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Panchang · Festivals and vrats

Festivals and vrats in 2028

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.

Dates for Puducherry · change city

Month names: the rules use the amanta month, which ends at the new moon (as in South and West India). In the dark half of the month North India’s purnimanta calendar has already moved to the next month, so dark-half entries show both names, for example Kamika Ekadashi: Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta). Shravan Somvar follows the purnimanta month, as Delhi almanacs print it.

January 2028

  • 2 JanSun

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha

  • 8 JanSat

    Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla

  • 9 JanSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 12 JanWed

    Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)

    Full-moon day · Pausha

  • 14 JanFri

    Lohri

    Bonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.

  • 14 JanFri

    Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 15 JanSat

    Makar Sankranti

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

  • 15 JanSat

    Thai Pongal

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

  • 22 JanSat

    Shattila Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)

  • 23 JanSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 24 JanMon

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)

  • 26 JanWed

    Mauni Amavasya

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)

February 2028

  • 1 FebTue

    Vasant Panchami

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

  • 1 FebTue

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha

  • 3 FebThu

    Ratha Saptami

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

  • 7 FebMon

    Jaya Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla

  • 8 FebTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 10 FebThu

    Magha Purnima

    Full-moon day · Magha

  • 13 FebSun

    Dwijapriya Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 20 FebSun

    Vijaya Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)

  • 22 FebTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 23 FebWed

    Maha Shivaratri

    Also: Masik Shivaratri

    The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.

  • 25 FebFri

    Magha Amavasya

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)

March 2028

  • 2 MarThu

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna

  • 7 MarTue

    Amalaki Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla

  • 8 MarWed

    Budha Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 10 MarFri

    Holika Dahan

    Also: Phalguna Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 11 Mar

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

  • 11 MarSat

    Holi

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

  • 11 MarSat

    Phalguna Purnima

    Full-moon day · Phalguna

    Purnima is running at sunrise: the day for the Purnima vrat and for bathing and gifts (snana-dana). Holika Dahan (10 Mar) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.

  • 13 MarMon

    Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 21 MarTue

    Papamochani Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)

  • 23 MarThu

    Guru Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 24 MarFri

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)

  • 26 MarSun

    Phalguna Amavasya

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)

  • 27 MarMon

    Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

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

  • 27 MarMon

    Chaitra Navratri

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

  • 29 MarWed

    Gangaur

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

  • 31 MarFri

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra

April 2028

  • 3 AprMon

    Ram Navami

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

  • 6 AprThu

    Kamada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla

  • 7 AprFri

    Mahavir Jayanti

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

  • 7 AprFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 9 AprSun

    Hanuman Jayanti

    Also: Chaitra Purnima

    Birth observance of Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima in the north.

  • 12 AprWed

    Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 20 AprThu

    Varuthini Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)

  • 22 AprSat

    Shani Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 22 AprSat

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)

  • 24 AprMon

    Chaitra Amavasya (Somvati)

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)

  • 27 AprThu

    Akshaya Tritiya

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

  • 30 AprSun

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha

May 2028

  • 5 MayFri

    Mohini Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla

  • 6 MaySat

    Shani Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 8 MayMon

    Buddha Purnima

    Also: Vaishakha Purnima

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

  • 12 MayFri

    Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 20 MaySat

    Apara Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)

  • 21 MaySun

    Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 22 MayMon

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)

  • 24 MayWed

    Vat Savitri

    Also: Vaishakha Amavasya

    Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.

  • 29 MayMon

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha

June 2028

  • 2 JunFri

    Ganga Dussehra

    Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.

  • 3 JunSat

    Nirjala Ekadashi

    The waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.

  • 4 JunSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 7 JunWed

    Vat Purnima

    Full-moon day · Jyeshtha

  • 10 JunSat

    Krishnapingala Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 18 JunSun

    Yogini Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)

  • 20 JunTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 21 JunWed

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)

  • 22 JunThu

    Jyeshtha Amavasya

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)

  • 24 JunSat

    Rath Yatra

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

  • 27 JunTue

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha

July 2028

  • 2 JulSun

    Devshayani Ekadashi

    Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.

  • 4 JulTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 6 JulThu

    Guru Purnima

    Ashadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.

  • 10 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

    The Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.

  • 10 JulMon

    Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 17 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

    The Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.

  • 18 JulTue

    Kamika Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)

  • 19 JulWed

    Budha Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 20 JulThu

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)

  • 22 JulSat

    Hariyali Amavasya (Shani)

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Shravana Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashadha Amavasya (amanta)

  • 24 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

    The Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.

  • 26 JulWed

    Nag Panchami

    Shravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.

  • 26 JulWed

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana

  • 31 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

    The Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.

August 2028

  • 1 AugTue

    Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla

  • 2 AugWed

    Budha Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 5 AugSat

    Raksha Bandhan

    Also: Shravana Purnima

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

  • 9 AugWed

    Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 13 AugSun

    Krishna Janmashtami

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

  • 16 AugWed

    Aja Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)

  • 18 AugFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 18 AugFri

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)

  • 20 AugSun

    Shravana Amavasya

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)

  • 22 AugTue

    Hartalika Teej

    Women's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.

  • 23 AugWed

    Ganesh Chaturthi

    Installation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.

  • 25 AugFri

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada

  • 30 AugWed

    Parsva (Parivartini) Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla

September 2028

October 2028

  • 3 OctTue

    Sharad Purnima

    Also: Ashwina Purnima

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

  • 7 OctSat

    Karwa Chauth

    Wives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.

  • 7 OctSat

    Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 11 OctWed

    Ahoi Ashtami

    Mothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.

  • 14 OctSat

    Rama Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)

  • 15 OctSun

    Dhanteras

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

  • 15 OctSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 16 OctMon

    Kali Chaudas

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

  • 16 OctMon

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)

  • 17 OctTue

    Naraka Chaturdashi

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

  • 17 OctTue

    Diwali

    Also: Ashwina Amavasya (vrat and snana-dana), 18 Oct

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

  • 18 OctWed

    Govardhan Puja

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

  • 18 OctWed

    Ashwina Amavasya

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Kartika Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashwina Amavasya (amanta)

    Amavasya is running at sunrise: the day for the Amavasya rites (shraddha, bathing and gifts). Diwali (17 Oct) is the same new moon, kept at dusk.

  • 19 OctThu

    Bhai Dooj

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

  • 23 OctMon

    Chhath Puja

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

  • 23 OctMon

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 28 OctSat

    Devutthana Ekadashi

    Also: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi

    Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.

  • 29 OctSun

    Tulsi Vivah

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

  • 30 OctMon

    Soma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

November 2028

  • 2 NovThu

    Kartika Purnima

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

  • 5 NovSun

    Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi

    Fourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise

  • 13 NovMon

    Utpanna Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)

  • 14 NovTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 15 NovWed

    Masik Shivaratri

    Krishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)

  • 16 NovThu

    Kartika Amavasya

    New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)

  • 21 NovTue

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha

  • 27 NovMon

    Gita Jayanti

    Also: Mokshada Ekadashi

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

  • 29 NovWed

    Budha Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

December 2028

Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.

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