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 Wellington · change city
Times in Wellington (Pacific/Auckland, NZDT/NZST).
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
3 JanMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
8 JanSat
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
10 JanMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 JanWed
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
14 JanFri
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
15 JanSat
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
15 JanSat
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
15 JanSat
Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 JanSat
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
24 JanMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 JanMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
26 JanWed
Mauni AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
February 2028
1 FebTue
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
1 FebTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
3 FebThu
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
7 FebMon
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
8 FebTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
10 FebThu
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
13 FebSun
Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
21 FebMon
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh 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 ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
25 FebFri
Magha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
March 2028
2 MarThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
7 MarTue
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
9 MarThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
10 MarFri
Holika DahanAlso: Phalguna Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 11 Mar
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
11 MarSat
HoliThe festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
11 MarSat
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 (10 Mar) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.
14 MarTue
Angarki Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
21 MarTue
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh 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 ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
26 MarSun
Phalguna AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
27 MarMon
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
27 MarMon
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
29 MarWed
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
April 2028
1 AprSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
4 AprTue
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
6 AprThu
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
7 AprFri
Mahavir JayantiBirth 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
12 AprWed
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
20 AprThu
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh 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
23 AprSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna 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 TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
30 AprSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
May 2028
5 MayFri
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
6 MaySat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
9 MayTue
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
12 MayFri
Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
20 MaySat
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
22 MayMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
22 MayMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
24 MayWed
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
29 MayMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
June 2028
2 JunFri
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
3 JunSat
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
5 JunMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
7 JunWed
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
10 JunSat
Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
19 JunMon
Yogini EkadashiEleventh 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 ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
22 JunThu
Jyeshtha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
24 JunSat
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
28 JunWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
July 2028
2 JulSun
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha 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 PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
10 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
10 JulMon
Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
17 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
18 JulTue
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
20 JulThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 JulThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna 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 SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
26 JulWed
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
27 JulThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
31 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
August 2028
1 AugTue
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
2 AugWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
5 AugSat
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
9 AugWed
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
13 AugSun
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
17 AugThu
Aja EkadashiEleventh 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
19 AugSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
20 AugSun
Shravana AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
23 AugWed
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
23 AugWed
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
25 AugFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
30 AugWed
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
September 2028
1 SepFri
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
1 SepFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 SepSun
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
4 SepMon
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
4 SepMon
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
7 SepThu
Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
15 SepFri
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
16 SepSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
17 SepSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
19 SepTue
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
19 SepTue
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
23 SepSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
26 SepTue
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
27 SepWed
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
28 SepThu
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
29 SepFri
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
October 2028
1 OctSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 OctTue
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
7 OctSat
Karwa ChauthWives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.
7 OctSat
Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
11 OctWed
Ahoi AshtamiMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
15 OctSun
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
16 OctMon
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
16 OctMon
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
16 OctMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 OctMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
17 OctTue
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
17 OctTue
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya (vrat and snana-dana), 18 Oct
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
18 OctWed
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 (17 Oct) is the same new moon, kept at dusk.
19 OctThu
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
19 OctThu
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
23 OctMon
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
23 OctMon
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
29 OctSun
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
29 OctSun
Tulsi VivahThe 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 PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
6 NovMon
Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
13 NovMon
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh 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 ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
16 NovThu
Kartika AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
22 NovWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
28 NovTue
Gita JayantiAlso: 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
1 DecFri
Dattatreya JayantiAlso: Margashirsha Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 2 Dec
Birth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.
2 DecSat
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 (1 Dec) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.
5 DecTue
Angarki Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
12 DecTue
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
13 DecWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
14 DecThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
16 DecSat
Margashirsha Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
21 DecThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
27 DecWed
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
29 DecFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
31 DecSun
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.
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