<<-- Click on wedges with red highlights to see documentation of festivals.

Household rituals differ from temple pujas, and big public festivals in some respects. They serve the same deities (Krishna, Shiva, Durga and other gods / goddesses) and follow the same calendrical cycle.

However the rituals do not always need the services of a Brahman priest (purohit) and are conducted by women and children as well as men. A major part of the cycle has to do with the worship of the family deity (kulodebota) which is handed down by the ancestors (purbapurus) and carried on by each succeeding generation. In addition there may be chosen deities (ishta debota) by individual members of the household. The family deity has to be worshipped by a Brahman priest.

There are also several classes of bratas celebrated by women, married and unmarried. Bratas (or vratas) are a resolution or a vow to offer worship to a deity, usually tied to fasting, devotional singing, and meditation. Bratas have the to do with the well being (mangala) of the family and are offered for the welfare of children, husband, and relatives, or for the boon of a good husband and marriage. Sibratri (the Night of Shiva is among the latter, Sankattarini, the goddess who delivers from danger, is an example of the former). Bratas may be performed in the great public temples, by the temple priest, or at home either by oneself or with the collaboration of the family
priest (kulo purohit).