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.
Dates for Chandigarh · 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 2026
1 JanThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 JanSat
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
6 JanTue
Angarki Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
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.
14 JanWed
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
14 JanWed
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
16 JanFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 JanFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
18 JanSun
Mauni AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
23 JanFri
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
24 JanSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
25 JanSun
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
29 JanThu
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
30 JanFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
February 2026
1 FebSun
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
5 FebThu
Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
13 FebFri
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)
14 FebSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
15 FebSun
Maha ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
17 FebTue
Magha Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
22 FebSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
27 FebFri
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
March 2026
1 MarSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
2 MarMon
Holika Dahan†Also: Phalguna Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 3 Mar
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
Almanacs differ on this date this year†; open the festival to read how it was fixed.
3 MarTue
Holi†The festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
Almanacs differ on this date this year†; open the festival to read how it was fixed.
3 MarTue
Phalguna PurnimaFull-moon day · Phalguna
Purnima is running at sunrise: the day for the Purnima vrat and for bathing and gifts (snana-dana). Holika Dahan (2 Mar) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.
6 MarFri
Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
15 MarSun
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)
16 MarMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
17 MarTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
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.
19 MarThu
Phalguna AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
21 MarSat
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
24 MarTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
26 MarThu
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
29 MarSun
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
30 MarMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
31 MarTue
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
April 2026
2 AprThu
5 AprSun
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
13 AprMon
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)
15 AprWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
15 AprWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)
17 AprFri
Chaitra AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)
19 AprSun
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
22 AprWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
27 AprMon
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
28 AprTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
May 2026
1 MayFri
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
5 MayTue
Angarki Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
13 MayWed
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
14 MayThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
15 MayFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
16 MaySat
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
21 MayThu
Adhika Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Adhika Jyeshtha
25 MayMon
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
26 MayTue
Padmini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Adhika Jyeshtha Shukla
28 MayThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
31 MaySun
Adhika Jyeshtha PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
June 2026
3 JunWed
Adhika Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
11 JunThu
Parama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Adhika Jyeshtha Krishna
12 JunFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
13 JunSat
Adhika Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Adhika Jyeshtha
15 JunMon
Adhika Jyeshtha Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Adhika Jyeshtha Amavasya
19 JunFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
25 JunThu
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
27 JunSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
29 JunMon
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
July 2026
3 JulFri
Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
11 JulSat
Yogini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)
12 JulSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 JulSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
14 JulTue
Jyeshtha Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
16 JulThu
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
19 JulSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
25 JulSat
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.
26 JulSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
29 JulWed
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
August 2026
2 AugSun
Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
3 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
9 AugSun
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
10 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
10 AugMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
11 AugTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)
12 AugWed
Hariyali AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Shravana Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashadha Amavasya (amanta)
17 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
17 AugMon
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
17 AugMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
23 AugSun
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
24 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
25 AugTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 AugWed
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
28 AugFri
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
31 AugMon
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
September 2026
4 SepFri
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
7 SepMon
Aja EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)
8 SepTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
9 SepWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
11 SepFri
Shravana AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
14 SepMon
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
14 SepMon
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
16 SepWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
22 SepTue
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
24 SepThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
25 SepFri
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
26 SepSat
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
27 SepSun
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
29 SepTue
Angarki Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
October 2026
6 OctTue
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
8 OctThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
8 OctThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
10 OctSat
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
11 OctSun
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
16 OctFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
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.
22 OctThu
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
23 OctFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
25 OctSun
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 26 Oct
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
26 OctMon
Ashwina PurnimaTodayFull-moon day · Ashwina
Purnima is running at sunrise: the day for the Purnima vrat and for bathing and gifts (snana-dana). Sharad Purnima (25 Oct) is the same full moon, kept at moonrise, on the night of the full moon.
29 OctThu
29 OctThu
Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthiin 3 daysFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
November 2026
1 NovSun
Ahoi Ashtamiin 6 daysMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
5 NovThu
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
6 NovFri
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
6 NovFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
7 NovSat
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
7 NovSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
8 NovSun
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
8 NovSun
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya (vrat and snana-dana), 9 Nov
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
9 NovMon
Ashwina AmavasyaNew-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 (8 Nov) is the same new moon, kept at dusk.
10 NovTue
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
11 NovWed
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.
15 NovSun
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
20 NovFri
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi, 21 Nov
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
21 NovSat
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
22 NovSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 NovTue
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
27 NovFri
Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
December 2026
4 DecFri
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)
6 DecSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
7 DecMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
8 DecTue
Kartika Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
15 DecTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
20 DecSun
Gita JayantiAlso: Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
21 DecMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
23 DecWed
26 DecSat
Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
† Practice varies between schools; our faculty is reviewing these rules.
Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.
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