Complete month-wise calendar of Hindu festivals, vrats, and auspicious dates
March 19, 2026 - Vikram Samvat 2082 begins with Chaitra Navratri
May 17 - June 15 - Extra month shifts many festivals by ~20 days
November 8, 2026 - Festival of Lights, Lakshmi Puja
March 4, 2026 - Festival of Colors
Browse the complete month-wise Hindu festival calendar with accurate dates for all major festivals, vrats (fasts), and auspicious occasions. Our calendar covers Navratri, Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Maha Shivaratri, Pongal, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, and many more important Hindu observances throughout the year.
Hindu festivals are calculated based on the lunisolar Panchang calendar, which follows both the Moon's phases (Tithi) and the Sun's movement through zodiac signs. This means festival dates change every year relative to the Gregorian calendar. Our festival calendar accounts for regional variations, Adhik Maas (extra month), and Amanta/Purnimant month systems to provide the most accurate dates for your celebrations.
Diwali (Deepavali): The festival of lights celebrated on Amavasya (new moon) of Kartik month, marking Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya and the victory of light over darkness. Lakshmi Puja is performed during Diwali night for wealth and prosperity. The five-day celebration includes Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.
Navratri: Nine nights dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga). Celebrated twice a year — Chaitra Navratri in spring and Shardiya Navratri in autumn. Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific form of the Goddess and corresponding color, food offering, and prayer ritual. Dussehra (Vijayadashami) on the 10th day marks the victory of good over evil.
Maha Shivaratri: The great night of Lord Shiva, observed on the 14th lunar day (Chaturdashi) of the Krishna Paksha in Phalguna month. Devotees fast, perform Rudrabhishek, and keep vigil through the night in four prahar (three-hour periods). It is considered the most auspicious night for Shiva worship and spiritual liberation.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Birthday of Lord Ganesha on the 4th day (Chaturthi) of Bhadrapada's Shukla Paksha. The 10-day festival culminates with Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) on Ananta Chaturdashi. Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is worshipped before all Hindu ceremonies and new beginnings.
Hindu festivals often have regional variations in date and celebration. Pongal (Tamil Nadu) coincides with Makar Sankranti and marks the Sun's entry into Capricorn. Onam (Kerala) celebrates the homecoming of King Mahabali during the Chingam month. Bihu (Assam), Baisakhi (Punjab), and Ugadi (Karnataka/Andhra) mark the regional New Year with harvest celebrations. Tamil festivals follow the Tamil solar calendar (Tamil Panchangam), while North Indian festivals primarily follow the lunar calendar. Our calendar provides dates for all these regional variations.
Hindu festivals are determined by the lunisolar Panchang calendar, which is based on both the Moon's position (Tithi) and the Sun's position (Masa/month). Since this doesn't align perfectly with the 365-day Gregorian calendar, festival dates shift by 10-11 days each year. An Adhik Maas (leap month) is added approximately every 3 years to realign the calendars.
In the Amanta system (followed in South India, Gujarat, Maharashtra), the lunar month ends on Amavasya (new moon). In the Purnimanta system (North India), the month ends on Purnima (full moon). This means some festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Shivaratri fall in different months in these two systems, though the actual date (Tithi) remains the same.
Adhik Maas (the extra lunar month added every 3 years) and Mal Maas are considered inauspicious for weddings, griha pravesh, and sacred thread ceremonies. Additionally, the months of Ashada, Bhadrapada, and Karthik have specific restrictions. Regional traditions may vary — Tamil Panchangam has its own list of auspicious and inauspicious months.
Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day (Tithi) of both the waxing (Shukla) and waning (Krishna) phases of the Moon, occurring twice a month. It is one of the most important Vrat (fasting) days in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are 24 Ekadashis in a year, each with a specific name and story. Fasting on Ekadashi is believed to cleanse sins and promote spiritual advancement.