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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 Shashthi

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

  • 9 JanMon

    Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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

    Lohri

    Bonfire festival of Punjab on the evening before Makar Sankranti.

  • 14 JanSat

    Makar Sankranti

    The Sun's entry into sidereal Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January.

  • 14 JanSat

    Thai Pongal

    The first day of the Tamil solar month Thai, after the Sun enters sidereal Makara.

  • 15 JanSun

    Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 23 JanMon

    Shattila Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

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

  • 27 JanFri

    Mauni Amavasya

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

February 2017

  • 1 FebWed

    Vasant Panchami

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

  • 2 FebThu

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 3 FebFri

    Ratha Saptami

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

  • 7 FebTue

    Jaya Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Magha Shukla

  • 8 FebWed

    Budha Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 10 FebFri

    Magha Purnima

    Full-moon day · Magha

  • 14 FebTue

    Angarki Dwijapriya Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 22 FebWed

    Vijaya Ekadashi

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

  • 24 FebFri

    Maha Shivaratri

    Also: 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 Amavasya

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

March 2017

  • 3 MarFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 8 MarWed

    Amalaki Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Phalguna Shukla

  • 10 MarFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 12 MarSun

    Holika Dahan

    Also: Phalguna Purnima

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

  • 13 MarMon

    Holi

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

  • 16 MarThu

    Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 24 MarFri

    Papamochani Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

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

  • 28 MarTue

    Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

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

  • 28 MarTue

    Chaitra Navratri

    Nine 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

    Gangaur

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

April 2017

  • 1 AprSat

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 4 AprTue

    Ram Navami

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

  • 7 AprFri

    Kamada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Chaitra Shukla

  • 8 AprSat

    Shani Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 9 AprSun

    Mahavir Jayanti

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

  • 11 AprTue

    Hanuman Jayanti

    Also: Chaitra Purnima

    Birth observance of Hanuman on Chaitra Purnima in the north.

  • 14 AprFri

    Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 22 AprSat

    Varuthini Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

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

  • 26 AprWed

    Chaitra Amavasya

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

  • 28 AprFri

    Akshaya Tritiya

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

May 2017

  • 1 MayMon

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 6 MaySat

    Mohini Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Vaishakha Shukla

  • 8 MayMon

    Soma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 10 MayWed

    Buddha Purnima

    Also: Vaishakha Purnima

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

  • 14 MaySun

    Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 22 MayMon

    Apara Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

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

  • 25 MayThu

    Vat Savitri

    Also: Vaishakha Amavasya

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

  • 30 MayTue

    Skanda Shashthi

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

June 2017

July 2017

  • 4 JulTue

    Devshayani Ekadashi

    Ashadha 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 Purnima

    Ashadha Purnima, dedicated to the teacher and to Vyasa.

  • 10 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 12 JulWed

    Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 17 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 20 JulThu

    Kamika Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

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

  • 23 JulSun

    Hariyali Amavasya

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

  • 24 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 28 JulFri

    Nag Panchami

    Shravana Shukla Panchami, the day of the serpent deities.

  • 28 JulFri

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 31 JulMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

August 2017

  • 3 AugThu

    Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Shravana Shukla

  • 4 AugFri

    Shukra Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 7 AugMon

    Shravan Somvar

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

  • 7 AugMon

    Raksha Bandhan

    Also: Shravana Purnima

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

  • 11 AugFri

    Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 14 AugMon

    Krishna Janmashtami

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

  • 18 AugFri

    Aja Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

    Krishna 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 Teej

    Women's fast for Parvati on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya.

  • 25 AugFri

    Ganesh Chaturthi

    Installation of Ganesha at midday on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.

  • 27 AugSun

    Skanda Shashthi

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

September 2017

October 2017

  • 1 OctSun

    Papankusha Ekadashi

    Eleventh lunar day; a fast for Vishnu · Ashwina Shukla

  • 3 OctTue

    Bhauma Pradosh (Shukla)

    Thirteenth lunar day; Shiva is worshipped at dusk

  • 5 OctThu

    Sharad Purnima

    Also: Ashwina Purnima

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

  • 8 OctSun

    Karwa Chauth

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

  • 8 OctSun

    Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 12 OctThu

    Ahoi Ashtami

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

  • 15 OctSun

    Rama Ekadashi

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

  • 17 OctTue

    Dhanteras

    First 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 Chaturdashi

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

  • 18 OctWed

    Kali Chaudas

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

  • 18 OctWed

    Masik Shivaratri

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

  • 19 OctThu

    Diwali

    Also: Ashwina Amavasya

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

  • 20 OctFri

    Govardhan Puja

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

  • 21 OctSat

    Bhai Dooj

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

  • 25 OctWed

    Chhath Puja

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

  • 25 OctWed

    Skanda Shashthi

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

  • 31 OctTue

    Devutthana Ekadashi

    Also: Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi

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

November 2017

  • 1 NovWed

    Tulsi Vivah

    The 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 Purnima

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

  • 7 NovTue

    Angarki Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi

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

  • 14 NovTue

    Utpanna Ekadashi

    Eleventh 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 Shivaratri

    Krishna 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 Shashthi

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

  • 30 NovThu

    Gita Jayanti

    Also: Mokshada Ekadashi

    Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, remembered as the day the Gita was spoken.

December 2017

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

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