Makar Sankranti and Pongal mark the sun's northward journey and the harvest, celebrated with til-gud sweets, kite flying and traditional feasts across India.

Vasant Panchami welcomes spring and honours Goddess Saraswati, when students traditionally offer pens and books and wear yellow.

Maha Shivratri is the great night of Lord Shiva, observed with fasting, night-long prayers and temple visits.

Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan with prayers, feasts and Eidi, and is a major occasion for gifting new clothes, sweets and perfumes. The date depends on moon sighting.

Holika Dahan is the bonfire the night before Holi that symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Holi, the festival of colours, celebrates spring and togetherness with colours, music, gujiya and thandai.

Gudi Padwa and Ugadi mark the new year in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Chaitra Navratri also begins this day.

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama with prayers, bhajans and prasad.

Akshaya Tritiya is considered one of the luckiest days of the year to buy gold and start new ventures, and is the second biggest gold-buying day after Dhanteras.