Raksha Bandhan is the famous Hindu festival which is celebrated mainly in North India.  This is a festival when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affections.  The sisters tie colourful holy threads or Rakhis on their brother’s wrist wishing for their long lofe.  The brothers in turn promise to protect the honour and help them in adversaries and also give them gifts.

Janmastami is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna with great anthusiasm.  This festival is celebrated at midnight in all the temples of Krishna all over the country.  It is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Mathura and Brindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood.  Colourful Raslilas, song and dance depicting the life of Lord Krishna are performed all day and night.  On this day the night long prayers are offered, religious hymns are sung in temples and various scenes are enacted from Lord Krishna’s early life.  It is actually called Krishna Jayanthi.  The date falls not only on the eight day of the waning moon of Bhadrapad, but always on Rohini Nakshatra.

On Guru Purnima all the teachers are specially worshipped.  On this day the students worship their elders, teachers and guides in order to show respect to them with gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets.  Discourses are held in community gatherings to hear the reading of the holy book, Bhagwad Gita.