Major Hindu festivals across 2026 with their classical Vedic significance, planetary backdrop, and recommended observance windows.
Sun enters Capricorn (Makara). Marks Uttarāyaṇa — sun's northward journey. Most auspicious day for charity, holy bath, sesame donation.
SOLAR · UTTARĀYAṆA STARTGreat night of Śiva · 14th tithi of Phālguna kṛṣṇa. Night-long jāgaraṇa, mantra recitation, fasting. Most powerful Śiva-worship night of year.
LUNAR · ŚIVAPūrṇimā of Phālguna. Spring festival · burning of Holikā the night before, color-play the next day. Marks transition from winter to summer.
LUNAR · PHĀLGUNA PŪRṆIMĀ9 nights of Devi worship · Caitra śukla pratipada to navamī. Spring Navarātri · culminates in Rāma-navamī. Sādhana-intensive period.
9 NIGHTS · DEVI"Imperishable third." Vaiśākha śukla tṛtīyā. Most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar for new beginnings, gold purchase, business start. Whatever you do today multiplies forever.
★ AUSPICIOUS · GOLD PURCHASEĀṣāḍha Pūrṇimā. Honoring teachers and gurus. Ideal for taking a new mantra, beginning sādhana under guidance, donating to teacher.
LUNAR · GURU-WORSHIPBirth of Kṛṣṇa · Bhādrapada kṛṣṇa aṣṭamī. Midnight observance, fasting, Bhagavad Gītā recitation. Native of those born under Rohiṇī nakṣatra resonate deeply.
LUNAR · KṚṢṆABhādrapada śukla caturthī. 10-day festival of Gaṇeśa, remover of obstacles. Ideal for starting new projects, businesses, ventures.
10 DAYS · GAṆEŚAAutumn 9-nights of Devi · Āśvina śukla pratipadā to navamī. Most popular Navarātri · culminates in Vijaya-daśamī (Daśaharā). Strongest sādhana window of year.
9 NIGHTS · DURGĀDay after Navarātri ends. Victory of Rāma over Rāvaṇa, Durgā over Mahiṣāsura. Auspicious for starting new ventures, learning new skills, weapons-blessing.
VICTORY · NEW BEGINNINGS5-day festival climaxing Kārtika amāvasyā. Lakṣmī-Gaṇeśa pūjā · accounting books opened · houses lit. Most-celebrated festival in India. Specific muhurta for Lakṣmī-pūjā varies by city.
★ 5 DAYS · LAKṢMĪ-GAṆEŚAKārtika śukla dvādaśī. Tulasī plant ceremonially married to Viṣṇu. Marks beginning of Hindu wedding season · all auspicious wedding muhurtas open after this date.
WEDDING SEASON OPENSFor chart-specific timing, use /tools/muhurta (free) or upgrade to Architect tier for full personalization.