March 2019 Festivals, Events and Holiday Calendar: Maha Shivaratri to Women’s Day to Holi, Know All Important Dates and List of Hindu Fasts for the Month

We are in the third month of 2019, and it promises to be another roller-coaster ride in terms of festivals, events and bank holidays. March is full of festivities, international days and a number of Hindu fasts and rituals. Some of the biggest highlights of the month are Maha Shivaratri, the festival dedicated to Lord Shiva; Holi, the Festival of Colours and International Women’s Day. After celebrating so many festivals such as Makar Sankranti and Republic Day in January and Valentine’s Day and Basant Panchami in February, March continues the celebrations. Let us look at the March 2019 calendar in detail, the important days and events to commemorate, along with religious festivals, birth and death anniversaries. Calendar 2019 For Free Download in PDF: Know List of Hindu Festivals, Holidays, Fasts According to Drik Panchang, Kalnirnay, Lala Ramswaroop Calendars Online.

Right in the first week, people will be treated with a long weekend thanks to the grand celebration of Maha Shivaratri on March 4 (Monday). The Hindu festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva and a bank holiday is observed nationwide. Apart from Mahashivratri, the first week of March will have a string of international observances such as Zero Discrimination Day, World Wildlife Day, National Safety Day. Some of the Hindu fasts (vrat) observed by devotees this week are Vijaya Ekadashi dedicated to Lord Vishnu on March 2; Pradosh Vrat (Krishna) on March 3; Masik Shivratri on March 4; and Magha Amavasya on March 6. Mahashivratri 2019 Date and Day: Know Maha Shivaratri History, Significance and Legends Associated With the Festival of Lord Shiva.

The highlight of the second week of March is International Women’s Day on March 8. The campaign theme for 2019 is #BalanceforBetter, which runs all year long and not end on the celebration day. March 8 will also mark Ramakrishna Jayanti. It is going to be the 183rd birth anniversary of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the famous Indian saint. This week will see countrymen and women remember the extraordinary act of nonviolent civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi on March 12. It is observed as Dandi March Day or Salt March.

Holi is the biggest festivity this month. The Hindu festival of colours is one of the biggest Hindu festivals and is celebrated with much fun and fervour. The craze for this festival is not only in India but also internationally. In 2019, Holi will be celebrated on March 21and a day before that, Holika Dahan will take place, symbolising the victory of good over evil. People celebrate Holi with colours and gorge on sweets and tasty delicacies.

List of International Days and Bank Holidays in March 2019

March 2019 Calendar With Hindu Fasts and Dates

Some of the monthly fasts which will also take place in March are Pradosh Vrat dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati; Masik Durgashtami in honour of Goddess Durga; Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi dedicated to Lord Ganesha; Masik Shivaratri for Lord Shiva and Ekadashi to please Lord Vishnu. Apart from the regular ones, there are other religious vrat such as Vijaya Ekadashi, Meena Sankranti, Rohini Vrat, Amalaka Ekadashi and Papamochani Ekadashi. Keep glued to this section as we will return with the monthly calendar of April 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 01, 2019 08:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).