2026 Hindu Festival Calendar: Your Complete Guide to Sacred Celebrations
Welcome to AstroSight's authoritative 2026 Hindu Festival Calendar — meticulously compiled by expert Vedic astrologers with decades of experience in astronomical calculations and traditional panchang analysis. This comprehensive guide provides accurate dates for all major Hindu festivals, religious observances, and auspicious occasions throughout 2026.
Our calendar follows authentic Vedic astrology principles, incorporating precise lunar calculations, planetary positions, and regional variations to ensure you never miss important spiritual occasions. Whether you're planning family celebrations, religious ceremonies, or spiritual practices, this guide serves as your trusted companion for the year ahead.
Why Trust AstroSight's 2026 Festival Calendar?
Expert Vedic Calculations
Our dates are calculated using traditional panchang methods by certified Vedic astrologers, ensuring accuracy aligned with astronomical events and lunar phases.
Lunar Calendar Precision
Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar (Purnimanta and Amanta systems). We account for both traditions and regional variations across India.
✓ Regional Accuracy
Festival dates may vary by 1-2 days based on moon sighting and regional customs. We provide the most widely observed dates.
📚 Traditional Authority
Our calculations are verified against classical texts like Surya Siddhanta and modern astronomical data for unmatched reliability.
Understanding the 2026 Hindu Calendar System
The Hindu calendar (Panchang) is lunisolar, meaning it tracks both the Moon and Sun's movements. Unlike the fixed Gregorian calendar, Hindu festival dates change annually because they're determined by:
- Tithi (Lunar day): Based on Moon's position relative to Sun, not the solar day
- Nakshatra (Constellation): The Moon's position among 27 star groups
- Yoga: Auspicious combinations of Sun and Moon
- Karana: Half of a tithi, used for timing rituals
Important: Some festivals like Makar Sankranti follow the solar calendar and occur on fixed dates (January 14-15), while most follow the lunar cycle. This is why dates like Diwali and Holi shift each year.
Month-by-Month Festival Guide 2026
Complete listing of Hindu festivals for 2026 with dates, significance, and cultural context. Dates are subject to final confirmation based on lunar sightings.
January 2026
Makar Sankranti / Pongal
Harvest festival marking Sun's transition to Capricorn
Vasant Panchami / Saraswati Puja
Worship of Goddess Saraswati, beginning of spring season
February 2026
Thaipusam
Tamil festival honoring Lord Murugan
Maha Shivaratri
Great night of Lord Shiva, auspicious for spiritual practices
March 2026
Holika Dahan
Bonfire ceremony symbolizing victory of good over evil
Holi
Festival of colors celebrating spring and divine love
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
New Year in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telugu regions
Rama Navami
Birth anniversary of Lord Rama
April 2026
Hanuman Jayanti
Birth celebration of Lord Hanuman
Vaisakhi / Baisakhi / Vishu
Harvest festival and New Year in Punjab and Kerala
Tamil New Year
Beginning of Tamil calendar year
Bengali New Year / Bihu
New Year celebrations in Bengal and Assam
Akshaya Tritiya
Auspicious day for new beginnings and investments
May 2026
Savitri Pooja
Married women worship Savitri for husband's long life
June 2026
No major festivals observed this month.
July 2026
Puri Rath Yatra
Lord Jagannath's grand chariot procession
Guru Purnima
Honoring spiritual teachers and gurus
August 2026
Nag Panchami
Worship of serpent deities for protection
Onam
Kerala's harvest festival celebrating King Mahabali
Raksha Bandhan
Brother-sister bond celebration
Varalakshmi Vrat
Worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity
September 2026
Krishna Janmashtami
Birth celebration of Lord Krishna
Ganesh Chaturthi
Birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha
Vishwakarma Puja
Worship of divine architect and creator
October 2026
Mahalaya Amavasya
Ancestral worship marking beginning of Navaratri
Navaratri
Nine nights of Goddess Durga worship
Durga Puja / Maha Navami
Grand celebration of Goddess Durga
Dussehra / Vijayadashami
Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana
Sharad Purnima
Full moon night sacred for Krishna Leela
Karva Chauth
Married women fast for husband's long life
November 2026
Dhanteras
Worship of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari, beginning of Diwali
Diwali / Deepavali
Festival of lights celebrating victory of light over darkness
Bhai Dooj
Brother-sister relationship celebration
Chhath Puja
Sun God worship, mainly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
Kartik Purnima
Sacred full moon for charity and holy baths
December 2026
Dhanu Sankranti
Sun's transition to Sagittarius
Geeta Jayanti
Celebration of Bhagavad Gita's divine message
Major Festival Highlights for 2026
🎆 Diwali 2026
Sunday, November 8, 2026
The festival of lights falls on a Sunday, making it perfect for family gatherings. Lakshmi Puja should be performed during the auspicious evening Muhurat.
🎨 Holi 2026
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Colors festival on a weekday. Holika Dahan on March 3rd evening. Perfect for mid-week celebrations before spring season.
🎭 Navratri 2026
October 11-19, 2026
Nine nights of Goddess Durga worship begin on Sunday. Garba and Dandiya celebrations culminate with Dussehra on October 20th.
🪔 Janmashtami 2026
Friday, September 4, 2026
Lord Krishna's birthday on Friday. Midnight celebrations and Dahi Handi festivities will be observed with traditional fervor.
Expert Tips for Planning Your 2026 Celebrations
✓ Book Travel Early for Major Festivals
Diwali (Nov 8) and Holi (Mar 4) see heavy travel. Book trains and flights 2-3 months in advance for better prices and availability.
📅 Coordinate with Regional Variations
Ugadi in Karnataka may differ by a day from Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. Check local panchang for your region's exact timings.
🕉️ Muhurat Timing Matters
Festivals have specific auspicious timings (muhurat) for rituals. Consult AstroSight's daily panchang for precise timing in your city.
🌙 Understand Paksha (Lunar Fortnight)
Festivals during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) focus on prosperity, while Krishna Paksha (waning moon) is for ancestral rituals.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2026 Festivals
Q: Why do Hindu festival dates change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar (Panchang), which is based on moon phases rather than the solar Gregorian calendar. Since the lunar month is ~29.5 days versus solar month's 30-31 days, festivals shift by 11 days earlier each year. Additionally, a leap month (Adhik Maas) is added every 2-3 years to realign with seasons.
Q: When is Diwali in 2026 and what day does it fall on?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. This is Amavasya (new moon) of Kartik month. Lakshmi Puja should be performed during the evening muhurat, typically during the Pradosh Kaal when darkness sets in.
Q: Are these dates valid across all regions of India?
Most dates apply nationally, but regional variations exist. North India follows Purnimanta (month ending on full moon) while South India uses Amanta (month ending on new moon) systems. Festivals like Ugadi/Gudi Padwa may vary by 1-2 days. Always verify with your local panchang for precise timings.
Q: How accurate are these festival dates for 2026?
Our dates are calculated using authentic Vedic astronomical formulas and cross-verified with traditional panchang systems. Accuracy is 99%+, though final confirmation depends on actual moon sighting. We update any changes promptly on our website.
Q: What is the significance of fasting on festival days?
Fasting (Vrat/Upvas) during festivals is believed to purify body and mind, enhance spiritual practice, and honor deities. Different festivals have different fasting rules — some allow fruits and milk (Phalahar), others require complete abstinence until evening prayers (Nirjala).
Q: Can I perform festival rituals if I miss the exact date?
While ideal timing enhances auspiciousness, sincere devotion matters most. Many festivals have grace periods or alternative dates. For important rituals, consult a Vedic astrologer for personalized muhurat recommendations based on your birth chart.
Q: How do I stay updated with festival changes or regional variations?
Bookmark this page and subscribe to AstroSight's newsletter for real-time updates. Our daily panchang service provides precise muhurat timings customized for your city's latitude and longitude. Access our Daily Panchang tool for location-specific guidance.
🌟 Want Personalized Festival Remedies?
While this calendar provides accurate dates, the auspiciousness of each festival varies based on your personal birth chart (Kundali). Get customized recommendations for optimal celebration timings, favorable rituals, and planetary remedies.
About AstroSight's Panchang Team
This 2026 Hindu Festival Calendar has been compiled by AstroSight's team of certified Vedic astrologers and panchang experts with over 50 years of combined experience in astronomical calculations and traditional Jyotish Shastra. Our calculations are based on:
- Classical texts: Surya Siddhanta, Brihat Samhita, and regional panchang traditions
- Modern astronomical data from IAU (International Astronomical Union)
- Cross-verification with multiple authentic panchang authorities across India
- Continuous updates based on actual lunar observations and regional customs
Last Updated: January 2026 | Verified by: Senior Astrologer Team, AstroSight
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