The Sanatan Hindu dharma is a conglomerate of the diversified beliefs and traditions. Hence a number of caste and communities have sprung up with the gradual development of the religion. Due to the existence of different caste and communities, a number of festivals are observed in the precinct of the Hindu dharma. However the Hindu festivals are observed according to the lunar and solar calendars. The new year`s day of those who follow the solar calendar falls on the vernal equinox (Vishu) in mid-April. There is no common new year`s day for those {mostly in the North) who observe the lunar calendar. In Gujarat, the first day of the year is the one following Diwali and for some communities it is the first day of the month of Vaisakha in the Hindu calendar.

The Hindu festivals are mainly related with the religious events. The birthdays of the deities are considered as the significant festivals of the Hindus. The birthday of the deities is celebrated according to the lunar calendar. Janmashtami is a significant festival, which is celebrated on the eighth day of the fading moon of Sravana. During the occasion of Janmashtami the scenes of joy on the birth of Krishna are re-enacted, particularly in Gokul; Rama Navami is another festival, observed on the ninth day of the bright half of Phalguna celebrating the birthday of Rama; and Ganesh Chaturthi, is observed in the fourth day of the diminishing moon in Bhadrapada. During the festivals of Ganesh Chaturthi, clay images of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings are made and he is worshipped offering certain herbs. This festival has a special importance in Maharashtra.

Navaratri, which is the first nine days of the month of Asvina, has a different significance in different parts of India. The tenth day, Dussehera, is considered as Vijayadasami. The day of Vijayadasami is venerated as the day of victory, when people in the North burn effigies of Ravana, the evil power according to the sacred Hindu epic Ramayana and his younger brother, Kumbhakarna. The festival of Dussehera symbolizes the slaying of Ravana and Kumbhakarna by Rama. This also signifies the triumph of the positive over the evil and negative power. Navaratri is the most important festival for Bengalis and is associated with Devi Durga. In the South Goddess Saraswati is most famous and Navaratri is celebrated in South Indian households with a display of dolls.

Diwali or Deepavali (garland of lamps) is a significant Hindu festival performed in India with immense splendor. The festival of Diwali occurs in the, month of Kartika. During the occasion of Diwali, every Hindu house is illuminated with myriads of small divas (oil lamps) as are many buildings, etc. Many who are not Hindus also illuminate their houses and Diwali is regarded as India`s common festival being celebrated alike by Sikhs, Jainas, Buddhists and others. It is not observed in all over India except in the region of Kerala where Onam (derived from the name of the asterism, Sravana) is the most important festival. Onam is associated with Vamana, an avatar of Vishnu, who banished the asura (demon) emperor, Bali, to the nether world. The festival of Onam thus has a religious and mythical significance and is concentrated only in the region of Kerala.

Basant Panchami is the festival that occurs in the season of spring. Holi is the spring festival. The festival of Holi symbolizes the destruction by fire of evil personified by Holika, the demon sister of Hiranyakashipu. On the day after Holi people throw coloured water and coloured powder on one another with great abandon and meet friends and relatives in a spirit of affection and comradeship. This festival is not popular in the South, except in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Last but not the least comes the festival of Sivaratri (in the month of Magha). However the occasion of Sivaratri is more a day of piety than of festivity. It is observed in honour of Lord Siva. Upakarma (coconut day) is celebrated in Maharashtra in honor of Lord Siva and falls on the full moon day of Sravana.

The different festivals reveal the socio-cultural diversities of the different communities owing their origin from the Hindu religion. The festivals not only reveal the diversities, but also point to the cultural significance of the different communities living in the sacred abode of India.