Festivals and vrats in 2026
January to September 2026, already past
January 2026
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Lohri लोहड़ी
The evening before Makar Sankranti
Punjab’s midwinter bonfire on the last night of Poh: families gather round the fire with til, rewri, gajak and popcorn, and sing Lohri songs.
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Makar Sankranti मकर संक्रांति
The Sun enters Makar (sidereal Capricorn)
The Sun enters Makar and turns north (Uttarayan). A day for a holy bath, til and gur, khichdi and giving; in Punjab it is Maghi.
- Sankranti: The Sun enters Makar at 3:04 pm.
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Vasant Panchami वसंत पंचमी
Magha Shukla Panchami, in the forenoon (purvahna)
The start of spring and the day of Saraswati, goddess of learning: yellow clothes and sweets, and children often write their first letters.
- Saraswati puja: 7:24 am – 12:39 pm
- Tithi: 2:28 am to 1:46 am (24 Jan)
Vrat days
- Pausha Purnima 6:53 pm (2 Jan) to 3:32 pm
- Shattila Ekadashi 3:18 pm (13 Jan) to 5:53 pm
- Makar Sankranti Sun enters at 3:04 pm
- Magha Amavasya 12:04 am to 1:21 am (19 Jan)
- Jaya Ekadashi 4:36 pm (28 Jan) to 1:55 pm
February 2026
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Maha Shivaratri महाशिवरात्रि
Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi, at midnight (nishita)Magha Krishna Chaturdashi in the amanta calendar
The great night of Shiva: a fast through the day, and water, milk and bel leaves offered to the Shivling through the night.
- Nishita puja: 12:15–1:07 am on 16 February
- Tithi: 5:05 pm to 5:34 pm (16 Feb)
Vrat days
- Magha Purnima 5:53 am to 3:39 am (2 Feb)
- Vijaya Ekadashi 12:22 pm (12 Feb) to 2:26 pm
- Kumbha Sankranti Sun enters at 4:05 am
- Phalguna Amavasya 5:34 pm (16 Feb) to 5:31 pm
- Amalaki Ekadashi 12:33 am to 10:33 pm
March 2026
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Holika Dahan होलिका दहन
Phalguna Purnima, after sunset (pradosh), outside bhadra
The bonfire on the eve of Holi, for Prahlad’s escape from Holika. People walk around the fire and roast new grain in it.
- Holika Dahan muhurat: 6:27–8:55 pm
- Why this day: Purnima lasts three and a half prahars into the day and the Pratipada after it is longer, so by the texts the fire is lit in this evening’s pradosh.
- Tithi: 5:56 pm (2 Mar) to 5:07 pm
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Holi होली
Chaitra Krishna Pratipada, the morning after Holika DahanPhalguna Krishna Pratipada in the amanta calendar
The festival of colours (Dhulandi), played the morning after Holika Dahan, with gujiya and visits to family and friends.
- Tithi: 5:07 pm (3 Mar) to 4:49 pm
Vrat days
- Phalguna Purnima 5:56 pm (2 Mar) to 5:07 pm
- Papamochani Ekadashi 8:11 am (14 Mar) to 9:16 am
- Meena Sankranti Sun enters at 12:59 am
- Chaitra Amavasya 8:25 am to 6:53 am (19 Mar)Snan-daan: Thu 19 Mar
- Kamada Ekadashi 8:46 am (28 Mar) to 7:46 am
April 2026
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Hanuman Jayanti हनुमान जयंती
Chaitra Purnima, at sunrise
Hanuman’s birthday as kept in north India: Hanuman Chalisa and Sunderkand, and sindoor and chola offered at temples.
- Tithi: 7:06 am (1 Apr) to 7:41 am
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Baisakhi बैसाखी
The Sun enters Mesh (1 Vaisakh)
The Punjabi new year and wheat harvest on 1 Vaisakh, and for Sikhs the day the Khalsa was founded in 1699: gurdwara visits, fairs and bhangra.
- Sankranti: The Sun enters Mesh at 9:30 am.
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Akshaya Tritiya अक्षय तृतीया
Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya, in the forenoon (purvahna)
A day held good for beginnings without a separate muhurat: buying gold, starting work, and giving. Also Parshuram Jayanti.
- Puja in the forenoon: 10:49 am – 12:27 pm
- Tithi: 10:49 am to 7:27 am (20 Apr)
Vrat days
- Chaitra Purnima 7:06 am to 7:41 am (2 Apr)Snan-daan: Thu 2 Apr
- Varuthini Ekadashi 1:17 am to 1:09 am (14 Apr)
- Mesha Sankranti Sun enters at 9:30 am
- Vaishakha Amavasya 8:11 pm (16 Apr) to 5:21 pm
- Mohini Ekadashi 6:07 pm (26 Apr) to 6:16 pm
May 2026
Vrat days
- Vaishakha Purnima 9:13 pm (30 Apr) to 10:53 pm
- Apara Ekadashi 2:52 pm (12 May) to 1:30 pm
- Vrishabha Sankranti Sun enters at 6:19 am
- Jyeshtha Amavasya 5:11 am to 1:30 am (17 May)
- Padmini Ekadashi 5:11 am (26 May) to 6:22 am
- Adhik Jyeshtha Purnima 11:58 am to 2:15 pm (31 May)Snan-daan: Sun 31 May
June 2026
Vrat days
- Parama Ekadashi 12:58 am to 10:36 pm
- Adhik Jyeshtha Amavasya 12:20 pm to 8:24 am (15 Jun)Snan-daan: Mon 15 Jun
- Mithuna Sankranti Sun enters at 12:50 pm
- Nirjala Ekadashi 6:12 pm (24 Jun) to 8:09 pm
- Jyeshtha Purnima 3:06 am to 5:26 am (30 Jun)
July 2026
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Guru Purnima गुरु पूर्णिमा
Ashadha Purnima, at sunrise
A day to honour one’s teachers, and Ved Vyasa, who arranged the Vedas and wrote the Mahabharata.
- Tithi: 6:19 pm (28 Jul) to 8:05 pm
Vrat days
- Yogini Ekadashi 8:16 am to 5:23 am (11 Jul)Gauna: Sat 11 Jul
- Ashadha Amavasya 6:49 pm (13 Jul) to 3:13 pm
- Karka Sankranti Sun enters at 11:35 pm
- Devshayani Ekadashi 9:13 am (24 Jul) to 11:34 am
- Ashadha Purnima 6:19 pm (28 Jul) to 8:05 pm
August 2026
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Hariyali Teej हरियाली तीज
Shravana Shukla Tritiya, at sunrise
The monsoon Teej: married women fast, dress in green, put on mehndi, swing on jhoolas and worship Shiva and Parvati.
- Tithi: 6:47 pm (14 Aug) to 5:29 pm
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Nag Panchami नाग पंचमी
Shravana Shukla Panchami, at sunrise
Serpent deities are worshipped with milk, flowers and rice, at temples or on images drawn at home.
- Tithi: 4:52 pm (16 Aug) to 5:00 pm
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Raksha Bandhan रक्षा बंधन
Shravana Purnima, outside bhadra
Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and brothers give a gift. By tradition the rakhi is not tied during bhadra.
- Tithi: 9:09 am (27 Aug) to 9:48 am
Vrat days
- Kamika Ekadashi 1:59 pm (8 Aug) to 11:05 am
- Shravana Amavasya 1:53 am to 11:06 pm
- Simha Sankranti Sun enters at 7:55 am
- Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2:00 am to 4:19 am (24 Aug)
- Shravana Purnima 9:09 am to 9:48 am (28 Aug)Snan-daan: Fri 28 Aug
September 2026
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Janmashtami जन्माष्टमी
Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami, at midnight (nishita)Shravana Krishna Ashtami in the amanta calendar
Krishna’s birth at midnight: a fast through the day, bhajans and jhankis, and puja at nishita before the fast is broken.
- Nishita puja: 12:04–12:49 am on 5 September
- Tithi: 2:25 am to 12:13 am (5 Sep)
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Ganesh Chaturthi गणेश चतुर्थी
Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, at midday (madhyahna)
Ganesh is welcomed home for up to ten days, with puja at midday. Looking at the Moon this night is traditionally avoided.
- Madhyahna puja: 11:08 am – 1:37 pm
- Tithi: 7:07 am to 7:44 am (15 Sep)
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Pitru Paksha begins पितृ पक्ष
Bhadrapada Purnima, in the afternoon (aparahna)
A fortnight of shraddha for ancestors, from the Purnima shraddha to Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Each family offers tarpan and food on the tithi of a death.
- Pratipada shraddha: Sunday, 27 September
- Tithi: 11:07 pm (25 Sep) to 10:18 pm
Vrat days
- Aja Ekadashi 7:29 pm (6 Sep) to 5:04 pm
- Bhadrapada Amavasya 10:33 am to 8:56 am (11 Sep)Snan-daan: Fri 11 Sep
- Kanya Sankranti Sun enters at 7:49 am
- Parsva Ekadashi 8:01 pm (21 Sep) to 9:43 pm
- Bhadrapada Purnima 11:07 pm (25 Sep) to 10:18 pm
October 2026
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Sarva Pitru Amavasya सर्व पितृ अमावस्या
Ashwin Amavasya, in the afternoon (aparahna)Bhadrapada Amavasya in the amanta calendar
The last day of Pitru Paksha, for the shraddha of all ancestors, including those whose tithi is not known.
- Tithi: 9:36 pm (9 Oct) to 9:19 pm
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Today
Durga Ashtami दुर्गा अष्टमी
Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, at sunrise
Maha Ashtami of Navratri: kanya puja, when young girls are fed and honoured as the goddess.
- Tithi: 8:28 am (18 Oct) to 10:52 am
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Dussehra दशहरा
Ashwin Shukla Dashami, in the afternoon (aparahna)
Vijayadashami, Rama’s victory over Ravana: effigies of Ravana are burnt at dusk after the Ramlila.
- Tithi: 12:50 pm to 2:12 pm (21 Oct)
Some panchangs give Wednesday, 21 October.
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Sharad Purnima शरद पूर्णिमा
Ashwin Purnima, at night (nishita)
The full moon of autumn: kheer is left out in the moonlight overnight and eaten the next morning.
- Tithi: 11:56 am to 9:41 am (26 Oct)
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Karwa Chauth करवा चौथ
Kartika Krishna Chaturthi, at moonriseAshwin Krishna Chaturthi in the amanta calendar
Married women fast from before sunrise, without water, and break the fast after seeing the Moon.
- Moonrise: 8:10 pm; it can take a few minutes more to be seen above rooftops and haze.
- Tithi: 1:07 am to 10:10 pm
Some panchangs give Friday, 30 October.
Vrat days
- Indira Ekadashi 2:07 am to 12:34 am (7 Oct)
- Ashwin Amavasya 9:36 pm (9 Oct) to 9:19 pm
- Tula Sankranti Sun enters at 7:48 pm
- Papankusha Ekadashi 2:12 pm (21 Oct) to 2:48 pm
- Ashwin Purnima 11:56 am to 9:41 am (26 Oct)Snan-daan: Mon 26 Oct
November 2026
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Dhanteras धनतेरस
Kartika Krishna Trayodashi, after sunset (pradosh)Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi in the amanta calendar
The first day of Diwali: buying utensils or gold, puja of Dhanvantari and Lakshmi, and a lamp for Yama at the door after sunset.
- Tithi: 10:31 am to 10:48 am (7 Nov)
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Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) दीवाली
Kartika Amavasya, after sunset (pradosh)Ashwin Amavasya in the amanta calendar
The festival of lights: Lakshmi and Ganesh puja in the evening, diyas at every door, and sweets shared with family and neighbours.
- Lakshmi Puja muhurat: 5:56–7:50 pm
- Tithi: 11:28 am to 12:31 pm (9 Nov)
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Govardhan Puja गोवर्धन पूजा
Kartika Shukla Pratipada, in the morning
For Krishna lifting Govardhan hill: a small hill of cow dung or of food (annakut) is made and worshipped.
- Tithi: 12:31 pm (9 Nov) to 2:00 pm
The central government holiday list gives Monday, 9 November.
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Bhai Dooj भाई दूज
Kartika Shukla Dwitiya, in the afternoon (aparahna)
Sisters put a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life; brothers give gifts.
- Tithi: 2:00 pm (10 Nov) to 3:53 pm
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Chhath Puja छठ पूजा
Kartika Shukla Shashthi, at sunrise
Arghya to the setting Sun this evening and to the rising Sun next morning, standing in water, after a fast that begins with Nahay Khay two days before.
- Tithi: 11:24 pm (14 Nov) to 2:01 am (16 Nov)
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Dev Uthani Ekadashi देवउठनी एकादशी
Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, at sunrise
Vishnu wakes from his four months’ sleep: a fast, Tulsi Vivah follows, and the wedding season opens.
- Tithi: 7:16 am to 6:31 am (21 Nov)
Vaishnavas and sanyasis fast the next day, Saturday, 21 November (Gauna Ekadashi).
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Guru Nanak Jayanti गुरु नानक जयंती
Kartika Purnima, at sunrise
Gurpurab, the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on Kartik Purnima: Akhand Path, prabhat pheris and langar at gurdwaras.
- Tithi: 11:42 pm (23 Nov) to 8:23 pm
Vrat days
- Rama Ekadashi 11:03 am (4 Nov) to 10:36 am
- Kartika Amavasya 11:28 am to 12:31 pm (9 Nov)Snan-daan: Mon 9 Nov
- Vrishchika Sankranti Sun enters at 7:40 pm
- Devutthana Ekadashi 7:16 am to 6:31 am (21 Nov)Gauna: Sat 21 Nov
- Kartika Purnima 11:42 pm (23 Nov) to 8:23 pm
December 2026
Vrat days
- Utpanna Ekadashi 11:03 pm (3 Dec) to 11:45 pm
- Margashirsha Amavasya 4:12 am to 6:21 am (9 Dec)
- Dhanu Sankranti Sun enters at 10:21 am
- Mokshada Ekadashi 10:09 pm (19 Dec) to 8:14 pm
- Margashirsha Purnima 10:47 am to 6:58 am (24 Dec)
What the vrat days are
- Ekadashi एकादशी: A fast for Vishnu from sunrise, broken the next morning while Dwadashi runs.
- Purnima पूर्णिमा: The full-moon fast, often with the Satyanarayan katha. When the date for bathing and giving (snan-daan) is the next day, it is shown.
- Amavasya अमावस्या: The new-moon day for tarpan and shraddha for ancestors, with the snan-daan date when it is the next day.
- Sankranti संक्रांति: The Sun enters the next rashi, a day for bathing and giving; the time is the moment it enters.
Dates and times are for Jalandhar (Punjab), in IST. They are worked out with Astronomy Engine (MIT licence) and the Lahiri ayanamsa, each festival by its rule in the dharma-shastra texts, and checked against published panchangs and the government holiday lists. Tithi times can differ from a printed panchang by a minute or two and sankranti moments by up to about ten minutes; where calendars keep a festival on another day, the note says so. Your family’s panchang or priest has the final word.
How the dates are worked out
Each festival falls on a tithi, a lunar day, and a tithi can start at any hour, so it often touches two calendar dates. The rule for each festival says which part of the day the tithi has to cover: sunrise for most vrats, midday (madhyahna) for Ram Navami and Ganesh Chaturthi, the evening after sunset (pradosh) for Diwali and Holika Dahan, midnight (nishita) for Janmashtami and Maha Shivaratri, and moonrise for Karwa Chauth. Sankrantis follow the moment the Sun moves into the next rashi.
Months are named the north Indian way (purnimanta), where the dark fortnight belongs to the month ahead: Janmashtami is Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami here, and Shravana Krishna Ashtami in the amanta calendar used in Gujarat, Maharashtra and the south. 2026 has an extra month, Adhik Jyeshtha, from 17 May to 15 June, so from June the festivals fall 18 to 20 days later in the year than they did in 2025.
Where traditions keep a festival on different days, this calendar follows the Smarta practice most households in north India keep, and the note under the festival gives the other date: the Vaishnava (ISKCON) date, Gauna Ekadashi, or the day another panchang or the government holiday list gives.
Worked out for Jalandhar with Astronomy Engine by Don Cross (MIT licence) and the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa, then checked against published panchangs and the Government of India and Government of Punjab holiday lists.