1. Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2025)
- Significance: Marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara Rashi), symbolizing longer days and the harvest season.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Holy dip in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari.
- Offering sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gur) to the Sun God.
- Kite flying in North India.
2. Maha Shivratri (February 26, 2025)
- Significance: Dedicated to Lord Shiva; marks the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Fasting and night-long vigil with Shiva bhajans.
- Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Shiva Lingam with milk, honey, and water.
- Chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya”.
3. Holi (March 14, 2025)
- Significance: Festival of colors celebrating the victory of good over evil.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Holika Dahan (bonfire) on the previous night.
- Throwing colors (gulal) and water to celebrate unity and joy.
- Offering sweets like gujiya and thandai.
4. Chaitra Navratri (March 30 – April 7, 2025)
- Significance: Nine-day festival honoring Goddess Durga in her nine forms.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Fasting for nine days and reciting Durga Saptashati.
- Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) on the first day.
- Kanya Pujan (worship of young girls) on the eighth or ninth day.
5. Ram Navami (April 6, 2025)
- Significance: Birth anniversary of Lord Rama.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Recitation of Ramayana.
- Bhajans and kirtans in temples.
- Fasting and offering of sweets to Lord Rama.
6. Hanuman Jayanti (April 13, 2025)
- Significance: Celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Reading Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand.
- Offering sindoor and sweets (laddoo) to Hanuman idols.
- Observing a day-long fast.
7. Guru Purnima (July 9, 2025)
- Significance: Honoring spiritual teachers (gurus).
- Puja & Rituals:
- Guru puja in temples and ashrams.
- Recitation of Guru Gita.
- Offering gifts and seeking blessings from teachers.
8. Krishna Janmashtami (August 16, 2025)
- Significance: Birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Fasting until midnight (when Krishna was born).
- Recitation of Bhagavad Gita and Krishna bhajans.
- Decorating temples and homes with Jhankis (tableau of Krishna’s life).
9. Ganesh Chaturthi (August 28, 2025)
- Significance: Birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Installation of Ganesha idols at home and public pandals.
- Modak offering, a favorite sweet of Ganesha.
- Visarjan (idol immersion) on the final day.
10. Pitru Paksha (September 8 – September 23, 2025)
- Significance: A 16-day period dedicated to ancestors.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Performing Shraddh rituals to honor deceased ancestors.
- Offering food and water (tarpan) to Brahmins.
- Charity and feeding of cows and birds.
11. Sharad Navratri (September 25 – October 3, 2025)
- Significance: Nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Worshiping different forms of Durga each day.
- Dandiya Raas and Garba celebrations.
- Durga Visarjan on the tenth day (Dussehra).
12. Dussehra (October 4, 2025)
- Significance: Celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Ramlila enactments of the Ramayana.
- Burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna.
- Worship of weapons (Shastra Puja).
13. Karva Chauth (November 1, 2025)
- Significance: A fasting festival observed by married women for the longevity of their husbands.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Fasting from sunrise to moonrise.
- Worshiping the moon and offering water.
- Listening to the Karva Chauth Katha.
14. Diwali (October 20 – October 24, 2025)
- Significance: Festival of lights celebrating the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Dhanteras (October 20) – Worship of Goddess Lakshmi and purchasing gold.
- Naraka Chaturdashi (October 21) – Cleansing rituals to remove negativity.
- Lakshmi Puja (October 22) – Main Diwali night with prayers to Goddess Lakshmi.
- Govardhan Puja (October 23) – Offering of food to Lord Krishna.
- Bhai Dooj (October 24) – Celebration of sibling bond.
15. Chhath Puja (November 7 – November 10, 2025)
- Significance: Dedicated to Surya Dev (Sun God) for well-being and prosperity.
- Puja & Rituals:
- Fasting and standing in water during sunrise and sunset.
- Offering arghya (water) to the Sun.
- Singing traditional Chhath songs.
Other Important Hindu Pujas & Rituals
- Satyanarayan Puja – Worship of Lord Vishnu for prosperity and well-being.
- Rudrabhishek – Offering water and sacred items to Lord Shiva.
- Navagraha Puja – Worshiping nine planetary deities to remove doshas.
- Griha Pravesh Puja – Housewarming ritual to invite positive energy.
- Annaprashan – First rice-feeding ceremony for infants.
Hindu festivals and pujas form an integral part of life, aligning with cosmic cycles and divine energies. Observing these rituals with devotion brings spiritual upliftment, prosperity, and well-being. Each festival carries its unique significance and traditions, uniting families and communities in celebration.
Would you like a detailed muhurat (auspicious time) for specific pujas in 2025? Let me know!