Calendar of Events:

Hindu calendar for 2012

Saturday 14 January
Makar Sankrant
Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Saturday 28 January
Vasant Panchami
Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Monday 20 February
Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Thursday 8 March
Holi
The Hindu spring festival.

Sunday 1 April
Rama Navami
Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana
Swaminarayan Jayanti
This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Friday 6 April
Hanuman Jayanti
This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Thursday 2 August
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Friday 10 August
Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti
The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Tuesday 16 October
Navaratri (start)
Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Wednesday 24 October
Dussera
Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Tuesday 13 November
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2013

Monday 14 January
Makar Sankrant
Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Friday 15 February
Vasant Panchami
Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Friday 19 April
Swaminarayan Jayanti
This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Saturday 5 October
Navaratri (start)
Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Monday 14 October
Dussera
Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Sunday 3 November
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.