Festivals and vrats in 2018

Bonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.

The Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.

The first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.

Magha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.

Magha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.

The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.

The festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.

Lunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.

Nine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.

Chaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.

Birth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.

Birth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.

Birth observance of Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima in the north.

Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.

Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.

Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.

The chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.

Ashadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.

Shravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.

Kerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.

Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.

Birth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.

Installation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.

Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.

The fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.

Nine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.

Eighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.

Ninth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.

Ashwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.

The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.

First day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.

The night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.

Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.

The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.

Kartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.

Kartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.

Four-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.

Kartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.

The ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.

The full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.

Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.

Birth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.