Question 13 Child: Mom, can you tell me something about the Hindu festivals and fasts?

Mother: My child, there are many designated days to fast throughout the Hindu year. Fasts are considered to be an important part of many Hindu festivals and worship. All Hindu festivals and fasts have great religious significance as well as social love and hygienic elements embedded in them. These fasts and festivals are meant to relieve people from worldly day to day routine, and make them relaxed, cheerful and happy. I will briefly tell you about some of the important festivals and fasts which are commonly observed by Hindus. They are: