Hindu Festival

The first day of the Diwali festival. Families buy metal utensils, silver or gold, and worship Dhanvantari and Lakshmi.

The festival of lights on Kartik Amavasya. In Kumaon, the Lakshmi Pad Aipan is drawn fresh at every doorway to

Sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life, closing the five days of Diwali.

Worship of the Sun god with offerings at sunset and sunrise, observed by the Purvanchali community, including along the rivers

The full moon of Kartik, marked by holy dips in rivers and lamps lit on the ghats.

The sun enters Capricorn and Uttarayan begins. In 2027 the Sankranti moment falls late on the night of 14 January,

Worship of Goddess Saraswati on Magha Shukla Panchami. In Kumaon, this is when Baithki Holi (classical Holi singing) is in

The great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees throng Jageshwar Dham, Baijnath and Shiva temples across Kumaon for all-night worship.

Holika Dahan on 21 March and the colour day on 22 March. Kumaoni Holi is unique: months of Baithki Holi

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada begins the Hindu New Year, Vikram Samvat 2084, and nine days of worship of the Goddess ending