Vrat & Parva Calendar — Ekādaśī, Pūrṇimā, Amāvāsyā & Saṅkrānti for any year

3

Jan

Margashirsha Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

13

Jan

🔥 Lohri

Festival of fire celebrating end of winter, harvest, and the sun's northward journey. Bonfires are lit, people dance bhangra and gidda around the fire, offering rewri, puffed rice, and popcorn. Special significance for newlyweds and newborn babies. Celebrated mainly in Punjab and Haryana.

14

Jan

Shattila Ekadashi

Pausha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

14

Jan

Makara Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Makara · dāna-puṇya

18

Jan

Magha Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

23

Jan

🌼 Vasant Panchami / Saraswati Pooja

Magha Shukla Panchami — arrival of spring! Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom, arts, and learning is worshipped. Students place their books, musical instruments, and pens before Devi Saraswati. Children begin learning to write (Vidyarambha). Yellow is the sacred colour — yellow clothes, yellow flowers, yellow food. Kites are flown.

29

Jan

Jaya Ekadashi

Magha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

1

Feb

Magha Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

13

Feb

Vijaya Ekadashi

Magha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

13

Feb

Kumbha Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Kumbha · dāna-puṇya

15

Feb

🔱 Maha Shivaratri

The Great Night of Shiva — the most sacred night for all Shaivites worldwide. Lord Shiva performed the Tandava on this night. Devotees fast completely (even water for strict observers), observe night-long vigil (jaagaran), perform abhishekam with milk, honey, curd, ghee, and water. Four praharas of worship correspond to Shiva's four aspects. Chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya" resonates in every temple.

16

Feb

🔱 Maha Shivaratri

The Great Night of Shiva — the most sacred night for all Shaivites worldwide. Lord Shiva performed the Tandava on this night. Devotees fast completely (even water for strict observers), observe night-long vigil (jaagaran), perform abhishekam with milk, honey, curd, ghee, and water. Four praharas of worship correspond to Shiva's four aspects. Chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya" resonates in every temple.

17

Feb

Phalguna Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

27

Feb

Amalaki Ekadashi

Phalguna māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

3

Mar

Magha Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

14

Mar

Mina Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Mina · dāna-puṇya

15

Mar

Papamochani Ekadashi

Phalguna māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

19

Mar

Chaitra Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

19

Mar

🎋 Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

Hindu New Year! Chaitra Shukla Pratipada marks the beginning of the new Vikram Samvat. Ugadi for Kannada & Telugu speakers; Gudi Padwa for Marathis. A Gudi (bamboo stick with cloth, neem, mango leaves, garland, and an inverted copper pot) is raised. The Ugadi Pachadi — a mixture of neem, jaggery, raw mango, tamarind, salt, and chilli — symbolizes the six rasas of life.

19

Mar

🌺 Chaitra Navratri begins

Spring Navratri — nine nights of Goddess Durga worship that begin the Hindu new year, culminating in Ram Navami.

29

Mar

Kamada Ekadashi

Phalguna māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

2

Apr

Phalguna Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

2

Apr

🎨 Holi — Festival of Colours

Dhulandi — the most joyous and colorful festival! Celebrates victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. People drench each other with coloured water and smear gulal (dry colour). Special Holi in Mathura-Vrindavan with flowers (Phoolon ki Holi), Barsana (Lath Mar Holi). Bhang thandai is consumed. Evening: Rang Panchami.

13

Apr

Varuthini Ekadashi

Chaitra māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

14

Apr

Mesha Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Mesha · dāna-puṇya

17

Apr

Chaitra Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

17

Apr

🎋 Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

Hindu New Year! Chaitra Shukla Pratipada marks the beginning of the new Vikram Samvat. Ugadi for Kannada & Telugu speakers; Gudi Padwa for Marathis. A Gudi (bamboo stick with cloth, neem, mango leaves, garland, and an inverted copper pot) is raised. The Ugadi Pachadi — a mixture of neem, jaggery, raw mango, tamarind, salt, and chilli — symbolizes the six rasas of life.

17

Apr

🌺 Chaitra Navratri begins

Spring Navratri — nine nights of Goddess Durga worship that begin the Hindu new year, culminating in Ram Navami.

25

Apr

🏹 Ram Navami

Chaitra Shukla Navami — Birthday of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu! Massive processions of Rath Yatras carrying idols of Ram, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. The Ramayana is recited and performed. Fasting is observed; prasad of panjeeri and panchaamrit is distributed. Ayodhya, Rameshwaram, and Bhadrachalam are prime pilgrimage centres.

27

Apr

Mohini Ekadashi

Chaitra māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

1

May

Chaitra Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

1

May

🙏 Hanuman Jayanti / Chaitra Purnima

Birthday of Hanuman ji — the embodiment of devotion, strength, and selfless service! Temples are thronged from early morning. Abhishekam with oil (sindoor is Lord Hanuman's favourite), chanting of Hanuman Chalisa 108 times, and Sundara Kanda recitation. Hanuman is the patron deity of wrestlers, martial artists, and those facing difficulties.

13

May

Apara Ekadashi

Chaitra māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

14

May

Vrishabha Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Vrishabha · dāna-puṇya

16

May

Jyeshtha Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

27

May

Padmini Ekadashi

Vaishakha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

31

May

Vaishakha Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

11

Jun

Parama Ekadashi

Jyeshtha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

14

Jun

Mithuna Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Mithuna · dāna-puṇya

15

Jun

Jyeshtha Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

25

Jun

Nirjala Ekadashi

Jyeshtha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

29

Jun

Jyeshtha Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

10

Jul

Yogini Ekadashi

Jyeshtha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

14

Jul

Ashadha Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

15

Jul

🏛️ Rath Yatra — Jagannath Puri

Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya — the most magnificent chariot festival in the world! Lord Jagannath (Vishnu), Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra leave their temple in massive chariots pulled by hundreds of thousands of devotees. The three chariots — Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Devadalana — are decorated with coloured cloth and mirrors. The procession travels from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha temple. British colonial records noted 1 million devotees! The word "Juggernaut" comes from Jagannath.

16

Jul

Karka Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Karka · dāna-puṇya

25

Jul

Devshayani Ekadashi

Ashadha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

29

Jul

Ashadha Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

9

Aug

Kamika Ekadashi

Ashadha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

12

Aug

Shravana Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

15

Aug

🌿 Hariyali Teej

Shravana Shukla Tritiya — the green Teej. Women fast and pray to Shiva and Parvati for marital harmony. Swings are decorated; mehndi and sindoor are exchanged.

16

Aug

🐍 Nag Panchami

Shravana Shukla Panchami — ancient Vedic worship of Nag Devatas (serpent deities). Milk is offered to the stone or silver Naga idol at the temple (not to live snakes — modern veterinary science confirms cobras are lactose-intolerant and offering milk to live serpents can harm them; the temple-idol offering is the authentic Vedic practice). Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Shankhapala, Dhritarashtra, Takshaka, Kaliya — the divine serpents are propitiated. Special significance in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and South India.

17

Aug

Simha Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Simha · dāna-puṇya

23

Aug

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

Shravana māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

28

Aug

Shravana Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

7

Sep

Aja Ekadashi

Shravana māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

11

Sep

Bhadrapada Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

13

Sep

🌿 Hartalika Teej

Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya — one of the major Teej festivals! Married women observe a strict fast (no food, no water) praying for their husbands' long life and their marital bliss, worshipping Shiva and Parvati made of sand. Unmarried girls pray for a good husband. Elaborate swings are decorated with flowers. Popular in North India, Rajasthan, and Nepal.

14

Sep

🐘 Ganesh Chaturthi — Ganeshotsav Begins

Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi — the 10-day Ganeshotsav festival begins! Birthday of Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed deity and Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles). First puja of every ceremony. Elaborate pandals with massive clay idols are installed, especially in Maharashtra (Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularized public celebrations in 1893). Modak (coconut-jaggery dumplings) are Ganesha's favourite offering. The festival ends with Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) on Anant Chaturdashi.

17

Sep

Kanya Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Kanya · dāna-puṇya

22

Sep

Parsva Ekadashi

Bhadrapada māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

25

Sep

💧 Anant Chaturdashi / Ganesh Visarjan

Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi — the 10th and final day of Ganeshotsav. Lord Ganesha is bid farewell with massive processions and immersed (visarjan) in water bodies. Also Anant Vrat — devotees worship Lord Ananta (Vishnu reclining on Shesha) and tie 14-knotted threads on the arm.

26

Sep

Bhadrapada Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

3

Oct

🪈 Krishna Janmashtami

Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami — the midnight birth of Lord Krishna at Mathura prison! The eighth avatar of Vishnu. Fasting strictly observed until midnight, then breaking of fast with panchamrit prasad. Abhishekam of baby Krishna idol, jhoola (swing) decoration, Dahi Handi (earthen pot of curd broken by human pyramid), Ras Lila performances. Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwaraka, Udupi (Karnataka) are the major celebration centres. Krishna Janmotsav at midnight!

6

Oct

Indira Ekadashi

Bhadrapada māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

10

Oct

Ashwin Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

11

Oct

🪔 Sharad Navratri begins — Ghatasthapana

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada — Nine Nights of Goddess Durga begin! Ghatasthapana: a sacred kalash (clay pot) is installed with water, mango leaves, and coconut, symbolizing the Goddess. A lamp is kept burning for 9 days. Each of the nine days worships a different Shakti: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri. Garba and Dandiya Raas are performed especially in Gujarat.

17

Oct

Tula Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Tula · dāna-puṇya

18

Oct

🗡️ Durga Ashtami

Ashwin Shukla Ashtami — the 8th day of Sharad Navratri. The most powerful Devi day. Mahagauri is worshipped. Kanya puja and Sandhi puja are performed. Sandhi-kshana — the junction of Ashtami-Navami — is the most sacred moment to worship Devi.

19

Oct

⚔️ Maha Navami / Ayudha Pooja

Ashwin Shukla Navami — the 9th and most powerful day of Navratri. Maha Navami: Kanya Pooja (worship of nine young girls as embodiments of Devi). Ayudha Pooja: tools, vehicles, books, and instruments are worshipped (especially in South India). Saraswati Pooja is performed — books are placed before the deity.

20

Oct

🏆 Vijayadashami / Dussehra

Ashwin Shukla Dashami — the Day of Victory! Lord Rama defeated Ravana with the blessing of Goddess Durga on this day. Massive effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghanada are burned at sunset. In South India, the tools, vehicles, and weapons used in work are worshipped (Ayudha Pooja). Mysore Dasara — a grand royal procession with elephants, cavalry, and illumination of Mysore Palace is a UNESCO cultural heritage event. Shami tree leaves are exchanged as gold.

22

Oct

Papankusha Ekadashi

Ashwin māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

26

Oct

Ashwin Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

5

Nov

Rama Ekadashi

Ashwin māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

9

Nov

Kartika Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

9

Nov

🏔️ Govardhan Pooja / Annakut

First day of Kartik Shukla — Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Parvat on his little finger for 7 days to protect the people of Vrindavan from Indra's floods. In gratitude, they worshipped the mountain. "Annakut" (mountain of food) — a mountain of 56 different food items (chhappan bhog) is offered to deities. Cow worship is performed.

10

Nov

❤️ Bhai Dooj

Kartik Shukla Dwitiya — Yama (god of death) visited his sister Yami (river Yamuna) on this day. She performed tilak ceremony and fed him. Yama declared that any brother who receives tilak from his sister on this day would not fear death. Sisters apply tilak on brothers' foreheads, pray for their long life, and feed them sweets. Brothers give gifts.

15

Nov

☀️ Chhath Pooja

Kartik Shukla Shashthi — one of India's most ancient Vedic festivals! Surya (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess of the 6th day) are worshipped for 4 days. Devotees stand waist-deep in rivers offering arghya (water offering) to the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) and then to the rising sun the next morning (Usha Arghya). The 36-hour nirjala fast without a drop of water. The Chhath ghat becomes a sea of devotees. Major celebration along Ganges ghats in Bihar, Varanasi, and Delhi.

16

Nov

Vrishchika Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Vrishchika · dāna-puṇya

20

Nov

Devutthana Ekadashi

Kartika māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

21

Nov

🌿 Tulsi Vivah

Kartik Shukla Dwadashi — the divine marriage of the Tulasi plant with the Shaligram (symbol of Vishnu). Marks the formal end of Chaturmas and the resumption of the marriage season.

24

Nov

Kartika Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna

27

Nov

🌙 Karva Chauth

Kartik Krishna Chaturthi — married women fast from sunrise to moonrise, not consuming a single grain or drop of water, praying for their husbands' long life and prosperity. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon through a sieve and seeing the husband's face through it. Celebrated with great festivity in North India, Rajasthan, Punjab, and UP — women dress in bridal finery.

4

Dec

Utpanna Ekadashi

Kartika māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

6

Dec

💰 Dhanteras

Kartik Krishna Trayodashi — Dhanvantari (the divine physician, avatar of Vishnu) emerged from the cosmic ocean during Samudra Manthan carrying the pot of amrit (nectar of immortality) on this day. Purchasing gold, silver, and new utensils is considered highly auspicious. Lakshmi-Kubera are worshipped in the evening. 13 oil diyas are lit and kept facing south to propitiate Yama (god of death). Ayurvedic practitioners especially celebrate this day.

7

Dec

🪔 Naraka Chaturdashi / Chhoti Diwali

Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi — Lord Krishna and Satyabhama defeated the demon Narakasura on this day, liberating 16,100 women imprisoned by him. An oil bath before sunrise is prescribed — the fragrant oil protects against evil. Firecrackers are burst at dawn to celebrate the demon's defeat. Also called Roop Chaturdashi or Bhoot Chaturdashi.

8

Dec

Margashirsha Amāvāsyā

New moon · pitṛ-tarpaṇa, śrāddha

13

Dec

💍 Vivah Panchami

Margashirsha Shukla Panchami — the divine marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita in the royal court of Janaka at Mithila! The Ramayana narrates this most sacred of all weddings. Grand celebrations at Janakpur (Nepal), Ayodhya, and Sitamarhi. Ram-Sita kalyanam ceremonies are performed in temples.

14

Dec

💍 Vivah Panchami

Margashirsha Shukla Panchami — the divine marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita in the royal court of Janaka at Mithila! The Ramayana narrates this most sacred of all weddings. Grand celebrations at Janakpur (Nepal), Ayodhya, and Sitamarhi. Ram-Sita kalyanam ceremonies are performed in temples.

15

Dec

Dhanu Saṅkrānti

Sun enters Dhanu · dāna-puṇya

20

Dec

Mokshada Ekadashi

Margashirsha māsa · Viṣṇu vrata

24

Dec

Margashirsha Pūrṇimā

Full moon · satyanārāyaṇa vrata, snāna-dāna