Panchang · Festivals and vrats
Festivals and vrats in 2019
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 Aizawl · 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 2019
1 JanTue
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
3 JanThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
4 JanFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
5 JanSat
Margashirsha Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
12 JanSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
13 JanSun
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
14 JanMon
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
15 JanTue
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
17 JanThu
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
19 JanSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
21 JanMon
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
24 JanThu
Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
31 JanThu
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
February 2019
2 FebSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
2 FebSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
4 FebMon
Mauni Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
10 FebSun
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
10 FebSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
12 FebTue
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
16 FebSat
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
17 FebSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
19 FebTue
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
22 FebFri
Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
March 2019
2 MarSat
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)
3 MarSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
4 MarMon
Maha ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
6 MarWed
Magha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
12 MarTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
17 MarSun
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
18 MarMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 MarWed
Holika DahanAlso: Phalguna Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 21 Mar
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
21 MarThu
HoliThe festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
21 MarThu
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 (20 Mar) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.
23 MarSat
Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
31 MarSun
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)
April 2019
2 AprTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 AprWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
5 AprFri
Phalguna AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
6 AprSat
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
6 AprSat
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
8 AprMon
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
10 AprWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
13 AprSat
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
16 AprTue
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
17 AprWed
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
17 AprWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
19 AprFri
22 AprMon
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
30 AprTue
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)
May 2019
2 MayThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 MayFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)
4 MaySat
Chaitra Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)
7 MayTue
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
10 MayFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
15 MayWed
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
16 MayThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
18 MaySat
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
22 MayWed
Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
30 MayThu
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
31 MayFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
June 2019
1 JunSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
3 JunMon
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
8 JunSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
12 JunWed
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
13 JunThu
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
14 JunFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
17 JunMon
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
20 JunThu
Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
29 JunSat
Yogini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)
30 JunSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
July 2019
1 JulMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
2 JulTue
Jyeshtha Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
4 JulThu
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
7 JulSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
12 JulFri
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.
14 JulSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 JulTue
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
20 JulSat
Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
28 JulSun
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
29 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
29 JulMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
30 JulTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)
August 2019
1 AugThu
Hariyali AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Shravana Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashadha Amavasya (amanta)
5 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
5 AugMon
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
5 AugMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
11 AugSun
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
12 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
12 AugMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
15 AugThu
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
19 AugMon
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
23 AugFri
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
27 AugTue
Aja EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)
28 AugWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
28 AugWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
30 AugFri
Shravana AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
September 2019
1 SepSun
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
2 SepMon
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
4 SepWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
9 SepMon
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
11 SepWed
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
11 SepWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
13 SepFri
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
14 SepSat
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
14 SepSat
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
17 SepTue
Angarki Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
25 SepWed
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
26 SepThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
27 SepFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
28 SepSat
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
29 SepSun
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
October 2019
3 OctThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
6 OctSun
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
7 OctMon
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
7 OctMon
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
9 OctWed
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
11 OctFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
13 OctSun
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
17 OctThu
Karwa ChauthWives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.
17 OctThu
Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
21 OctMon
Ahoi AshtamiMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
24 OctThu
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
25 OctFri
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
25 OctFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 OctSat
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
26 OctSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
27 OctSun
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
27 OctSun
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya (vrat and snana-dana), 28 Oct
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
28 OctMon
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 (27 Oct) is the same new moon, kept at dusk.
29 OctTue
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
29 OctTue
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
November 2019
2 NovSat
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
2 NovSat
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
8 NovFri
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
8 NovFri
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
9 NovSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 NovTue
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
15 NovFri
Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
23 NovSat
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)
24 NovSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
25 NovMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
26 NovTue
Kartika Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
December 2019
2 DecMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
8 DecSun
Gita JayantiAlso: Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
9 DecMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
11 DecWed
Dattatreya JayantiAlso: Margashirsha Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 12 Dec
Birth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.
12 DecThu
Margashirsha PurnimaFull-moon day · Margashirsha
Purnima is running at sunrise: the day for the Purnima vrat and for bathing and gifts (snana-dana). Dattatreya Jayanti (11 Dec) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.
15 DecSun
Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 DecSun
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
23 DecMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 DecTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
26 DecThu
Margashirsha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
31 DecTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.
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