What's coming up

Tithi: Bhadrapada Purnima, Krishna Pratipada from 12:48 PM · भाद्रपद पूर्णिमा, कृष्ण प्रतिपदाApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

A fortnight dedicated to remembering ancestors. Tarpan offerings, brahmin bhojan, and family rituals to honour those who came before.

Many Aggarwal families perform shraddh at Gaya (Bihar), Pushkar (Rajasthan), or Haridwar.

Agrohadham, Haryana — and Aggarwal samaj-bhavans worldwide

The traditional birth anniversary of Maharaja Agrasen, founder of the Aggarwal community. Falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada — the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, immediately after Pitru Paksha.

THE most important community day for Aggarwals. Celebrated at Agrohadham (the temple complex at Agroha, Haryana), at local Aggarwal samaj-bhavans across India, and increasingly in diaspora communities. Often includes lectures on Maharaja Agrasen's ideals of equality and shared prosperity, community service drives, and devotional bhajans.

Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, Dwitiya from 12:01 PM · आश्विन शुक्ल प्रतिपदा, द्वितीयाApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The autumn nine-night festival of the Devi. Nine forms of the goddess worshipped over nine days. Fasting, garba, and dandiya in many regions.

Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, Navami from 1:22 AM · आश्विन शुक्ल अष्टमी, नवमीApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The eighth and ninth days of Navratri — Durga Pooja peaks. Kanya pujan (worship of young girls as forms of the goddess) is performed.

Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Dashami, Ekadashi from 4:42 AM · आश्विन शुक्ल दशमी, एकादशीApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The triumph of good over evil — Ram's victory over Ravana. Ravana effigies burned at sundown across India. Also the day of Devi Aparajita Pooja.

Tithi: Kartika Krishna Tritiya, Chaturthi from 3:37 PM · कार्तिक कृष्ण तृतीया, चतुर्थीApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

A day-long fast observed by married women, broken only after sighting the moon at night. Sargi from mother-in-law before dawn, a sacred sieve (chhalni) ritual at moonrise.

Most-observed by Aggarwal women in North India — Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, UP.

Tithi: Kartika Krishna Trayodashi, Chaturdashi from 12:18 AM · कार्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशी, चतुर्दशीApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The first day of Diwali. Auspicious for buying gold, silver, and new utensils. Pooja of Lord Dhanvantari (the divine physician) and Devi Lakshmi.

Aggarwal merchant families traditionally bring home a new silver coin or gold item on this day to invite Lakshmi into the household and the ledger.

Tithi: Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi, Amavasya from 12:58 AM · कार्तिक कृष्ण चतुर्दशी, अमावस्याApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. A morning oil-bath ritual (abhyanga snan) and lighting of diyas at home thresholds in the evening.

Tithi: Kartika Amavasya, Shukla Pratipada from 2:01 AM · कार्तिक अमावस्या, शुक्ल प्रतिपदाApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The grandest day of the year — Lakshmi Pooja at home, lighting of diyas across every doorway, fireworks, and the celebration of Ram's return to Ayodhya.

THE central festival for Aggarwal households — Devi Lakshmi (universal Kuldevi of all 18 gotras) is worshipped on this night. Many families also perform Vyapaar (business) Pooja, opening new account ledgers for the coming year.

Tithi: Kartika Shukla Pratipada, Dwitiya from 3:30 AM · कार्तिक शुक्ल प्रतिपदा, द्वितीयाApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The day after Diwali. Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain to shelter the people of Braj. A small replica hill of food (annakut) is built and offered.

Tithi: Kartika Shukla Dwitiya, Tritiya from 5:23 AM · कार्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीया, तृतीयाApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

Sisters apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life. The brother offers a gift in return. The conclusion of the Diwali cycle.

Tithi: Kartika Shukla Trayodashi, Chaturdashi from 4:07 PM · कार्तिक शुक्ल त्रयोदशी, चतुर्दशीApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The ceremonial wedding of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu (Shaligram). Marks the start of the auspicious wedding season in Hindu tradition.

Auspicious day to schedule weddings, engagements, and Griha Pravesh ceremonies in the months that follow.

Tithi: Pausha Shukla Saptami, Ashtami from 3:43 AM · पौष शुक्ल सप्तमी, अष्टमीApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The sun begins its northward journey (Uttarayana). Sesame and jaggery sweets, sacred river baths, and kite-flying mark the day.

Aggarwal families traditionally prepare til-gud sweets and offer them to elders. A day for new beginnings in business.

Tithi: Magha Shukla Panchami, Shashthi from 4:48 PM · माघ शुक्ल पंचमी, षष्ठीApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

Worship of Devi Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts. Yellow attire, yellow sweets, and the first time many children are introduced to writing.

Tithi: Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi, Amavasya from 3:16 AM · फाल्गुन कृष्ण चतुर्दशी, अमावस्याApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The great night of Lord Shiva. Fasting, all-night vigil, and abhishekam at Shiva temples.

Tithi: Phalguna Shukla Chaturdashi, Purnima from 8:51 AM · फाल्गुन शुक्ल चतुर्दशी, पूर्णिमाApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The bonfire night on the eve of Holi. The pyre is lit at the auspicious muhurat after sunset; families perform parikrama and offer grain into the fire.

Tithi: Chaitra Krishna Pratipada, Dwitiya from 4:58 AM · चैत्र कृष्ण प्रतिपदा, द्वितीयाApproximate, at sunrise in Columbus, Ohio — confirm with your pandit.

The festival of colours. Morning aarti, gulal and water play, sweets — and the celebration of the arrival of spring.