This page lists the main Hindu festivals and fasts from October to December 2026: Navratri, Dussehra, Karwa Chauth, the five days of Diwali, Chhath, Kartik Purnima and Gita Jayanti. For each day, you will find what it means, what to do, and where it comes from in our scriptures.
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November. Navratri begins on Sunday, 11 October, and Dussehra is on Tuesday, 20 October. Festivals come late this year because 2026 had an extra month (Adhik Maas) in May and June.
Last verified: 25 September 2026. Dates are for India, checked against Drik Panchang (Delhi). For some tithis, your city may differ by one day. Please confirm puja timings with your local panchang or family pandit.
October 2026
आश्विन मास
Ashwin month. Pitru Paksha ends, Navratri and Dussehra follow.
| Date | Festival | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 6 OctTue | Indira Ekadashi | All India |
| 10 OctSat | Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) | All India |
| 11 OctSun | Sharad Navratri begins, Ghatasthapana | All India |
| 17 OctSat | Saraswati Puja (Navratri) | South India, Bengal |
| 19 OctMon | Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami | All India |
| 20 OctTue | Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | All India |
| 22 OctThu | Papankusha Ekadashi | All India |
| 25 OctSun | Sharad Purnima, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja | All India |
| 26 OctMon | Valmiki Jayanti | All India |
| 29 OctThu | Karwa Chauth | North India |
Indira Ekadashi
All India. Falls during Pitru Paksha
This Ekadashi comes in the middle of the ancestor fortnight. It is kept especially for the peace of departed parents and grandparents.
What to do: Fast or eat only fruits and milk. Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu for your ancestors. Break the fast the next morning.
Source: Padma Purana, story of King Indrasena, who freed his father through this fast.
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya)
All India. Last day of Pitru Paksha
The most important day of Pitru Paksha. If you do not know the tithi on which an ancestor passed away, or you missed it, you can do Shraddha on this day for all ancestors together.
What to do: Offer water, sesame and food (tarpan) for your ancestors. Feed a cow, a crow and a needy person. Find each ancestor's own date with our Pitru Paksha Shraddha Tithi Finder.
Source: Garuda Purana (rules for Shraddha). Bengal: This day is Mahalaya, the start of the Durga Puja season.
Sharad Navratri begins
All India. Nine nights of the Divine Mother
Nine nights of worship of Goddess Durga in her nine forms: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana, the setting up of a sacred pot with sprouting grains.
What to do: Do Ghatasthapana in the morning muhurat on 11 October. Light a lamp each day and read the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa. In the South and Bengal, Saraswati Puja during Navratri falls on 17 October.
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥ Yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śakti-rūpeṇa saṁsthitā, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namaḥ. To the Goddess who lives in all beings as power, we bow to Her again and again. Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), Chapter 5
Source: Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana) and Devi Bhagavata Purana. Gujarat: Garba and Dandiya every night. Bengal: Durga Puja pandals.
Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami
All India. Both fall on the same day this year
Ashtami and Navami are the two most powerful days of Navratri. In 2026 both are observed on 19 October. Many families do Kanya Puja, honouring young girls as forms of the Goddess.
What to do: Do Kanya Puja: wash the girls' feet, feed them puri, halwa and chana, and give a small gift. In the South, Ayudha Puja (worship of tools and vehicles) is done on Navami.
Source: Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati). Bengal: Sandhi Puja is done at the meeting point of Ashtami and Navami.
Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
All India
The day of victory of good over evil. Lord Rama defeated Ravana, and Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura. It is a very auspicious day to start something new.
What to do: Worship the Shami tree and exchange its leaves (Apta leaves in Maharashtra) as a symbol of gold. Watch Ravana Dahan with family. In Bengal, married women play Sindoor Khela before idol immersion.
Source: Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda (Rama and Ravana). Devi Mahatmya, Chapters 2 to 4 (Durga and Mahishasura). Karnataka: Mysuru Dasara procession. Himachal: Kullu Dussehra begins.
Papankusha Ekadashi
All India
"Ankusha" is the hook that guides an elephant. This Ekadashi is believed to control and remove the sins of the mind, just as the hook guides the elephant.
What to do: Fast, worship Lord Vishnu in His Padmanabha form and give food or clothes in charity.
Source: Padma Purana, as told by Lord Krishna to Yudhishthira.
Sharad Purnima and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
All India
The bright full moon of autumn. It is believed that the moonlight on this night carries healing coolness. "Kojagari" means "who is awake?". Goddess Lakshmi is said to bless those who stay awake in prayer tonight.
What to do: Make kheer and keep it in the moonlight for some time, then share it as prasad. Worship Goddess Lakshmi at night.
Source: Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 10, Chapters 29 to 33 (Lord Krishna's Raas Leela on autumn full moon nights). Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is a tradition of Bengal, Odisha and Mithila.
Valmiki Jayanti
All India
The birthday of Maharishi Valmiki, the first poet (Adi Kavi), who wrote the Ramayana. It falls on Ashwin Purnima, one day after Sharad Purnima this year.
What to do: Read a few verses of the Ramayana or listen to a Ramayana katha with family.
Source: Tradition. Valmiki is honoured as Adi Kavi in the Ramayana itself (Bala Kanda).
Karwa Chauth
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, Delhi, MP
Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life of their husbands. In the evening, women gather for the Karwa Chauth katha and puja.
What to do: Eat sargi before sunrise. Fast through the day. Break the fast after seeing the moon through a sieve and offering water to it. Moonrise time differs by city.
Source: Traditional Karwa Chauth vrat katha (story of Queen Veeravati). Elderly women or those with health problems may keep a fruit fast.
November 2026
कार्तिक मास
Kartik month. Diwali, Chhath and the end of Chaturmas.
| Date | Festival | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 NovSun | Ahoi Ashtami | North India |
| 5 NovThu | Rama Ekadashi, Govatsa Dwadashi | All India |
| 6 NovFri | Dhanteras | All India |
| 7 NovSat | Choti Diwali, Kali Chaudas | All India |
| 8 NovSun | Diwali, Lakshmi Puja | All India |
| 10 NovTue | Govardhan Puja, Annakut | All India |
| 11 NovWed | Bhai Dooj | All India |
| 15 NovSun | Chhath Puja (evening Arghya) | Bihar, Jharkhand, East UP |
| 20 NovFri | Devuthani Ekadashi, Chaturmas ends | All India |
| 21 NovSat | Tulsi Vivah | All India |
| 24 NovTue | Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali, Guru Nanak Jayanti | All India |
Diwali 2026: all five days at a glance
Dates for India, as per Drik Panchang (Delhi)
| Date | Festival |
|---|---|
| 6 NovFri | Dhanteras |
| 7 NovSat | Choti Diwali, Kali Chaudas |
| 8 NovSun | Narak Chaturdashi snan at dawn, Lakshmi Puja in the evening |
| 9 NovMon | No main festival (gap day) |
| 10 NovTue | Govardhan Puja, Annakut, Gujarati New Year |
| 11 NovWed | Bhai Dooj |
This year there is one gap day between Diwali and Govardhan Puja, so the festival runs over six calendar days.
Ahoi Ashtami
UP, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP
Mothers fast for the health and long life of their children. Goddess Ahoi, a form of Parvati, is worshipped.
What to do: Fast through the day. Draw or place an image of Ahoi Mata, listen to the katha and break the fast after seeing the stars in the evening.
Source: Traditional Ahoi Ashtami vrat katha. Regional folk tradition.
Rama Ekadashi
All India
"Rama" here means Goddess Lakshmi. This Ekadashi comes just before Diwali and prepares the home and mind to welcome Her. The same day is Govatsa Dwadashi, called Vasu Baras in Maharashtra, when cows and calves are worshipped.
What to do: Fast and worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. On Vasu Baras, feed and honour a cow and her calf.
Source: Brahma Vaivarta Purana, story of Princess Chandrabhaga. Maharashtra: Diwali begins with Vasu Baras.
Dhanteras
All India
The first day of Diwali. Lord Dhanvantari, the healer of the gods, rose from the ocean of milk on this day holding a pot of nectar. It is a good day to buy gold, silver or new utensils.
What to do: Worship Lord Dhanvantari for good health and Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera for prosperity. In the evening, light a lamp facing south at the main door for Yama (Yama Deepdaan).
Source: Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 8, Chapter 8 (Samudra Manthan and Dhanvantari). Yama Deepdaan is a long-standing tradition.
Choti Diwali and Kali Chaudas
All India
The evening before Diwali. Homes are cleaned and the first rows of diyas are lit. In Gujarat, Kali Chaudas is a night of prayer to Goddess Kali and Hanuman for protection.
What to do: Light 5 or more diyas in the evening. Finish cleaning and decorating the home for Lakshmi Puja.
Source: Regional tradition. The Narak Chaturdashi story is below, on 8 November.
Diwali and Lakshmi Puja
All India. The biggest festival of the year
The festival of lights, on the dark new moon night of Kartik. Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years and was welcomed with lamps. Goddess Lakshmi, who rose from the ocean of milk, is worshipped at night. Early the same morning is the Narak Chaturdashi oil bath (Abhyang Snan), which recalls Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura.
What to do: Take an oil bath before sunrise. Do Lakshmi and Ganesh Puja in the evening during Pradosh Kaal, the time just after sunset. Please check the exact muhurat for your city. Light diyas in every corner of the home.
Source: Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda (Rama's return to Ayodhya). Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 8, Chapter 8 (Lakshmi rises from the ocean) and Skandha 10, Chapter 59 (Narakasura). Bengal and Assam: Kali Puja is done tonight.
Govardhan Puja and Annakut
All India. Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas)
Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan hill on His little finger to protect the people of Braj from Indra's storm. Temples offer a "mountain" of food (Annakut) to the Lord.
What to do: Make a small Govardhan with cow dung or clay, do parikrama around it and offer many dishes to Lord Krishna. In Maharashtra, this day is Balipratipada, sacred to King Bali.
Source: Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 10, Chapters 24 and 25. Mathura and Vrindavan: The grandest Annakut darshan.
Bhai Dooj
All India. Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, Bhai Phonta in Bengal
Sisters put a tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life. The day recalls Yamaraj visiting his sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with love.
What to do: Sisters invite brothers home, apply tilak, do aarti and share a meal. Brothers give a gift.
Source: Traditional story of Yama and Yamuna, also called Yama Dwitiya. Note: Traditionally, the doors of Kedarnath temple close for winter around Bhai Dooj. See our 12 Jyotirlingas guide.
Chhath Puja
Bihar, Jharkhand, East UP, and wherever these families live
Four days of worship of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. The main day is the Shashthi tithi, 15 November, when devotees stand in water and offer arghya to the setting sun. The next morning they offer arghya to the rising sun and end the fast.
What to do: The four days usually run from Nahay Khay to the morning arghya, around 13 to 16 November. Please confirm the exact days with your local panchang or family elders.
Source: Worship of the Sun goes back to the Rigveda (Mandala 1, Sukta 50). Chhath customs are the living folk tradition of Bihar and eastern UP. The waterless fast is very hard; the elderly and unwell should take medical advice.
Devuthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
All India
Lord Vishnu wakes from His four-month rest, and Chaturmas ends. From now on, weddings and house-warming ceremonies begin again.
What to do: Fast, worship Lord Vishnu and sing or play bhajans to "wake" the Lord. Some Vaishnava families keep the fast on 21 November.
Source: Padma Purana (Kartik Mahatmya). Maharashtra: Kartiki Ekadashi, with a large gathering at Pandharpur.
Tulsi Vivah
All India. Very popular in Gujarat and Maharashtra
The sacred wedding of the Tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu in His Shaligram form. It marks the start of the wedding season.
What to do: Decorate the Tulsi plant like a bride and perform a small wedding ceremony with Shaligram or an image of Lord Krishna. Share prasad with neighbours.
Source: Shiva Purana, story of Vrinda and Jalandhara. Tulsi Vivah customs vary by region; some families do it on Ekadashi itself.
Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali and Guru Nanak Jayanti
All India. Grandest at Varanasi
The holiest full moon of the year. Lord Shiva destroyed the three demon cities (Tripura) on this day, so it is also called Tripurari Purnima. In Varanasi, the ghats glow with lakhs of diyas for Dev Deepawali. Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev.
What to do: Take a holy dip at dawn, or bathe at home with a few drops of Ganga water. Light diyas in the evening and give charity. Watch the Ganga aarti on our Live Darshan page.
Source: Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita (Shiva destroys Tripura). Maharashtra: Tripuri Purnima, when lamp towers (deepmal) are lit at temples.
December 2026
मार्गशीर्ष मास
Margashirsha month. Lord Krishna calls it His own month in the Gita.
| Date | Festival | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 DecTue | Kalabhairav Jayanti | All India |
| 4 DecFri | Utpanna Ekadashi | All India |
| 14 DecMon | Vivah Panchami | UP, Bihar, Nepal |
| 16 DecWed | Dhanu Sankranti, Kharmas begins | All India |
| 20 DecSun | Mokshada Ekadashi, Gita Jayanti | All India |
| 23 DecWed | Dattatreya Jayanti, Margashirsha Purnima | All India |
Kalabhairav Jayanti
All India. Grandest in Kashi (Varanasi)
The appearance day of Kala Bhairava, the fierce form of Lord Shiva and the protector (Kotwal) of Kashi.
What to do: Visit a Bhairav temple, light a mustard oil lamp and feed a dog, which is Bhairav's vehicle.
Source: Shiva Purana, Shatarudra Samhita (the appearance of Bhairava).
Utpanna Ekadashi
All India
"Utpanna" means "born". On this day a divine power called Ekadashi Devi came out of Lord Vishnu and defeated the demon Mura. So this is the day Ekadashi itself was born. Many people begin their lifelong Ekadashi fasts from this day.
What to do: If you want to start keeping Ekadashi, this is the traditional day to begin. Fast and worship Lord Vishnu.
Source: Ekadashi Mahatmya, as told by Lord Krishna to Yudhishthira (Bhavishyottara Purana tradition).
Vivah Panchami
UP, Bihar and Janakpur (Nepal)
The wedding anniversary of Lord Rama and Mata Sita. It is celebrated with great joy in Ayodhya and in Janakpur, Sita's home town.
What to do: Read the Ram-Sita vivah chapter of the Ramcharitmanas or Ramayana, and offer flowers and sweets to Sita-Ram.
Source: Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (the wedding of Rama and Sita). The date is by tradition.
Dhanu Sankranti and Kharmas
All India. Dhanurmas in the South, Margazhi in Tamil Nadu
The Sun enters Dhanu (Sagittarius). In North India this starts Kharmas, about a month when weddings and house-warmings are usually not held, until Makar Sankranti in mid-January. In the South, Dhanurmas is a very holy month of early morning worship.
What to do: Wake early and pray to Lord Vishnu. In Tamil Nadu, homes draw kolams at dawn and sing Andal's Tiruppavai through Margazhi.
Source: Solar calendar tradition. Tiruppavai by Andal, one of the 12 Alvars.
Mokshada Ekadashi and Gita Jayanti
All India. Grandest at Kurukshetra
"Mokshada" means "giver of liberation". The same day is Gita Jayanti, when we remember Lord Krishna teaching the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
What to do: Fast, and read at least one chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. If reading is hard, listen to a Gita recitation with family.
Source: Mokshada Ekadashi: Ekadashi Mahatmya tradition. The Gita: Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva, Chapters 25 to 42.
Dattatreya Jayanti (Margashirsha Purnima)
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana, Gujarat
The birthday of Lord Dattatreya, son of Sage Atri and Mata Anasuya, who unites Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. He learned wisdom from 24 teachers in nature, like the earth, the ocean and the bee.
What to do: Visit a Datta temple, read the Guru Charitra or chant "Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabh Digambara".
Source: Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 4 (birth to Atri and Anasuya) and Skandha 11, Chapters 7 to 9 (the 24 teachers). Places: Ganagapur, Narsobawadi and Girnar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Lakshmi Puja is done that evening during Pradosh Kaal, the time just after sunset. The exact muhurat changes by city, so please check your local panchang.
Why is Diwali so late in 2026?
2026 has an extra Hindu month, called Adhik Maas, from 17 May to 15 June. It pushes every festival after it about 2 to 3 weeks later. In 2025, Diwali was on 20 October; in 2026 it is on 8 November.
Why is Govardhan Puja on 10 November and not the day after Diwali?
The Hindu day follows the tithi at sunrise. In 2026 the Pratipada tithi, which decides Govardhan Puja, is counted from 10 November. So 9 November is a gap day, and Bhai Dooj moves to 11 November.
When does Navratri start and end in 2026?
Sharad Navratri starts with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October 2026. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami are both on Monday, 19 October, and Dussehra is on Tuesday, 20 October.
Why are Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on the same day this year?
Because of how the Ashtami and Navami tithis fall between sunrises in 2026, both are observed on 19 October. Families who do Kanya Puja on either Ashtami or Navami can do it on 19 October.
When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
Karwa Chauth is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. The fast is broken after moonrise, and moonrise time is different in every city, so check your local panchang in the evening.
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
The main day of Chhath, with the evening arghya to the setting sun, is Sunday, 15 November 2026. The four days of Chhath usually run from about 13 to 16 November. Confirm the exact days with your local panchang.
When does the wedding season start after Chaturmas?
Chaturmas ends on Devuthani Ekadashi, Friday 20 November 2026, and Tulsi Vivah is on 21 November. Weddings resume after that. In North India, Kharmas starts on 16 December, and weddings usually pause again until Makar Sankranti in mid-January.
When is Sarva Pitru Amavasya in 2026?
Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the last day of Pitru Paksha, is on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Use our Pitru Paksha Shraddha Tithi Finder to find the exact Shraddha date for each ancestor.
Which Ekadashis fall between October and December 2026?
There are six: Indira Ekadashi on 6 October, Papankusha Ekadashi on 22 October, Rama Ekadashi on 5 November, Devuthani Ekadashi on 20 November, Utpanna Ekadashi on 4 December and Mokshada Ekadashi on 20 December.
Continue reading
Jai Mata Di. Jai Shri Ram. Shubh Deepavali.