Festivals in December 2024 include Hanuman Jayanti on December 13, Karthigai Deepam on December 13, and Margashirsha Purnima on December 14. Discover the significance and traditions of these Hindu festivals celebrated in London, UK
December is a vibrant month for Hindu celebrations, marked by a series of significant festivals that bring communities together in London, England. As the year comes to a close, devotees observe festivals like Hanuman Jayanti on December 13, Karthigai Deepam, and Margashirsha Purnima on December 14. Each of these festivals is steeped in rich traditions, rituals, and spiritual significance, offering opportunities for reflection, worship, and community bonding. This article explores the key Hindu festivals in December 2024, their meanings, and how they are celebrated in the UK, providing insights for those looking to participate in these joyous occasions.
Festival Name | Date | Explanation |
---|---|---|
World AIDS Day | December 1, 2024, Sunday |
World AIDS Day is observed globally on December 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to remember those who have died from the disease. |
Ishti | December 1, 2024, Sunday |
Ishti is a ritual performed on December 1, 2024, in the UK, involving sacred offerings to deities for blessings and prosperity. |
Chandra Darshana | December 2, 2024, Monday |
Chandra Darshana, celebrated on December 2, 2024, marks the sighting of the moon, which holds significance in various Hindu traditions. |
Vinayaka Chaturthi | December 4, 2024, Wednesday |
Vinayaka Chaturthi, occurring on December 4, 2024, is a festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, celebrated with prayers and offerings. |
Vivah Panchami | December 5, 2024, Thursday |
Vivah Panchami, celebrated on December 5, 2024, commemorates the marriage of Lord Rama and Sita. |
Naga Panchami *Telugu | December 5, 2024, Thursday |
Naga Panchami, observed on December 5, 2024, is a day to worship and pay respect to serpents. |
Subrahmanya Sashti | December 6, 2024, Friday |
Subrahmanya Sashti, celebrated on December 6, 2024, honors Lord Murugan, with rituals and prayers for strength and guidance. |
Champa Shashthi | December 6, 2024, Friday |
Champa Shashthi, also on December 6, 2024, celebrates the worship of the Champaka tree and its blossoms. |
Skanda Sashti | December 6, 2024, Friday |
Skanda Sashti, celebrated on December 6, 2024, is dedicated to Lord Skanda, associated with victory over evil. |
Masik Durgashtami | December 8, 2024, Sunday |
Masik Durgashtami, occurring on December 8, 2024, is a monthly observance honoring Goddess Durga. |
Gita Jayanti | December 11, 2024, Wednesday |
Gita Jayanti, celebrated on December 11, 2024, commemorates the day the Bhagavad Gita was revealed to Arjuna. |
Guruvayur Ekadashi | December 11, 2024, Wednesday |
Guruvayur Ekadashi, on December 11, 2024, is dedicated to Lord Krishna, marking an auspicious day for fasting and prayers. |
Mokshada Ekadashi | December 11, 2024, Wednesday |
Mokshada Ekadashi, celebrated on December 11, 2024, is a day for devotees to seek liberation through fasting. |
Matsya Dwadashi | December 12, 2024, Thursday |
Matsya Dwadashi, observed on December 12, 2024, involves worshiping Lord Vishnu in his fish avatar. |
Pradosh Vrat | December 12, 2024, Thursday |
Pradosh Vrat, celebrated on December 12, 2024, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed during the twilight period. |
Hanuman Jayanti *Kannada | December 13, 2024, Friday |
Hanuman Jayanti, celebrated on December 13, 2024, honors Lord Hanuman, symbolizing strength and devotion. |
Karthigai Deepam | December 13, 2024, Friday |
Karthigai Deepam, on December 13, 2024, is a festival celebrated with lighting lamps to signify the victory of light over darkness. |
Dattatreya Jayanti | December 14, 2024, Saturday |
Dattatreya Jayanti, celebrated on December 14, 2024, honors Lord Dattatreya, representing the union of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. |
Rohini Vrat | December 14, 2024, Saturday |
Rohini Vrat, observed on December 14, 2024, involves fasting and prayers dedicated to Lord Krishna. |
Margashirsha Purnima Vrat | December 14, 2024, Saturday |
Margashirsha Purnima Vrat, celebrated on December 14, 2024, involves special rituals on the full moon day in the month of Margashirsha. |
Anvadhan | December 14, 2024, Saturday |
Anvadhan, observed on December 14, 2024, is a ritual involving the invocation of ancestral spirits and offerings. |
Annapurna Jayanti | December 15, 2024, Sunday |
Annapurna Jayanti, celebrated on December 15, 2024, honors Goddess Annapurna, the deity of food and nourishment. |
Bhairavi Jayanti | December 15, 2024, Sunday |
Bhairavi Jayanti, on December 15, 2024, celebrates Goddess Bhairavi, symbolizing divine feminine energy. |
Dhanu Sankranti | December 15, 2024, Sunday |
Dhanu Sankranti, celebrated on December 15, 2024, marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Sagittarius. |
Margashirsha Purnima | December 15, 2024, Sunday |
Margashirsha Purnima, on December 15, 2024, is the full moon day in the month of Margashirsha, associated with various rituals and observances. |
Ishti | December 15, 2024, Sunday |
Ishti, observed on December 15, 2024, involves rituals and offerings for seeking blessings from deities. |
Pausha Begins *North | December 16, 2024, Monday |
Pausha, beginning on December 16, 2024, marks the transition into the month of Pausha, associated with various religious observances. |
Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi | December 18, 2024, Wednesday |
Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi, celebrated on December 18, 2024, is a day dedicated to Lord Ganesha, observed with fasting and prayers. |
Shortest Day of Year | December 21, 2024, Saturday |
The Shortest Day of the Year, on December 21, 2024, marks the winter solstice, a significant astronomical event. |
Kalashtami | December 22, 2024, Sunday |
Kalashtami, celebrated on December 22, 2024, is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, associated with power and protection. |
Masik Krishna Janmashtami | December 22, 2024, Sunday |
Masik Krishna Janmashtami, on December 22, 2024, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna with fasting and prayers. |
Mandala Pooja | December 26, 2024, Thursday |
Mandala Pooja, observed on December 26, 2024, involves rituals dedicated to deities for blessings and prosperity. |
Saphala Ekadashi | December 26, 2024, Thursday |
Saphala Ekadashi, on December 26, 2024, is observed with fasting and worship of Lord Vishnu for spiritual growth. |
Shani Trayodashi | December 28, 2024, Saturday |
Shani Trayodashi, celebrated on December 28, 2024, is a day dedicated to Lord Shani, associated with justice and karma. |
Pradosh Vrat | December 28, 2024, Saturday |
Pradosh Vrat, observed on December 28, 2024, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and involves fasting and evening prayers. |
Masik Shivaratri | December 28, 2024, Saturday |
Masik Shivaratri, celebrated on December 28, 2024, honors Lord Shiva, marked by night-long vigils and prayers. |
Somavati Amavasya | December 30, 2024, Monday |
Somavati Amavasya, on December 30, 2024, is the no moon day that holds significance for performing rituals and paying respects to ancestors. |
Hanuman Jayanti *Tamil | December 30, 2024, Monday |
Hanuman Jayanti (Tamil), celebrated on December 30, 2024, honors Lord Hanuman, focusing on devotion and service. |
Darsha Amavasya | December 30, 2024, Monday |
Darsha Amavasya, on December 30, 2024, is the no moon day, observed with various rituals and prayers. |
Anvadhan | December 30, 2024, Monday |
Anvadhan, observed on December 30, 2024, is a ritual for honoring ancestral spirits and making offerings. |
Pausha Amavasya | December 30, 2024, Monday |
Pausha Amavasya, on December 30, 2024, is the new moon day in the month of Pausha, significant for various spiritual practices. |
Ishti | December 31, 2024, Tuesday |
Ishti, observed on December 31, 2024, includes rituals and offerings to seek blessings from deities for the new year. |
Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and across Tamil communities globally to express gratitude to nature for a bountiful harvest. The festival, dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai and the harvest season. In 2025, Pongal will be celebrated from Tuesday, January 14 to Friday, January 17. The four days are: Bhogi (January 14, 2025), dedicated to Lord Indra and marking the clearing of old possessions; Thai Pongal (January 15, 2025), the main day for thanking the Sun God for the harvest; Mattu Pongal (January 16, 2025), honoring cattle for their role in agriculture; and Kaanum Pongal (January 17, 2025), a day for family reunions and social celebrations. These days are filled with rituals, significance, and joy, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Tamil communities worldwide.
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.
Ahoi Ashtami, a significant Hindu festival dedicated to the wellbeing of children, will be celebrated on October 13, 2025. The festival, observed mainly by mothers, involves fasting and performing prayers for the health and prosperity of sons and daughters. The Ahoi Ashtami Puja Muhurat for 2025 is from 18:11 to 19:30 (UK time). This auspicious occasion is marked by devotion and rituals, with many families gathering to perform the prayers at home or at community temples.
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.
Arudra Darshan 2025, an important Tamil festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, will be observed on Sunday, 12th January 2025. This day is celebrated with great devotion across Tamil households and temples worldwide, including the UK, where the Tamil and Hindu communities mark it with traditional fervour. The festival falls on the auspicious Thiruvaathirai Nakshatram during the Tamil month of Maargazhi Masam, coinciding with Pournami (Full Moon).
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.
Bangladesh is currently grappling with rising communal tensions as violence against the Hindu minority escalates. With over 200 attacks on temples reported since August 2024 and the recent arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, the situation has sparked widespread protests and international concern. Radical groups are intensifying their campaigns against Hindu establishments, while the Bangladeshi government faces mounting criticism for its handling of the crisis. Amid calls for justice and protection, neighbouring India has stepped in to urge Bangladesh to safeguard its religious minorities and ensure communal harmony.
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.