Festival Calendar 2026

The Sun enters Capricorn (Makar), marking the end of winter solstice. Devotees take holy dips in rivers and fly kites across India.

The arrival of spring is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning and arts. Students seek blessings for education.

India's Constitution came into force on this day in 1950. National holiday celebrated with parades and flag hoisting.

Uranus stations direct in Taurus after retrograde since September 2025 — astrologically significant for new ventures.

The great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, perform all-night prayers, and bathe Shivalingas with milk and water.

The bonfire night before Holi, commemorating the victory of devotee Prahlad over the demoness Holika — symbolizing good over evil.

The festival of colours celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of devotion. Communities gather to play with coloured powders and water.

The Hindu New Year per the lunisolar calendar, celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

The Kashmiri Pandit New Year, marking the beginning of the Vikram Samvat calendar with rituals and prayer.

The birthday of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. Temples hold recitations of Ramcharitmanas and special prasad distributions.

The birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. Devotees recite Hanuman Chalisa, visit temples, and seek blessings for courage and protection.

The Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, observed with church services and family gatherings.

The harvest festival of Punjab also marks the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.

One of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar — any work begun on this day is believed to grow (akshaya = imperishable). Ideal for marriages, gold purchases, and new ventures.

Maharashtra was formed on May 1, 1960. Also celebrated globally as International Labour Day.

The triple anniversary of Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. Observed with prayers, candlelight processions, and acts of charity.

The Islamic festival of sacrifice honouring Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon.

Mercury stations retrograde (until July 24) — double-check contracts, electronics purchases and travel plans.

Lord Vishnu enters Yoga Nidra. The four months of Chaturmas begin — marriages and housewarmings are traditionally not held until Dev Uthani Ekadashi (November 20).

The full moon day dedicated to honouring one's spiritual teacher (guru). Followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism observe this day with reverence.

India's Independence Day marks freedom from British rule in 1947, celebrated with flag hoisting and patriotic events across the nation.

Worship of the serpent deity Nag Devta on the fifth day of Shravana. Devotees offer milk to snake idols for protection of family and children.

Kerala's harvest festival celebrating the return of King Mahabali. Marked by boat races (Vallamkali), floral rangoli (Pookkalam), and the grand feast (Onasadya).

Sisters tie the rakhi (sacred thread) on their brothers' wrists, symbolising protection and love. Brothers pledge to protect their sisters and give gifts.

The birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, is celebrated at midnight with bhajans, dance-dramas (Raas Leela), and fasting.

Celebrated on the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, honouring the invaluable contribution of teachers to society.

The birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Ten-day celebrations across Maharashtra and South India culminate in immersion of Ganesh idols.

Mahatma Gandhi's birthday is a national holiday, observed with prayer meetings and tributes at Raj Ghat.

Nine nights of Goddess Durga's nine forms begin, worshipped with fasting, Garba and Dandiya. Navratri concludes with Vijayadashami on October 20.

The victory of Lord Rama over Ravana symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Effigies of Ravana are burned across India on this tenth day of Navratri.

Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for their husband's health and longevity. The fast is broken after sighting the moon through a sieve.

The first day of the Diwali festival. Buying gold, silver or utensils and worshipping Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi is considered auspicious.

The festival of lights celebrates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya. Homes are lit with oil lamps and diyas, firecrackers are burst, and Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity.

Celebrated on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, just after Diwali, to honour Lord Krishna's lifting of Govardhan Hill. Massive food offerings (Annakut) are made to deities.

Sisters apply tilak on brothers' foreheads and pray for their longevity. Similar to Raksha Bandhan in sentiment, celebrated on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, just after Govardhan Puja.

Celebrated on the birthday of India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, honouring children and their rights.

A major festival of Bihar and eastern UP, dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. Devotees offer arghya standing in water at sunrise and sunset.

Lord Vishnu awakens from his four-month cosmic sleep (Chaturmas). The auspicious season for Hindu marriages begins on this day.

The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. Celebrated with Akhand Path (continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib) and Nagar Kirtan processions.

The anniversary of the Bhagavad Gita's revelation by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Celebrated with readings of the sacred text.

The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, widely observed across India with church services, gifts, and festive gatherings.

The last day of 2026, celebrated widely with parties, prayers for the coming year, and family gatherings across India.