AstrologgerBhanu Saptami in October 2026
When is Bhanu Saptami in October 2026? Sunday, 18 October — tithi 17 Oct 5:55 AM to 18 Oct 8:28 AM (New Delhi).
| Date | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends | Name | Day | Paksha / Month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 2026 | 17 Oct, 5:55 AM | 18 Oct, 8:28 AM | Bhanu Saptami | Sun | Shukla · Ashwina |
All dates & times computed for New Delhi (IST) with the Swiss Ephemeris + Lahiri ayanamsa — not copied.
Bhanu Saptami timings in October 2026
When each tithi begins, when it ends, and how long it actually runs — computed for Delhi (IST).
| Date | Tithi begins | Tithi ends | Duration | Day | Paksha | Lunar month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct | 17 Oct, 5:55 AM | 18 Oct, 8:28 AM | 26 hours 33 minutes | Sunday | Shukla | Ashwina |
Each Bhanu Saptami this month
Bhanu Saptami — Sunday 18 Oct, in the Shukla paksha of Ashwina (purnimanta). The tithi runs 26 hours 33 minutes, from 17 Oct 5:55 AM.
How October compares
Across 2026, a Bhanu Saptami tithi averages 24 hours 14 minutes. In October it averages 26 hours 33 minutes — longer than the year's average.
Over the year the figure ranges from 21 hours 54 minutes in November to 26 hours 33 minutes in October. The spread exists because the Moon does not move at a constant rate, so a tithi is not a fixed length — which is why the vrat date shifts against the English calendar from month to month.
There are 6 Bhanu Saptamis in 2026, of which 1 falls in October.
Every other vrat in October 2026
The other observances falling in the same month, in calendar order.
| Vrat | Dates | Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Kalashtami | 3 Oct — Kalashtami (Ashwina) | View |
| Ekadashi | 6 Oct — Indira Ekadashi · 22 Oct — Papankusha Ekadashi | View |
| Pradosh Vrat | 8 Oct — Guru Pradosh · 23 Oct — Shukra Pradosh | View |
| Masik Shivratri | 8 Oct — Masik Shivratri (Ashwina) | View |
| Amavasya | 10 Oct — Mahalaya (Sarva Pitru) Amavasya | View |
| Vinayaka Chaturthi | 14 Oct — Vinayaka Chaturthi (Ashwina) | View |
| Skanda Sashti | 16 Oct — Skanda Sashti (Ashwina) | View |
| Masik Durgashtami | 19 Oct — Masik Durgashtami (Ashwina) | View |
| Purnima | 26 Oct — Ashwina Purnima | View |
| Masik Karthigai | 27 Oct — Masik Karthigai (Kartika) | View |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | 29 Oct — Vakratunda Sankashti | View |
What is Bhanu Saptami?
Bhanu Saptami is the rare alignment of Surya's tithi with Surya's day. It is kept with sunrise arghya, the Aditya Hridayam, and often a one-day fast. Because it depends on a tithi-weekday coincidence, only a handful occur each year — the dates on this page are computed exactly for Delhi.
Surya worship
The Sun is the pratyaksha devata — the visible deity — and his Saptami rites go back to the oldest strata of the tradition. Achala and Ratha Saptami (the Magha Shukla Saptami) is the greatest Saptami of the year; Bhanu Saptami extends that worship to every Sunday-Saptami coincidence.
The arghya at sunrise
The central rite is simple and is performed at sunrise while the Saptami tithi still runs. After bathing, the devotee stands facing east and offers arghya — water poured from a copper vessel, often with a little roli, red flowers and akshat — letting it fall through the light of the rising Sun. The Aditya Hridayam or the Gayatri is recited, and many keep a fast until midday or take a single meal. Where a river bath is customary it is taken before sunrise.
Bhanu Saptami and Ratha Saptami
Bhanu Saptami is the meeting of Surya's tithi with Surya's day: any Saptami falling on a Sunday. It therefore occurs a handful of times a year rather than on a fixed date, and can fall in either fortnight. Ratha Saptami is different — it is the single annual Saptami of Magha Shukla, marking the turn of Surya's chariot toward the northern course. When a Bhanu Saptami coincides with that Magha Saptami, the two are kept together, and that conjunction is held to be the most significant of the year.
Significance
Surya is the pratyaksha devata, the deity one can actually see, and his worship is among the oldest continuous layers of the tradition. The Saptami rites are kept for health and vitality, for clarity and steadiness of purpose, and in jyotisha for the strengthening of a weak or afflicted Sun, which is read as the significator of vitality, the father and self-authority. These are the reasons tradition gives for the observance.
Bhanu Saptami samagri
Gather these before the sunrise arghya:
- A copper vessel (tamba lota) for the arghya
- Clean water, with Ganga jal if available
- Roli or kumkum
- Red flowers
- Akshat (unbroken rice)
- A ghee lamp
- Incense (dhoop)
- Jaggery and wheat as offering
- Seasonal fruit
Frequently asked questions
When is Bhanu Saptami in October 2026?+
October 2026 has one Bhanu Saptami: Bhanu Saptami — Sunday, 18 October 2026. Timings are computed for New Delhi.
What is the Bhanu Saptami tithi time in October 2026?+
18 October: tithi 17 Oct 5:55 AM to 18 Oct 8:28 AM. (New Delhi, IST)
How many Bhanu Saptami are in 2026?+
There are 6 Bhanu Saptami days in 2026 for the Delhi region — each time a Saptami tithi coincides with a Sunday.
Why is it special?+
The Saptami tithi belongs to Surya and Sunday is his weekday; when the two coincide, Sun worship is traditionally believed to carry the merit of a solar eclipse bath.
How is it observed?+
Devotees bathe before sunrise, offer arghya (water) to the rising Sun, recite the Aditya Hridayam or Surya mantras, and keep a salt-free fast. Practice varies by tradition.
What is it kept for?+
Traditionally for health, vitality and the strength of the Sun in one's chart — matters of faith offered as tradition, not guarantees.
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