Festivals
Dates and puja muhurat for your city, with the meaning, rituals and stories behind each festival.
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Akshaya Tritiya
Vishnu, Lakshmi, Parashurama
The day of the never-diminishing: a spring-time third day regarded as auspicious for new beginnings and giving.
Anant Chaturdashi
Vishnu (Ananta), Ganesha
Vishnu is worshipped as Ananta, the endless one, with a protective thread, and the Ganesh festival ends in grand immersions.
Ashadhi Ekadashi
Vishnu, Vitthal (Vithoba) of Pandharpur
The Ekadashi on which Vishnu is said to lie down to rest, and Maharashtra walks to Pandharpur.
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi)
Surya (the Sun); Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa in Sikh tradition
The solar new year and spring harvest festival, and the day the Khalsa was founded.
Bhai Dooj
Yama, Yamuna
A sister applies a tilak on her brother's forehead and prays for his well-being.
Buddha Purnima
Gautama Buddha
The full moon that remembers the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing.
Cheti Chand
Jhulelal (Uderolal), Varuna
The Sindhi new year, celebrating the birth of Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhi people.
Chhath Puja
Surya (the Sun), Chhathi Maiya
Four days of strict fasting and water-side offerings to the setting and rising Sun.
Christmas
Jesus Christ
The Christian festival of the birth of Jesus, kept in India with midnight Mass, cribs, carols and cake.
Dev Uthani Ekadashi
Vishnu, Tulsi
The day Lord Vishnu is believed to wake from his four-month sleep, and the wedding season opens.
Dhanteras
Dhanvantari, Lakshmi, Kubera and Yama
The first day of Diwali: a day to honour health and wealth, buy something new, and light a lamp for Yama.
Diwali
Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kubera
The festival of lights: the new-moon night when homes are lit and Lakshmi is welcomed.
Durga Puja
Durga, with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya
Bengal's great autumn festival: five days when Durga comes home as a daughter and is sent off with tears and joy.
Dussehra
Rama, Durga, Shami tree and weapons
The tenth day of victory: Rama over Ravana, Durga over Mahishasura, good over evil.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesha
The birthday of Lord Ganesha, welcomed into homes and pandals as the remover of obstacles.
Govardhan Puja
Krishna, Govardhan Parvat
The day after Diwali, when a mountain of food is offered to Krishna and the hill that sheltered Vraj.
Guru Purnima
Maharshi Vyasa and one's guru
The full moon of gratitude to teachers, remembering Maharshi Vyasa.
Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman
The birth anniversary of Hanuman, celebrated at sunrise with prayer, the Hanuman Chalisa and vermilion.
Hariyali Teej
Shiva, Parvati
A green monsoon festival of swings, songs and mehndi, when women honour Shiva and Parvati.
Hartalika Teej
Parvati (Gauri), Shiva
A day-long fast in remembrance of Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband.
Holi
Krishna, Radha, Vishnu
The festival of colours that greets spring, forgives old quarrels and celebrates the love of Radha and Krishna.
Holika Dahan
Vishnu, Prahlad
The bonfire on the eve of Holi, recalling the triumph of devotion over arrogance.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna
The midnight birthday of Lord Krishna, kept with fasting, devotion and joyful celebration.
Kajari Teej
Parvati, Shiva, Neemadi Mata, the Moon
A monsoon vrat of songs and the evening moon, kept by women for their families' well-being.
Kartik Purnima
Vishnu, Shiva, Ganga
The full moon of Kartik: holy dips, a river of lamps at Varanasi, and the birthday of Guru Nanak.
Karva Chauth
Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Karva Mata and the Moon
A day-long fast kept by married women for their husbands' well-being, ended at moonrise.
Lohri
Agni (the sacred fire), Surya
A winter bonfire evening of songs, sweets and thanks for the harvest, kept in Punjab.
Maha Shivaratri
Shiva, Parvati
The great night of Shiva, kept with fasting, abhishek and an all-night vigil.
Mahavir Jayanti
Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara
The Jain festival honouring the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir and his message of non-violence.
Makar Sankranti
Surya (the Sun)
The day the Sun enters Capricorn and begins its northward journey: sesame, jaggery, kites and holy dips.
Nag Panchami
Nagas (serpent deities), Shiva
The day snakes are worshipped with milk and flowers, honouring their place in nature and in Shiva's story.
Narak Chaturdashi
Krishna, Kali, Yama and Hanuman
The day before Diwali: an early bath, lamps against darkness, and the memory of Krishna defeating Narakasura.
Navratri
Durga and her nine forms
Nine nights given to the Divine Mother, with fasting, prayer and the worship of her nine forms.
Onam (Thiruvonam)
Vamana (Vishnu) and King Mahabali
Kerala's harvest festival of flower carpets, a grand feast and the annual return of King Mahabali.
Pitru Paksha (Shraddha)
Pitris (ancestors); Yama and Vishnu in the rites
The fortnight in which Hindus remember their ancestors with water, food and prayer.
Pongal
Surya (the Sun), Indra, cattle and the Earth
The Tamil harvest thanksgiving: fresh rice boiled in milk until it overflows, offered to the Sun.
Raksha Bandhan
Indra and Shachi, Krishna and Draupadi, Yama and Yamuna
The thread of protection: a sister ties a rakhi and a brother promises to stand by her.
Ram Navami
Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman
The birthday of Lord Rama, celebrated at midday with fasting, kirtan and the reading of the Ramayana.
Rath Yatra
Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra
The great chariot festival of Puri, when Lord Jagannath comes out to meet his devotees.
Sawan Somvar Vrat
Shiva and Parvati
The Mondays of the rainy month of Shravana, kept as fasting days for Lord Shiva.
Sharad Purnima
Lakshmi, Krishna, the Moon
The brightest full moon of the year, when milk-rice is set out under its light and Lakshmi is invited.
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
Brahma, Vishnu
The Hindu new year of the Deccan: a fresh start marked with neem, jaggery and a raised gudi.
Uttarayan
Surya (the Sun)
Gujarat's kite festival: rooftops full of people and a sky full of colour as the Sun turns north.
Vasant Panchami
Saraswati
The spring-welcoming day when Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts, is worshipped in yellow.
Festivals by lunar month
Each month with its festivals, fasts and dates for your city.
March to April
Spring (Vasant)
April to May
Spring (Vasant)
May to June
Summer (Grishma)
June to July
Summer (Grishma)
July to August
Rains (Varsha)
August to September
Rains (Varsha)
September to October
Autumn (Sharad)
October to November
Autumn (Sharad)
November to December
Early winter (Hemant)
December to January
Early winter (Hemant)
January to February
Winter (Shishir)
February to March
Winter (Shishir)