Hindu Festival Calendar
Vedic festivals calculated according to the lunar calendar. Know the exact dates for major Hindu festivals and celebrations.
2026 Festivals
January
Makar Sankranti
Sun enters Capricorn, harvest festival
Based on solar transition
January 14
Tuesday
Pongal
Tamil harvest festival, thanksgiving to nature
4-day celebration
January 14-17
Tuesday-Friday
February
Vasant Panchami
Birth of Goddess Saraswati, start of spring
Shukla Paksha Panchami
February 2
Monday
Maha Shivaratri
Great night of Lord Shiva
Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi
February 26
Wednesday
March
Holi
Festival of colors, victory of good over evil
Purnima (Full Moon)
March 14
Saturday
Rama Navami
Birth of Lord Rama
Shukla Paksha Navami
March 30
Sunday
April
Hanuman Jayanti
Birth of Lord Hanuman
Chaitra Purnima
April 12
Saturday
May
Buddha Purnima
Birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha
Vaishakha Purnima
May 12
Monday
July
Guru Purnima
Day to honor spiritual teachers
Ashadha Purnima
July 10
Thursday
August
Raksha Bandhan
Brother-sister festival
Shravana Purnima
August 9
Saturday
Janmashtami
Birth of Lord Krishna
Krishna Paksha Ashtami
August 16
Saturday
September
Ganesh Chaturthi
Birth of Lord Ganesha
Shukla Paksha Chaturthi
September 7
Sunday
Onam
Kerala harvest festival
10-day celebration
September 5-14
Monday-Wednesday
October
Navratri
9 nights worshiping Goddess Durga
Shukla Paksha Pratipada to Navami
October 3-11
Thursday-Friday
Dussehra
Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana
Shukla Paksha Dashami
October 12
Sunday
November
Diwali
Festival of lights, victory of light over darkness
Kartik Amavasya
November 1
Saturday
Govardhan Puja
Worship of Mount Govardhan
Kartik Shukla Pratipada
November 2
Sunday
Bhai Dooj
Brother-sister festival
Kartik Shukla Dwitiya
November 3
Monday
December
Vivah Panchami
Marriage anniversary of Rama and Sita
Margashirsha Shukla Panchami
December 6
Friday
Next Major Festival
Guru Purnima
Day to honor spiritual teachers
Ashadha Purnima
July 10
Thursday
in 28 days
Understanding Hindu Festival Calendar
Hindu festivals are based on the lunar calendar (Vikram Samvat) and follow the movements of the Moon through the 27 Nakshatras and 12 Rashis. Festival dates vary each year in the Gregorian calendar because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year.
How Festival Dates Are Calculated
- Tithi (Lunar Day) - Festivals fall on specific lunar days (e.g., Diwali on Kartik Amavasya)
- Nakshatra - Some festivals are based on lunar mansion (e.g., Makar Sankranti on Sun's entry into Capricorn)
- Regional Variations - Different regions follow different calculations (North vs South India)
- Observation Time - Some festivals require specific muhurta (auspicious time)
Major vs Minor Festivals
Major Festivals
- • Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Dussehra
- • Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami
- • Ganesh Chaturthi, Shivratri
- • Celebrated across India with great enthusiasm
Minor Festivals
- • Ekadashi, Pradosh, Sankashti Chaturthi
- • Monthly fasting days
- • Regional celebrations
- • Personal observances
Note on Dates
- • Dates shown are based on standard Panchang calculations
- • Actual festival date may vary by region and local tradition
- • Some festivals span multiple days (e.g., Diwali is 5 days, Navratri is 9 days)
- • Consult local Panchang or temple for precise timing in your location
- • Festival dates may be adjusted if they fall on inauspicious days