Hartalika Teej – A Day of Devotion
Primarily celebrated by women in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, Hartalika Teej falls on September 14 this year. The festival honours the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The name itself signifies a dramatic
story where Parvati's friends 'abducted' her to a forest to prevent a forced marriage, allowing her to perform penance to finally win over Shiva. On this day, married women observe a strict 'Nirjala Vrat' (a fast without food or water) for the long life of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for an ideal partner like Shiva. They dress in festive attire, often green or red, and create clay idols of the divine couple for worship.
Ganesh Chaturthi – Welcoming the Lord of Wisdom
Coinciding with Hartalika Teej on Monday, September 14, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed deity known as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings. The festival, which can last for up to ten days, begins with the installation of beautifully crafted Ganesha idols in homes and elaborate public stages called pandals. Families and communities perform daily prayers and offer sweets, especially modak, which is considered Ganesha's favourite. The festival culminates with the Visarjan (immersion) ceremony, where the idols are carried in grand processions to be immersed in a body of water, symbolising Ganesha's return to his celestial abode. This ritual signifies the cycle of creation and dissolution in nature.
Radha Ashtami – Celebrating Divine Love
Observed on Saturday, September 19, Radha Ashtami celebrates the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna. This festival holds special significance for devotees of the Radha-Krishna tradition, particularly in regions like Braj in Uttar Pradesh. Temples dedicated to the divine couple are elaborately decorated, and special prayers and devotional songs are performed to honour Radha's devotion and divine love. It is a day that highlights the importance of love and devotion in the spiritual journey.
Anant Chaturdashi – A Festive Farewell
Falling on Friday, September 25, Anant Chaturdashi marks the final day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. It is the most popular day for the Ganesh Visarjan, where massive crowds join processions filled with music and dance to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha. The day is also dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu in his Anant (infinite) form. The dual significance makes it a day of both high-energy celebration and deep spiritual reverence, concluding the ten-day Ganeshotsav on a grand scale.
Onam – Kerala's Harvest Festival
Though the main day, Thiruvonam, falls just before September on August 26 in 2026, the Onam festivities and their vibrant spirit often spill over into the beginning of the month. This ten-day harvest festival is the biggest cultural event in Kerala, celebrating the mythical homecoming of King Mahabali. Homes are decorated with intricate floral carpets called 'Pookalam', and the celebration peaks with the 'Onam Sadhya', an elaborate vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf with up to 29 dishes. Other key traditions include wearing new clothes ('Onakkodi') and watching the spectacular 'Vallamkali' or snake boat races.
