Hindu Festival Calendar 2026
Festival Calendar
Complete Hindu Festival Dates for 2026 — Panchangam (IST)
2026 హిందూ పండుగల పంచాంగం
January 2026
పుష్య – మాఘ మాసం
New Year's Day
నూతన సంవత్సరం
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi
The beginning of the Gregorian New Year. Also coincides with Vaikunta Ekadashi — the most sacred Ekadashi of the year. The Vaikunta Dwaram (gate to heaven) is opened at Tirupati and other Vishnu temples.
Bhogi
భోగి
Paush Shukla Trayodashi
The day before Sankranti. Old items are burned in a bonfire (Bhogi Mantalu) to welcome new beginnings. Children are showered with regi pallu (jujube fruits) and flowers.
Makar Sankranti / Pongal
మకర సంక్రాంతి / పొంగల్
Paush Shukla Chaturdashi — Sun enters Capricorn
The sun's transit into Capricorn (Makara Rashi). The most important harvest festival of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Kite flying, Rangoli, and Pongal rice are the highlights.
Kanuma
కనుమ
Paush Purnima
The third day of Sankranti celebrations. Cattle are worshipped and decorated. Family gatherings and feasts mark the day.
Sri Panchami (Basant Panchami)
శ్రీ పంచమి (వసంత పంచమి)
Magha Shukla Panchami
Worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, arts, and wisdom. Students place books and instruments before the goddess. Marks the arrival of spring (Vasanta Ritu).
February 2026
మాఘ – ఫాల్గుణ మాసం
Maha Shivaratri
మహా శివరాత్రి
Magha Krishna Chaturdashi
The great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast all day and night, perform Rudrabhishekam, and keep vigil through four praharas (watches of the night) with prayers and bhajans.
March 2026
ఫాల్గుణ – చైత్ర మాసం
Holi
హోలీ
Phalguna Purnima
The festival of colours celebrating the victory of good over evil. Holika Dahan (bonfire) on the eve of Holi. Rangwali Holi (playing with colours) marks the day.
Ugadi (Telugu New Year — Paraabhava Nama Samvatsaram)
ఉగాది (పరాభవ నామ సంవత్సరం)
Chaitra Shukla Pratipada
Telugu and Kannada New Year. The first day of the Hindu lunar calendar year Paraabhava Nama Samvatsaram. Ugadi Pachadi (six-taste chutney) is prepared symbolising life's varied experiences.
Sri Rama Navami
శ్రీ రామ నవమి
Chaitra Shukla Navami
The birth anniversary of Lord Sri Rama. Devotees fast, recite Ramayana, and perform Kalyanam (celestial wedding of Rama and Sita) in temples.
April 2026
చైత్ర – వైశాఖ మాసం
Hanuman Jayanti
హనుమాన్ జయంతి
Chaitra Purnima
The birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. Devotees recite Hanuman Chalisa, perform Sundara Kanda parayana, and visit Hanuman temples.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti
డా. బి.ఆర్. అంబేద్కర్ జయంతి
Vaishakha Shukla Pratipada
Birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and champion of social justice. National holiday observed across India.
May 2026
వైశాఖ – జ్యేష్ఠ మాసం
May Day / Buddha Purnima
మే డే / బుద్ధ పూర్ణిమ
Vaishakha Purnima
International Workers' Day (May Day) and Buddha Purnima — the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha. Full moon of Vaishakha, sacred for bathing in holy rivers.
June 2026
జ్యేష్ఠ – ఆషాఢ మాసం
Telangana Formation Day
తెలంగాణ అవతరణ దినోత్సవం
State Holiday
Celebrates the formation of Telangana as India's 29th state on June 2, 2014. State holiday observed across Telangana with cultural programmes and official events.
July 2026
ఆషాఢ – శ్రావణ మాసం
Jagannath Ratha Yatra
జగన్నాథ రథ యాత్ర
Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya
The grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra at Puri. Observed across India with processions and devotional gatherings.
August 2026
శ్రావణ – భాద్రపద మాసం
Bonalu (Regional Folk Festival)
బోనాలు
Shravana Shukla — Ashadha / Shravana
The most important folk festival of Telangana and Hyderabad. Goddess Mahakali is worshipped with Bonam (cooked rice offering in a pot). Processions, Ghattam, and Rangam are the highlights.
Varalakshmi Vratham
వరలక్ష్మీ వ్రతం
Shravana Shukla — Friday before Shravana Purnima
The most important vrata for Telugu women. Goddess Varalakshmi is worshipped for prosperity, health, and family well-being. The kalasha is decorated with a silk saree and jewels.
Rakhi Purnima (Raksha Bandhan)
రాఖీ పూర్ణిమ (రక్షా బంధన్)
Shravana Purnima
Full moon of Shravana. Sisters tie rakhi (sacred thread) on brothers' wrists as a symbol of love and protection. Brothers give gifts. Also marks Avani Avittam (Yajurveda Upakarma).
September 2026
భాద్రపద – ఆశ్వయుజ మాసం
Sri Krishna Astami (Janmashtami)
శ్రీ కృష్ణ అష్టమి (జన్మాష్టమి)
Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami — Rohini Nakshatra
The birth of Lord Sri Krishna at midnight. Devotees fast all day, perform Abhishekam to Krishna, and break the fast at midnight. Dahi Handi celebrations are held the next day.
Vinayaka Chavithi (Ganesh Chaturthi)
వినాయక చవితి
Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi
The birth of Lord Ganesha. The ten-day festival begins today and concludes with Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) on Ananta Chaturdashi — September 23, 2026. Clay Ganesha idols are installed and worshipped with modak, durva grass, and red flowers.
October 2026
ఆశ్వయుజ – కార్తీక మాసం
Saddula Bathukamma (Telangana Floral Festival)
సద్దుల బతుకమ్మ
Ashwina Krishna Ashtami — Mahalaya Ashtami
The grand finale of Bathukamma festival — the floral festival of Telangana. Women arrange flowers in concentric layers (Bathukamma) and immerse them in water bodies. Celebrated with songs and dance.
Maha Navami
మహా నవమి
Ashwina Shukla Navami
The ninth day of Navaratri. Ayudha Pooja — worship of tools, vehicles, and instruments. Saraswati Pooja is performed. The day before Vijayadasami.
Vijaya Dasami (Dasara)
విజయ దశమి (దసరా)
Ashwina Shukla Dashami
The tenth day — victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura and Lord Rama over Ravana. Shami tree worship and Aparajita Pooja are performed. Processions and Ravana Dahan mark the day.
November 2026
కార్తీక మాసం
Deepavali / Naraka Chaturdhi
దీపావళి / నరక చతుర్దశి
Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi / Amavasya
The festival of lights. Naraka Chaturdashi and Deepavali are celebrated together. Devotees wake before sunrise for the oil bath (abhyanga snanam), burst crackers, and worship Goddess Lakshmi at night with rows of diyas.
Kartika Purnima
కార్తీక పూర్ణిమ
Kartika Purnima
The most sacred full moon of the year. Deepotsavam (lamp festival) at Shiva and Vishnu temples. Bathing in sacred rivers (Pushkara Snanam) and lighting lamps in Tulsi plants is auspicious.
December 2026
మార్గశిర – పుష్య మాసం
Dhanurmasa begins
ధనుర్మాసం ప్రారంభం
Sun enters Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi)
The holy month of Dhanurmasa begins. Devotees wake before sunrise (Brahma Muhurta) to recite Tiruppavai and Andal's hymns. Special poojas at Vishnu temples throughout the month.
Vaikunta Ekadashi
వైకుంఠ ఏకాదశి
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi
The holiest Ekadashi of the year. The Vaikunta Dwaram (gate to Vaikuntha) is opened at Vishnu temples. Devotees fast and keep vigil through the night reciting Vishnu Sahasranama.
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