Traditions · Seasons · Community
Festivals of India
India’s celebrations, regional traditions and annual holiday notifications.
183 festivals
Hindu/Vedic
Magh Bihu
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Harvest celebration marking abundance after the paddy harvest, with community feasts and traditional customs.
Hindu/Vedic
Makar Sankranti
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Marks the Sun's transition into Makara and the beginning of Uttarayana. Celebrated through worship, charity, bathing and harvest traditions.
Hindu/Vedic
Pongal
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
A Tamil harvest thanksgiving festival honouring the Sun, nature and agricultural life. Different days of the Pongal cycle have their own customs.
Hindu/Vedic
Basant Panchami
Friday, 23 January 2026
Worship of Saraswati and celebration of learning, music, knowledge and the coming of spring.
Hindu/Vedic
Maha Shivaratri
Sunday, 15 February 2026
The great night of Shiva is observed through worship, fasting, meditation and night vigil. The lunar-month name differs with the calendar convention.
Hindu/Vedic
Dol Jatra
Tuesday, 3 March 2026
Vaishnava spring festival especially associated with Radha-Krishna worship.
Hindu/Vedic
Holika Dahan
Tuesday, 3 March 2026
Bonfire observance representing the victory of dharma and good over destructive forces.
Hindu/Vedic
Holi
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
A spring festival of colour and community, associated with renewal and traditions of Krishna and Prahlada. Customs differ across regions.
Hindu/Vedic
Gudi Padwa
Thursday, 19 March 2026
Traditional New Year marking the beginning of the Chaitra lunar year.
Hindu/Vedic
Ugadi
Thursday, 19 March 2026
The Telugu and Kannada lunar New Year marks renewal and the beginning of a new Samvatsara. Family and community traditions welcome the coming year.
Islamic
Eid-ul-Fitr
Saturday, 21 March 2026 · Provisional
Marks the completion of Ramadan with prayer, charity and community gatherings. The date depends on the relevant lunar-calendar authority and moon-sighting confirmation.
Hindu/Vedic
Ram Navami
Thursday, 26 March 2026
Celebrates the birth of Shri Rama and ideals of dharma, righteous rule and devotion.
Jain
Mahavir Jayanti
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Commemorates Mahavira and teachings of non-violence, restraint and spiritual discipline. Jain communities observe worship, reflection and acts of service.
Hindu/Vedic
Puthandu
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Beginning of the Tamil solar year and a day for auspicious beginnings.
Sikh
Vaisakhi
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
A Punjab harvest and solar-season celebration, also deeply significant in Sikh tradition for the founding of the Khalsa. Customs reflect agricultural and religious heritage.
Hindu/Vedic
Vishu
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Malayalam solar New Year observance associated with prosperity and the Vishukkani tradition.
Hindu/Vedic
Bohag Bihu
Wednesday, 15 April 2026
The Assamese New Year and spring celebration brings together agricultural renewal, music, dance and community life. It is also known as Rongali Bihu.
Hindu/Vedic
Poila Boishakh
Wednesday, 15 April 2026
Bengali New Year celebrating renewal, commerce, family and cultural heritage.
Buddhist
Buddha Purnima
Friday, 1 May 2026
Commemorates the Buddha and traditions of his birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana. Observance customs differ among Buddhist communities.
Hindu/Vedic
Rath Yatra
Thursday, 16 July 2026
The chariot procession of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra is centred at Puri and observed by devotees elsewhere. It expresses community devotion and temple tradition.
Hindu/Vedic
Onam
Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Kerala's harvest-cultural festival is associated with the legendary return of Mahabali. Floral arrangements, festive meals and community celebrations mark the season.
Hindu/Vedic
Raksha Bandhan
Friday, 28 August 2026
Celebrates sibling bonds and the wider concept of protection and mutual responsibility.
Hindu/Vedic
Janmashtami
Friday, 4 September 2026
Celebrates the birth of Krishna through devotional worship, fasting and storytelling. Smarta and Vaishnava observance rules may select different dates.
Hindu/Vedic
Ganesh Chaturthi
Monday, 14 September 2026
Celebrates Ganesha as a patron of wisdom and auspicious beginnings. Families and communities observe worship and processions in diverse regional traditions.
Hindu/Vedic
Dussehra
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Celebrates the victory of dharma through traditions of Rama's victory over Ravana and Durga's victory over Mahishasura. Regional Dussehra traditions can be materially different.
Hindu/Vedic
Karwa Chauth
Thursday, 29 October 2026
Traditional vrata observed for marital wellbeing and family prosperity.
Hindu/Vedic
Diwali
Sunday, 8 November 2026
The festival of lights symbolises light, knowledge and renewal. Celebrations include lamps, family gatherings and worship, with distinct regional and religious traditions.
Hindu/Vedic
Naraka Chaturdashi
Sunday, 8 November 2026
Commemorates the defeat of Narakasura and forms an important regional Deepavali day.
Hindu/Vedic
Govardhan Puja
Monday, 9 November 2026
Celebrates Krishna lifting Govardhan and expresses gratitude for nature, food and protection.
Hindu/Vedic
Bhai Dooj
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Celebrates affection and wellbeing between brothers and sisters.
Hindu/Vedic
Chhath Puja
Sunday, 15 November 2026
A multi-day observance honours Surya and Chhathi Maiya with traditional offerings at sunset and sunrise. It is especially important in Bihar and adjoining regions.
Sikh
Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Tuesday, 24 November 2026
Commemorates Guru Nanak and his teachings of devotion, equality and service. Sikh communities observe prayers, kirtan and communal service.
Christian
Christmas
Friday, 25 December 2026
Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. Worship, family gatherings and acts of generosity form part of diverse community celebrations.
Hindu/Vedic
Aadi Perukku
Date not yet verified
Celebration of rivers and water resources, particularly the Cauvery, during the monsoon.
Hindu/Vedic
Akshaya Tritiya
Date not yet verified
Considered auspicious for charity, worship and commencement of constructive activities.
Hindu/Vedic
Ashadhi Ekadashi
Date not yet verified
Major Vishnu/Vitthal festival culminating in the Pandharpur Wari in Maharashtra.
Hindu/Vedic
Ayudha Puja
Date not yet verified
Tools, books, machines and instruments are honoured as means of knowledge and livelihood.
Hindu/Vedic
Bastar Dussehra
Date not yet verified
Unique Bastar tradition dedicated principally to Danteshwari, differing substantially from Rama-centric Dussehra.
Hindu/Vedic
Bathukamma
Date not yet verified
Floral festival celebrating Goddess Gauri, seasonal flowers and Telangana's cultural heritage.
Hindu/Vedic
Bhogi
Date not yet verified
Symbolises renewal and discarding the old before the harvest/New Year seasonal observances.
Hindu/Vedic
Boita Bandana
Date not yet verified
Remembers Odisha's maritime heritage through symbolic boats and associated festivities.
Hindu/Vedic
Bonalu
Date not yet verified
Telangana festival dedicated to Mahakali, featuring temple offerings and community celebrations.
Hindu/Vedic
Chaitra Navratri
Date not yet verified
Nine days dedicated to forms of Devi and spiritual preparation culminating around Rama Navami.
Hindu/Vedic
Datta Jayanti
Date not yet verified
Celebrates Dattatreya and traditions combining the principles associated with Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Hindu/Vedic
Dev Deepawali
Date not yet verified
Ghats and temples are illuminated in a major Varanasi celebration following Diwali.
Hindu/Vedic
Dhanteras
Date not yet verified
Opening observance of the Deepavali cycle, associated with Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and auspicious purchases.
Hindu/Vedic
Durga Puja
Date not yet verified
Celebrates Durga's victory over Mahishasura and the triumph of dharma. Worship, community gatherings and cultural events are especially prominent in eastern India.
Hindu/Vedic
Ganga Dussehra
Date not yet verified
Commemorates the descent of Ganga and is associated with sacred bathing and purification.
Hindu/Vedic
Gita Jayanti
Date not yet verified
Commemorates the traditional occasion of the Bhagavad Gita's teaching.
Hindu/Vedic
Gujarati New Year
Date not yet verified
Beginning of the traditional Gujarati year immediately following Diwali.
Hindu/Vedic
Guru Purnima
Date not yet verified
Honours spiritual and academic teachers and the guru-shishya tradition.
Hindu/Vedic
Hanuman Jayanti
Date not yet verified
Celebrates Hanuman and values of devotion, courage, service and discipline.
Hindu/Vedic
Harela
Date not yet verified
Agricultural and ecological festival welcoming the monsoon and new crop cycle.
Hindu/Vedic
Hariyali Teej
Date not yet verified
Monsoon festival associated with Parvati-Shiva, marital wellbeing and seasonal celebration.
Hindu/Vedic
Hartalika Teej
Date not yet verified
Parvati-Shiva observance traditionally involving vrata and prayer.
Hindu/Vedic
Kali Puja
Date not yet verified
Night worship of Goddess Kali coinciding with the principal Diwali night.
Hindu/Vedic
Kanuma
Date not yet verified
Honours cattle and agricultural life in Telugu harvest traditions. It belongs to the Sankranti cycle in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Hindu/Vedic
Karthigai Deepam
Date not yet verified
Ancient Tamil festival of lamps, prominently associated with Arunachala at Tiruvannamalai.
Hindu/Vedic
Kartik Purnima
Date not yet verified
Sacred full moon associated with Shiva, Vishnu, pilgrimage, lamps and ritual bathing.
Hindu/Vedic
Kullu Dussehra
Date not yet verified
Distinctive week-long Himalayan Dussehra centred on Raghunath and assemblies of local deities.
Hindu/Vedic
Lohri
Date not yet verified
A winter seasonal celebration brings communities together around bonfires and harvest traditions. It is especially associated with Punjab and neighbouring regions.
Hindu/Vedic
Mahalaya
Date not yet verified
Marks the close of Pitru Paksha and culturally announces the approach of Durga Puja.
Hindu/Vedic
Mattu Pongal
Date not yet verified
Honours cattle and their contribution to farming during the Tamil Pongal cycle. It is distinct from the regional Kanuma observance.
Hindu/Vedic
Nag Panchami
Date not yet verified
Traditional worship of Nagas, reflecting reverence for nature and protective deities.
Hindu/Vedic
Narali Purnima
Date not yet verified
Coastal communities worship the sea and mark the beginning of a safer fishing season.
Hindu/Vedic
Narasimha Jayanti
Date not yet verified
Celebrates the Narasimha avatar and the protection of devotee Prahlada.
Hindu/Vedic
Navreh
Date not yet verified
Traditional Kashmiri Hindu New Year marking renewal of the lunar calendar.
Hindu/Vedic
Nirjala Ekadashi
Date not yet verified
Major Ekadashi vrat associated with fasting and Vishnu worship.
Hindu/Vedic
Nuakhai
Date not yet verified
Harvest festival in which the season's new grain is first ceremonially offered and shared.
Hindu/Vedic
Pana Sankranti
Date not yet verified
Odia solar New Year and seasonal festival associated with Pana drink and temple traditions.
Hindu/Vedic
Parashurama Jayanti
Date not yet verified
Celebrates the appearance of Parashurama, traditionally regarded as an avatar of Vishnu.
Parsi/Zoroastrian
Pateti
Date not yet verified
A Zoroastrian occasion of repentance and reflection before the new year in the relevant calendar tradition. It should not be treated as an exact synonym of New Year's Day.
Hindu/Vedic
Pitru Paksha
Date not yet verified
Fortnight dedicated to remembrance and traditional rites for ancestors.
Hindu/Vedic
Ratha Saptami
Date not yet verified
Solar festival honouring Surya and symbolising the strengthening of sunlight and seasonal transition.
Hindu/Vedic
Sharad Navratri
Date not yet verified
Nine nights of worship dedicated to forms of Devi culminate in regional Durga Puja and Vijayadashami traditions. Customs and observance rules vary.
Hindu/Vedic
Thaipusam
Date not yet verified
Murugan festival associated with devotion, prayer and fulfilment of vows.
Hindu/Vedic
Tulsi Vivah
Date not yet verified
Ceremonial marriage of Tulsi and Vishnu/Shaligram marking the resumption of auspicious wedding season.
Hindu/Vedic
Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Date not yet verified
Major Vaishnava observance associated with entry through the symbolic Vaikuntha Dwara.
Hindu/Vedic
Varalakshmi Vratam
Date not yet verified
Lakshmi worship seeking wellbeing, prosperity and family welfare.
Hindu/Vedic
Vat Savitri
Date not yet verified
Married women traditionally worship the banyan tree and remember Savitri's devotion and determination.
Hindu/Vedic
Yaoshang
Date not yet verified
Manipuri spring festival combining traditional religious observance, community activity and celebrations comparable with Holi.
Government holiday status varies by year, jurisdiction and organisation. Holiday information shown here is based on the cited government notification. Please verify the latest notification where required.