Gods/Deities
This deity must always be worshipped first, before the beginning of any new venture in your life, in order to remove any obstacles and be successful.
Lord Ganesha
This spear-like weapon with three points is primarily associated with any form of Lord Shiva, as well as any form of Mother Adishakti Devi.
Trishula/Trident
This place is where Lord Rama and his brothers were born, to King Dasharatha and his three queens, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra.
Ayodhya
Originally written in Sanskrit by Valmiki, and rewritten in many other languages, including Avadhi (a dialect of Hindi), this itihasa scripture is the story of Lord Rama, the 7th avatara of Lord Vishnu.
Ramayana
Celebrated in the month of Kartika, this festival is a five-day long celebration dedicated to the worship of Mother Lakshmi, where many lights are lit to dispel the darkness.
Divali/Dipavali
This deity is the 11th avatara of Lord Shiva, the son of Anjana and Kesari, the godson of Pavana Deva, and the ever dutiful and selfless servant of Lord Rama. He currently lives until the end of Kaliyuga
Lord Hanumana
The Divine bow of Lord Shiva that was lifted and subsequently broken by Lord Rama in the Ramayana, during the swayamvara of Devi Sita at Mithila.
Pināka
This place is where Lord Krishna delivered the sermon of the Gita to Arjuna, before the 18-day Mahabharata war began between the armies of the Pandavas and Kauravas.
Kurukshetra
Authored by Veda Vyasa, this itihasa scripture is the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, who fought a mighty war for the kingdom of Hastinapura.
Mahabharata
Celebrated in the month of Phalguna, symbolising the arrival of Spring, by the spraying of abeer and throwing gulaal of several colours into the air. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is also celebrated through the singing of traditional folk songs called Chautaal.
Holi/Phagwa
This deity is the daughter of Himavana and Maina, the older sister of Devi Parvati, and she came to Earth on the request of Bhagiratha, to release the souls of his ancestors. She is said to have originated from the feet of Lord Vishnu.
Maa Ganga
Traditionally thrown like a flying disc, or spun at high speed on the user's finger, this weapon, which is primarily associated with Lord Vishnu, was used by Hindu and Sikh warriors whenever they waged war against their opponents.
Chakra/Discus
Also called Varanasi, or Benares, this city of ancient lore is revered as the city of Lord Shiva, which is not destroyed during Pralaya, and is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
Kashi
An integral part of the Mahabharata, this scripture is regarded as the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna in the middle of the battlefield.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita
Celebrated in the month of Magha, this festival is observed by performing Ganesha and Saraswati Puja. It also symbolises the preparation for the arrival of the Spring season, which can be celebrated through flying kites as well.
Vasant Panchami
This deity, shown as having the body of a man, and the head of a lion, is the 4th avatara of Lord Vishnu, who came forth to destroy King Hiranyakashipu, thus honouring the boon of Lord Brahma, and protecting Bhakta Prahlada.
Lord Narasimha
Sometimes associated with Lord Vishnu, but mostly with Lord Hanumana, this weapon consists of a spherical head on a tapered handle, with a spike on top, and is made of either wood or iron.
Gada/Mukdar/Mace
In this city, in the state of Odisha in India, there is a temple, famous for its Ratha Yatra, or chariot procession, where wooden murtis of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are pulled on elaborate chariots or temple cars.
Puri
Written by Veda Vyasa in Sanskrit, this well-known scripture, which portrays the stories of the avataras of Lord Vishnu, was recited to Raja Parikshit by Goswami Shukadeva.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
This festival occurs four times during the Hindu Year, but we only usually celebrate two: the Vasanta and the Sharadiya. During this festival, we worship Durga Devi in various ways, including through dances such as Garba and Dandiya Raas.
Navaratri
This deity is the son of Rishi Atri and Sati Anasuya, and is said to be the combined form of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva
Lord Dattatreya
This is the weapon of the commander of the Devas, Lord Skanda (also called Karttikeya, Kumara or Murugan in South India), the son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. It is also associated with the Tamil festival Thaipusam.
Vel/Spear
The birthplace of Lord Krishna, the 8th avatara of Lord Vishnu, where he was born to Vasudeva and Devaki, before being carried across the Yamuna to the village of Gokula, where he grew up with his brother Balarama.
Mathura
The Shikshavalli is the first of the three chapters that make up the structure of this Vedic era Sanskrit text, originating from the pages of the Yajurveda.
Taittiriya Upanishad
Usually celebrated on January 14th every year for the month of Pausha, this festival symbolises the movement of the Sun into the sign of Capricorn, and can be celebrated by the flying of kites and designing of beautiful rangolis.
Makar Sankranti