Hindu Festivals 2026
24 festivals
Every Hindu festival in 2026, organised by month. From major nationwide observances like Diwali, Holi, and Janmashtami to regional vrats and ekadashis — each links to a full panchang reading for that date.
Show 4 past months4
January
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Makar Sankranti
Wed 14Marks the Sun's transition into Capricorn (Makara) and the start of Uttarayana, the auspicious northward journey of the Sun. Celebrated with kite flying, sweets, and harvest rituals.
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Vasant Panchami
Fri 23Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. Schools and households place books and instruments before her image; yellow is worn to mark the arrival of spring.
February
March
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Holi
Tue 3The festival of colours, celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. People smear coloured powders, sing, dance, and visit friends and family.
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Gudi Padwa
Thu 19The lunar new year of the Deccan — households raise the gudi flag at dawn to mark Brahma's creation of time. One of the sade-teen muhurat, the almanac tradition's three-and-a-half days held auspicious for any new beginning.
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Chaitra Navratri
Thu 19Nine nights dedicated to the nine forms of the goddess Durga, beginning the Hindu lunar new year. Marked by fasting, prayer, and devotional music.
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Ram Navami
Fri 27The birthday of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. Observed with readings from the Ramayana, temple visits, and devotional songs.
April
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Hanuman Jayanti
Thu 2Celebrates the birth of Hanuman, the devoted disciple of Rama. Devotees read the Hanuman Chalisa and visit Hanuman temples.
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Akshaya Tritiya
Mon 20Considered one of the most auspicious days of the year. Traditionally, any task begun, gift given, or gold bought on this day is believed to bring lasting prosperity.
June
July
August
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Nag Panchami
Sun 16In 2 monthsDedicated to the worship of serpent deities (nagas). Devotees offer milk and prayers at snake idols and anthills, seeking protection from harm.
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Raksha Bandhan
Thu 27In 3 monthsSisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists; brothers in turn promise to protect them. A celebration of the sibling bond.
September
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Janmashtami
Thu 3In 3 monthsCelebrates the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight. Devotees fast through the day, decorate cradles, sing bhajans, and break their fast after midnight aarti.
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Ganesh Chaturthi
Mon 14In 3 monthsMarks the birth of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Clay idols are installed in homes and public pandals, worshipped for one to ten days, then immersed in water.
October
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Sharad Navratri
Sat 10In 4 monthsNine autumn nights of devotion to the goddess Durga in her nine forms, ending with Dussehra. Marked by fasting, garba, and dandiya in many regions.
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Dussehra
Tue 20In 4 monthsCelebrates Rama's victory over Ravana — the triumph of good over evil. Effigies of Ravana are burned in many cities; in others, the day marks the conclusion of Navratri.
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Karva Chauth
Wed 28In 5 monthsMarried women fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for their husbands' long life. The fast is broken after sighting the moon through a sieve.
November
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Dhanteras
Fri 6In 5 monthsThe first day of the Diwali festival. Considered auspicious for buying gold, silver, or new utensils, and for worshipping Dhanvantari, the deity of health.
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Diwali
Sun 8In 5 monthsThe festival of lights, marking Rama's return to Ayodhya and the worship of Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity. Homes are lit with diyas; families perform Lakshmi puja and exchange sweets.
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Govardhan Puja
Mon 9In 5 monthsCommemorates Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to shelter the villagers of Vrindavan. Devotees prepare an Annakut — a 'mountain of food' — offered to Krishna.
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Bhai Dooj
Tue 10In 5 monthsSisters apply a tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their wellbeing; brothers offer gifts in return. The closing day of the Diwali festivities.
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Labh Pancham
Fri 13In 5 monthsThe fifth day after Diwali, held in the Gujarati trade tradition as the day of labh (gain) — shops reopen, new account books are inaugurated and businesses make their first entries of the new year.
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Chhath Puja
Sat 14In 5 monthsA four-day festival devoted to Surya, the Sun god, and Chhathi Maiya. Devotees observe strict fasts and offer arghya to the setting and rising sun at rivers and ponds.