35 festivals in 2026
35 festivals found
Sun enters Makara (Capricorn) rashi, marking the beginning of longer days and the harvest season. Celebrated across India with regional names like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, and Uttarayan in Gujarat. Considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar for bathing in holy rivers and making donations.
Celebration of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom. Students worship their books and instruments. Marks the onset of spring season. People wear yellow clothes symbolizing mustard flowers in bloom.
Bengali observance of Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami. Students place their books and musical instruments before the goddess, and schools and colleges host grand pandals with clay idols of Saraswati seated on her swan.
Full moon day in the month of Magha, considered highly auspicious for ritual bathing in the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The Magh Mela at Prayagraj culminates on this day. Devotees also observe Satyanarayan Vrat and donate to the needy.
The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe a day-long fast and perform night-long worship with Rudrabhishek, offering bael leaves, milk, and water on the Shiva Linga. Commemorates the night Shiva performed the Tandava dance and his marriage to Parvati.
Festival of colors celebrating the victory of good over evil, marking the arrival of spring. Holika Dahan is observed the night before with a bonfire commemorating the burning of demoness Holika. People play with colors, water, and sweets the next day.
Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana. Temples are decorated, Ramayana is recited, and devotees observe a fast. Ayodhya, Rama's birthplace, hosts grand celebrations.
Celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, the devoted disciple of Lord Rama and symbol of strength and devotion. Devotees visit Hanuman temples, recite the Hanuman Chalisa, and offer sindoor and bananas. Observed on Chaitra Purnima in most of India.
Bengali New Year (Naba Barsha). Families open their Halkhata (new account books), visit temples, and greet each other with 'Shubho Nabobarsho'. Traditional feasts of Panta Bhaat, Ilish Maach, and sweets mark the celebration.
One of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, believed to bring lasting prosperity. Any action initiated on this day is believed to yield everlasting results. Considered especially auspicious for purchasing gold, starting new ventures, and charitable donations.
Grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra held in Puri, Odisha. Three massive wooden chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees through the streets, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. One of the oldest and largest religious processions in the world.
Day to honor spiritual teachers and gurus. Dedicated to sage Vyasa, the compiler of the Vedas and author of the Mahabharata. Disciples offer gratitude to their gurus with flowers, sweets, and prayers. Also observed by Buddhists commemorating Buddha's first sermon.
Worship of serpent gods (Nagas). Devotees offer milk, flowers, and prayers to snake idols and live snakes. Believed to protect the family from snake bites and ensure prosperity. Associated with Lord Shiva, who wears a cobra around his neck.
Festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a sacred thread (Rakhi) on their brothers' wrists, symbolizing protection, love, and affection. Brothers in return offer gifts and promise to protect their sisters.
Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Devotees fast until midnight (Krishna's birth time), decorate temples and homes, sing bhajans, and enact scenes from Krishna's life. Mathura and Vrindavan host the most elaborate celebrations.
Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and god of new beginnings. Clay idols of Ganesha are installed in homes and public pandals, worshipped for 1-11 days, and then immersed in water bodies (visarjan). Maharashtra hosts the grandest celebrations.
Bengali Durga Puja begins with Bilva Nimantran and Kalparambha on Shashti. The clay idol of Durga is unveiled (Bodhon), marking her arrival with her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya at her parental home.
Second day of Bengali Durga Puja. Kola Bou (Nabapatrika) — nine plants symbolising the nine forms of Durga — is bathed at dawn and installed beside Ganesha. Mahasnan and full puja are performed for the goddess.
The most important day of Bengali Durga Puja. Ashtami Anjali is offered to the goddess at dawn by thousands of devotees. Sandhi Puja is performed at the junction of Ashtami and Navami tithi, when Durga slew Mahishasura.
Last day of Bengali Durga Puja. Married women offer Sindur Khela — the play of vermillion — to the goddess before her Visarjan. Idols are carried in grand processions to the Ganga for immersion as the community bids Durga farewell until next year.
Marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha. In Bengal, Mahalaya heralds the arrival of Goddess Durga. Devotees perform Tarpan for ancestors on this Amavasya day at riverbanks.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja observed on Sharad Purnima in Bengal and Odisha. Homes are decorated with alpana, and goddess Lakshmi is worshipped through the night. Legend says the goddess visits homes asking 'ko jagorti' (who is awake?) to bless the devotees.
The 9th and final day of Sharad Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri. Marks the culmination of Navratri celebrations. In Bengal, it is the final day of Durga Puja before visarjan. Homams and special yagyas are performed.
Celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, and Goddess Durga over Mahishasura — symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are burned in grand ceremonies. Mysore hosts the famous royal Dussehra procession.
Also called Kojagari Purnima. Believed to be the night when Goddess Lakshmi descends to earth and blesses those who stay awake. Kheer (rice pudding) is prepared and kept under moonlight overnight to absorb healing properties, then consumed the next morning.
Bengali worship of Goddess Kali observed on Kartika Amavasya, the same night as Diwali. Devotees worship Kali through the night with hibiscus flowers and red offerings. The Dakshineswar Kali temple hosts one of the most important celebrations.
First day of the five-day Diwali celebration. Dedicated to Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda and health, and Goddess Lakshmi. Considered highly auspicious for purchasing gold, silver, and new utensils. Marks the beginning of prosperity for the household.
Worship of Goddess Jagaddhatri (the upholder of the world), a form of Durga. Chandannagar in West Bengal is famous for its illuminated Jagaddhatri Puja pandals. The puja is observed over four days during the Kartika Shukla Paksha.
The Festival of Lights, celebrating the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity. Homes are illuminated with diyas and rangoli, fireworks light up the sky, and families exchange sweets and gifts.
Festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life and prosperity. Brothers give gifts in return. Similar to Raksha Bandhan but observed two days after Diwali.
Ancient Hindu festival dedicated to Surya (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Mother Goddess). Devotees observe a 4-day rigorous fast, offer arghya to the setting and rising sun while standing in water. Most popular in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Gurpurab celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Gurudwaras host 48-hour Akhand Path of the Guru Granth Sahib, Nagar Kirtan processions, and langar for all.