Panchang · Festivals and vrats
Festivals and vrats in 2040
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 2040
2 JanMon
Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
10 JanTue
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
11 JanWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 JanThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
13 JanFri
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
13 JanFri
Margashirsha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
14 JanSat
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
15 JanSun
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
18 JanWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
24 JanTue
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
26 JanThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
28 JanSat
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
February 2040
1 FebWed
Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
8 FebWed
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
9 FebThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
10 FebFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
12 FebSun
Mauni AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
16 FebThu
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
17 FebFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
18 FebSat
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
23 FebThu
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
24 FebFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
27 FebMon
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
March 2040
1 MarThu
Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
9 MarFri
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)
10 MarSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
11 MarSun
Maha ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
12 MarMon
Magha Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
18 MarSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
24 MarSat
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
25 MarSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
27 MarTue
Holika DahanAlso: Phalguna Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 28 Mar
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
28 MarWed
HoliThe festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
28 MarWed
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 (27 Mar) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.
31 MarSat
Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
April 2040
7 AprSat
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)
8 AprSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
9 AprMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
11 AprWed
Phalguna AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
12 AprThu
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
12 AprThu
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
14 AprSat
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
16 AprMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
20 AprFri
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
22 AprSun
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
24 AprTue
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
24 AprTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 AprThu
29 AprSun
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
May 2040
6 MaySun
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)
8 MayTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
8 MayTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)
10 MayThu
Chaitra AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)
13 MaySun
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
16 MayWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
22 MayTue
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
23 MayWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 MaySat
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
28 MayMon
Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
June 2040
5 JunTue
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
6 JunWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
7 JunThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
9 JunSat
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
15 JunFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
19 JunTue
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
20 JunWed
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
22 JunFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 JunSun
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
27 JunWed
Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
July 2040
4 JulWed
Yogini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)
6 JulFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
6 JulFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
8 JulSun
Jyeshtha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
11 JulWed
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
14 JulSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
20 JulFri
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.
21 JulSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
23 JulMon
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
26 JulThu
Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
30 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
August 2040
3 AugFri
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
4 AugSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
5 AugSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)
6 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
7 AugTue
Hariyali Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Shravana Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashadha Amavasya (amanta)
12 AugSun
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
13 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
13 AugMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
18 AugSat
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
19 AugSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
20 AugMon
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
21 AugTue
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
24 AugFri
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
28 AugTue
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
September 2040
1 SepSat
Aja EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)
3 SepMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
4 SepTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
6 SepThu
Shravana AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
9 SepSun
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
9 SepSun
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
11 SepTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
16 SepSun
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
17 SepMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
19 SepWed
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
20 SepThu
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
20 SepThu
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
23 SepSun
Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
October 2040
1 OctMon
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
3 OctWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 OctWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
5 OctFri
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
6 OctSat
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
11 OctThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
13 OctSat
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
14 OctSun
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
14 OctSun
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
16 OctTue
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
17 OctWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
19 OctFri
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
23 OctTue
Karwa ChauthWives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.
23 OctTue
Angarki Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
27 OctSat
Ahoi AshtamiMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
31 OctWed
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
November 2040
1 NovThu
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
1 NovThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
2 NovFri
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
2 NovFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
3 NovSat
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
3 NovSat
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya (vrat and snana-dana), 4 Nov
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
4 NovSun
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 (3 Nov) is the same new moon, kept at dusk.
5 NovMon
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
5 NovMon
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
9 NovFri
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
9 NovFri
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
14 NovWed
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
14 NovWed
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
15 NovThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
18 NovSun
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
21 NovWed
Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
29 NovThu
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)
December 2040
1 DecSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
2 DecSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
3 DecMon
Kartika Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
8 DecSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
13 DecThu
Gita JayantiAlso: Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
15 DecSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
17 DecMon
21 DecFri
Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
29 DecSat
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
31 DecMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
31 DecMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
Plain-language notes are the School’s summaries of common almanac usage, for study. They are not advice.
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