English meaning of the festival Chittirai refers to a month in the Tamil calendar and Paruvam refers to the phase of the moon. Chitra Paruvam is a combination of the name of the month and the phase of the moon. The full moon in the Tamil month of Chittirai is called Chitra [...]

English meaning of the festivalThe word Jayanti is made up of Jaya which means victory and Anta which means end. Jayanti refers to one who triumphs in the end. Hanuman Jayanti is the day on which Hanuman is celebrated since he is the one who stands victorious despite all the odds.How the [...]

English meaning of the festivalRama refers to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Naumee means nine. Rama Naumee refers to the ninth day in the month of Chaitra when the appearance of Lord Rama is celebrated.How the date is decided annuallyRama Navami falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha, or [...]

How the date is decided annuallyRamayana Week starts on the day of the Hindi/Telugu New Year and continues until one day before Rama Naumee (generally lasts 8 days/nights)Significance of the festival to HinduismDevotees engage in Ramayana recital, singing bhajans and kirtans and listening to discourses/stories on the Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas. The [...]

Ugadhi (Telugu New Year) English meaning of the festivalUgadi/Yugadi (in Telugu) means New Year. Yugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words Yuga (age) and Aadi (beginning). Yugadi, therefore, means the beginning of a new age.How the date is decided annuallyUgadi is celebrated on the first day of Chaithramu (March/April) in Shukla Pakshamulu (waxing moon [...]