Holy days, Rights and Rituals, and Worship

As in most ancient religions, many of the Hindu holidays are based on the cycle of
nature. They mark the change of seasons, celebrate the harvest, and encourage fertility
of the land while others are dedicated to a deity. Examples Hindu festivals would be Holi,
which is also called 'The Festival of Colors' that welcomes the Spring and celebrates the
new life and energy of the season, Diwali or the row of lights for which the festival is
named are lit on the new-moon night to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Kumba
Mela, a celebration where people gather in Ganges River for ritual bathing, believing that
their sins will be washed away. In general, Hindu festivals "are intended to purify, avert
malicious influences, renew society, bridge over critical moments, and stimulate or
resuscitate the vital powers of nature."

The rites and rituals in Hinduism are devotedly practiced by its followers. Hindu
rituals (samskara) begin before a child is born. Hindus believe that it is the responsibility
of each individual to continue the Hindu race and therefore soon after a couple
are married, a prayer called Garbhadana (conception) is recited for fulfillment of one's
parental obligations. In Hindu belief, every action, intent or preparation by an individual
leaves a samskara (impression, impact, imprint) in the deeper structure of his or her mind
Although Hindu scriptures explain the rituals, it is possible that Hindu rituals and rites will
differ according to particular castes and regions. On the other hand, Hindu religious rites
are classified into three categories: Nitya(performed daily and consist offerings made at
home), Naimittika (occur at certain times such as festivals and thanksgiving), and
Kamya(rituals which are "optional" but highly desirable).

Hindu worship, or puja, involves images (murtis), prayers (mantras) and diagrams
of the universe (yantras). Central to Hindu worship is the image, or icon, which can be
worshipped either at home or in the temple. Hindu worship is primarily an individual act
rather than a communal one, as it involves making personal offerings to the deity. Hindu
homes have a shrine where offerings are made and prayers are said and family members
often worship together. Rituals should strictly be performed three times a day. At a Hindu
temple, different parts of the building have a different spiritual or symbolic meaning.
Popular pilgrimage places are rivers (Ganges River for example) but temples(such as
Varanasi or Benares), mountains, and other sacred sites in India are also destinations for
pilgrimages, as sites where the gods may have appeared or become manifest in the
world.
Sources: www.bbc.co.uk
www.religionfacts.com