rather tha

Karthika Masam is one of the holiest months in the Hindu lunar calendar, observed with deep devotion across India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Subrahmanya. Devotees observe strict vratams, light lamps (deepam), visit temples, and perform charity. Karthika Masam 2025 Start & End Dates Start Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025 End Date: Thursday, 20 November 2025

Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025 Tilak Muhurat (Auspicious Time): 1:13 PM to 3:28 PM (IST) Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 22 October 2025 at 8:16 PM Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 23 October 2025 at 10:46 PM What is Bhai Dooj? Bhai Dooj (also known as Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, or Bhai Phota) is

Diwali 2025 Overview Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals across India and the Indian diaspora globally. In 2025, the main Lakshmi Puja (Diwali Day) falls on: Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 Diwali is observed over five days, starting from Dhanteras (Oct 18) and ending with Bhai Dooj (Oct 22). Amavasya Tithi (New Moon)

Dhanteras 2025, also known as Dhantrayodashi, marks the spiritual beginning of the five-day Diwali festival, celebrated with joy and devotion across India and by the Indian diaspora worldwide, including the USA. This sacred day falls on Saturday, 18 October 2025, and is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Kubera, the god of riches. Devotees perform special Lakshmi-Kubera Puja, light diyas, and purchase gold, silver, and utensils as a sign of prosperity and

In the journey of devotion, there are times when the heart and mind travel at different speeds. The mind, trained by faith, may already know that whatever comes from the Guru’s hand is grace — both the gifts that comfort and the lessons that challenge. Yet the heart, tender and human, often lingers behind, still clinging to the fragrance of closeness, to the warmth of moments that once felt near and personal. This quiet distance between understanding and acceptance is not disobe

As Karwa Chauth 2025 draws near on Friday, October 10, millions of married women in India and across the Indian diaspora in the U.S. prepare to observe the sacred day-long fast. The fast concludes only when the moon is sighted, so knowing the precise moonrise time is crucial to ensuring the vrat is completed properly. Below are moonrise timings for selected cities in India and the U.S., compiled based on available astronomical sources and lunar calendars.

Navaratri 2025 will be celebrated from September 22 to October 1, with Vijayadashami on October 2. Dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, Navaratri is one of the most auspicious festivals in India. Every day of Navaratri is marked by a specific goddess, symbolic color, unique alankaram, meaningful pooja, and prasadam offered to devotees. The prasadam, considered as the blessings of the goddess, plays a vital role in connecting faith with food. Be

The state of Ohio is once again at the center of a debate over religion and government after an online petition was launched to remove its official motto, “With God, all things are possible.” The phrase, drawn directly from the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew 19:26, has been a fixture of Ohio identity since 1959 but has faced challenges over the years from those who believe it promotes a specific religion in violation of the principle of separation of church and state. T

  Pitru Paksha is one of the most sacred observances in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to remembering ancestors and seeking their blessings. In 2025, Pitru Paksha will begin on September 7 and conclude on September 21, starting with Bhadrapada Purnima and ending with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya. This sixteen-day period holds immense spiritual importance because it is believed that ancestors descend to the earthly realm during this time. By performing Sh