Hindu Festival Calendar 2026

The sun enters Capricorn (Makar), marking the northward journey (Uttarayan) of the sun. Celebrated with sesame-jaggery sweets, kite-flying, and holy dips at sacred rivers.

The fifth day of Magha Shukla Paksha heralds the onset of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, patron of knowledge, arts, and learning. Students seek her blessings for wisdom.

The great night of Lord Shiva falls on the 14th day of Krishna Paksha in Phalguna. Devotees fast, offer bilva leaves, and keep vigil through the night to seek blessings of liberation.

On Phalguna Purnima eve, a bonfire is lit to commemorate the destruction of demoness Holika and the triumph of devotee Prahlada, symbolising the victory of good over evil.

The festival of colours falls on Phalguna Purnima and celebrates the arrival of spring, divine love of Radha-Krishna, and the joy of togetherness. Communities douse each other with vibrant coloured powder and water.

New Year's Day for Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi communities, marking Chaitra Shukla Pratipada — the first day of the Hindu lunar year. Celebrated with hoisting of Gudi (festive flag) and eating of bitter-sweet Ugadi pachadi.

Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama on the ninth day (Navami) of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. Observed with readings of the Ramayana, bhajans, and elaborate temple processions honouring the seventh avatar of Vishnu.

Marks the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima. Devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa, observe fasts, and visit temples seeking strength, courage, and protection from the divine devotee of Rama.

One of the most auspicious days of the year (Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya), believed to bring everlasting prosperity. Traditionally a day for new beginnings, gold purchases, donations, and starting construction.

Vaishakha Purnima commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha. Both Hindus (who regard him as an avatar of Vishnu) and Buddhists observe the day with prayers, meditation, and charity.

Married Hindu women observe a fast and tie threads around a banyan tree (vat), praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands, honouring the legend of Savitri who rescued her husband Satyavan from Yama.

The grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath (Puri, Odisha) and temples worldwide, held on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya. Millions pull the massive wooden chariot of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra through the streets.

On the 11th day of Ashadha Shukla Paksha, Lord Vishnu is believed to retire to cosmic sleep (Yoga Nidra) for four months (Chaturmas). Auspicious ceremonies like weddings are traditionally avoided during this period.

Ashadha Purnima is dedicated to honouring one's spiritual and academic guru. Also called Vyasa Purnima, it marks the birth of sage Veda Vyasa, compiler of the Vedas. Disciples express gratitude through worship and offerings to their teachers.

A total solar eclipse on the Shravana Amavasya. It is not visible from India, so no Sutak Kaal is observed and no ritual restrictions traditionally apply here.

On the fifth day of Shravana Shukla Paksha, serpents are worshipped with milk, flowers, and incense. The festival honours the Nagas (divine serpents) who protect dharma and are associated with Lord Shiva and Vishnu.

Kerala's harvest festival celebrates the legendary homecoming of King Mahabali. Families create elaborate floral carpets (pookalam), prepare a 26-dish sadya feast, and enjoy traditional boat races and cultural performances.

A partial lunar eclipse on the Shravana Purnima, the same day as Raksha Bandhan. It is not visible from India, so no Sutak Kaal is observed here.

On Shravana Purnima, sisters tie the protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists, and brothers pledge protection and give gifts. The bond of sibling love is celebrated with sweets, prayers, and family gatherings.

The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Paksha in Shravana is celebrated with midnight prayers, devotional songs, Dahi Handi (human pyramid) events, and joyous festivities at temples across India.

A nirjala (waterless) vrat observed mainly by women for marital happiness and the wellbeing of their partners, dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. It falls on the Shukla Tritiya of Bhadrapada.

The birth of Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles and patron of new beginnings, is celebrated on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. The 10-day festival features clay idols, cultural programmes, and a grand procession ending with immersion in water.

A 16-day lunar period for honouring ancestors through Shraddha and Tarpan, from Bhadrapada Purnima to the Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). New auspicious purchases and celebrations are traditionally deferred during this time.

Nine nights dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, beginning on Ashwina Shukla Pratipada. Devotees fast, perform Garba and Dandiya dances, and worship the Mother Goddess for strength, prosperity, and liberation.

The eighth night of Navratri honours Goddess Mahagauri, the radiant form of Durga. Kanya Puja (worship of young girls as embodiments of the goddess) and havan rituals are central to the observance.

Vijayadashami marks Rama's victory over Ravana and Durga's triumph over Mahishasura on Ashwina Shukla Dashami. Giant effigies of Ravana are burned across India, symbolising the eternal victory of righteousness over evil.

Married women fast without food or water from sunrise to moonrise on Kartika Krishna Chaturthi, praying for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands. The fast is broken after sighting the moon through a sieve.

Diwali festivities begin on Kartika Krishna Trayodashi with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari (god of medicine). Purchasing gold, silver, or utensils is considered highly auspicious to welcome prosperity.

Also called Choti Diwali, this day commemorates Krishna's slaying of the demon Narakasura. Celebrated with oil baths at dawn, firecrackers, and diyas lit to drive away darkness and evil.

The festival of lights on Kartika Amavasya celebrates Rama's return to Ayodhya, the homecoming of the Pandavas, and the worship of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and well-being. Rows of diyas illuminate homes across India and the diaspora.

On the day after Diwali (Kartika Shukla Pratipada), devotees worship Govardhan hill as a manifestation of Krishna who lifted it to shelter the Vraja community from Indra's wrath. Anna Kut (mountain of food) offerings are made at temples.

Sisters apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life on Kartika Shukla Dwitiya, mirroring the tradition of Yama visiting his sister Yamuna. The celebration strengthens the bond of sibling affection with sweets and gifts.

A four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya, observed with rigorous fasting, standing in river water at sunset (Sandhya Arghya) and sunrise, and offering seasonal fruits. Particularly revered in Bihar, UP, and Jharkhand.

Lord Vishnu is believed to awaken from his four-month cosmic sleep (Yoga Nidra) on this day, Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, marking the end of Chaturmas. Auspicious activities like weddings and sacred thread ceremonies resume.

Celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism, on Kartika Purnima. Observed with Prabhat Pheris (dawn processions), kirtan, langar (community meal), and the illumination of Gurudwaras across the world.

Marks the day Lord Krishna imparted the divine knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, observed on Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi. Devotees recite the Gita, hold discourses, and celebrate the scripture's timeless wisdom.