Guru Govind Singh Jayanti : Punjab, rightly claimed as the traditional sword-arm of Bharatvarsha, has valiantly borne the first brunt of all the pre-European aggressors on her.

Vrat Purnima : Purnima Vrat - Fasting on Full Moon. Purnima or Poornima is an auspicious day in Hinduism. Poornima is the full moon day and many important rituals and festivals takes place on full moon day. In South India, the day is known as Pournami. Upvaas (Fasting) is observed on this day by some people.

Sri Vivekananda Jayanti : The hundred and forty seventh birthday of Srimat Swami Vivekananda will be celebrated in the Math on Saturday, 17 January 2009. You and your friends are cordially invited to participate in the same.

LOHRI/Maghi (Punjab) : Lohri marks the culmination of winter, and is celebrated on the 13th day of January in the month of Paush or Magh, a day before Makar Sankranti. For Punjabis, this is more than just a festival, it is also an example of a way of life. Lohri celebrates fertility and the spark of life.

Pongal (Tamil Nadu) : In South Sankranti becomes Pongal. It is a celebration of the harvest, which is observed for three days in January. Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal, are the three days of Pongal festivities on successive days. In certain parts cattle races still enliven the village festivities. Pongal is a colourful and traditional festival with many a ceremony devoted to various deities.

Makar Sankranti : Certain Hindu festivals are associated with the annual cycle of seasons. Pongal in the South and Sankranti in the North.

Sankashthi Ganesh Vrat :The Krishna Paksha Chaturthi of every month is called by the name (Sankastha Chaturthi).

Khichri Parv

Thiruvalluvar Day : The fourth day of the three-day Pongal celebrations is called Kaanum Pongal. In few places this day is also known as Karinaal or Thiruvalluvar Day. It is dedicated to the sun god, Surya and has its roots in ancient Brahminical tradition. Since Pongal is a rural, agrarian based festival that celebrates the harvests, the sun is a vital part of the proceedings. This is because the Sun is the symbol of life on Earth.

Sri Ramanandacharya Jayanti

Shat-tila Ekadashi : Shattila Ekadasi, or Shatthila Ekadashi, is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of January/February. The importance of Sattila Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna and is found in the Bhavisyotara Purana. In 2009, the date of Shattila Ekadasi is January 21. In a few regional calendars Atiriktha Vaishnava Ekadashi is marked on January 22. Ekadashi Fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of waning and waxing phase of moon in traditional Hindu calendar.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Jayanti : The birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is celebrated as a state festival in West Bengal. It falls on 23rd January. Young boys and girls wear military uniform and take part in the procession that is held on that day. The procession passes through all important villages and towns. Various cultural and musical programs are organised. The celebrations are conducted as a symbol of Bengal's revolutionary temper.

Shivratri of the month : Most people must be aware of the Mahashivaratri but for hardcore Shiva devotees there is a Shivratri in each month. It happens on the ‘Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi’ of each lunar month. ‘Krishna Paksha’ is the dark fortnight of a lunar month.

Mauni Amavasya : Mauna or observing silence triggers introspection and reflection. Derived from the word ‘muni’ - one who practises silence - the word mauna denotes a state of oneness with the Self.

Snaan,Daan & Shradh Mauni Amavasya : Mauni Amavasya is the new moon day in the Hindu Magh month (January – February) and is an important bathing date at the Magh Mela. The word ‘mauna’ or ‘mauni’ means silence and several Hindu devotees keep complete silence on the day. The day is also of great significance during the Kumbh Mela.

Indian Republic Day; : Republic Day, celebrated on January 26th every year, is one of India’s most important national events. It was on January 26th, 1950 that the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state.

Losar : Losar is the Tibetan New Year shared also by the Sikkimese and enjoyed with lot of gaiety and festivity in the month of February. The Tibetans cwelcome their new year by performing Yak dance on the streets and throwing sampa. They embrace the new year by shouting "Tashi Delek". The Tibetan community continue festivities for more than a week with their brocades, jewelry, songs, dances and picnics. The most important buddhist holiday in Tibet, marking the Tibetan New Year. The celebration lasts three days from today.

Mahatma Gandhi's Shaheed Day : Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, shot at point-blank range by Nathuram Godse, an activist of the Hindu Mahasabha. Since 1934, there had been five unsuccessful attempts to kill Gandhi.

Vainayaki Ganesh Vrat : One important way of Lord Ganesha's upasana is Vratas(vows and observances) by which one can try to get blessings form Lord Ganesha and achieve the peace of mind.

Birthday of Guru Har Rai (As per Nanakshahi Calendar) : Guru Har Rai Ji (31 January 1630 - 20 October 1661) was the seventh of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on Tuesday, 19 March 1644 following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Guru Har Gobind Ji. Before Guru Ji died, he nominated Guru Har Krishan Ji, his son as the next Guru of the Sikhs. The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Ji life: