Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, will be celebrated on Sunday, 2nd February 2025. This joyous festival marks the beginning of spring and is an important occasion for Hindus in the UK and worldwide. It is particularly dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. Basant Panchami holds special significance for the Indian diaspora in the UK, where temples and cultural organisations commemorate it with devotion and community activities.
Basant Panchami symbolizes the onset of spring and is observed with great enthusiasm in North India, especially in Bengal, where it is known as Saraswati Puja. On this day, people worship Goddess Saraswati, seeking her blessings for wisdom, creativity, and the removal of ignorance.
The festival is closely associated with the colour yellow, representing vitality and energy. Devotees dress in yellow, and Saraswati murtis (statues) are also adorned in yellow garments. Families prepare yellow-coloured foods, such as sweet rice and saffron-based dishes, as offerings to the goddess.
In the UK, the Indian community celebrates Basant Panchami with enthusiasm. Devotees organise Saraswati Puja at homes and temples, praying for success in education and the arts. Many schools and colleges also host special pujas and events, honouring the importance of learning and creativity on this day.
One notable event in 2025 is the Watford Saraswati Puja, scheduled for 1st February 2025 at the Holywell Community Centre, Watford (WD18 9QD). This event offers a vibrant celebration, bringing the local Hindu community together to worship Goddess Saraswati and celebrate Basant Panchami.
Another important venue for celebrations is the Yogi Divine Society - UK, which holds grand Saraswati Puja events. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is also known for celebrating Basant Panchami with enthusiasm at their centres across the UK.
The auspicious Saraswati Puja Muhurat on Basant Panchami in 2025 is from 07:37 to 12:15, with the madhyahna moment at 12:15. Performing puja during this period is considered highly beneficial, and many temples in the UK will conduct rituals in alignment with this timing.
In addition to religious rituals, secular traditions such as kite-flying, which are particularly popular in Lahore and parts of India, are observed by some communities in the UK. The arrival of spring is marked with joy, as people across Leicester, Birmingham, and London take part in various festivities, welcoming the new season.
Basant Panchami is not just a festival of spring, but a celebration of knowledge, arts, and education. For the Indian community in the UK, it is a meaningful way to stay connected to their cultural heritage. Whether participating in the Watford Saraswati Puja or celebrating with family, Basant Panchami 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience for Hindus across the UK.
Ahoi Ashtami, a revered festival for mothers, will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. This festival holds special significance for women who fast for the health and wellbeing of their children. Traditionally observed for sons, the modern-day observance includes prayers for the wellbeing of both sons and daughters. The fast is broken during twilight after sighting the stars in the sky, which will occur at 18:24 in London on this day. For those who follow the custom of breaking the fast after moonrise, the moon will rise at 22:14 on Ahoi Ashtami.
Akshaya Navami 2024 in the UK falls on Sunday, November 10. Observed during the Kartik month, this auspicious day marks the beginning of Satya Yuga, known as Satya Yugadi. In London, the Purvahna time for Akshaya Navami is 07:11 to 11:44, with Navami Tithi starting at 17:15 on November 9 and ending at 15:31 on November 10.
In 2024, Pausha Amavasya will be observed on Monday, 30th December, marking the new moon day in the Pausha month of the Hindu calendar. The Amavasya Tithi begins at 22:31 on 29th December 2024 and ends at 22:26 on 30th December 2024. This day is significant in Hindu tradition, particularly for performing rituals related to Shraddha, worshipping ancestors, and offering prayers for their peace and blessings. Many devotees also observe Kalasarpa Dosha puja on this day to eliminate any doshas related to the placement of planets in their horoscope.
Banada Ashtami 2025 will be observed on 7th January (Tuesday) in London. The Ashtami Tithi begins at 12:53 PM on 6th January and ends at 10:56 AM on 7th January. This marks the start of Shakambhari Navratri, which concludes on 13th January.
Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, will be celebrated on Sunday, 2nd February 2025. This joyous festival marks the beginning of spring and is an important occasion for Hindus in the UK and worldwide. It is particularly dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. Basant Panchami holds special significance for the Indian diaspora in the UK, where temples and cultural organisations commemorate it with devotion and community activities.
Bhai Dooj, celebrated on 3rd November 2024, marks the final day of the five-day Diwali festival. This special occasion honours the unique bond between brothers and sisters, emphasising love, protection, and familial ties. The auspicious Bhai Dooj Muhurat in UK is from 12:41 PM to 2:35 PM, a time considered ideal for performing the rituals. Many siblings take this opportunity to express their affection through thoughtful gestures, gifts, and sweets, reinforcing the importance of their relationship.
Bhai Dooj 2025 will be observed on Thursday, October 23, 2025 in London, United Kingdom. This significant festival, also known as Yama Dwitiya, celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. Bhai Dooj date and time 2025 will fall within the Dwitiya Tithi, which begins at 15:46 on October 22, 2025, and ends at 18:16 on October 23, 2025 (London time). Sisters perform the Tika ceremony, praying for their brothers' long and happy lives, while brothers reciprocate by gifting presents to their sisters. This festival is widely celebrated across India and has various regional names, including Bhau Beej, Bhatra Dwitiya, and Bhai Dwitiya.
Chaitra Navratri, one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals, will be celebrated in 2025 from March 30th to April 6th. This nine-day festival marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar new year and holds great importance in Hindu traditions. Known also as Vasanta Navratri due to its connection to the spring season, it is a time to worship Goddess Durga and her nine forms, each representing different aspects of divine power.
Chhath Puja, a significant Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev), will be celebrated in 2024 on Thursday, 7th November. This four-day festival is especially popular among people from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and has found a home within the Hindu community in the UK. Celebrating Chhath Puja in the UK is a beautiful way for devotees to stay connected with their roots while honouring the Sun God for prosperity, well-being, and happiness.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is on March 17, 2025 (Monday), celebrated in London to honor the 395th birth anniversary of the great Maratha warrior and king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This day commemorates his remarkable legacy of bravery, leadership, and his role in establishing the Maratha Empire. The day marks the Tritiya Tithi of the Phalguna month according to the Hindu calendar, and celebrations include prayers, processions, and various cultural events to pay tribute to his valor and contributions.