Hindu Calendar 2026: Complete Guide

The Hindu calendar 2026 (Vikram Samvat 2082-2083, Shaka 1948-1949) spans from Chaitra to Phalguna, with festivals, vrats, and auspicious days determined by the lunar-solar panchang system.

This guide covers every major observance in 2026, organized month by month. For exact panchang timings based on your location, use the KAAL app.

How the Hindu Calendar Works

The Hindu calendar is lunisolar — months follow the Moon (lunar), but the year stays aligned with the Sun (solar) through an intercalary month (Adhik Maas) roughly every 3 years.

Key concepts:

• Tithi: Lunar day (30 per month, 15 per fortnight)
• Paksha: Fortnight — Shukla (waxing) and Krishna (waning)
• Masa: Lunar month — named after the nakshatra near the full moon
• Ritu: Season (6 seasons of 2 months each)

Month-by-Month Festival Calendar

January 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Jan 13 | Lohri | Regional (Punjab) | | Jan 14 | Makar Sankranti | Major — Sun enters Capricorn | | Jan 14 | Pongal (Day 1) | Major (Tamil Nadu) | | Jan 16 | Sakat Chauth | Vrat |

Makar Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar calendar, marking the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayan). Celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Magh Bihu in Assam, and Poush Sankranti in Bengal.

February 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Feb 12 | Basant Panchami / Saraswati Puja | Major | | Feb 26 | Maha Shivaratri | Major |

Maha Shivaratri — the great night of Shiva — is observed with all-night vigil, fasting, and worship at Shiva temples. One of the most important pan-India festivals.

March 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Mar 14 | Holika Dahan | Major | | Mar 15 | Holi | Major | | Mar 22 | Chaitra Navratri begins | Major (9 days) | | Mar 30 | Ram Navami | Major | | Mar 31 | Chaitra Navratri ends | Major |

Holi is the festival of colors, celebrating the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. Chaitra Navratri marks the Hindu New Year in many traditions and is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

April 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Apr 2 | Hanuman Jayanti | Major | | Apr 14 | Baisakhi / Vaisakhi | Harvest | | Apr 14 | Puthandu (Tamil New Year) | Regional | | Apr 14 | Vishu (Kerala New Year) | Regional | | Apr 14 | Rongali Bihu | Regional (Assam) |

Baisakhi marks the solar new year and the spring harvest. It holds special significance for Sikhs as the founding day of the Khalsa.

May 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | May 1 | Akshaya Tritiya | Major | | May 12 | Buddha Purnima | Observance |

Akshaya Tritiya — one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. Activities begun on this day are believed to bring lasting success. Popular for purchasing gold, starting new ventures, and weddings.

June 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Jun 16 | Rath Yatra (Puri) | Major | | Jun 29 | Guru Purnima | Major |

Guru Purnima honors spiritual teachers. Dedicated to Vyasa, the sage who compiled the Vedas and wrote the Mahabharata.

July 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Jul 24 | Nag Panchami | Observance |

Nag Panchami — worship of serpent deities (Nagas). Devotees offer milk and prayers to snake idols and live cobras.

August 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Aug 9 | Raksha Bandhan | Major | | Aug 15 | Krishna Janmashtami | Major | | Aug 22 | Ganesh Chaturthi | Major (10 days) |

Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between siblings. Krishna Janmashtami marks Lord Krishna's birth with midnight celebrations. Ganesh Chaturthi begins the beloved 10-day celebration of Lord Ganesha.

September 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Sep 1 | Ganesh Visarjan | Major | | Sep 12 | Onam (Kerala) | Regional |

October 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Oct 2 | Sharad Navratri begins | Major (9 days) | | Oct 10 | Navratri ends / Maha Navami | Major | | Oct 11 | Dussehra / Vijayadashami | Major | | Oct 20 | Karva Chauth | Vrat | | Oct 29 | Dhanteras | Major | | Oct 31 | Diwali | Major |

The October-November period is the pinnacle of the Hindu festival calendar. Sharad Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali form a continuous celebration of the triumph of dharma.

November 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Nov 1 | Govardhan Puja | Major | | Nov 2 | Bhai Dooj | Major | | Nov 6 | Chhath Puja | Major (Bihar/UP) | | Nov 15 | Dev Uthani Ekadashi | Major — Chaturmas ends | | Nov 30 | Kartik Purnima / Dev Deepawali | Observance |

Chhath Puja — a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God, primarily observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP. Known for its rigorous rituals and offerings at water bodies.

December 2026

| Date | Festival / Observance | Type | |------|----------------------|------| | Dec 16 | Gita Jayanti / Mokshada Ekadashi | Observance | | Dec 25 | Vaikunta Ekadashi | Major (South India) |

Key Vrat Dates in 2026

Beyond festivals, the Hindu calendar is marked by regular vrats (fasts):

• Ekadashi — 24 per year (twice monthly). See complete Ekadashi 2026 dates
• Pradosh Vrat — 24 per year (13th tithi of each fortnight), dedicated to Shiva
• Purnima — 12 full moon days per year
• Amavasya — 12 new moon days per year
• Sankashti Chaturthi — 12 per year (4th tithi of Krishna Paksha), dedicated to Ganesha
• Satyanarayan Vrat — observed on Purnima, typically monthly

Auspicious Periods in 2026

Best periods for new beginnings:

• Chaitra Navratri (March 22-31)
• Akshaya Tritiya (May 1)
• Sharad Navratri (October 2-10)

Periods to avoid for auspicious activities:

• Chaturmas (July-November, approximately) — Lord Vishnu's sleep period
• Pitru Paksha (September, approximately) — fortnight dedicated to ancestors
• Adhik Maas (if applicable) — intercalary month

Track Every Hindu Festival with KAAL

Stop searching for dates every month. KAAL puts the complete Hindu calendar in your pocket:

• Daily panchang with tithi, nakshatra, yoga, karana, and muhurat
• All festivals with dates, significance, and observance guides
• Reminders so you never miss a vrat or celebration
• Timings calculated for your exact city

Download KAAL on the App Store