29 festivals in 2026
29 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.
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.
Hindu New Year celebrated in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Marks the beginning of the new Vikram Samvat year. Families prepare Ugadi Pachadi — a dish combining six tastes representing life's emotions — and decorate doorways with mango leaves.
Nine nights of worship dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga in the spring season. Begins with Ghatasthapana (installation of the sacred pot) and culminates in Ram Navami. Devotees fast, perform Durga Puja, and recite the Durga Saptashati.
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 Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Jains observe the day with prayers, meditation, and charitable acts. Processions are held with the idol of Mahavira, and his teachings of non-violence and truth are emphasized.
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.
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.
Major South Indian vrat observed by married women on the Friday before Shravana Purnima. Goddess Lakshmi is invoked in a kalasha decorated with a saree, flowers, and jewelry. She grants boons (varas) of health, wealth, and long married life.
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.
Nine nights of worship dedicated to Goddess Durga in autumn. The most widely celebrated Navratri. Each day is dedicated to a different form of Durga. Gujarat celebrates with Garba and Dandiya Raas. Bengal celebrates as Durga Puja with grand pandals.
The 8th day of Sharad Navratri, considered the most significant. Devotees worship Goddess Mahagauri and perform Kanya Puja — worshipping nine young girls as embodiments of the goddess. Weapons are also worshipped (Astra Puja).
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.
The ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (Lakshmi) to Lord Shaligram (Vishnu). Marks the end of Chaturmas and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. Homes conduct a miniature marriage ritual with the Tulsi plant in the courtyard.
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.
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.
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.