Hindu Festivals  

Ugadi, celebrated in South India, marks the New Year with vibrant festivities. It symbolizes new beginnings, cultural richness, and culinary delights. Traditional dishes like Ugadi Pachadi and Obbattu highlight the occasion, fostering joy and unity among communities

February 21 marks this year’s Maha Shivaratri – one of the biggest festivals of Hindus that is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm in the honor of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivaratri, which literally means ‘The Great Night of Lord Shiva’, is celebrated on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha in Phagun, the Hindu lunar month. Lord Shiva is the focus of the festival, who is part of the Hindu trinity which also includes Brahma, who created the universe and Vishnu, who preserved it. Let’s find out more about this festival in this episode of Culture ‘Shauk’ with Sunita Iyer.

Makar Sankranti, dedicated to the sun god, is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals celebrated across India with much fanfare. The festival marks the beginning of the auspicious period of Uttarayan. Flying kites, preparing traditional sweets with jaggery and sesame seeds and taking holy dip in rivers form an integral part of it, as does meeting with loved ones and exchanging greetings and sweets. In this episode of Culture 'Shauk' with Sunita Iyer, let’s take a look at the significance of the festival of Makar Sankranti and also find out why kite flying is an important part of the celebration.

Chhath Pooja is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival historically native to the Indian subcontinent. The festival is to worship the Sun God and the rituals are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. 

Enjoy nine days of celebrations of Navratri with these 5 delicious dishes

Abhinav Khare deep dives into the bias against Hindu festivals and the promotion of Hinduphobia by secular media organisations, who bring up social and civic issues during Hindu festivals, while remaining mum on others