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Sacred Calendar

Hindu Festival Calendar 2026

Complete dates for every Hindu festival, vrat, and holiday in 2026 — from Diwali and Navratri to regional observances across India.

9 festivals listed 🌿4 with fasting (vrat) 5 months covered

February 2026

Maha Shivaratri Major 🌿 Vrat

The great night of Lord Shiva — a sacred vigil celebrating Shiva's cosmic dance, his marriage to Parvati, and the night he drank the world's poison to save creation.

Pan-India

March 2026

Holi Major

Festival of colors celebrating the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and the divine love of Radha and Krishna.

Pan-IndiaNepalParticularly grand in MathuraVrindavanBarsana
Ram Navami Major 🌿 Vrat

The birthday of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu and the embodiment of dharma — celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha.

Pan-India

August 2026

Janmashtami Major 🌿 Vrat

The midnight birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu — celebrated with fasting, the rocking of the divine cradle, and the joyous breaking of the Dahi Handi pot.

Pan-IndiaMost grand in MathuraVrindavanDwarkaManipur

to Monday, August 31

Ganesh Chaturthi Major

A ten-day festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and lord of new beginnings, culminating in the grand immersion of clay idols.

Pan-IndiaParticularly grand in MaharashtraAndhra PradeshKarnatakaTamil Nadu

October 2026

to Sunday, October 11

Navratri Major 🌿 Vrat

Nine sacred nights dedicated to the nine forms of the Divine Mother — a festival of fasting, dance, and devotion celebrating Shakti's victory over the forces of darkness.

Pan-IndiaGarba most celebrated in GujaratDurga Puja in BengalBommai Kolu in South IndiaDandiya in Rajasthan
Dussehra Major

Vijaya Dashami — the Victory Tenth, celebrating both Rama's defeat of Ravana and Durga's defeat of Mahishasura, marking the triumph of dharma over adharma.

Pan-IndiaMysuru has the most famous processionKullu Dussehra is 7 daysEffigies burnt across North India
Diwali Major

Festival of Lights — celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

Pan-IndiaWorldwide Hindu diaspora

January 2027

Makar Sankranti Major

A solar harvest festival marking the sun's entry into Capricorn and the beginning of Uttarayana — the auspicious northward journey of the sun, celebrated across India under many names.

Pan-IndiaPongal in Tamil NaduLohri in Punjab (Jan 13)Uttarayan kite festival in GujaratMagh Bihu in AssamMakar Sankranti in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh

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Hindu Festival Calendar 2026 — FAQ

How many Hindu festivals are there in 2026?
Our calendar lists 9 Hindu festivals and observances in 2026, including major pan-India celebrations, regional festivals, and vrat (fasting) days across all traditions — Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta, and others.
What are the major Hindu festivals in 2026?
The major Hindu festivals in 2026 include: Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Makar Sankranti. These are celebrated across India and by the global Hindu diaspora with puja, fasting, feasting, and community gatherings.
Which Hindu festivals require fasting in 2026?
4 festivals in our calendar involve vrat (fasting). Key fasting observances include Maha Shivaratri, Ekadashi tithis (twice monthly), Navratri, Janmashtami, and various Monday (Somvar) and Tuesday (Mangalvar) vratas. Fasting practices vary by deity, region, and family tradition.
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 (Deepavali) falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The festival of lights spans five days — from Dhanteras through Bhai Dooj — and is celebrated with oil lamps (diyas), fireworks, Lakshmi puja, and the exchange of sweets.