Hindu Festivals— Hindu festival calendar 2026 in your local time

2026 guide

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Hindu festivals in 2026, dated for where you live

Most panchang calendars publish festival dates for India. Because a tithi is read at local sunrise, the same festival can fall a day earlier or later in the United States, Canada, the UK or Australia. Every date below is recomputed with Drik Ganita and the Lahiri ayanamsa for Edison / Iselin (America/New_York), so you can plan pujas, fasts and time off with confidence.

37 major observances are listed for 2026. Change your location from the pin in the header and the whole list recalculates.

2026 calendar2027 calendar

January 2026

  • Makar Sankranti / Pongal

    Wednesday, January 14, 2026

    The sun turns north into Makara — the start of Uttarayana and the harvest season.

  • Vasant Panchami

    Friday, January 23, 2026

    The first day of spring, dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts.

February 2026

  • Magha Purnima

    Sunday, February 1, 2026

    The concluding full moon of the Magha bathing month, especially at Prayag.

  • Maha Shivratri

    Sunday, February 15, 2026

    The great night of Shiva. Four prahar pujas are offered through the night on Krishna Chaturdashi.

March 2026

  • Holika Dahan

    Monday, March 2, 2026

    The bonfire recalling Prahlada's escape from Holika — the burning away of the old year.

  • Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

    Thursday, March 19, 2026

    Marks the first day of the lunar new year. The year ahead is welcomed with the panchanga sravanam — a reading of the new almanac.

  • Rama Navami

    Thursday, March 26, 2026

    Celebrates the birth of Sri Rama at midday in Ayodhya, on Chaitra Shukla Navami.

April 2026

  • Hanuman Jayanti

    Wednesday, April 1, 2026

    The appearance day of Hanuman, celebrated on the full moon of Chaitra in most northern traditions.

  • Mesha Sankranti

    Tuesday, April 14, 2026

    The sun enters Aries, beginning the solar year celebrated as Vishu, Puthandu, Baisakhi and Poila Boishakh.

  • Akshaya Tritiya

    Sunday, April 19, 2026

    One of the most auspicious days of the year — anything begun today is believed to grow and never diminish. No muhurta is needed.

  • Narasimha Jayanti

    Wednesday, April 29, 2026

    The evening appearance of Narasimha, who protected Prahlada, on Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi.

May 2026

  • Buddha Purnima

    Friday, May 1, 2026

    The birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Gautama Buddha all fall on the Vaishakha full moon.

July 2026

  • Vat Savitri Vrat

    Tuesday, July 14, 2026

    Married women observe a fast for the wellbeing of their husbands, recalling Savitri who won Satyavan back from Yama.

  • Guru Purnima

    Wednesday, July 29, 2026

    Honours Veda Vyasa and, by extension, every teacher. The first full moon of the monsoon retreat.

August 2026

  • Hariyali Teej

    Saturday, August 15, 2026

    A monsoon festival for women welcoming the green of Shravana, dedicated to Parvati's reunion with Shiva.

  • Raksha Bandhan

    Thursday, August 27, 2026

    Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists on the Shravana full moon, and receive a pledge of protection.

September 2026

  • Krishna Janmashtami

    Thursday, September 3, 2026

    The midnight birth of Sri Krishna in Mathura, on Krishna Paksha Ashtami of Shravana.

  • Hartalika Teej

    Sunday, September 13, 2026

    Parvati's austerity to win Shiva. Women keep a waterless fast for a happy married life.

  • Ganesh Chaturthi

    Monday, September 14, 2026

    The birth of Ganesha. Clay murtis are installed at home and in pandals for one to ten days.

  • Thiruvonam

    Wednesday, September 23, 2026

    The harvest festival of Kerala, marking the annual homecoming of King Mahabali on Thiruvonam nakshatra.

  • Anant Chaturdashi

    Friday, September 25, 2026

    Worship of Ananta Padmanabha, and the day Ganesha murtis are given to the waters.

October 2026

  • Mahalaya Amavasya

    Friday, October 9, 2026

    The concluding new moon of the fortnight dedicated to ancestors — tarpana is offered for all forgotten forebears.

  • Sharada Navratri begins

    Sunday, October 11, 2026

    Nine nights of Durga begin with Ghatasthapana, the installation of the kalasha and sowing of barley.

  • Durga Ashtami

    Sunday, October 18, 2026

    The eighth night of Navratri, when Durga is worshipped as Mahagauri and the Sandhi Puja is performed.

  • Maha Navami

    Monday, October 19, 2026

    The ninth day of Navratri. Tools, instruments and vehicles are worshipped as Ayudha Puja.

  • Vijayadashami

    Tuesday, October 20, 2026

    Victory of Rama over Ravana and of Durga over Mahishasura — the most auspicious day for beginnings.

  • Sharad Purnima

    Sunday, October 25, 2026

    The brightest full moon of the year. Kheer is left in the moonlight to absorb its nectar.

  • Karva Chauth

    Thursday, October 29, 2026

    Married women fast from sunrise until moonrise for their husbands' long life.

November 2026

  • Dhanteras

    Friday, November 6, 2026

    The first day of Diwali, honouring Dhanvantari, who rose from the ocean of milk with the pot of amrita.

  • Naraka Chaturdashi

    Saturday, November 7, 2026

    Krishna's victory over Narakasura, observed with an oil bath before sunrise.

  • Diwali — Lakshmi Puja

    Sunday, November 8, 2026

    The festival of lights on Kartika Amavasya — Lakshmi is invited into a lit, clean home.

  • Govardhan Puja

    Monday, November 9, 2026

    Krishna lifting Govardhana hill; also Bali Pratipada and the Gujarati new year.

  • Bhai Dooj

    Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    Yama visited his sister Yami on this day. Sisters apply tilak and pray for their brothers' long life.

  • Chhath Puja

    Saturday, November 14, 2026

    A four-day vrat to Surya and Chhathi Maiya, with offerings at sunset and sunrise on a riverbank.

  • Tulsi Vivah

    Saturday, November 21, 2026

    The ceremonial marriage of Tulsi to Shaligrama, which opens the Hindu wedding season.

  • Kartika Purnima

    Tuesday, November 24, 2026

    Dev Deepawali — the gods are said to descend to bathe in the Ganga, and the ghats are lined with lamps.

December 2026

  • Gita Jayanti

    Sunday, December 20, 2026

    The day Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra, on Mokshada Ekadashi.

Why these dates differ from an India panchang

A tithi begins and ends at a precise moment worldwide, but the festival is observed on the day that tithi is running at your sunrise. If a tithi ends mid-morning in India, it may still be running at sunrise in New York — which is why diaspora families often celebrate a day apart from relatives back home. Panchanga resolves this automatically from your coordinates.

For live tithi, nakshatra, Rahu Kalam and fasting windows, open today's panchang or browse the month calendar.