Hindu Festivals 2026: Detailed Calendar & Festival Guide

Marks the Sun’s transition into Makara (Capricorn). Celebrated with harvest customs, sesame sweets, kite flying, sacred bathing and regional festivals such as Pongal and Uttarayan.

One of the most important Shiva festivals, marked by fasting, night vigil, mantra chanting and abhishekam of the Shiva Linga.

A spring festival known for colors, community gatherings, sweets and reconciliation. Regional customs vary widely across India.

Marks the beginning of the Chaitra lunar cycle in several regions. Ugadi and Gudi Padwa are New Year celebrations, while Chaitra Navratri begins nine days of Devi worship.

Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Common observances include Ramayana recitation, bhajans, temple worship and fasting.

Honors Lord Hanuman as a symbol of strength, devotion and selfless service. Hanuman Chalisa recitation and temple visits are common.

Traditionally considered highly auspicious for charity, worship and constructive beginnings. Many families also associate the day with gold purchases and long-term prosperity.

The famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, most prominently celebrated in Puri and replicated in many communities worldwide.

A day to honor spiritual teachers, academic mentors and the guru tradition. It is also associated with Ved Vyasa.

Celebrates the bond of protection, affection and responsibility between siblings, traditionally marked by tying a rakhi and exchanging blessings and gifts.

Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna with fasting, midnight worship, devotional singing and enactments of Krishna’s childhood stories.

Begins the festival honoring Lord Ganesha. Homes and public pandals install Ganesha murtis followed by worship and eventual visarjan.

Begins the fortnight dedicated to Shraddha, Tarpan and remembrance of ancestors. Exact observances depend on the ancestor’s tithi and family tradition.

Begins nine nights of worship of Goddess Durga and her forms. Many regions observe fasting, garba, dandiya and daily Devi puja.

Celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma—Rama over Ravana and, in other traditions, Durga over Mahishasura.

A North Indian marital vrata in which many married women fast and conclude the observance after moonrise.

The Festival of Lights. Families illuminate homes with diyas, perform Lakshmi-Ganesha puja, exchange sweets and celebrate prosperity, knowledge and the victory of light over darkness.

A major Sun-worship festival, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, featuring strict fasting and offerings to the setting and rising Sun.

Ceremonially celebrates the marriage of Tulsi with Vishnu/Shaligram and symbolizes the start of the Hindu wedding season in many traditions.

A major sacred full moon associated with bathing, lamps, pilgrimage, Dev Deepawali and several regional traditions.

Commemorates the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita on the battlefield of Kurukshetra and coincides with Mokshada Ekadashi.