Skip to content
School of Vedic Sciences, FORE

Panchang · Festivals and vrats

Festivals and vrats in 2044

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 2044

February 2044

March 2044

  • 5 MarSat

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 10 MarThu

    Amalaki Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla

  • 11 MarFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 13 MarSun

    Holika Dahan

    Also: Phalguna Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 14 Mar

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

  • 14 MarMon

    Holi

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

  • 14 MarMon

    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 (13 Mar) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.

  • 17 MarThu

    Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 25 MarFri

    Papamochani Ekadashi

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

  • 27 MarSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 27 MarSun

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 29 MarTue

    Phalguna Amavasya (Bhaumvati)

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

  • 30 MarWed

    Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

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

  • 30 MarWed

    Chaitra Navratri

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

April 2044

  • 1 AprFri

    Gangaur

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

  • 3 AprSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 6 AprWed

    Ram Navami

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

  • 8 AprFri

    Kamada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla

  • 10 AprSun

    Mahavir Jayanti

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

  • 10 AprSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 12 AprTue

    Hanuman Jayanti

    Also: Chaitra Purnima

    Birth observance of Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima in the north.

  • 16 AprSat

    Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 24 AprSun

    Varuthini Ekadashi

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

  • 25 AprMon

    Soma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 26 AprTue

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 28 AprThu

    Chaitra Amavasya

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

  • 30 AprSat

    Akshaya Tritiya

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

May 2044

  • 2 MayMon

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 8 MaySun

    Mohini Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla

  • 9 MayMon

    Soma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 12 MayThu

    Buddha Purnima

    Also: Vaishakha Purnima

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

  • 15 MaySun

    Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 23 MayMon

    Apara Ekadashi

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

  • 25 MayWed

    Budha Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 25 MayWed

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 27 MayFri

    Vat Savitri

    Also: Vaishakha Amavasya

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

June 2044

  • 1 JunWed

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 5 JunSun

    Ganga Dussehra

    Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.

  • 6 JunMon

    Nirjala Ekadashi

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

  • 8 JunWed

    Budha Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 10 JunFri

    Vat Purnima

    Full-moon day · Jyeshtha

  • 14 JunTue

    Angarki Krishnapingala Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 22 JunWed

    Yogini Ekadashi

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

  • 23 JunThu

    Guru Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 24 JunFri

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 25 JunSat

    Jyeshtha Amavasya (Shani)

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

  • 27 JunMon

    Rath Yatra

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

  • 30 JunThu

    Skanda Shashthi

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

July 2044

  • 5 JulTue

    Devshayani Ekadashi

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

  • 7 JulThu

    Guru Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 10 JulSun

    Guru Purnima

    Ashadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.

  • 11 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 14 JulThu

    Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 18 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 21 JulThu

    Kamika Ekadashi

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

  • 22 JulFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 23 JulSat

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 24 JulSun

    Hariyali Amavasya

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

  • 25 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 29 JulFri

    Nag Panchami

    Shravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.

  • 29 JulFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

August 2044

  • 1 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 4 AugThu

    Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla

  • 6 AugSat

    Shani Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 8 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 9 AugTue

    Raksha Bandhan

    Also: Shravana Purnima

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

  • 12 AugFri

    Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 16 AugTue

    Krishna Janmashtami

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

  • 19 AugFri

    Aja Ekadashi

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

  • 21 AugSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 21 AugSun

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 23 AugTue

    Shravana Amavasya (Bhaumvati)

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

  • 26 AugFri

    Hartalika Teej

    Women's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.

  • 26 AugFri

    Ganesh Chaturthi

    Installation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.

  • 28 AugSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

September 2044

October 2044

  • 1 OctSat

    Vijayadashami

    Ashwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.

  • 3 OctMon

    Papankusha Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla

  • 4 OctTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 6 OctThu

    Sharad Purnima

    Also: Ashwina Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 7 Oct

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

  • 7 OctFri

    Ashwina Purnima

    Full-moon day · Ashwina

    Purnima is running at sunrise: the day for the Purnima vrat and for bathing and gifts (snana-dana). Sharad Purnima (6 Oct) is the same full moon, kept at moonrise, on the night of the full moon.

  • 10 OctMon

    Karwa Chauth

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

  • 10 OctMon

    Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 14 OctFri

    Ahoi Ashtami

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

  • 17 OctMon

    Rama Ekadashi

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

  • 18 OctTue

    Dhanteras

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

  • 18 OctTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 19 OctWed

    Kali Chaudas

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

  • 19 OctWed

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 20 OctThu

    Naraka Chaturdashi

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

  • 20 OctThu

    Diwali

    Also: Ashwina Amavasya (vrat and snana-dana), 21 Oct

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

  • 21 OctFri

    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 (20 Oct) is the same new moon, kept at dusk.

  • 22 OctSat

    Govardhan Puja

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

  • 22 OctSat

    Bhai Dooj

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

  • 26 OctWed

    Chhath Puja

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

  • 26 OctWed

    Skanda Shashthi

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

November 2044

  • 1 NovTue

    Devutthana Ekadashi

    Also: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi

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

  • 2 NovWed

    Tulsi Vivah

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

  • 3 NovThu

    Guru Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 5 NovSat

    Kartika Purnima

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

  • 8 NovTue

    Angarki Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 15 NovTue

    Utpanna Ekadashi

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

  • 17 NovThu

    Guru Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 18 NovFri

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 19 NovSat

    Kartika Amavasya (Shani)

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

  • 25 NovFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

December 2044

  • 1 DecThu

    Gita Jayanti

    Also: Mokshada Ekadashi

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

  • 2 DecFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 4 DecSun

    Dattatreya Jayanti

    Also: Margashirsha Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 5 Dec

    Birth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.

  • 5 DecMon

    Margashirsha Purnima

    Full-moon day · Margashirsha

    Purnima is running at sunrise: the day for the Purnima vrat and for bathing and gifts (snana-dana). Dattatreya Jayanti (4 Dec) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.

  • 8 DecThu

    Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 15 DecThu

    Saphala Ekadashi

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

  • 16 DecFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 17 DecSat

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 19 DecMon

    Margashirsha Amavasya (Somvati)

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

  • 25 DecSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 31 DecSat

    Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla

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

More from the Panchang