Panchang · Festivals and vrats
Festivals and vrats in 2019
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 New York · change city
Times in New York (America/New York, EST/EDT).
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 2019
1 JanTue
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
2 JanWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 JanThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
5 JanSat
Margashirsha Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
11 JanFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
13 JanSun
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
14 JanMon
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
14 JanMon
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
17 JanThu
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
18 JanFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 JanSun
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
23 JanWed
Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
30 JanWed
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
February 2019
1 FebFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
2 FebSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
4 FebMon
Mauni Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
9 FebSat
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
10 FebSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
11 FebMon
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
15 FebFri
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
17 FebSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
19 FebTue
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
22 FebFri
Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
March 2019
1 MarFri
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)
3 MarSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
4 MarMon
Maha ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
6 MarWed
Magha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
12 MarTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
17 MarSun
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
18 MarMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 MarWed
Holika DahanAlso: Phalguna Purnima
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
21 MarThu
HoliThe festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
23 MarSat
Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
31 MarSun
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)
April 2019
2 AprTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 AprWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
4 AprThu
Phalguna AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
5 AprFri
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
5 AprFri
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
8 AprMon
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
10 AprWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
13 AprSat
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
15 AprMon
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
16 AprTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
17 AprWed
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
19 AprFri
22 AprMon
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
30 AprTue
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)
May 2019
1 MayWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
2 MayThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)
4 MaySat
Chaitra Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)
7 MayTue
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
9 MayThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
14 MayTue
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
16 MayThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
18 MaySat
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
21 MayTue
Angarki Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
30 MayThu
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
31 MayFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
June 2019
1 JunSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
3 JunMon
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
7 JunFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
12 JunWed
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
13 JunThu
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
14 JunFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 JunSun
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
20 JunThu
Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
28 JunFri
Yogini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)
29 JunSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
30 JunSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
July 2019
2 JulTue
Jyeshtha Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
4 JulThu
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
7 JulSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
12 JulFri
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.
13 JulSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 JulTue
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
20 JulSat
Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
28 JulSun
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
29 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
29 JulMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
30 JulTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)
31 JulWed
Hariyali AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Shravana Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashadha Amavasya (amanta)
August 2019
5 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
5 AugMon
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
5 AugMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
10 AugSat
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
12 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
12 AugMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
15 AugThu
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
18 AugSun
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 AugThu
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
26 AugMon
Aja EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)
27 AugTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
28 AugWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
30 AugFri
Shravana AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
September 2019
1 SepSun
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
2 SepMon
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
3 SepTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
9 SepMon
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
10 SepTue
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
10 SepTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 SepThu
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
13 SepFri
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
14 SepSat
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
17 SepTue
Angarki Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
25 SepWed
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
26 SepThu
Guru Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 SepThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
28 SepSat
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
29 SepSun
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
October 2019
3 OctThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
5 OctSat
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
6 OctSun
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
7 OctMon
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
8 OctTue
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
10 OctThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 OctSat
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 13 Oct
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
13 OctSun
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 (12 Oct) is the same full moon, kept at moonrise, on the night of the full moon.
17 OctThu
Karwa ChauthWives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.
17 OctThu
Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
21 OctMon
Ahoi AshtamiMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
24 OctThu
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
25 OctFri
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
25 OctFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 OctSat
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
26 OctSat
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
26 OctSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
27 OctSun
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
28 OctMon
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
29 OctTue
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
November 2019
1 NovFri
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
1 NovFri
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
7 NovThu
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
8 NovFri
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
9 NovSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 NovTue
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
15 NovFri
Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 NovFri
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)
23 NovSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 NovSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
26 NovTue
Kartika Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
December 2019
1 DecSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
7 DecSat
Gita JayantiAlso: Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
9 DecMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
11 DecWed
14 DecSat
Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
21 DecSat
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
23 DecMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 DecTue
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
25 DecWed
Margashirsha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
31 DecTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla 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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