Panchang · Festivals and vrats
Festivals and vrats in 2042
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 2042
2 JanThu
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
4 JanSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
6 JanMon
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
10 JanFri
Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
14 JanTue
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
15 JanWed
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
15 JanWed
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
18 JanSat
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
19 JanSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 JanMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
22 JanWed
Mauni AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
26 JanSun
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
26 JanSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
28 JanTue
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
February 2042
1 FebSat
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
2 FebSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
5 FebWed
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
8 FebSat
Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
17 FebMon
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)
18 FebTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
19 FebWed
Maha ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
20 FebThu
Magha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
25 FebTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
March 2042
2 MarSun
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
4 MarTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
6 MarThu
Holika DahanAlso: Phalguna Purnima
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
7 MarFri
HoliThe festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
10 MarMon
Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
18 MarTue
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)
19 MarWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 MarThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
21 MarFri
Phalguna AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
22 MarSat
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
22 MarSat
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
24 MarMon
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
26 MarWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
29 MarSat
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
April 2042
1 AprTue
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
3 AprThu
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
3 AprThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
5 AprSat
9 AprWed
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
16 AprWed
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)
18 AprFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
18 AprFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)
20 AprSun
Chaitra AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)
22 AprTue
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
25 AprFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
30 AprWed
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
May 2042
2 MayFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
5 MayMon
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
9 MayFri
Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
16 MayFri
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
17 MaySat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
18 MaySun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
19 MayMon
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
24 MaySat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
29 MayThu
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
30 MayFri
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
June 2042
1 JunSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
4 JunWed
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
7 JunSat
Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
14 JunSat
Yogini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)
15 JunSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 JunMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
18 JunWed
Jyeshtha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
19 JunThu
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
23 JunMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
29 JunSun
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.
July 2042
1 JulTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 JulThu
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
6 JulSun
Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
7 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
13 JulSun
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
14 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
15 JulTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
15 JulTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)
17 JulThu
Hariyali AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Shravana Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashadha Amavasya (amanta)
23 JulWed
Adhika Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Adhika Shravana
29 JulTue
Padmini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Adhika Shravana Shukla
30 JulWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
August 2042
1 AugFri
Adhika Shravana PurnimaFull-moon day · Shravana
4 AugMon
Adhika Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
11 AugMon
Parama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Adhika Shravana Krishna
13 AugWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
14 AugThu
Adhika Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Adhika Shravana
15 AugFri
Adhika Shravana AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Adhika Shravana Amavasya
18 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
21 AugThu
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
21 AugThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
25 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
27 AugWed
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
29 AugFri
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
29 AugFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
31 AugSun
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
September 2042
3 SepWed
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
6 SepSat
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
10 SepWed
Aja EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)
11 SepThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 SepFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
14 SepSun
Shravana AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
17 SepWed
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
18 SepThu
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
20 SepSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
26 SepFri
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
27 SepSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
28 SepSun
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
29 SepMon
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
30 SepTue
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
October 2042
2 OctThu
Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
9 OctThu
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
11 OctSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 OctSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
14 OctTue
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
15 OctWed
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
20 OctMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
22 OctWed
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
23 OctThu
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
24 OctFri
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
25 OctSat
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
26 OctSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
28 OctTue
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 29 Oct
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
29 OctWed
Ashwina PurnimaFull-moon day · Ashwina
Purnima is running at sunrise: the day for the Purnima vrat and for bathing and gifts (snana-dana). Sharad Purnima (28 Oct) is the same full moon, kept at moonrise, on the night of the full moon.
31 OctFri
Karwa ChauthWives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.
31 OctFri
Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
November 2042
4 NovTue
Ahoi AshtamiMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
8 NovSat
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
10 NovMon
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
10 NovMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
11 NovTue
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
11 NovTue
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
11 NovTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
12 NovWed
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya (vrat and snana-dana), 13 Nov
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
13 NovThu
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 (12 Nov) is the same new moon, kept at dusk.
14 NovFri
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
14 NovFri
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
18 NovTue
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
18 NovTue
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
24 NovMon
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
24 NovMon
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
25 NovTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
27 NovThu
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
30 NovSun
Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
December 2042
8 DecMon
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)
10 DecWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
10 DecWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
12 DecFri
Kartika AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
18 DecThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
23 DecTue
Gita JayantiAlso: Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
24 DecWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 DecFri
Dattatreya JayantiAlso: Margashirsha Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 27 Dec
Birth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.
27 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 (26 Dec) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.
30 DecTue
Angarki Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.
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