Hindu Festivals 2026
22 major festivals · computed from the real lunar calendar
Makar Sankranti14 January 2026Wednesday
The Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara) and the start of its northward journey — a harvest festival of kite-flying, til-gud and holy dips.
Maha Shivratri15 February 2026Sunday
The great night of Lord Shiva, observed with fasting and night-long worship on the Chaturdashi before the new moon.
Holika Dahan3 March 2026Tuesday
The bonfire that burns away evil on the eve of the festival of colours, on Phalguna Purnima after Bhadra ends.
Holi4 March 2026Wednesday
The festival of colours welcoming spring, the day after Holika Dahan.
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa19 March 2026Thursday
The lunar new year — the first day of Chaitra and a day for fresh beginnings.
Ram Navami26 March 2026Thursday
The birth of Lord Rama, on the ninth day of Chaitra’s bright fortnight — observed when Navami prevails at midday (madhyahna).
Hanuman Jayanti2 April 2026Thursday
The birth of Hanuman, celebrated on Chaitra Purnima.
Akshaya Tritiya20 April 2026Monday
An auspicious day for new ventures, gold and giving — every good act is believed to bear lasting fruit.
Buddha Purnima1 May 2026Friday
The full moon marking the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Gautama Buddha.
Guru Purnima29 July 2026Wednesday
The full moon honouring one’s teachers and gurus.
Raksha Bandhan28 August 2026Friday
The bond between siblings, tied with the rakhi thread on Shravana Purnima.
Janmashtami4 September 2026Friday
The midnight birth of Lord Krishna, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight.
Ganesh Chaturthi14 September 2026Monday
The birth of Lord Ganesha, beginning ten days of celebration — observed when Chaturthi prevails at midday (madhyahna).
Navratri11 October 2026Sunday
Nine nights honouring Goddess Durga in her nine forms, beginning Sharad Navratri.
Dussehra (Vijayadashami)20 October 2026Tuesday
The victory of good over evil — Rama over Ravana, Durga over Mahishasura — observed when Dashami prevails at aparahna (mid-afternoon).
Sharad Purnima25 October 2026Sunday
The radiant autumn full moon, celebrated with moon-viewing and kheer.
Karva Chauth29 October 2026Thursday
The fast kept by wives for their husbands’ long life, broken at moonrise.
Dhanteras6 November 2026Friday
The first day of Diwali, auspicious for buying gold, silver and utensils.
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)8 November 2026Sunday
The festival of lights and Lakshmi Puja, on the Kartik new moon.
Govardhan Puja10 November 2026Tuesday
Honouring Krishna’s lifting of Mount Govardhan, the day after Diwali.
Bhai Dooj11 November 2026Wednesday
Celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, two days after Diwali.
Kartik Purnima24 November 2026Tuesday
The sacred full moon of Kartik — also Dev Diwali and Guru Nanak Jayanti.
How these dates are computed
Hindu festivals follow the lunisolar calendar — each falls on a particular tithi (lunar day) in a particular lunar month, so the Gregorian date shifts every year. Astronaad computes the real new and full moons from an astronomical ephemeris, names each lunar month by the Sun’s sidereal position, and selects the day the festival’s tithi prevails — at sunrise for daytime festivals and at pradosh (just after sunset) for evening ones such as Diwali and Maha Shivratri. The result is verified to the day against the traditional panchang.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Diwali in 2026?
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 is on 8 November 2026 (Sunday).
- When is Holi in 2026?
- Holi 2026 is on 4 March 2026 (Wednesday); Holika Dahan is the evening before.
- How are these festival dates calculated?
- Each festival falls on a specific tithi in a specific lunar month. We find the real new and full moons from an astronomical ephemeris, identify each lunar month by the Sun’s sidereal position, and pick the day that tithi prevails — at sunrise for daytime festivals, and at pradosh (after sunset) for evening ones like Diwali and Shivratri. Verified to the day against published panchang.
- Are these dates the same all over India?
- The tithi-based dates hold across India because the lunar day is nearly identical nationwide on a given date. A handful of regional festivals and the exact muhurat timings can vary slightly by city.
