Hindu Festivals 2026
Dates, puja vidhi, significance, mantras & how to celebrate — from Diwali to Maha Shivaratri. Every guide is written for devotees searching festival name + year (e.g. Diwali 2026).
What are Hindu festivals?
Hindu festivals (utsav) are sacred occasions that mark cosmic events, divine birthdays, seasonal transitions and mythological victories celebrated across India. Major festivals include Diwali (Festival of Lights), Holi, Navratri, Maha Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna Janmashtami and Rama Navami. Each festival has its own puja vidhi (worship ritual), fasting rules, mantras, and regional traditions passed down through generations.
October 2026
Saraswati Avahan and during Navratri 2026
The first day of Saraswati Puja during Navratri Puja is known as Saraswati Avahan. Avahan means invocation of Goddess Saraswati.
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Saraswati Puja during Navratri 2026
The second day of Saraswati Puja during Navratri is known as Saraswati Pradhan Puja day. Pradhan Puja day is the main Saraswati Puja day.
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Tula Sankranti 2026
According to the Hindu calendar, there are twelve Sankrantis in a year, which are listed in this article. The transit of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another is known as Sankranti. The days of Sankranti are considered very auspicious to perform charity and fasting
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Maha Navami and during Navratri 2026
The ninth night of Navratri, celebrated with Ayudha Puja (worship of tools/vehicles) and Kanya Puja.
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Maha Ashtami 2026
The eighth night of Navratri / Durga Puja honoring Goddess Durga's Mahagauri form with Sandhi Puja.
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Dussehra 2026
Commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura.
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Vijayadashami 2026
Vijayadashami is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana and also triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura. Vijayadashami is also known as Dussehra or Dasara. In Nepal Dasara is celebrated as Dashain.
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Papankusha Ekadashi 2026
Devotees can decide the type of Ekadashi fasting during Sankalp according to their will power and physical strength. In religious texts four types of Ekadashi fasting has been mentioned.
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Durga Puja 2026
Durga Puja is the grand Bengali Hindu festival celebrating Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura, observed over five magnificent days from Saptami to Vijayadashami.
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Kojagara Vratam 2026
Kojagara Puja Mahatamya is described by Valakhilya Rishi The disciples of sage Valakhilya asked, describe the Upangvratas of Kartik, by observing which fast of Kartika gets completed. Valakhilya said that, on the Shuklapaksha Purnima of Ashwin month, one should worship Lakshmi Ji with devotion at night. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi is pleased by drinking coconut water and playing the game of Chausar. On the night of Kojagara Puja, Goddess Lakshmi comes to visit the earth to give boons to the dev
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Sharad Purnima 2026
Sharad Purnima is one of the most famous Purnima(s) in Hindu Calendar. It is believed that Sharad Purnima is the only day in the year when the moon comes out with all sixteen Kala(s). In Hinduism, each human quality is associated with certain Kala and it is believed that the combination of sixteen different Kala(s) creates a perfect human personality. It was Lord Krishna who was born with all sixteen Kala(s) and He was the complete incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama was born with only twelve
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Deepotsavam 2026
Month-long festival of lights where thousands of earthen lamps illuminate temple grounds throughout Kartika Masam.
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Ashwina Purnima 2026
All Purnima Tithis are considered auspicious among Hindus. Ashwina Purnima is the seventh Purnima in the year according to Hindu lunar calendar which falls in the Sharada Ritu and it comes after Pitru Paksha and Sharada Navratri. According to Skanda Purana, on this day, the Lord Chandra shines with all His sixteen Kala(s). Therefore, on this day, Kheer made of milk and rice is kept in the rays of the moon till night, so that medicinal properties get absorbed in it. Thereafter, Kheer is consumed
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Skanda Sashti 2026
Skanda Sashti is a six-day festival dedicated to Lord Murugan celebrating his victory over the demon Soorapadman.
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Karwa Chauth 2026
Karwa Chauth is a sacred nirjala fast observed by married women from sunrise until moonrise for the long life, health, and prosperity of their husbands.
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Ahoi Ashtami Vrat 2026
Traditionally, on Ahoi Ashtami mothers used to fast from dawn to dusk for the wellbeing of their sons. However, in modern , the fast is observed for the wellbeing of all children i.e. for sons as well as for daughters. Fast is broken during twilight after sighting stars in the sky. Some women break the fast after sighting the moon but it might be difficult to follow as the moon rises late in the night on Ahoi Ashtami.
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Govatsa Dwadashi 2026
Govatsa Dwadashi is celebrated one day before Dhanteras. On Govatsa Dwadashi day cows and calves are worshipped. The wheat products are given to cows and calves after worship. People who observe Govatsa Dwadashi abstain from eating any wheat and milk products during the day. Govatsa Dwadashi is also observed as Nandini Vrat. Nandini is divine cow in Hinduism.
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Rama Ekadashi 2026
Devotees can decide the type of Ekadashi fasting during Sankalp according to their will power and physical strength. In religious texts four types of Ekadashi fasting has been mentioned.
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Dhanteras 2026
First day of Diwali celebrations; auspicious for purchasing gold, metals, and worshipping Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kubera.
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Narak Chaturdashi 2026
Commemorates Lord Krishna defeating Narakasura, celebrated with an early morning Abhyanga Snanam oil bath.
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Kali Chaudas Puja 2026
Kali Chaudas is also known as Bhut Chaturdashi. Kali Chaudas is mainly observed in Western states especially in Gujarat.
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Diwali 2026
The main Festival of Lights on Kartik Amavasya, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
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Kali Puja 2026
Midnight worship of Goddess Kali on Kartik Amavasya, widely celebrated across West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha.
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Lakshmi on Diwali 2026
* Lakshmi Puja are calculated
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Abhyang Snan on Narak Chaturdashi 2026
Five days Diwali festivity starts on Dhantrayodashi and lasts on Bhaiya Dooj day. Abhyang Snan has been suggested on three days i.e. on Chaturdashi, Amavasya and Pratipada days during Diwali.
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Govardhan Puja 2026
Honors Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill; devotees prepare and offer 56 food dishes (Annakut) to the deity.
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Karthika Masam 2026
The most sacred lunar month dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu, observed from November 10 to December 8, 2026 with daily lamp lighting, fasts, holy baths, and 4 sacred Somavara Abhishekam days.
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Bhai Dooj 2026
Concludes the 5-day Diwali festival cluster, celebrating the affectionate bond between sisters and brothers.
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Surya Shashti Chhath Puja 2026
4-day festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, featuring rigorous fasting and offerings at sunset and sunrise.
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Vrishchika Sankranti 2026
According to the Hindu calendar, there are twelve Sankrantis in a year, which are listed in this article. The transit of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another is known as Sankranti. The days of Sankranti are considered very auspicious to perform charity and fasting
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Pushkar Fair 2026
Famous livestock and camel fair held at the sacred Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan during Kartik Purnima.
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Prabodhini Ekadashi 2026
Marks Lord Vishnu awakening from His 4-month cosmic sleep (Yoganidra), ending Chaturmas.
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Kansa Vadh 2026
On Kansa Vadha day Kansa was killed by Lord Krishna and the king Ugrasena was reinstated as King of Mathura.
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Tulsi Vivah 2026
Ceremonial wedding of the sacred Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu (Shaligram), officially starting the Hindu wedding season.
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Kartik Purnima 2026
Sacred full moon of Kartik month marked by holy dips, lamp lighting, and Tripura Purnima celebrations.
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Kalabhairav Jayanti 2026
According to the Purnimanta Hindu Panchang, Kalabhairav Jayanti is observed on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Margashirsha. In the Amanta Panchang, this Tithi falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Kartika month. This sacred festival marks the anniversary of the manifestation of Lord Kalabhairav. Lord Kalabhairav is also known as Lord Bhairava. As mentioned in the Shiva Rahasya, Lord Bhairava appeared during the Madhyahna. However, due to its being Ratri fast, the Ratri Vyap
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Utpanna Ekadashi 2026
Devotees can decide the type of Ekadashi fasting during Sankalp according to their will power and physical strength. In religious texts four types of Ekadashi fasting has been mentioned.
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Amavasya New Moon 2026
Amavasya is new moon day in Hindu calendar. It is significant day as many rituals are performed only on Amavasya Tithi. Amavasya falling on weekday Monday is known as Somvati Amavasya and Amavasya falling on weekday Saturday is known as Shani Amavasya.
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Vivah Panchami 2026
Vivah Panchami marks the divine wedding anniversary of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. According to Hindu belief, it was on this day that Lord Shri Rama and Devi Sita were united in marriage and hence, the day is celebrated to commemorate their celestial union. Vivah Panchami is a highly revered festival observed by followers of Hinduism in remembrance of the divine marriage of Shri Rama and Mata Sita. As per the Hindu Panchang, the festival is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Panchami Tithi of Marga
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Dhanu Sankranti 2026
Sankranti is a phenomenon when the Sun transits from one zodiac to another zodiac while travelling through zodiac belt. There are twelve Sankranti in a solar year. Sankranti is also known and spelt as Sankraman or Sankranthi or Sankramanam.
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Gita Jayanti 2026
Gita Jayanti day symbolizes the birth of Srimad BhagavadGita, the sacred text of the Hindus.
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Mokshada Ekadashi 2026
Devotees can decide the type of Ekadashi fasting during Sankalp according to their will power and physical strength. In religious texts four types of Ekadashi fasting has been mentioned.
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Dattatreya Jayanti 2026
Dattatreya Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Hindu deity encompassing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, collectively known as Trimurti.
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Margashirsha Purnima 2026
According to Hindu Panchang, Margashirsha Purnima is considered a highly auspicious Tithi. According to Hindu lunar calendar, Margashirsha Purnima is the ninth Purnima of the year. In the scriptures, this day is said to be especially auspicious for fasting, charity, chanting, bathing and penance. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says "Masanam Margashirshoaham", that is, "I am Margashirsha among the months." This statement of Lord Krishna proves the spiritual importance of the month of Margashi
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