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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 Jaipur · change city

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

February 2040

  • 1 FebWed

    Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 9 FebThu

    Shattila Ekadashi

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

  • 10 FebFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 11 FebSat

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 12 FebSun

    Mauni Amavasya

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

  • 17 FebFri

    Vasant Panchami

    Magha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.

  • 17 FebFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 19 FebSun

    Ratha Saptami

    Magha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.

  • 23 FebThu

    Jaya Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla

  • 25 FebSat

    Shani Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 27 FebMon

    Magha Purnima

    Full-moon day · Magha

March 2040

  • 2 MarFri

    Dwijapriya Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 9 MarFri

    Vijaya Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

    Also: Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 13 MarTue

    Magha Amavasya (Bhaumvati)

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

  • 18 MarSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 24 MarSat

    Amalaki Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla

  • 26 MarMon

    Soma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 28 MarWed

    Holika Dahan

    Also: Phalguna Purnima

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

  • 29 MarThu

    Holi

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

  • 31 MarSat

    Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi

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

April 2040

  • 7 AprSat

    Papamochani Ekadashi

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

  • 9 AprMon

    Soma Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 9 AprMon

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 11 AprWed

    Phalguna Amavasya

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

  • 12 AprThu

    Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

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

  • 12 AprThu

    Chaitra Navratri

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

  • 14 AprSat

    Gangaur

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

  • 17 AprTue

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 20 AprFri

    Ram Navami

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

  • 23 AprMon

    Kamada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla

  • 24 AprTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 25 AprWed

    Mahavir Jayanti

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

  • 27 AprFri

    Hanuman Jayanti

    Also: Chaitra Purnima

    Birth observance of Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima in the north.

  • 30 AprMon

    Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi

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

May 2040

  • 7 MayMon

    Varuthini Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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

  • 9 MayWed

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 11 MayFri

    Chaitra Amavasya

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

  • 14 MayMon

    Akshaya Tritiya

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

  • 16 MayWed

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 22 MayTue

    Mohini Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla

  • 24 MayThu

    Guru Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 26 MaySat

    Buddha Purnima

    Also: Vaishakha Purnima

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

  • 29 MayTue

    Angarki Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi

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

June 2040

  • 5 JunTue

    Apara Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

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

  • 9 JunSat

    Vat Savitri

    Also: Vaishakha Amavasya

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

  • 15 JunFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 20 JunWed

    Ganga Dussehra

    Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.

  • 21 JunThu

    Nirjala Ekadashi

    The 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 Purnima

    Full-moon day · Jyeshtha

  • 27 JunWed

    Krishnapingala Sankashti Chaturthi

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

July 2040

  • 4 JulWed

    Yogini Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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

  • 7 JulSat

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 9 JulMon

    Jyeshtha Amavasya (Somvati)

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

  • 11 JulWed

    Rath Yatra

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

  • 15 JulSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 20 JulFri

    Devshayani Ekadashi

    Ashadha 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

  • 24 JulTue

    Guru Purnima

    Ashadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.

  • 26 JulThu

    Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 30 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

August 2040

  • 3 AugFri

    Kamika Ekadashi

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

  • 5 AugSun

    Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 6 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 6 AugMon

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 7 AugTue

    Hariyali Amavasya (Bhaumvati)

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

  • 13 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 13 AugMon

    Nag Panchami

    Shravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.

  • 13 AugMon

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 19 AugSun

    Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla

  • 20 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 20 AugMon

    Soma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 21 AugTue

    Onam

    Kerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.

  • 22 AugWed

    Raksha Bandhan

    Also: Shravana Purnima

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

  • 25 AugSat

    Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 29 AugWed

    Krishna Janmashtami

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

September 2040

October 2040

  • 1 OctMon

    Indira Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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

  • 4 OctThu

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 6 OctSat

    Mahalaya / Sarvapitri Amavasya (Shani)

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

  • 7 OctSun

    Sharad Navratri begins

    Nine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.

  • 11 OctThu

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 13 OctSat

    Durga Ashtami

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

  • 14 OctSun

    Maha Navami

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

  • 15 OctMon

    Vijayadashami

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

  • 16 OctTue

    Papankusha Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla

  • 17 OctWed

    Budha Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 19 OctFri

    Sharad Purnima

    Also: Ashwina Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 20 Oct

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

  • 20 OctSat

    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 (19 Oct) is the same full moon, kept at moonrise, on the night of the full moon.

  • 23 OctTue

    Karwa Chauth

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

  • 23 OctTue

    Angarki Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 27 OctSat

    Ahoi Ashtami

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

  • 31 OctWed

    Rama Ekadashi

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

November 2040

  • 2 NovFri

    Dhanteras

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

  • 2 NovFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 3 NovSat

    Naraka Chaturdashi

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

  • 3 NovSat

    Kali Chaudas

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

  • 3 NovSat

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 4 NovSun

    Diwali

    Also: Ashwina Amavasya

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

  • 5 NovMon

    Govardhan Puja

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

  • 6 NovTue

    Bhai Dooj

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

  • 9 NovFri

    Chhath Puja

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

  • 9 NovFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 14 NovWed

    Devutthana Ekadashi

    Also: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi

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

  • 15 NovThu

    Tulsi Vivah

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

  • 16 NovFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 18 NovSun

    Kartika Purnima

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

  • 22 NovThu

    Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 30 NovFri

    Utpanna Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

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

  • 4 DecTue

    Kartika Amavasya (Bhaumvati)

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

  • 9 DecSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 14 DecFri

    Gita Jayanti

    Also: 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

    Dattatreya Jayanti

    Also: Margashirsha Purnima (vrat and snana-dana), 18 Dec

    Birth of Dattatreya at dusk on Margashirsha Purnima.

  • 18 DecTue

    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 (17 Dec) is the same full moon, kept at dusk.

  • 22 DecSat

    Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 30 DecSun

    Saphala Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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

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

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