Festival calendar
Hindu festivals — when, why, how
Every major Hindu festival across India with its Gregorian date, a brief description, and a deep-link to the story or puja vidhi when we have it.
July 2026
Guru Purnima
गुरु पूर्णिमा
A day to honour all teachers — spiritual and worldly.
August 2026
Raksha Bandhan
रक्षाबन्धन
Sisters tie a rakhi on brothers; brothers promise protection.
September 2026
Krishna Janmashtami
कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी
Lord Krishna's birthday — midnight celebration with bhajans and dahi-handi.
Ganesh Chaturthi
गणेश चतुर्थी
Ten-day welcome of Ganpati Bappa into homes and pandals.
October 2026
Sharad Navaratri
शरद नवरात्रि
Nine nights of Durga puja — culminates in Vijayadashami / Dussehra.
Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
विजयादशमी
Rama's victory over Ravana — burning of Ravana effigies.
Karva Chauth
करवा चौथ
Married women's fast for their husband's longevity — sunrise to moonrise.
Read about Karva Chauth →
November 2026
Dhanteras
धनतेरस
Day one of Diwali — Dhanvantari and Lakshmi welcome prosperity into the home.
Diwali
दीपावली
The festival of lights — Rama's return, Lakshmi puja, lamps everywhere.
Read about Diwali →
Bhai Dooj
भैया दूज
The closing day of Diwali — sisters honour brothers, echoing Yama and Yamuna.
Chhath Puja
छठ पूजा
Four-day worship of the sun god — especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP.
Tulsi Vivah
तुलसी विवाह
Ceremonial marriage of Tulsi to Shaligram — marks the start of the wedding season.
January 2027
Makar Sankranti
मकर संक्रान्ति
The sun moves into Capricorn — the beginning of the auspicious uttarayan half of the year.
February 2027
Vasant Panchami
वसंत पंचमी
Saraswati's day — students place books at her feet for blessings.
March 2027
Maha Shivratri
महाशिवरात्रि
The great night of Shiva — fasting and night-long puja.
Holi
होली
The festival of colours — celebration of spring and the victory of good over evil.
April 2027
Ram Navami
राम नवमी
Lord Rama's birthday — recitation of the Ramayana through the day.
Hanuman Jayanti
हनुमान जयन्ती
Birthday of Bajrangbali — Hanuman Chalisa recitations all day.
Read about Hanuman Jayanti →
May 2027
Akshaya Tritiya
अक्षय तृतीया
A day when every action brings undiminishing prosperity.