October Festival 2025

 Dussehra Festival – 2nd October 2025

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. In 2025, Dussehra will be observed on 2nd October, making it a doubly special day as it also coincides with Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Dussehra marks the victory of good over evil. It commemorates the day when Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana and rescued his wife Sita. It also symbolizes the triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura in some parts of India. The festival is celebrated with different customs and traditions in various regions but the message remains the same – truth and righteousness always prevail.

On this day, effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna are burnt across the country, especially in North India. These events are often accompanied by vibrant Ramlila performances that depict the life of Lord Rama. In West Bengal and other eastern states, Dussehra marks the conclusion of Durga Puja, and beautifully adorned idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers and lakes.

People wear new clothes, prepare special sweets, and visit temples with family and friends. It is also considered an auspicious day to begin new ventures, purchase property, or perform "shastra puja" (worship of tools and weapons), especially among artisans and warriors.

The festival teaches us valuable life lessons – the importance of virtue, courage, and devotion. Celebrating Dussehra on 2nd October 2025 also serves as a reminder of the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, who fought evil through non-violence and truth.

Dussehra brings people together and inspires them to lead a life of integrity and goodness.

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti – 2 October 2025

Mahatma Gandhi, fondly known as the Father of the Nation, was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. Every year on this day, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated across India to remember his contributions to our freedom struggle and to honor his principles of peace, non-violence, and truth.

Gandhiji led India’s freedom movement with great determination and moral strength. He introduced the world to the concept of Satyagraha, or non-violent resistance, which became a powerful tool against British rule. His famous movements like Dandi March, Non-Cooperation Movement, and Quit India Movement inspired millions of Indians to unite and fight for independence peacefully.

Beyond politics, Gandhi was a visionary who believed in simplicity, self-reliance, and rural development. His dream of “Gram Swaraj” (village self-rule) reflected his deep belief that India's strength lies in its villages. He wore simple khadi clothes, spun his own yarn, and promoted Swadeshi goods to reduce dependence on British products.

Gandhiji’s ideals are more relevant today than ever. In a world struggling with violence, inequality, and environmental issues, his messages of peace, harmony, and sustainable living offer timeless wisdom.

On this Gandhi Jayanti 2025, let us pay tribute to his legacy by practicing honesty, kindness, and non-violence in our daily lives. Let us pledge to make India cleaner, greener, and more compassionate, just as Bapu dreamed.

Jai Hind!
Vande Mataram!

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti – 7 October 2025

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated to honor the birth anniversary of the great sage and poet Valmiki, the revered author of the epic Ramayana. In 2025, Valmiki Jayanti falls on Tuesday, 7 October. This day holds deep spiritual and cultural significance in India, especially among followers of Sanatan Dharma.

Valmiki is considered the first poet (Adi Kavi) of Sanskrit literature. His creation, the Ramayana, not only narrates the life and virtues of Lord Rama but also lays the foundation of dharma (righteousness), devotion, and moral values. Maharishi Valmiki's transformation from a dacoit named Ratnakar to a saint is a powerful symbol of the possibility of redemption through knowledge and devotion.

Devotees across India celebrate Valmiki Jayanti with great reverence. Temples and ashrams organize special prayers, bhajans, and recitations of the Ramayana. Processions (Shobha Yatras) are held in several cities, showcasing scenes from Valmiki’s life and teachings. Cultural programs and community service activities are also conducted.

This festival reminds us of the importance of truth, compassion, and spiritual evolution. Maharishi Valmiki’s life inspires us to rise above our past and lead a life of virtue and wisdom. On this sacred day, people also take the opportunity to read the Ramayana and reflect upon its teachings.

Valmiki Jayanti is not just a celebration of a historical figure but a tribute to the timeless wisdom and moral foundation he gave to humanity.

Karaka Chaturthi (Karwa Chauth) Festival – A Celebration of Love and Devotion

Karaka Chaturthi, commonly known as Karwa Chauth, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by married women, especially in North India. Observed on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) in the month of Kartik, this year it falls on 10th October. The festival symbolizes the deep bond of love and devotion between a husband and wife.

On this day, married women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the long life, prosperity, and safety of their husbands. The fast is nirjala, meaning no food or water is consumed throughout the day. Women dress in traditional attire, often wearing bridal clothes, adorn themselves with mehndi (henna), and gather with other women for the Karwa Chauth puja in the evening.

The rituals begin with listening to the Karwa Chauth Katha, which narrates the story of a devoted wife who brought her husband back to life through her unwavering faith. After sunset, women look at the moon through a sieve and then at their husband's face, offering water and prayers to complete the fast. The husband then offers the first sip of water and food to break her fast.

Karwa Chauth is not just a festival but a celebration of love, sacrifice, and the sacred bond of marriage. It highlights the strength of commitment and the cultural values deeply rooted in Indian traditions.

Diwali Festival - 20 October 2025

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. In 2025, Diwali falls on 20 October, and like every year, it will be celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion across the country.

The festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. People welcomed him by lighting rows of diyas (earthen lamps), a tradition that continues to this day. Homes, streets, and temples are decorated with lights, flowers, and colorful rangolis.

Diwali is a five-day celebration, starting with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj. On the main day of Diwali, people perform Lakshmi Puja to seek blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Families come together, exchange sweets and gifts, wear new clothes, and enjoy festive meals.

Children especially enjoy bursting crackers, though growing awareness about pollution is encouraging more eco-friendly celebrations. Markets are vibrant, with stalls selling sweets, clothes, gifts, and decorations.

Diwali brings a spirit of joy, unity, and generosity. It is not just a festival of lights but also of hope, renewal, and togetherness. As we celebrate Diwali on 20 October 2025, let us also remember to spread kindness, help those in need, and keep our environment clean and safe.

Naraka Chaturdashi Festival – 20 October 2025

Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Choti Diwali, falls on the 14th day of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin. In 2025, this auspicious day is observed on 20th October, a day before the main Diwali celebration. It marks the victory of good over evil, commemorating Lord Krishna’s triumph over the demon Narakasura.

The day begins early with the Abhyanga Snan – a traditional oil bath taken before sunrise, believed to purify the body and soul. People light lamps and decorate their homes with rangoli and flowers, symbolizing the removal of darkness and negativity. Temples resonate with chants and prayers, while homes are filled with the sweet aroma of festive delicacies like laddoos, chaklis, and karanjis.

In many regions, especially in South India, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated with bursting of crackers, lighting of diyas, and special pujas. The evening is illuminated with earthen lamps and fireworks, welcoming prosperity and positivity.

This festival serves as a reminder that light will always conquer darkness and that we must overcome our inner evils with courage and virtue. As we celebrate Naraka Chaturdashi on 20 October 2025, let us embrace the spirit of joy, kindness, and spiritual awakening.

Govardhan Puja Festival – 22 October

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut or Padva, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali, right after the main day of Lakshmi Puja. In 2025, Govardhan Puja falls on 22 October, and devotees across India will honor Lord Krishna and the Govardhan Hill with devotion, rituals, and traditional offerings.

This festival has deep mythological significance. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Lord Krishna once lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra, who brought torrential rains to punish them. Krishna's act was a lesson in humility and devotion and emphasized the importance of respecting nature.

On Govardhan Puja, devotees create a replica of Govardhan Hill using cow dung, mud, flowers, and food items. People offer a large variety of vegetarian dishes, collectively called Annakut, meaning “mountain of food,” to the hill, symbolizing gratitude for nature’s bounty. Devotees sing bhajans, perform aarti, and walk around the hill in a ritual called Parikrama.

In rural areas, cows and bulls are worshipped and decorated, as they are considered sacred and vital to agriculture. Temples, especially in Mathura and Nathdwara, organize grand festivities with food offerings and spiritual gatherings.

Govardhan Puja is a celebration of faith, nature, and community. It teaches us to live in harmony with the environment and reminds us of the power of devotion over arrogance.

Bhai Duj Festival – 23 October

Bhai Duj, also known as Bhai Dooj, Bhau Beej, or Bhai Tika, is a beautiful Indian festival that celebrates the cherished bond between brothers and sisters. Observed on the second day after Diwali, Bhai Duj falls on 23rd October this year. It marks the end of the five-day Diwali festivities and holds deep emotional and cultural significance in Indian tradition.

On this special day, sisters invite their brothers for a meal prepared with love and affection. The ceremony involves performing aarti, applying a sacred tilak (vermilion mark) on the brother's forehead, and praying for his long life, happiness, and prosperity. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters and vow to protect them always.

According to legend, Yamraj (the god of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. She welcomed him with love and offered him a meal. Touched by her affection, Yamraj declared that any brother who visits his sister on this day will be blessed with a long and healthy life. Since then, Bhai Duj is celebrated to honor this divine sibling bond.

Bhai Duj is not just a festival; it's a heartfelt reminder of the strength, care, and timeless love between siblings. It is a day filled with laughter, memories, and blessings, making it a truly special part of the festive season.

Chhath Puja 2025 – A Sacred Festival of Devotion and Gratitude (28 October 2025)

Chhath Puja, one of the most revered Hindu festivals, will be observed on 28 October 2025, with the main day of worship dedicated to Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) to the setting sun. This ancient Vedic festival is primarily celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and in Nepal’s Mithila region. Devotees across the world also mark this occasion with deep faith and devotion.

The festival spans four days, beginning with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and concluding with Usha Arghya (offering to the rising sun). It is dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, the consort of Surya, for sustaining life on earth and granting health, prosperity, and happiness.

On 28 October 2025, thousands of devotees, dressed in traditional attire, will gather on riverbanks, ponds, and ghats to offer prayers to the setting sun while standing in water. Women, known as vratin, observe rigorous fasts, often without water, and prepare traditional offerings like thekua, fruits, sugarcane, and rice laddoos in bamboo baskets.

Chhath Puja is not just a religious observance but a vibrant cultural tradition emphasizing purity, discipline, and community spirit. The eco-friendly nature of this festival, involving no idol worship or excessive rituals, makes it spiritually enriching and environmentally harmonious.

As we approach Chhath Puja on 28 October 2025, it is a time to reflect on gratitude, offer devotion, and celebrate the timeless bond between nature and spirituality.