Smartist celebrations tend to weave together the worship of five principal deities—Śiva, Viṣṇu, Devī, Gaṇeśa and Sūrya—under a banner of non-dual awareness. Rather than picking sides, Smartists jump into festivals as joyful reminders that these forms are simply different ripples on the same ocean of Brahman.

1. Mahāśivarātri

   • A late-winter night vigil honoring Śiva. Beyond the fasting and midnight puja, Smartists use it to meditate on the timeless Self. This year’s gatherings in March 2025 saw a surge in online satsangs, with thousands tuning in from Chennai to Chicago.

2. Vaikunṭha Ekādaśī

   • Considered the key to Viṣṇu’s celestial abode, it falls in December–January. Temples open a “special door” (Vaikunṭha Dvāra) at dawn, symbolizing the one gate to liberation. Recent eco-friendly lamp ceremonies at Tirumala emphasized light without waste.

3. Navarātri / Durgā Pūjā

   • Nine nights honoring Devī’s power and grace, typically in autumn. From garba circles in Gujarat to Kolu displays in Tamil Nadu, devotees celebrate the feminine Absolute. In 2024, a record-breaking Durga-art exhibition in Kolkata blended traditional iconography with virtual reality.

4. Gaṇeśa Chaturthī

   • The endearing elephant-headed deity ushers in new beginnings each August–September. Smartists see Gaṇeśa as the “first teacher,” clearing inner obstacles. Last year’s drive in Mumbai combined visarjan (immersion) with beach cleanups—proof that form and formlessness can coexist with environmental care.

5. Diwali / Lakṣmī Pūjā

   • Though all of India sparkles for Diwali, Smartists light lamps to honor Lakṣmī’s abundance and Śiva’s inner fire. Across metros, it’s become fashionable to swap firecrackers for LED diyas, making the festival both luminous and low-smoke.

6. Śaṅkara Jayanti

   • Celebrated on the full moon in spring, this honors Adi Śaṅkara himself. Discourses, group chanting of the Praṇava (“Om”) and silent retreats remind devotees that the guru’s real legacy is dissolving duality.

By leaping from one festival to the next, Smartists constantly taste the same underlying essence behind every form—proof that variety is indeed the spice of the divine.