This calendar lists every major Hindu festival from September 2026 to April 2027, with the date for India and a link to a simple guide for each. The big dates: Navratri begins on 11 October 2026, Dussehra is on 20 October, Karva Chauth on 29 October, Diwali on 8 November, Chhath on 13–16 November, Makar Sankranti around 14 January 2027, Maha Shivratri on 6 March and Holi on 22 March 2027.
Dates are for India (IST) and cross-checked with published panchangs. Where panchangs disagree, both dates are shown. Tithi-based festivals can shift by a day outside India; check your local panchang.
September–October 2026
| Date | Festival | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Sep – 10 Oct | Pitru Paksha (Shraddha) | All 16 shraddha dates |
| Sat 10 Oct | Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) | Tarpan at home |
| Sun 11 Oct | Navratri begins, Ghatasthapana | Navratri colours · Durga Saptashati plan |
| 18 or 19 Oct | Durga Ashtami | Panchangs differ |
| Mon 19 Oct | Maha Navami | |
| Tue 20 Oct | Dussehra (Vijayadashami); Sai Baba Punyatithi | Sai Baba books |
| Sun 25 Oct (night) | Sharad Purnima, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja | Kheer and puja |
| Thu 29 Oct | Karva Chauth | Moonrise and puja vidhi |
November 2026
| Date | Festival | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 1 Nov | Ahoi Ashtami | Star time and katha |
| Fri 6 Nov | Dhanteras, Yama Deepam | Muhurat and what to buy |
| Sat 7 Nov | Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) | |
| Sun 8 Nov | Diwali, Lakshmi Puja | Lakshmi Puja muhurat |
| Mon 9 Nov | Govardhan Puja | |
| Wed 11 Nov | Bhai Dooj (some panchangs 10 Nov) | Tilak muhurat |
| 13–16 Nov | Chhath Puja (Sandhya Arghya 15 Nov) | Arghya times by city |
| Mon 16 Nov | Sabarimala opens for Mandala season | When to wear the mala |
| Fri 20 Nov | Devuthani Ekadashi (Vaishnava 21 Nov) | Parana time |
| 20–24 Nov | Tulsi Vivah | Ceremony step by step |
| Tue 24 Nov | Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali, Guru Nanak Jayanti |
December 2026
| Date | Occasion | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 15 Dec | Advance tax: 75% of the year's tax due | Freelancer guide |
| Sun 27 Dec | Mandala Pooja, Sabarimala | Season dates |
| Wed 30 Dec | Sabarimala reopens for Makaravilakku |
January–April 2027
| Date | Festival | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 14 or 15 Jan | Makar Sankranti, Pongal; Makaravilakku at Sabarimala | Sabarimala guide |
| Thu 11 Feb | Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Puja) | |
| Sat 6 Mar | Maha Shivratri | |
| Mon 15 Mar | Advance tax: final instalment (and presumptive single payment) | Advance tax guide |
| Sun 21 Mar | Holika Dahan | |
| Mon 22 Mar | Holi (some panchangs 23 Mar) | |
| Wed 7 Apr | Chaitra Navratri begins, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi | |
| Thu 15 Apr | Ram Navami | |
| Tue 20 Apr | Hanuman Jayanti | Teach the Hanuman Chalisa |
2027 dates are early calculations and may be adjusted by a day as panchangs are finalised. We'll update this page.
Everyday and weekly worship
- Daily: Laddu Gopal seva at home
- Tuesdays and Saturdays: the Hanuman Chalisa
- Thursdays and Ekadashis: the Vishnu Sahasranama; Sai Baba Thursday puja
- Saturdays: the Venkateswara Suprabhatam
- To understand it all: the 18 Mahapuranas
Books for the season
Every guide above has a matching book with the full puja vidhi and every mantra in Sanskrit, transliteration and English meaning. The Festival Season Pack brings Navratri, Karva Chauth and Diwali together for ₹449, or browse all spiritual books.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Sunday, 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras on 6 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
When does Navratri 2026 start?
Sunday, 11 October 2026, with Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October.
When is Karva Chauth in 2026?
Thursday, 29 October 2026.
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
13 to 16 November 2026, with the Sandhya Arghya on 15 November.
When is Holi in 2027?
Holi is on Monday 22 March 2027 (some panchangs 23 March), with Holika Dahan on 21 March.