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 5 past months5
January
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.
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
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.
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
Hanuman Jayanti
Thu 2Celebrates the birth of Hanuman, the devoted disciple of Rama. Devotees read the Hanuman Chalisa and visit Hanuman temples.
Gudi Padwa
Sat 18The 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.
Chaitra Navratri
Sat 18Nine nights dedicated to the nine forms of the goddess Durga, beginning the Hindu lunar new year. Marked by fasting, prayer, and devotional music.
Akshaya Tritiya
Sun 19Considered 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
Nag Panchami
Mon 17In 20 daysDedicated to the worship of serpent deities (nagas). Devotees offer milk and prayers at snake idols and anthills, seeking protection from harm.
Raksha Bandhan
Fri 28In 31 daysSisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists; brothers in turn promise to protect them. A celebration of the sibling bond.
September
Janmashtami
Fri 4In 38 daysCelebrates the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight. Devotees fast through the day, decorate cradles, sing bhajans, and break their fast after midnight aarti.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Mon 14In 48 daysMarks 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
Sharad Navratri
Sun 11In 2 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.
Dussehra
Tue 20In 3 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.
Karva Chauth
Thu 29In 3 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
Dhanteras
Sat 7In 3 monthsThe first day of the Diwali festival. Considered auspicious for buying gold, silver, or new utensils, and for worshipping Dhanvantari, the deity of health.
Diwali
Sun 8In 3 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.
Govardhan Puja
Tue 10In 3 monthsCommemorates Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to shelter the villagers of Vrindavan. Devotees prepare an Annakut — a 'mountain of food' — offered to Krishna.
Bhai Dooj
Wed 11In 3 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.
Labh Pancham
Sat 14In 4 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.
Chhath Puja
Sun 15In 4 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.