A double-edged sword
Punjabi khanda: a double-edged sword. Also the name of the Sikh emblem built around it.
The Sikh emblem has a double-edged sword at the centre, a circle, and two curved swords. It is used on flags, and the khanda is also the sword stirred in the amrit at initiation.
The four-day festival of gratitude to Surya, the Sun God, observed with rigorous fasting and river-bank worship across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.
Diwali is a five-day season at the Kartika new moon (October-November). This sets out the days, the Padma Purana and al-Biruni, and which stories are later.
Ekadashi is the sacred eleventh lunar day of Vishnu, kept with fasting, prayer and restraint of the senses. Its origin, fasting levels and Parana explained.
Ganesh Chaturthi keeps the bright fourth of Bhadrapada with a clay image and immersion. This article sets out the days and what the texts and later practice say.
Kartik Purnima is the sacred full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, celebrated as Dev Deepavali, Tripura Purnima, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and the close of Chaturmas, with river bathing and lamp offering.
Maha Shivratri is the dark fourteenth night of Magha, kept with a fast and vigil. The article sets out the Shiva Purana's rite and which stories came later.