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A comprehensive guide to all major Hindu festivals, fasts, and New Year celebrations for the year 2026. This list follows the Luni-Solar calendar timings and highlights the rich cultural and culinary heritage of each occasion.
Full Schedule of Festivals
| Date | Day | Festival / Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 | Tue | Lohri |
| Jan 14 | Wed | Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Uttarayan |
| Jan 23 | Fri | Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Puja) |
| Feb 01 | Sun | Magha Purnima / Thaipusam |
| Feb 15 | Sun | Maha Shivaratri |
| Mar 03 | Tue | Holika Dahan |
| Mar 04 | Wed | Holi |
| Mar 19 | Thu | Ugadi / Gudi Padwa (New Year) |
| Mar 19 | Thu | Chaitra Navratri Begins |
| Mar 26 | Thu | Rama Navami |
| Apr 02 | Thu | Hanuman Jayanti |
| Apr 14 | Tue | Baisakhi / Vishu / Tamil New Year |
| Apr 15 | Wed | Bengali New Year (Poila Baisakh) |
| Apr 19 | Sun | Akshaya Tritiya |
| May 01 | Fri | Buddha Purnima |
| May 16 | Sat | Vat Savitri Vrat / Shani Jayanti |
| Jun 25 | Thu | Nirjala Ekadashi |
| Jul 16 | Thu | Jagannath Rath Yatra |
| Jul 29 | Wed | Guru Purnima |
| Aug 15 | Sat | Hariyali Teej |
| Aug 17 | Mon | Nag Panchami |
| Aug 26 | Wed | Onam (Thiruvonam) |
| Aug 28 | Fri | Raksha Bandhan / Varalakshmi Vrat |
| Aug 31 | Mon | Kajari Teej |
| Sep 04 | Fri | Krishna Janmashtami |
| Sep 14 | Mon | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| Sep 25 | Fri | Anant Chaturdashi (Ganesh Visarjan) |
| Oct 10 | Sat | Mahalaya Amavasya |
| Oct 11 | Sun | Sharad Navratri Begins |
| Oct 20 | Tue | Dussehra (Vijayadashami) |
| Oct 29 | Thu | Karwa Chauth |
| Nov 06 | Fri | Dhanteras |
| Nov 08 | Sun | Diwali (Deepavali) |
| Nov 09 | Mon | Govardhan Puja |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Bhai Dooj |
| Nov 15 | Sun | Chhath Puja |
| Nov 24 | Tue | Kartik Purnima / Dev Deepavali |
| Dec 20 | Sun | Gita Jayanti |
Significance & Culinary Traditions
Lohri
January 13, 2026 Celebrating the end of peak winter and the harvest of rabi crops with bonfires and sweets. Marks the sun's journey toward the northern hemisphere. Food: Sarson ka Saag, Makki ki Roti, Til-Gajak.Makar Sankranti / Pongal
January 14, 2026 Marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn. A major harvest festival across India. Celebrated with kite flying and traditional rituals. Food: Til-Gul Laddoo, Sakkarai Pongal, Khichdi.Vasant Panchami
January 23, 2026 Dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and arts, signifying the arrival of spring. Yellow attire is worn to symbolize mustard fields. Food: Kesari Bhaat (Yellow Sweet Rice), Rajbhog.Magha Purnima / Thaipusam
February 1, 2026 A holy bathing day and a major Tamil festival honoring Lord Murugan’s victory. Includes the ritual of carrying 'Kavadis' as penance. Food: Panakam (Jaggery Drink), Neer Mor (Spiced Buttermilk).Maha Shivaratri
February 15, 2026 The "Great Night of Shiva" involving fasting, night-long vigil, and meditation. Devotees offer milk and Bilva leaves to the Shiva Lingam. Food: Sabudana Khichdi, Thandai, Fruit Platters.Holika Dahan
March 3, 2026 Burning of the demoness Holika, representing the victory of good over evil. The ritual fire symbolizes the end of ego and negativity. Food: Puran Poli, Roasted Chickpeas, Dry Fruits.Holi
March 4, 2026 The vibrant festival of colors and the welcoming of the spring season. A day of playful color-throwing and communal joy. Food: Gujiya, Malpua, Dahi Bhalla, Thandai.Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
March 19, 2026 The Lunar New Year for people in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Marks the beginning of the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Food: Ugadi Pachadi (Six Tastes), Shrikhand-Puri.Chaitra Navratri
Starts March 19, 2026 Nine days of worship dedicated to Goddess Shakti, ending with Rama Navami. Each day honors a specific avatar of the Divine Mother. Food: Kuttu ki Puri, Singhara Halwa, Samak Rice.Rama Navami
March 26, 2026 Celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, the ideal man and seventh avatar of Vishnu. Temples are decorated with flowers and traditional lights. Food: Panakam, Kosambari, Coconut Ladoo.Hanuman Jayanti
April 2, 2026 Commemorating the birth of Lord Hanuman, the symbol of strength and devotion. Devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa in unison. Food: Boondi Laddoo, Besan Laddoo, Bananas.Baisakhi / Vishu / Tamil New Year
April 14, 2026 The solar New Year observed in Punjab, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu respectively. Celebrated with traditional dance like Gidda and Bhangra. Food: Kada Prasad, Avial, Payasam, Medu Vada.Bengali New Year
April 15, 2026 Known as Poila Baisakh, marking the start of the financial and cultural year for Bengalis. Families visit relatives and wear new traditional clothes. Food: Luchi, Chholar Dal, Sandesh, Rosogolla.Akshaya Tritiya
April 19, 2026 An auspicious day for new beginnings, investments, and purchasing gold. The word 'Akshaya' means 'eternal prosperity'. Food: Wheat-based sweets, Curd Rice, Barley dishes.Buddha Purnima
May 1, 2026 The birth, enlightenment, and death anniversary of Gautama Buddha. Observed with quiet meditation and acts of kindness. Food: Kheer (Rice Pudding), Honey, Vegetarian feast.Vat Savitri / Shani Jayanti
May 16, 2026 Wives pray for husbands' longevity; also marks the birth of Lord Shani. Rituals involve circling the Banyan tree. Food: Puran Poli, Black Sesame Ladoo (for Shani).Nirjala Ekadashi
June 25, 2026 The toughest of all 24 Ekadashis, observed without food or water. A spiritual discipline of self-control. Food: Usually broken with Lemon Water and seasonal fruits.Jagannath Rath Yatra
July 16, 2026 The grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha. A symbol of the Lord visiting his devotees. Food: Khaja, Poda Pitha, Dalma.Guru Purnima
July 29, 2026 A day to honor spiritual and academic teachers and mentors. Falls on the full moon in the month of Ashadha. Food: Malpua, Halwa, Puri, Satvik Meals.Hariyali Teej
August 15, 2026 Celebrating the monsoon and the union of Shiva and Parvati. Women sing folk songs on swings in the rain. Food: Ghevar, Sattu, Sewaiyan.Nag Panchami
August 17, 2026 Traditional worship of snakes or serpents for protection and blessings. Deep respect is shown to nature's creatures. Food: Unsalted milk-based dishes, Popcorn, Fried gram.Onam
August 26, 2026 The harvest festival of Kerala celebrating King Mahabali's spirit. Includes the famous boat races and flower carpets. Food: Onam Sadhya (Banana leaf feast), Ada Pradhaman.Raksha Bandhan
August 28, 2026 Celebrating the protective bond between brothers and sisters. A day of sibling love and mutual protection promises. Food: Coconut Barfi, Sevaiyan, Kaju Katli.Kajari Teej
August 31, 2026 A festival for women involving songs, swings, and prayers for family welfare. Mainly celebrated in the northern states. Food: Special Sattu, Kheer, Puri.Krishna Janmashtami
September 4, 2026 Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Temples create 'Jhanki' (displays) of Krishna's life. Food: Panjiri, Makhan-Mishri, Sabudana Vada.Ganesh Chaturthi
September 14, 2026 The 10-day festival honoring Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Statues are brought home with chanting and music. Food: Modak, Puran Poli, Karanji.Anant Chaturdashi
September 25, 2026 The final day of Ganeshotsav marked by the immersion of idols. Symbolizes the cycle of creation and dissolution. Food: Steamed Modaks, Curd-based snacks.Mahalaya Amavasya
October 10, 2026 A day for ancestral rites and the invitation to Goddess Durga. The early morning 'Mahalaya' radio broadcast is a tradition. Food: Pitru Tarpan Offering, Rice Balls (Pinda).Sharad Navratri
Starts October 11, 2026 Nine nights of dance and devotion dedicated to Goddess Durga. Garba and Dandiya Raas events are held nightly. Food: Makhana Kheer, Sabudana Khichdi, Fruits.Dussehra
October 20, 2026 The victory of Rama over Ravana and Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. Effigies of Ravana are burnt in public squares. Food: Jalebi-Fafda, Malpua, Festive Thali.Karwa Chauth
October 29, 2026 A dedicated fast by married women for the well-being of their husbands. The fast is broken only after moonrise. Food: Sargi (Morning meal), Mathri, Kheer.Dhanteras
November 6, 2026 The start of Diwali, dedicated to wealth and health (Lord Dhanvantari). People traditionally buy gold or new kitchen items. Food: Lapsi, Atta Laddoo, Coriander Seeds with Jaggery.Diwali
November 8, 2026 The Festival of Lights celebrating Rama's return to Ayodhya. Homes are illuminated to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Food: Besan Laddoo, Kaju Katli, Mawa Barfi, Chakli.Govardhan Puja
November 9, 2026 Commemorating Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill. The 'Annakut' (mountain of food) is offered to God. Food: Annakut Ki Sabzi, Kadhi, Bajra Khichdi.Bhai Dooj
November 11, 2026 Brother-sister bond celebration following Diwali. A day for sisters to host a feast for their brothers. Food: Basundi, Poori, Choice of sweets.Chhath Puja
November 15, 2026 Sun God worship practiced with rigorous fasting and river rituals. Worshippers stand in water at sunrise and sunset. Food: Thekua, Khajuri, Kaddu-Bhaat (Bottle Gourd Rice).Dev Deepavali
November 24, 2026 Celebrating the gods' victory over the demon Tripurasura in Varanasi. Thousands of diyas float on the Ganges river. Food: Varanasi Special Thali, Kachori Sabzi.Gita Jayanti
December 20, 2026 Commemorating the day Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. A day focused on the reading of the 18 Gita chapters. Food: Puran Poli, Kheer, Satvik Vegetarian diet.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the date of Diwali in 2026?
Diwali, the pinnacle of the five-day festival of lights, will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
When is Holi in 2026?Holi, the celebration of spring and colors, falls on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, preceded by Holika Dahan on March 3.
When does the Hindu New Year start in 2026?The Lunar New Year (Ugadi and Gudi Padwa) officially begins on March 19, 2026, marking the start of the Chaitra month.
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2026?Maha Shivaratri will be observed on Sunday, February 15, 2026, a sacred time for fasting and Lord Shiva's worship.