Panchang · Festivals and vrats
Festivals and vrats in 2024
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 Chicago · change city
Times in Chicago (America/Chicago, CST/CDT).
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 2024
7 JanSun
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
8 JanMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
9 JanTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
10 JanWed
Margashirsha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
13 JanSat
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
14 JanSun
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
14 JanSun
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
15 JanMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
21 JanSun
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
22 JanMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
25 JanThu
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
28 JanSun
Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
February 2024
5 FebMon
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
7 FebWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
7 FebWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
9 FebFri
Mauni AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
13 FebTue
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
14 FebWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
15 FebThu
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
19 FebMon
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
21 FebWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
23 FebFri
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
27 FebTue
Angarki Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
March 2024
6 MarWed
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)
7 MarThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
8 MarFri
Maha ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
9 MarSat
Magha Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
14 MarThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
20 MarWed
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
21 MarThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 MarSun
Holika DahanAlso: Phalguna Purnima
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
25 MarMon
HoliThe festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
28 MarThu
Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
April 2024
4 AprThu
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)
6 AprSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
6 AprSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
8 AprMon
Phalguna Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
9 AprTue
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
9 AprTue
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
10 AprWed
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
13 AprSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
16 AprTue
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
19 AprFri
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
20 AprSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
21 AprSun
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
23 AprTue
26 AprFri
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
May 2024
4 MaySat
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)
5 MaySun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
6 MayMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)
7 MayTue
Chaitra Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)
10 MayFri
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
12 MaySun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
18 MaySat
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
20 MayMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
23 MayThu
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
26 MaySun
Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
June 2024
2 JunSun
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
3 JunMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
4 JunTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
6 JunThu
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
11 JunTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
16 JunSun
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
17 JunMon
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
19 JunWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
21 JunFri
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
24 JunMon
Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
July 2024
1 JulMon
Yogini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)
2 JulTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 JulWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
5 JulFri
Jyeshtha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
7 JulSun
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
11 JulThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
17 JulWed
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.
18 JulThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 JulSat
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
22 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
23 JulTue
Angarki Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
29 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
31 JulWed
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
August 2024
1 AugThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
2 AugFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)
3 AugSat
Hariyali Amavasya (Shani)New-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.
9 AugFri
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
9 AugFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
12 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
15 AugThu
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
16 AugFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
19 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
19 AugMon
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
22 AugThu
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
25 AugSun
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
29 AugThu
Aja EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)
30 AugFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
31 AugSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
September 2024
2 SepMon
Shravana Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
5 SepThu
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
6 SepFri
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
8 SepSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
14 SepSat
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
14 SepSat
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
15 SepSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 SepMon
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
17 SepTue
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
18 SepWed
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
20 SepFri
Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
27 SepFri
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
29 SepSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
30 SepMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
October 2024
2 OctWed
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
3 OctThu
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
8 OctTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
10 OctThu
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
11 OctFri
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
12 OctSat
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
13 OctSun
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
14 OctMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 OctWed
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
19 OctSat
Karwa ChauthWives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.
19 OctSat
Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
23 OctWed
Ahoi AshtamiMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
27 OctSun
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
29 OctTue
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
29 OctTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
30 OctWed
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
30 OctWed
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
30 OctWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
31 OctThu
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
November 2024
2 NovSat
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
2 NovSat
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
6 NovWed
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
6 NovWed
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
11 NovMon
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi, 12 Nov
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
12 NovTue
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
13 NovWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
15 NovFri
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
18 NovMon
Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
26 NovTue
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)
28 NovThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
28 NovThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
30 NovSat
Kartika Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
December 2024
6 DecFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
11 DecWed
Gita JayantiAlso: Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
12 DecThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
14 DecSat
18 DecWed
Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
26 DecThu
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
27 DecFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
28 DecSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
30 DecMon
Margashirsha Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.
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