The Six Utsavs — A Guide for Community Groups छह उत्सव

Varsha Pratipada — the New Year

When: Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (March–April) — Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Ugadi in Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana, the start of Chaitra Navratri and of the Vikram Samvat. The day is also remembered as the birth anniversary of Dr K. B. Hedgewar (1889).

Message: a fresh start rooted in our own calendar and culture. Talk themes: the Hindu calendar and its science; resolutions for the year; the life of a great person born on this day.

• Chaitra NavratriFestival guide

Hindu Samrajya Diwas — Shivaji Maharaj's coronation

When: Jyeshtha Shukla Trayodashi (May–June), the tithi of the coronation at Raigad in 1674.

Message: self-rule, good government and courage. Talk themes: Hindavi Swarajya; the Ashta Pradhan and Shivaji's administration; women in Shivaji's story — Jijabai and Tarabai.

• Hindu Samrajya DiwasDeep-dive

Guru Purnima — gratitude to the guru

When: Ashadha Purnima (July), honouring Veda Vyasa and all teachers. In shakhas the saffron flag is honoured as the guru and members make their annual guru dakshina.

Message: gratitude, humility and self-reliance. Talk themes: the guru–shishya tradition; Vyasa's gift to India; why an ideal rather than a person can be a guru.

• Guru PurnimaFestival guide

Raksha Bandhan — a bond of protection for all

When: Shravan Purnima (August). Beyond the bond of brother and sister, many groups tie rakhis to people across society — sanitation workers, soldiers, police, people in other localities and communities — as a pledge of mutual protection and harmony.

Message: brotherhood across caste and community. Talk themes: social harmony (samarasata); stories of protection from history; service to the vulnerable.

• Raksha BandhanFestival guide

Vijayadashami — the victory of good

When: Ashwin Shukla Dashami (September–October), Dussehra. Traditions include shastra puja (worship of weapons and tools) and route marches; it is also the founding day of the volunteer organisation started in Nagpur in 1925.

Message: strength in the service of dharma. Talk themes: Rama and Durga as symbols of righteous strength; inner victories over anger and greed; organisation and discipline.

• DussehraFestival guide
• 100 years of Vijayadashami addressesHistory

Makar Sankranti — sweetness and harmony

When: around 14–15 January, when the Sun enters Capricorn. Til-gud (sesame and jaggery) is shared with the words "eat sweet, speak sweet".

Message: forgiving old quarrels and sharing across society. Talk themes: the Sun's northward journey (uttarayana) and Bhishma; harvest festivals across India — Pongal, Lohri, Bihu; sharing with the needy.

• Makar SankrantiFestival guide

A simple programme (about 60 minutes)

• Assembly and welcome (5 min) — seat guests and families; start on time.
• Opening prayer or song (5 min) — a shloka, prayer or patriotic song.
• Introduction to the festival (5 min) — what it is and why we observe it together.
• Main talk (20 min) — by an invited speaker or a senior member, on one of the themes above.
• Cultural item (10 min) — a song, short play or recitation by children or youth.
• A pledge or resolution (5 min) — for example, a service activity for the coming month.
• Vote of thanks and closing prayer (5 min).
• Prasad and fellowship (5 min) — simple, shared food; til-gud on Sankranti.

Keep the programme punctual, include families and children, and invite neighbours and people from all communities. Always check the date of each festival in the Panchang for your city.

Invitation text you can use

Hindi: सादर निमंत्रण — [संस्था का नाम] की ओर से [उत्सव का नाम] के पावन अवसर पर आयोजित कार्यक्रम में आप सपरिवार सादर आमंत्रित हैं। दिनांक: [तिथि] · समय: [समय] · स्थान: [स्थान] · मुख्य वक्ता: [नाम]। कृपया पधारकर कार्यक्रम की शोभा बढ़ाएँ।

English: You and your family are warmly invited to [organisation name]'s celebration of [festival name]. Date: [date] · Time: [time] · Venue: [venue] · Speaker: [name]. We look forward to welcoming you.

Frequently asked questions