Hindu Calendar - January to June 2027

JANUARY 2027 Pausha - Magha begins

 

14 Jan	Thu	MAKAR SANKRANTI	Major Solar Festival | Pan-India
The Sun enters the zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn). Unlike most Hindu festivals which follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is a SOLAR festival - which is why it falls on or very near 14 January every single year without shifting. Makar = Capricorn. Sankranti = the Sun's transition from one sign to another. After this day, the Sun begins moving northward (Uttarayan) - days grow longer and cold retreats. The Bhagavad Gita says those who die during Uttarayan (January to June) attain liberation. Bhishma Pitamaha waited on his bed of arrows for Makar Sankranti before leaving his body. What to do: Wake before sunrise, take a bath, eat Til-Gur (sesame and jaggery), share with neighbours. Give donations - especially warm food, sesame, blankets. Fly kites (Gujarat and Rajasthan). Take a dip in a sacred river. Scripture: Bhagavad Gita 8.24 - 'Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, the six months of the northern solstice - dying in these, one who knows Brahman goes to Brahman.' Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva - Bhishma's choice to die during Uttarayan. Vishnu Purana 2.8 - On the Sun's northward journey. State Note: All states - same solar date but different names. Tamil Nadu: Thai Pongal (three-day harvest festival). Gujarat: Uttarayan and International Kite Festival. Punjab: Day after Lohri (which is evening of 13 Jan). Assam: Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu) the next day. UP and Bihar: Khichdi - traditional dish of the day. Karnataka: Ellu Bella - sesame and jaggery exchange. Andhra Pradesh: Sankranti - three-day harvest festival.

 

29 Jan	Fri	VASANT PANCHAMI - SARASWATI PUJA	Major Festival | Pan-India
5th Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Magha. Vasant = spring. Though meteorological spring arrives in March, the Hindu calendar marks its beginning here. Birthday of Goddess Saraswati - deity of knowledge, learning, language, music, and all arts. What to do: Place books, notebooks, instruments, pens, and any tools of your work or learning before the Goddess and pray. It is auspicious to begin learning something new today - a musical instrument, a new language, a new craft. Yellow everywhere: Yellow represents the ripening mustard fields of winter and the golden colour of knowledge. Wear yellow clothes, eat yellow sweets, offer yellow flowers. Scripture: Rigveda 6.61 - The Saraswati Sukta: 'Ambitame naditame devitame Saraswati' - Most motherly, most river-like, most divine, O Saraswati. Skanda Purana - On Vasant Panchami as Saraswati's birth anniversary. State Note: All states. Bengal: The most elaborate Saraswati Puja - schools and colleges hold formal pujas, students wear yellow or white, books placed before the Goddess. Punjab: Basant Panchami - yellow kites, yellow mustard fields at peak. Rajasthan: Beginning of the kite season.

 

 

FEBRUARY 2027 Magha - Phalguna begins

 

24 Feb	Wed	MAHA SHIVARATRI	Most Sacred Night | Pan-India
The Great Night of Shiva - the most sacred night in the year for followers of Shiva. Falls on the 14th Tithi (Chaturdashi) of Krishna Paksha in Phalguna. Why is this night sacred? The Shiva Purana says Lord Shiva first appeared as a Jyotirlinga (column of infinite light) on this night. He also performed the Tandava (cosmic dance of creation and destruction) on this night. And it is the wedding anniversary of Shiva and Parvati according to some traditions. Spiritually: the Moon on this night creates an upward surge of energy in the human body that makes meditation and prayer especially powerful. How to observe: Fast the entire day (water and fruits in some traditions, complete fast in others). Visit a Shiva temple and do Abhisheka - pour water, milk, honey, and curd on the Shivalinga. Offer three-leaved Bel leaves. Chant Om Namah Shivaya. Stay awake through the night in prayer. The night is divided into four quarters (Prahar) - many do a separate puja in each. Break fast next morning. Scripture: Shiva Purana, Koti Rudra Samhita - Origin of Maha Shivaratri and complete description of the night's observances. Skanda Purana, Kashi Khanda - On Maha Shivaratri at Kashi. Rigveda 1.43 (Rudra Sukta) - 'O Rudra, who lives in the mountains, may we be under your protection.' State Note: All states with equal intensity. The 12 Jyotirlinga temples are the most sacred destinations. Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar): The Bhasma Aarti on this night is extraordinarily powerful - book months in advance. Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath): Queues through the entire night. Srisailam (Mallikarjuna): Huge gatherings. South India: Shiva temples observe Abhisheka through the entire night. Tamil Nadu's Arunachala (Tiruvannamalai): A massive flame is lit on the hilltop of the mountain - visible for many kilometres, representing the infinite Jyotirlinga.

 

 

MARCH 2027 Phalguna - Chaitra begins

 

11 Mar	Thu	HOLI - HOLIKA DAHAN	Major Festival | Pan-India
Holika Dahan falls on the night of Phalguna Purnima. A bonfire is lit after sunset. Story: The demon king Hiranyakashipu's son Prahlada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. The king wanted him to stop but Prahlada refused every threat and torture. Finally Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika (who had a boon making her fireproof) sat in a fire holding Prahlada in her lap to burn him alive. But her boon only worked if she sat alone - when trying to harm an innocent devotee, it failed. Holika burned to ash. Prahlada walked out unhurt. Holika Dahan = burning away arrogance, jealousy, evil intent, and all negativity. The ashes of the bonfire are considered sacred - some apply them on the forehead. Scripture: Bhagavata Purana Skandha 7 - The complete story of Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu. This also provides context for the Narasimha avatar of Vishnu. Narada Purana - On the religious observances of Holika Dahan. State Note: All states. Bengal and Odisha: Dol Jatra (Radha-Krishna swing festival). Shantiniketan's Basant Utsav is world-famous for its cultural performances. Braj (UP): Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon (women playfully beat men with sticks) happens 5-7 days before main Holi. Flower Holi at Vrindavan is among the most beautiful festivals in India. Punjab: Hola Mohalla (martial arts displays at Anandpur Sahib, the day after Holi). Maharashtra: Shimga. South India: Observed but less intensively.

 

12 Mar	Fri	RANG WALI HOLI - DHULENDI	Major Festival | Pan-India
The morning after Holika Dahan is the day of Holi with colours. Gulal (natural coloured powder) is applied on faces, coloured water is sprayed, people embrace and celebrate. Origin: The young Lord Krishna in Vrindavan was jealous that Radha was fair-skinned while he was dark. He complained to his mother Yashoda. She laughingly told him to apply colour on Radha's face. Krishna did - and a festival was born. Holi is also the celebration of spring's arrival - flowers blooming, air warm, harvest done. Natural Holi colours: the original Holi used flowers and plants - Palash flowers for orange, turmeric for yellow, indigo for blue. Many communities are returning to natural colours. Scripture: Bhagavata Purana - On Krishna's childhood in Vrindavan and the Holi traditions of Braj. Rigveda 1.160 - On Vasanta (spring) as a divine season. State Note: All states - same date. Braj (Mathura, Vrindavan): Most colourful Holi on earth - multiple days of celebrations. Gujarat: Holi with Garba the previous night. Maharashtra: Shimga. Punjab: Then Hola Mohalla at Anandpur. Manipur: Yaoshang - a unique 5-day Holi-like festival specific to Manipur.

 

29 Mar	Mon	CHAITRA NAVRATRI BEGINS - UGADI - GUDI PADWA	Major Festival | Pan-India
First day of the Hindu New Year - Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (1st Tithi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha). Spring Navratri begins - nine nights of Goddess worship. Also the New Year of several major traditions: Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra and Goa) - A Gudi (bamboo pole decorated with silk, neem leaves, mango leaves, garland, and an upturned pot) is raised at the home entrance. Families eat Neem-jaggery together (bitter and sweet together represent life's mixed flavours). Ugadi (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) - Pachadi is eaten - a six-flavoured chutney made of neem, jaggery, raw mango, tamarind, salt, and green chilli - representing life's six tastes: sadness, joy, disgust, wonder, fear, and anger. Cheti Chand (Sindhi) - Sindhi New Year, birthday of Jhulelal, deity of rivers. Scripture: Brahma Purana - On Chaitra Shukla Pratipada as the day Brahma began the creation of the universe. Vishnu Purana 1.3 - On the beginning of time and the first day of creation. Devi Bhagavata Purana - On the Spring Navratri. State Note: Maharashtra and Goa: Gudi Padwa (major state festival). Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana: Ugadi. Sindhi community worldwide: Cheti Chand. North India: Chaitra Navratri observed with Ghatasthapana. Tamil Nadu and Kerala: New Year falls on 14 April (Tamil Puthandu and Vishu) - not on this date.

 

6 Apr	Tue	RAM NAVAMI	Major Festival | Pan-India
Birthday of Lord Rama - the seventh avatar of Vishnu - on the Navami (9th Tithi) of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra. He was born at noon in Ayodhya to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya. The Valmiki Ramayana describes: the entire sky cleared, flowers rained from heaven, and all beings felt a surge of peace. Rama is called Maryada Purushottama - the ideal human being - the perfect son, husband, brother, and king. His life is a guidebook for dharma in every role. The midday period (11 AM to 1 PM) is the most auspicious for Ram Navami puja as Rama was born at noon. Fast or eat only one meal. Read the Bal Kanda chapter of the Ramayana (describes Ram's birth). Scripture: Valmiki Ramayana, Bal Kanda 1.18-19 - The story of Rama's birth. Bhagavad Gita 10.31 - 'Among warriors, I am Rama.' Vishnu Purana 4.4 - On the Rama avatar. State Note: All states. Ayodhya (UP): The grandest Ram Navami on earth. The new Ram temple at Ayodhya (consecrated 2024) draws massive crowds. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: Observed on the 9th day counting from Ugadi.

 

13 Apr	Mon	HANUMAN JAYANTI - Chaitra Purnima	Major Festival | Pan-India
Birthday of Lord Hanuman - the most devoted servant of Lord Rama and among the most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism. Son of Vayu (Wind God) and Anjana. Embodies devotion, courage, strength, celibacy, and selfless service. The Sundara Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana describes Hanuman crossing the ocean to Lanka, finding Sita, meeting Ravana, and returning - all in one night. Why is Hanuman so widely worshipped? He is the only being who has seen Rama and Sita at their best AND worst moments and remained devoted through everything. His devotion is the purest form of Bhakti. Orange-red Sindoor is the primary offering - representing his courage and the colour of the setting sun. Scripture: Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda - Hanuman's adventures in Lanka. Hanuman Chalisa (Sant Tulsidas, 16th century) - 40 verses describing Hanuman's qualities - the most widely recited prayer to Hanuman. State Note: All states. Note: Hanuman Jayanti is observed on different days in different traditions - Chaitra Purnima (most common - this date), Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (some South Indian traditions). Varanasi (Sankat Mochan temple): The most famous Hanuman Jayanti celebration in North India. Hampi (Karnataka): Believed near Hanuman's birthplace.

 

 

APRIL - MAY 2027 Vaishakha month

 

28 Apr	Tue	AKSHAYA TRITIYA - AKHA TEEJ	Most Auspicious Day | Pan-India
The 3rd Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Vaishakha. Akshaya = that which never diminishes. One of the three and a half most auspicious days (Sade Teen Muhurta) in the Hindu calendar - days so auspicious that NO ADDITIONAL Muhurta calculation is needed. Any good activity started today - a business, a purchase, a wedding, new construction - is blessed with the quality of never diminishing. Why is this day so powerful? Several reasons: The Treta Yuga (second age of Hindu cosmology) began on this day. Lord Parashurama (6th avatar of Vishnu) was born today. Sage Vyasa began writing the Mahabharata (with Ganesha as scribe) on this day. The Akshaya Patra (the inexhaustible food vessel) was gifted to the Pandavas today. Goddess Annapurna appeared in Kashi for the first time today. The tradition of purchasing gold on Akshaya Tritiya is India's largest single-day gold-buying event. Scripture: Bhavishya Purana - On Akshaya Tritiya as one of the most auspicious days. Mahabharata, Vana Parva - The Pandavas receive the Akshaya Patra today. Brahma Purana - On Parashurama's birth. State Note: All states - same date, same importance. Gujarat and Rajasthan: Gold-buying shops stay open all night. Jain tradition: Also observed as the day Rishabhadeva (first Tirthankar) broke his year-long fast. UP: Kedarnath temple and Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand officially opens today.

 

27 May	Wed	NIRJALA EKADASHI	Most Powerful Ekadashi | Pan-India
The most powerful of all 24 Ekadashis. Nirjala = without water. Fast observed without even one drop of water from sunrise to the next morning. Why most powerful? The Brahma Vaivarta Purana story: Bhima (the strongest Pandava, famous for his love of food) told Sage Vyasa he could not fast on all 24 Ekadashis. Vyasa said: 'Fast on just ONE Ekadashi - Nirjala Ekadashi - with complete discipline, and you receive the merit of all 24 Ekadashis for the entire year.' Bhima agreed. This is also called Bhimaseni Ekadashi or Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. For senior citizens and those with health conditions: If a complete waterless fast is medically inadvisable, a partial fast (fruits and milk, or water only) still carries great merit. Never fast in a way that harms your health - intention and devotion matter most. Scripture: Brahma Vaivarta Purana - The story of Bhima and Sage Vyasa and the establishment of Nirjala Ekadashi. Padma Purana - 'One who fasts on Nirjala Ekadashi is freed from the cycle of birth and death.' State Note: Same date all states. Vrindavan and Mathura: Large gatherings. Many who cannot fast on every Ekadashi observe at least Nirjala Ekadashi.

 

 

JUNE 2027 Jyeshtha month

 

11 Jun	Thu	JYESHTHA PURNIMA - VAT PURNIMA	Purnima | Maharashtra, Gujarat
Full moon of Jyeshtha. In Maharashtra and Gujarat this is Vat Purnima - married women worship the Banyan tree (Vat) for their husbands' long life. Story of Savitri: Her husband Satyavan was fated to die young. When Yama came to take his soul, Savitri followed Yama and asked sincere questions about dharma. Yama kept granting boons. Finally - without realising it - Yama granted her the boon of having many children with Satyavan, and was then forced to restore Satyavan to life. The Banyan tree represents eternal life - it grows, sends down new roots, creates new trunks, and lives for thousands of years. Women tie red thread around the Banyan while praying for their husbands to live as long. Scripture: Mahabharata, Vana Parva (Savitri Upakhyana) - The full story of Savitri and Satyavan - one of the most celebrated stories of devotion in all Indian literature. State Note: Maharashtra and Gujarat: Vat Purnima - major festival. North India (UP, Bihar, MP): Vat Savitri is observed on the AMAVASYA of Jyeshtha (a few days before the Purnima). Both traditions honour Savitri's devotion. South India: Not widely observed as a major festival.

 

25 Jun	Thu	DEVSHAYANI EKADASHI - CHATURMAS BEGINS	Major Ekadashi | Pan-India
The cycle completes. Lord Vishnu goes to cosmic sleep again for four months. The wedding and auspicious ceremony season closes. This is the same Devshayani Ekadashi that opened this calendar in spirit - because the next Guru Purnima falls in early July 2027, bringing the full circle of the Hindu year to its close. From Guru Purnima to Guru Purnima. From Devshayani to Devshayani. The festivals have come and gone and come again - each one carrying the same message in different forms: remember the divine, observe your dharma, honour your ancestors, celebrate the earth's seasons, and live as a full conscious human being. Scripture: Padma Purana - On Devshayani Ekadashi and the beginning of Chaturmas. Vishnu Purana 2.2 - On Lord Vishnu's cosmic cycle of waking and sleeping. State Note: All states - same date. Wedding season officially closes again with this Ekadashi.

 

 

A FINAL WORD FOR THE YOUNGER READER You now know what a Tithi is, what Paksha means, why Ekadashi falls on a different English date each month, why your festival sometimes falls one day different from your relatives in another state, and what scripture lies behind every ritual your family has observed for generations.  The Hindu calendar is not superstition. It is a 5,000-year-old science of time - tracking the Moon, the Sun, the stars, and the seasons to create a rhythm of life that connects human beings to the cosmos around them. Every festival is a doorway. Every fast is a discipline. Every puja is a conversation with the infinite.  Your grandparents observed these days without needing an explanation. Now you have the explanation. Use it to observe them with even greater understanding and joy.  Har Har Mahadev. Jai Shri Ram. Om Namah Shivaya.