Panchang · Festivals and vrats
Festivals and vrats in 2026
Each date is worked out from the lunar day, the Moon’s nakshatra or the Sun’s entry into a sign, by the sunrise of the chosen city. Open a festival to read how its date was fixed.
January 2026
13 JanTue
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
14 JanWed
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
23 JanFri
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
March 2026
2 MarMon
Holika DahanThe Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
3 MarTue
HoliThe festival of colours, on and after Phalguna Purnima.
19 MarThu
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
19 MarThu
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
26 MarThu
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
31 MarTue
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
April 2026
2 AprThu
Hanuman JayantiBirth observance of Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima in the north.
20 AprMon
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
May 2026
1 MayFri
Buddha PurnimaVaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
July 2026
16 JulThu
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
29 JulWed
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
August 2026
17 AugMon
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
28 AugFri
Raksha BandhanShravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
September 2026
4 SepFri
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
14 SepMon
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
23 SepWed
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
25 SepFri
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
27 SepSun
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
October 2026
11 OctSun
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
19 OctMon
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
20 OctTue
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
20 OctTue
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
Today · 25 Oct
25 OctSun
November 2026
6 NovFri
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
7 NovSat
Naraka ChaturdashiThe day before Diwali, with an oil bath before dawn while the Moon is up.
8 NovSun
DiwaliThe festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
10 NovTue
Govardhan PujaThe day after Diwali; Kartika Shukla Pratipada and the mound of food.
10 NovTue
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
15 NovSun
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
21 NovSat
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
24 NovTue
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
December 2026
20 DecSun
Gita JayantiMargashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
23 DecWed
Dattatreya JayantiBirth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.
Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.
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