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Panchang · Festivals and vrats

Festivals and vrats in 2000

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 Port of Spain · change city

Times in Port of Spain (America/Port of Spain, AST).

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 2000

  • 1 JanSat

    Saphala Ekadashi

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

  • 3 JanMon

    Soma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 4 JanTue

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 6 JanThu

    Margashirsha Amavasya

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

  • 12 JanWed

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 13 JanThu

    Lohri

    Bonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.

  • 14 JanFri

    Makar Sankranti

    The Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.

  • 14 JanFri

    Thai Pongal

    The first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.

  • 17 JanMon

    Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla

  • 18 JanTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 20 JanThu

    Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)

    Full-moon day · Pausha

  • 23 JanSun

    Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 31 JanMon

    Shattila Ekadashi

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

February 2000

March 2000

  • 1 MarWed

    Vijaya Ekadashi

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

  • 3 MarFri

    Maha Shivaratri

    Also: Masik Shivaratri

    The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.

  • 3 MarFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 5 MarSun

    Magha Amavasya

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

  • 11 MarSat

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 16 MarThu

    Amalaki Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla

  • 17 MarFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 19 MarSun

    Holika Dahan

    Also: Phalguna Purnima

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

  • 20 MarMon

    Holi

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

  • 23 MarThu

    Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 31 MarFri

    Papamochani Ekadashi

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

April 2000

  • 1 AprSat

    Shani Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 2 AprSun

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 4 AprTue

    Phalguna Amavasya (Bhaumvati)

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

  • 5 AprWed

    Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

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

  • 5 AprWed

    Chaitra Navratri

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

  • 7 AprFri

    Gangaur

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

  • 9 AprSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 12 AprWed

    Ram Navami

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

  • 14 AprFri

    Kamada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla

  • 15 AprSat

    Shani Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 16 AprSun

    Mahavir Jayanti

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

  • 18 AprTue

    Hanuman Jayanti

    Also: Chaitra Purnima

    Birth observance of Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima in the north.

  • 21 AprFri

    Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 30 AprSun

    Varuthini Ekadashi

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

May 2000

  • 1 MayMon

    Soma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 2 MayTue

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 3 MayWed

    Chaitra Amavasya

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

  • 6 MaySat

    Akshaya Tritiya

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

  • 8 MayMon

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 13 MaySat

    Mohini Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla

  • 15 MayMon

    Soma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 17 MayWed

    Buddha Purnima

    Also: Vaishakha Purnima

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

  • 21 MaySun

    Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 29 MayMon

    Apara Ekadashi

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

  • 30 MayTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 31 MayWed

    Masik Shivaratri

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

June 2000

July 2000

  • 1 JulSat

    Jyeshtha Amavasya (Shani)

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

  • 3 JulMon

    Rath Yatra

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

  • 6 JulThu

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 11 JulTue

    Devshayani Ekadashi

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

  • 13 JulThu

    Guru Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 16 JulSun

    Guru Purnima

    Ashadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.

  • 17 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 19 JulWed

    Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 24 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 27 JulThu

    Kamika Ekadashi

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

  • 28 JulFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 29 JulSat

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 30 JulSun

    Hariyali Amavasya

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

  • 31 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

August 2000

  • 4 AugFri

    Nag Panchami

    Shravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.

  • 4 AugFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 7 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 10 AugThu

    Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla

  • 11 AugFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 14 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 14 AugMon

    Raksha Bandhan

    Also: Shravana Purnima

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

  • 18 AugFri

    Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 22 AugTue

    Krishna Janmashtami

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

  • 25 AugFri

    Aja Ekadashi

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

  • 26 AugSat

    Shani Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 27 AugSun

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 29 AugTue

    Shravana Amavasya (Bhaumvati)

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

  • 31 AugThu

    Hartalika Teej

    Women's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.

September 2000

October 2000

  • 2 OctMon

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 5 OctThu

    Durga Ashtami

    Eighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.

  • 6 OctFri

    Maha Navami

    Ninth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.

  • 7 OctSat

    Vijayadashami

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

  • 8 OctSun

    Papankusha Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla

  • 10 OctTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 12 OctThu

    Sharad Purnima

    Also: Ashwina Purnima

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

  • 16 OctMon

    Karwa Chauth

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

  • 16 OctMon

    Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 19 OctThu

    Ahoi Ashtami

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

  • 23 OctMon

    Rama Ekadashi

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

  • 24 OctTue

    Dhanteras

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

  • 24 OctTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 25 OctWed

    Naraka Chaturdashi

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

  • 25 OctWed

    Kali Chaudas

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

  • 25 OctWed

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 26 OctThu

    Diwali

    Also: Ashwina Amavasya

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

  • 27 OctFri

    Govardhan Puja

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

  • 28 OctSat

    Bhai Dooj

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

November 2000

  • 1 NovWed

    Chhath Puja

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

  • 1 NovWed

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 7 NovTue

    Devutthana Ekadashi

    Also: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi

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

  • 8 NovWed

    Tulsi Vivah

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

  • 9 NovThu

    Guru Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 11 NovSat

    Kartika Purnima

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

  • 14 NovTue

    Angarki Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 21 NovTue

    Utpanna Ekadashi

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

  • 23 NovThu

    Guru Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 23 NovThu

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 25 NovSat

    Kartika Amavasya (Shani)

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

December 2000

  • 1 DecFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 7 DecThu

    Gita Jayanti

    Also: Mokshada Ekadashi

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

  • 8 DecFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 10 DecSun

    Dattatreya Jayanti

    Also: Margashirsha Purnima

    Birth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.

  • 13 DecWed

    Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 21 DecThu

    Saphala Ekadashi

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

  • 22 DecFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 23 DecSat

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 25 DecMon

    Margashirsha Amavasya (Somvati)

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

  • 31 DecSun

    Skanda Shashthi

    Shukla 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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