Hindu Calendar - October to December 2026

OCTOBER 2026 Ashwin - Kartika begins

 

2 Oct	Thu	Papankusha Ekadashi	Ekadashi | Pan-India
Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Ashwin. Papankusha = the hook that removes sins (Pap = sin, Ankusha = elephant hook). Just as an ankusha guides a powerful elephant, this Ekadashi controls and destroys accumulated sins of many lifetimes. The Padma Purana says its merit equals bathing at Prayagraj during a solar eclipse - one of the most powerful purification acts in Hindu tradition. Scripture: Padma Purana - Story of Papankusha Ekadashi narrated by Krishna to Yudhishthira. State Note: Same date all states.

 

6 Oct	Mon	SHARAD PURNIMA - KOJAGARI PURNIMA	Major Purnima | Pan-India
The full moon of Ashwin - one of the most special Purnimas of the year with three names and three reasons to celebrate. Sharad Purnima: The Moon is at its closest to Earth - biggest and brightest of the year. Ancient texts say the Moon's rays tonight contain Amrit (divine nectar) with healing properties. Kojagari Purnima: 'Ko Jagarti' = who is awake? Goddess Lakshmi descends to earth tonight asking this question. Those who stay awake in worship receive her direct blessing. Krishna's Maharaas: This is the night Lord Krishna performed the Maharaas - the divine dance with the gopis in Vrindavan. What to do: Make Kheer (rice pudding). Keep it outdoors in the moonlight overnight. Eat it next morning. Fast during the day and stay up in prayer. Scripture: Bhagavata Purana Skandha 10, Chapters 29-33 - The complete description of the Maharaas on this night. Vishnu Purana - On Lakshmi's descent on Kojagari. Atharva Veda 7.81 - 'The full moon on this night shines with special healing power.' State Note: West Bengal and Odisha: Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is the main event - elaborate Goddess Lakshmi worship at night. In Maharashtra: Ashwini Purnima. Gujarat: Kheer in moonlight is universal. The night is also called Ras Purnima in Braj (UP).

 

13 Oct	Mon	Rama Ekadashi	Ekadashi | Pan-India
Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of Ashwin. Rama here refers not to Lord Rama but to Ramaa - another name for Goddess Lakshmi (Rama = the beautiful, radiant one). This Ekadashi just before Diwali is considered a powerful purification fast that prepares the devotee spiritually for the Diwali season. It is said to be especially pleasing to Goddess Lakshmi. Scripture: Brahma Vaivarta Purana - On the significance of Rama Ekadashi. State Note: Same date all states.

 

18 Oct	Sat	DHANTERAS - Dhan Trayodashi	Major Festival | Pan-India
First day of the five-day Diwali festival. Dhan = wealth, Teras = 13th Tithi. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera (god of treasures) are worshipped. It is highly auspicious to purchase gold, silver, new utensils, or any metal today - believed to multiply throughout the year. This is also Dhanvantari Jayanti - birthday of Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and deity of Ayurveda, who emerged from the cosmic ocean holding a pot of Amrit. Pray for good health today. Yama Deepam: In the evening, light a lamp facing south (direction of Yama) outside the main door to pray for family members' long life. Scripture: Vishnu Purana - On the churning of the cosmic ocean and Dhanvantari's emergence. Garuda Purana - On Yama Deepam. Dharmasindhu (17th century compendium) - On the practice of purchasing metals on Dhanteras. State Note: All states. South India: Dhanvantari Puja is more prominent than in North India - ayurvedic medicines are specially blessed. Gujarat: Dhanteras is the biggest gold-buying day of the year. The trading community considers it the year's most important financial event.

 

19 Oct	Sun	NARAK CHATURDASHI - Choti Diwali	Festival | Pan-India
The 14th Tithi of Krishna Paksha in Kartika. Lord Krishna (with his wife Satyabhama who insisted on joining the battle) defeated the demon Narakasura in the early hours before sunrise. Narakasura had imprisoned 16,000 women in his palace. His last wish was that his defeat be celebrated as a festival of joy. The tradition of waking before sunrise and taking an oil bath comes from this story - the bath washes away the impurity of Narakasura's era. Firecrackers celebrate his defeat. Also called Roop Chaturdashi (Roop = beauty) - the oil bath before sunrise is believed to give health and beauty throughout the year. Scripture: Bhagavata Purana Skandha 10.59 - The story of Krishna and Satyabhama's battle with Narakasura. Skanda Purana - On the ritual significance of the pre-sunrise oil bath. State Note: South India: The pre-dawn oil bath on this day is considered even more important than Diwali day. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, this is the primary festival. Maharashtra and Gujarat: Called Choti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi.

 

20 Oct	Mon	DIWALI - LAKSHMI PUJA - AMAVASYA	BIGGEST Festival | Pan-India
Diwali is the Festival of Lights - and it falls on the darkest night of the year (Amavasya). Lights are lit to drive away darkness both physical and spiritual. Origin: Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and defeating Ravana on this Kartika Amavasya night. The people lit thousands of oil lamps to welcome him in the dark moonless night. The central ritual: Lakshmi Puja during Pradosh Kaal (approximately 90 minutes after sunset - the most auspicious window, roughly 6 PM to 8 PM). Goddess Lakshmi visits every home where lamps are lit and cleanliness reigns. Five elements of Diwali: Lights (diyas and lanterns), Sweets (shared with everyone), Fireworks (victory of light), New Clothes (welcoming prosperity), Family Gathering (the heart of the festival). Scripture: Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda - Rama's return to Ayodhya and the lighting of lamps. Vishnu Purana 1.8 - On Goddess Lakshmi and how she blesses sincere worshippers. Padma Purana - On lighting lamps on Kartika Amavasya. State Note: All states - the most universally celebrated festival. Gujarat: New Year (Bestu Varas) falls the NEXT day - Diwali Amavasya is the last day of the Gujarati year. Chopda Puja (blessing of new account books) done tonight. West Bengal and Odisha: Kali Puja is the primary festival on this night - Goddess Kali worshipped (not Lakshmi). Tamil Nadu and Kerala: Diwali observed but Narak Chaturdashi (previous day) is often considered more important.

 

21 Oct	Tue	GOVARDHAN PUJA - ANNAKUT	Festival | Pan-India
The first day of Kartika Shukla Paksha. Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan hill on his little finger to protect the people of Vrindavan from torrential rains sent by angry Indra. Krishna had convinced the people to stop worshipping Indra and worship the Govardhan hill instead (which gave them everything they needed). Furious Indra sent seven days of catastrophic rain. Krishna lifted the entire hill like an umbrella until Indra accepted defeat. Annakut: Temples prepare a mountain (kuta) of hundreds of cooked dishes and offer it to Lord Krishna/Vishnu. After puja, distributed as prasad. For Gujarat: This is New Year's Day (Bestu Varas) - new account books (Chopda) opened. Visits to friends, sweets exchanged. Scripture: Bhagavata Purana Skandha 10.24-25 - The complete Govardhan Lila story. State Note: Gujarat: New Year (Bestu Varas) - the biggest social day after Diwali. Mathura and Vrindavan: Annakut at all major temples is spectacular - mountains of food. Maharashtra: Balipratipadaa - King Bali worshipped. South India: Bali Padyami.

 

22 Oct	Wed	BHAI DOOJ	Festival | Pan-India
Bhai = brother, Dooj = second (Dwitiya). Sisters invite brothers home, offer a meal, apply Tilak on their forehead, and pray for their long life. Brothers give gifts. Puranic origin: Yama (God of Death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. She welcomed him with great love, cooked, applied Tilak, fed him sweets. Yama was so moved he declared: 'Any brother who receives his sister's Tilak today will never fear death.' This is why Bhai Dooj is also called Yamadvitiya. Scripture: Skanda Purana - Story of Yama visiting Yamuna and the origin of Bhai Dooj. Padma Purana - Also references this festival. State Note: All states. Maharashtra: Bhau Beej. West Bengal and Bihar: Bhai Phonta - the Tilak is called Phonta. Nepal: Bhai Tika (national festival).

 

26 Oct	Sun	DEVUTTHANA EKADASHI - TULSI VIVAH	Major Festival | Pan-India
Devutthana = the awakening of God. Lord Vishnu wakes from his four-month cosmic sleep (Chaturmas ends). The wedding season in Hindu society officially resumes - from this date, wedding invitations begin to flow. Tulsi Vivah: The marriage ceremony between the Tulsi plant (form of Goddess Lakshmi) and the Shaligram stone (Lord Vishnu) is performed on this evening - a full wedding ceremony with all traditions. From this day, Tulsi leaves can be freely used in daily puja again. Scripture: Padma Purana - On Devutthana Ekadashi and the end of Chaturmas. Skanda Purana - On Tulsi Vivah and the sacred nature of the Tulsi plant. Rigveda 10.97 - On the sanctity of plants. State Note: All states. Gujarat and Maharashtra: Tulsi Vivah is observed with a full ceremony including singing, sweets, and community gatherings. The date of Tulsi Vivah varies slightly - some observe on Ekadashi night, some on the next day (Dwadashi). Check local Panchang.

 

31 Oct	Fri	KARTIKA PURNIMA - DEV DEEPAWALI	Most Sacred Purnima | Pan-India
The most sacred Purnima of the entire year. Three events: (1) Lord Shiva destroyed the three demon cities (Tripuras) on this day - gods lit lamps to celebrate. (2) Lord Vishnu took his Matsya (fish) avatar on this day to save the Vedas. (3) Guru Nanak Jayanti: the birth of Guru Nanak Dev falls on Kartika Purnima. Dev Deepawali at Varanasi: The most spectacular festival in all India - 84 ghats of Varanasi lit with over 10 lakh clay diyas. The Ganga reflects a million lamps. Gods are said to descend to Varanasi to bathe in the Ganga tonight. What to do: Wake before sunrise, bathe in a river or at home, light diyas in the evening, Satyanarayan Puja, give donations. Scripture: Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita - On Shiva's destruction of the Tripuras on Kartika Purnima. Bhagavata Purana Skandha 8.24 - On the Matsya avatar. Skanda Purana, Kashi Khanda - On Dev Deepawali at Varanasi. State Note: All states. Dev Deepawali at Varanasi (UP) is the grandest celebration in India. Maharashtra and Konkan: Tripuri Purnima - lamps lit outside homes.

 

 

NOVEMBER 2026 Kartika Krishna Paksha - Margashirsha begins

 

2-5 Nov	Sun-Wed	CHHATH PUJA - Four-Day Sun Worship	Major Festival | Bihar, UP, Jharkhand
One of the oldest Vedic festivals still observed in its original form. Chhath is the worship of the Sun God (Surya) and his wife Usha (dawn). Unique features: No idol is worshipped - the Sun and Moon are worshipped directly. The fast is among the most difficult in Hinduism - 36 continuous hours without food or water. Worship is done standing in water. The four days: Day 1 - Nahay Khay (2 Nov): Sacred bath, one meal of pumpkin and rice in an earthen pot. Day 2 - Kharna (3 Nov): Full-day fast. In the evening Kheer and roti are made on a new earthen stove, offered to the Sun through a lamp, then eaten by the devotee. After this the 36-hour waterless fast begins. Day 3 - Sandhya Arghya (4 Nov): Main day. Devotees stand in water at sunset and offer Arghya (water, milk, sugarcane juice) to the setting Sun while family sings Chhath songs. Day 4 - Usha Arghya (5 Nov): Before sunrise, return to the water and offer Arghya to the rising Sun. Fast broken after this. Scripture: Rigveda Mandala 1, Sukta 50 - The Surya Sukta - the most ancient hymn to the Sun God. Atharva Veda 13.2 - On the healing power of the Sun. Bhavishya Purana - Complete description of Chhath Puja and its origin involving Draupadi and Kunti. State Note: Primarily Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern UP. Now observed wherever migrants from these states live - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and abroad. Different from pan-India Makar Sankranti. The name Chhath comes from Shashthi - the sixth day of Kartika Shukla Paksha when the Sun is worshipped.

 

6 Nov	Thu	Utpanna Ekadashi	Ekadashi | Pan-India
Utpanna = born or originated. The Padma Purana contains the story of how Ekadashi herself was born from Lord Vishnu on this day to combat the demon Mura. Demon Mura had conquered all gods. While Mura pursued Vishnu, a beautiful woman - Ekadashi Devi - emerged from Vishnu's sleeping body and slew the demon. Vishnu woke, saw what happened, and declared: 'You shall be known as Ekadashi, and those who fast on your day shall be cleansed of all sins.' This is why Ekadashi is called the most beloved day of Lord Vishnu. Scripture: Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda - The origin story of Ekadashi Devi - the authoritative text for all 24 Ekadashis. State Note: Same date all states.

 

21 Nov	Fri	MOKSHADA EKADASHI - GITA JAYANTI	Major Festival | Pan-India
Mokshada = giver of Moksha (liberation). One of the most sacred Ekadashis. On this day Lord Krishna narrated the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Gita Jayanti - birthday of the Bhagavad Gita. On this day: read any chapter of the Gita, attend Gita discourses, recite Vishnu Sahasranama. The Padma Purana says: 'The merit of fasting on Mokshada Ekadashi is equal to performing the Vajapeya Yajna - the most powerful Vedic fire ritual. Not only the devotee but their ancestors are freed from the cycle of birth and death.' Scripture: Bhagavad Gita 18.70 - 'One who studies this sacred dialogue worships me with the sacrifice of knowledge.' Padma Purana - On Mokshada Ekadashi as the day the Gita was spoken. State Note: All states. Kurukshetra (Haryana): The biggest Gita Jayanti in India. Massive fair at the Brahma Sarovar, continuous Gita readings and discourses.

 

27 Nov	Thu	Margashirsha Purnima - DATTATREYA JAYANTI	Purnima | Pan-India
Full moon of Margashirsha. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita: 'Among months, I am Margashirsha.' This makes it the month of Krishna himself. Dattatreya Jayanti: The divine sage Dattatreya is believed born on this Purnima. Dattatreya combines all three of the divine trinity - one body with three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. He is the Adi Guru (first teacher) who famously learned from 24 natural teachers: the earth, water, fire, air, space, moon, sun, pigeon, python, ocean, moth, bee, elephant, honey-gatherer, deer, fish, dancing girl, bird, maiden, arrow-maker, serpent, spider, caterpillar, and a wasp. Scripture: Bhagavad Gita 10.35 - 'Among months, I am Margashirsha.' Bhagavata Purana Skandha 11 - Contains Dattatreya's teachings to King Yadu. State Note: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana: Dattatreya Jayanti is a major celebration. North India: Observed but less prominently.

 

 

DECEMBER 2026 Margashirsha - Pausha begins

 

6 Dec	Sat	Saphala Ekadashi	Ekadashi | Pan-India
Saphala = fruitful or successful. This Ekadashi is said to make all endeavours successful for one who observes it. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana says it removes obstacles from one's path and ensures efforts bear fruit. The presiding form of Lord Vishnu is Achyuta - the infallible one, the one who never fails his devotees. Scripture: Brahma Vaivarta Purana - On Saphala Ekadashi. State Note: Same date all states.

 

12 Dec	Fri	Pausha Amavasya	Amavasya | Pan-India
The new moon of Pausha (December). Pitru Tarpan day - ancestor prayers. In the cold of December, the ritual is often done at home rather than at the river bank. This Amavasya is also a day for Shani (Saturn) worship - the cold, dark energy of winter makes this a powerful day for prayers to Shani Deva to reduce life's difficulties. Scripture: Garuda Purana 1.13 - On Pitru Tarpan on Amavasya. State Note: Same all states. South India: Falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai or Margazhi transition.

 

20 Dec	Sat	Putrada Ekadashi (Pausha Shukla)	Ekadashi | Pan-India
Second Putrada Ekadashi of the year (first was in July). Sacred to Lord Vishnu as Narayana. Fasting today is said to grant the boon of good children and purify the family line. In winter: permitted foods include warm fruits, milk, and dry fruits. A sacred bath on this Ekadashi is considered equivalent to a bath at Prayagraj. Scripture: Vishnu Purana - On the significance of Pausha Shukla Ekadashi. State Note: Same date all states.

 

26 Dec	Fri	PAUSHA PURNIMA	Purnima | Pan-India
Full moon of Pausha. Marks the beginning of the Magh Mela preparations at Prayagraj - the Sangam (meeting of Ganga, Yamuna, and invisible Saraswati). Pilgrims who wish to stay for the entire Magh Mela (45 days, beginning fully with Makar Sankranti) begin arriving in Prayagraj from Pausha Purnima. Giving warm clothing, blankets, and sesame seeds to the poor on Pausha Purnima gives special merit - the Puranas say gifts given in cold months have extra value because they immediately relieve suffering. Scripture: Skanda Purana - On Pausha Purnima and the beginning of the Magh bathing season at Prayagraj. Padma Purana - On the merit of giving warm clothing and sesame in winter. State Note: UP: Magh Mela at Prayagraj. Kalpavasis (those who live at Prayagraj for the entire month in tents) often arrive from this Purnima.