Panchang · Festivals and vrats
Festivals and vrats in 2017
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 Delhi · 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 2017
3 JanTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
9 JanMon
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
10 JanTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 JanThu
Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari)Full-moon day · Pausha
13 JanFri
LohriBonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.
14 JanSat
Makar SankrantiThe Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.
14 JanSat
Thai PongalThe first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.
15 JanSun
Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
23 JanMon
Shattila EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Krishna (purnimanta) = Pausha Krishna (amanta)
25 JanWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 JanThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Magha (purnimanta) = Pausha (amanta)
27 JanFri
Mauni AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Magha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Pausha Amavasya (amanta)
February 2017
1 FebWed
Vasant PanchamiMagha Shukla Panchami; the day of Saraswati and the first sign of spring.
2 FebThu
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Magha
3 FebFri
Ratha SaptamiMagha Shukla Saptami, kept for the Sun with a bath before dawn.
7 FebTue
Jaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla
8 FebWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
10 FebFri
Magha PurnimaFull-moon day · Magha
14 FebTue
Angarki Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 FebWed
Vijaya EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Krishna (purnimanta) = Magha Krishna (amanta)
24 FebFri
Maha ShivaratriAlso: Masik Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva, on the Chaturdashi before Phalguna's new moon.
24 FebFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 FebSun
Magha AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Phalguna Amavasya (purnimanta) = Magha Amavasya (amanta)
March 2017
3 MarFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Phalguna
8 MarWed
Amalaki EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla
10 MarFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
12 MarSun
Holika DahanAlso: Phalguna Purnima
The Holi bonfire, lit after dusk on Phalguna Purnima outside Bhadra.
13 MarMon
HoliThe festival of colours, on the day after Holika Dahan.
16 MarThu
Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
24 MarFri
Papamochani EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Krishna (purnimanta) = Phalguna Krishna (amanta)
25 MarSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
26 MarSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Chaitra (purnimanta) = Phalguna (amanta)
28 MarTue
Ugadi / Gudi PadwaLunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in the Deccan and Maharashtra.
28 MarTue
Chaitra NavratriNine nights of the goddess from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Ram Navami.
28 MarTue
Phalguna Amavasya (Bhaumvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Chaitra Amavasya (purnimanta) = Phalguna Amavasya (amanta)
30 MarThu
GangaurChaitra Shukla Tritiya, the close of the Gauri worship of Rajasthan.
April 2017
1 AprSat
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Chaitra
4 AprTue
Ram NavamiBirth of Rama, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
7 AprFri
Kamada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla
8 AprSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
9 AprSun
Mahavir JayantiBirth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
11 AprTue
14 AprFri
Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 AprSat
Varuthini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Krishna (purnimanta) = Chaitra Krishna (amanta)
24 AprMon
Soma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 AprMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Vaishakha (purnimanta) = Chaitra (amanta)
26 AprWed
Chaitra AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Vaishakha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Chaitra Amavasya (amanta)
28 AprFri
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla Tritiya, one of the three and a half 'unbroken' muhurta days.
May 2017
1 MayMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Vaishakha
6 MaySat
Mohini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla
8 MayMon
Soma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
10 MayWed
Buddha PurnimaAlso: Vaishakha Purnima
Vaishakha Purnima, remembered as the birth, awakening and passing of the Buddha.
14 MaySun
Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
22 MayMon
Apara EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Jyeshtha Krishna (purnimanta) = Vaishakha Krishna (amanta)
23 MayTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
24 MayWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Jyeshtha (purnimanta) = Vaishakha (amanta)
25 MayThu
Vat SavitriAlso: Vaishakha Amavasya
Women's vow at the banyan, on the Amavasya before Jyeshtha in the north.
30 MayTue
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Jyeshtha
June 2017
4 JunSun
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla Dashami, the descent of the Ganga.
5 JunMon
Nirjala EkadashiThe waterless Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla, held equal to all twenty-four.
6 JunTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
9 JunFri
Vat PurnimaFull-moon day · Jyeshtha
13 JunTue
Angarki Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
20 JunTue
Yogini EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashadha Krishna (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Krishna (amanta)
21 JunWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
22 JunThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashadha (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha (amanta)
24 JunSat
Jyeshtha Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashadha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Jyeshtha Amavasya (amanta)
25 JunSun
Rath YatraThe chariot procession of Jagannath at Puri on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
28 JunWed
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashadha
July 2017
4 JulTue
Devshayani EkadashiAshadha Shukla Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to begin his four-month rest.
6 JulThu
Guru Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
9 JulSun
Guru PurnimaAshadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.
10 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
12 JulWed
Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
17 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
20 JulThu
Kamika EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashadha Krishna (amanta)
21 JulFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
21 JulFri
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Shravana (purnimanta) = Ashadha (amanta)
23 JulSun
Hariyali AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Shravana Amavasya (purnimanta) = Ashadha Amavasya (amanta)
24 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
28 JulFri
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.
28 JulFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Shravana
31 JulMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
August 2017
3 AugThu
Shravana Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla
4 AugFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
7 AugMon
Shravan SomvarThe Mondays of Shravana as North India counts it (purnimanta), kept for Shiva.
7 AugMon
Raksha BandhanAlso: Shravana Purnima
Shravana Purnima; the rakhi is tied in the afternoon, outside Bhadra.
11 AugFri
Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
14 AugMon
Krishna JanmashtamiBirth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami after Shravana Purnima.
18 AugFri
Aja EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Krishna (purnimanta) = Shravana Krishna (amanta)
19 AugSat
Shani Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
20 AugSun
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Bhadrapada (purnimanta) = Shravana (amanta)
21 AugMon
Shravana Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Bhadrapada Amavasya (purnimanta) = Shravana Amavasya (amanta)
24 AugThu
Hartalika TeejWomen's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.
25 AugFri
Ganesh ChaturthiInstallation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
27 AugSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Bhadrapada
September 2017
2 SepSat
Parsva (Parivartini) EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Bhadrapada Shukla
3 SepSun
OnamKerala's harvest festival on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the month of Chingam.
3 SepSun
Ravi Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
5 SepTue
Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi; the Ananta vow and Ganesha immersion.
6 SepWed
Pitru Paksha beginsThe fortnight of the ancestors, from the day after Bhadrapada Purnima to the new moon.
6 SepWed
Bhadrapada Purnima (Uma-Maheshwara vrat)Full-moon day · Bhadrapada
9 SepSat
Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
16 SepSat
Indira EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Krishna (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Krishna (amanta)
17 SepSun
Ravi Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
18 SepMon
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Ashwina (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada (amanta)
20 SepWed
Mahalaya / Sarvapitri AmavasyaNew-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Ashwina Amavasya (purnimanta) = Bhadrapada Amavasya (amanta)
21 SepThu
Sharad Navratri beginsNine nights of Durga from Ashwina Shukla Pratipada to Navami.
25 SepMon
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Ashwina
28 SepThu
Durga AshtamiEighth day of Sharad Navratri, the principal day of Durga worship.
29 SepFri
Maha NavamiNinth and last night of Sharad Navratri; Ayudha Puja in the south.
30 SepSat
VijayadashamiAshwina Shukla Dashami, kept in the afternoon; Ravana's effigy and the Shami tree.
October 2017
1 OctSun
Papankusha EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla
3 OctTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
5 OctThu
Sharad PurnimaAlso: Ashwina Purnima
The night of the Ashwina full moon (Kojagari), kept from moonrise.
8 OctSun
Karwa ChauthWives' fast from dawn to moonrise on the Chaturthi after Sharad Purnima.
8 OctSun
Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
12 OctThu
Ahoi AshtamiMothers' fast for their children on Kartika Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta), ended at star-rise.
15 OctSun
Rama EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Kartika Krishna (purnimanta) = Ashwina Krishna (amanta)
17 OctTue
DhanterasFirst day of the Diwali season, on the Trayodashi before Ashwina's new moon.
17 OctTue
Bhauma Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
18 OctWed
Naraka ChaturdashiKartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta): the oil bath before dawn, while the waning Moon is up.
18 OctWed
Kali ChaudasThe night of Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta), kept for Kali in Gujarat.
18 OctWed
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Kartika (purnimanta) = Ashwina (amanta)
19 OctThu
DiwaliAlso: Ashwina Amavasya
The festival of lamps and Lakshmi Puja on the new moon that ends Ashwina.
20 OctFri
Govardhan PujaKartika Shukla Pratipada, usually the day after Diwali; the mound of food.
21 OctSat
Bhai DoojKartika Shukla Dwitiya, the brother–sister day that closes Diwali.
25 OctWed
Chhath PujaFour-day Sun observance of Bihar, centred on Kartika Shukla Shashthi.
25 OctWed
Skanda ShashthiKartika Shukla Shashthi in the Tamil reckoning, the day of Soorasamharam.
31 OctTue
Devutthana EkadashiAlso: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the end of chaturmasa and the reopening of the wedding season.
November 2017
1 NovWed
Tulsi VivahThe ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant to Vishnu, on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi.
1 NovWed
Budha Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
4 NovSat
Kartika PurnimaThe full moon of Kartika; lamps at Varanasi and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
7 NovTue
Angarki Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
14 NovTue
Utpanna EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Margashirsha Krishna (purnimanta) = Kartika Krishna (amanta)
15 NovWed
Budha Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 NovThu
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Margashirsha (purnimanta) = Kartika (amanta)
18 NovSat
Kartika Amavasya (Shani)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Margashirsha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Kartika Amavasya (amanta)
24 NovFri
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Margashirsha
30 NovThu
Gita JayantiAlso: Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.
December 2017
1 DecFri
Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
3 DecSun
6 DecWed
Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiFourth day of the dark half; a Ganesha fast broken at moonrise
13 DecWed
Saphala EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Krishna (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Krishna (amanta)
15 DecFri
Shukra Pradosh (Krishna)Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk
16 DecSat
Masik ShivaratriKrishna Chaturdashi, kept at midnight · Pausha (purnimanta) = Margashirsha (amanta)
18 DecMon
Margashirsha Amavasya (Somvati)New-moon day; for remembering the ancestors · Pausha Amavasya (purnimanta) = Margashirsha Amavasya (amanta)
24 DecSun
Skanda ShashthiShukla Shashthi, on the day it joins the tithi before · Pausha
29 DecFri
Pausha Putrada EkadashiEleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Pausha Shukla
30 DecSat
Shani Pradosh (Shukla)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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