8-YEAR HINDU CALENDAR
Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 2018-2025
Celebrating the Major Holidays of Hindusim
January
The first day of the Gregorian calendar brings Kalpataru Divas, when the faithful celebrate the life of Ramakrishna, one of the most influential Hindu holy men of the 19th century. Other holidays during this cold month include Lohri, when celebrants build bonfires to celebrate the harvesting of winter crops, and Republic Day, which commemorates the day that the Indian Constitution was adopted in 1950.
January Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Kalpataru Divas 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1
Vivekananda Jayanti 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12
Paush Purnima 1/2 1/20 1/10 1/28 1/17 1/6 1/14 1/13
Lohri 1/13 1/13 1/14 1/13 1/13 1/13 1/14 1/13
Makar Sankranti /
Paush Sankranti 2/25 1/15 1/15 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14
Uttarayan &
Kite Festival 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14
Pongal 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14
Magh Bihu 1/13 1/15 1/15 1/ 14 1/14 1/14 1/16 1/15
Thiruvalluvar Day 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16
India's Republic Day 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26
Mauni Amavas 1/16 1/16 1/24 2/11 2/1 1/19 2/9 1/29
Vasant Panchami 1/22 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/2
Saraswati Puja 1/22 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/25
February
The most important February festivals are Hindu holy days honoring the deity Shiva and his children. Vasant Panchami, which begins the month, honors Shiva's daughter Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts. Midmonth, Thaipusam honors Shiva's son Murugan. Towards the end of the month is Maha Shivaratri, when the faithful pay homage through the night to Shiva, the most powerful Hindu deity.
February Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Mauni Amavas 1/16 1/16 1/24 2/11 2/1 1/19 2/9 1/29
Vasant Panchami 1/22 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/2
Saraswati Puja 1/22 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/25
Ratha Saptami 1/24 2/12 2/1 2/19 2/7 1/28 2/16 2/4
Thaipusam 1/31 1/21 2/8 1/28 1/18 2/5 1/25 2/11
Magha Purnima 1/31 2/19 2/9 2/27 2/16 2/5 2/24 2/12
Shivaji Jayant 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19
Maharishi Dayanand
Saraswati Jayanti 2/10 2/28 2/18 3/8 2/26 2/15 3/5 2/23
Maha Shivaratri 2/13 3/4 2/21 3/11 2/28 2/18 3/8 2/25
Ramakrishna
Paramhansa Jayanti 2/17 3/8 2/25 3/15 3/4 2/21 3/12 3/1
March
With springtime approaching, Hindus celebrate Holi. One of the most joyous holidays of the year, this celebration is known for the colorful dyes thrown to herald spring's arrival. March is also the month when Hindus celebrate the lunisolar new year.
March Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Ramakrishna
Paramhansa Jayanti 2/17 3/8 2/25 3/15 3/4 2/21 3/12 3/1
Chaitanya Jayanti: 3/1 3/21 3/9 3/28 3/18 3/7 3/25 3/14
Holika Dahan 3/1 3/20 3/9 3/28 3/17 3/7 3/24 3/13
Holi (start) 3/2 3/20 3/10 3/29 3/18 3/11 3/25 3/14
Hindi New Year 3/22 3/22 3/21 3/22 3/22 3/22 3/21 3/22
Nyepi or Balinese
New Year 3/17 3/7 3/25 3/14 3/3 3/22 3/11 3/29
Ugadi/ Gudi Padwa 3/18 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Ramayana
(week long, starts) 3/18 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Cheti Chand 3/19 4/7 3/26 4/14 4/3 3/23 4/10 3/31
April 2017
New Year's celebrations continue in April as Tamils in Sri Lanka and Bengalis in India observe this Hindu holiday. Other important events in April include Vasanta Navaratri, a nine-day celebration of fasting and prayer, and Akshaya Tritiya, a day Hindus consider especially lucky for beginning new ventures.
April Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Ugadi /
Gudi Padwa 3/18 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Ramayana 3/19 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Cheti Chand 3/19 4/7 3/26 4/14 4/3 3/23 4/10 3/31
Ramanavami 3/25 4/14 4/2 4/21 4/10 3/30 4/17 4/6
Vasanta Navaratri /
Chaitra Navaratri
(9 days long, start) 3/18 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Mahavir Jayanti 3/29 4/17 4/6 4/25 4/14 4/3 4/21 4/10
Hanuman Jayanti 3/31 4/19 4/8 4/27 4/16 4/6 4/23 4/12
Baisakh / Vaisakha 4/14 4/14 4/13 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/13 4/14
Tamil New Year
(Puthandu) 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14
Vishu / Mesadi 4/15 4/15 4/14 4/14 4/15 4/15 4/14 4/14
Bengali New Year /
Pohela Boishakh 4/15 4/15 4/14 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/14 4/15
Vasanta Navaratri 3/18 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Parshuram Jayanti 4/18 5/7 4/25 5/14 5//3 4/22 5/10 4/29
Akshaya Tritiya /
Akhateej 4/18 5/7 4/26 5/14 5/3 4/22 5/10 4/30
May
In May, Hindus celebrate deities and mystics important to the faith. The lion-faced deity Narasimha and Narada, the messenger of the gods, are both honored in May, as is the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize for literature.
May Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Parshuram Jayanti 4/18 5/7 4/25 5/14 5//3 4/22 5/10 4/29
Akshaya Tritiya /
Akhateej 4/18 5/7 4/26 5/14 5/3 4/22 5/10 4/30
Gurudev
Rabindranath Jayanti 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7
Narasimha Jayanti 4/28 5/17 5/6 5/25 5/14 5/4 5/21 5/11
Narada Jayanti 5/1 5/19 5/8 5/27 5/17 5/6 5/24 5/13
Shani Jayanti 5/15 6/3 5/22 6/10 5/30 5/19 6/6 5/27
June
In June, Hindus honor the goddess Ganga, for whom the holy Ganges River is named. The faithful believe that those who die around this river reach the heavenly abode with all their sins washed away. The month concludes with the celebration of Rath Yatra, when Hindus build and race elaborate chariots in celebration of the summertime travel of deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
June Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Shani Jayanti 5/15 6/3 5/22 6/10 5/30 5/19 6/6 5/27
Ganga Dashami /
Ganga Dussehra 5/24 6/12 6/1 6/20 6/9 5/30 6/16 6/5
Nirjala Ekadasi /
Gayatri Jayanti 6/23 6/13 6/2 6/21 6/10 5/31 6/18 6/6
Sant Kabir Jayanti 6/28 6/17 6/5 6/24 6/14 6/4 6/22 6/11
Rath Yatra 7/14 7/4 6/23 7/12 7/1 6/20 7/7 6/27
July
July marks the beginning of the three-month monsoon season in Nepal and northern India. During this month, Hindu women observe the holiday of Hariyali Teej, fasting and offering prayers for a happy marriage. Other festivals include Manasa Puja, which honors the snake goddess.
Hindu faithful believe she has the power to cure illnesses such as chicken pox and aid in fertility.
July Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Rath Yatra 7/14 7/4 6/23 7/12 7/1 6/20 7/7 6/27
Guru Purnima /
Ashadha Purnima 7/27 7/16 7/5 7/24 7/13 7/3 7/21 7/10
Karkidaka Vavu 8/11 7/31 7/20 8/8 7/28 8/15 8/4 7/24
Hariyali Teej 9/12 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Nag Panchami 8/15 8/5 7/25 8/13 8/2 8/21 8/9 7/29
August
August is an important month in India because in that month the nation celebrates its independence. Another major holiday, Jhulan Yatra, honors the deities Krishna and his consort Radha. The days-long festival is known for its spectacular display of decorated swings, song, and dance.
August Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Karkidaka Vavu 8/11 7/31 7/20 8/8 7/28 8/15 8/4 7/24
Hariyali Teej 9/12 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Nag Panchami 8/15 8/5 7/25 8/13 8/2 8/21 8/9 7/29
Varalakshmi
Vratam 8/24 8/9 7/31 8/21 8/12 8/25 8/16 8/8
Balaram Jayanti 9/1 8/21 8/9 8/28 8/17 9/5 8/24 8/14
Kajari Teej 8/29 8/18 8/6 8/25 8/14 9/2 8/22 8/12
Shri Krishna
Janmashtami 9/2 8/24 8/11 8/30 8/18 9/6 8/26 8/15
India's
Independence Day 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15
Raksha-Bandhan 8/26 8/15 8/3 8/22 8/11 8/30 8/19 8/9
Varaha Jayanti 9/12 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/17 9/6 8/25
Hartalika Teej 9/12 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Vamana Jayanti 9/21 9/10 8/29 9/17 9/7 9/26 9/15 9/4
Ganesh Chaturthi 9/13 9/2 8/22 9/10 8/31 9/19 9/7 8/27
Radha Ashtami 9/17 9/6 8/26 9/14 9/4 9/23 9/11 8/31
September
As the monsoon season comes to a close, Hindus celebrate several holidays in September, the most auspicious being the nine-night festival of Navaratri, which honors the Divine Mother Durga.
Sept. Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Hariyali Teej 9/12 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Nag Panchami 8/15 8/5 7/25 8/13 8/2 8/21 8/9 7/29
Balaram Jayanti 9/1 8/21 8/9 8/28 8/17 9/5 8/24 8/14
Kajari Teej 8/29 8/18 8/6 8/25 8/14 9/2 8/22 8/12
Shri Krishna
Janmashtami 9/2 8/24 8/11 8/30 8/18 9/6 8/26 8/15
Varaha Jayanti 9/12 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/17 9/6 8/25
Hartalika Teej 9/12 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Vamana Jayanti 9/21 9/10 8/29 9/17 9/7 9/26 9/15 9/4
Ganesh Chatu rthi 9/13 9/2 8/22 9/10 8/31 9/19 9/7 8/27
Radha Ashtami 9/17 9/6 8/26 9/14 9/4 9/23 9/11 8/31
Onam 8/24 9/11 8/31 8/21 9/8 8/29 9/15 9/5
Shikshak Divas /
Radhakrishna
Jayanti /
Ananta Chaturthi /
Ganesha Visarjan 9/23 9/12 9/1 9/19 9/9 9/28 9/17 9/6
Pitri-Paksha 9/24 9/13 9/1 9/20 9/10 9/29 9/17 9/7
Vishwakarma Puja 9/17 9/17 9/16 9/17 9/17 9/17 9/16 9/17
Mahalaya 10/9 9/28 10/16 10/6 9/25 10/14 10/2 9/21
Sharad Navaratri 10/10 9/29 10/17 10/7 9/26 10/15 10/3 9/22
Durgashtami /
Maha Ashtam 10/17 10/6 10/24 10/13 10/3 10/22 10/10 9/25
October
October is another month that is full of Hindu holidays and celebrations. Perhaps none is better known than Diwali, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. During this event, Hindu faithful hang lights, burn lamps, and shoot off fireworks to illuminate the world and chase the darkness away. Other important days in October include Mohandas Gandhi's birthday on Oct. 2 and a celebration of Tulsi, known as Indian basil, at the end of the month
October Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Mahalaya 10/9 9/28 10/16 10/6 9/25 10/14 10/2 9/21
Navaratri 10/10 9/29 10/17 10/7 9/26 10/15 10/3 9/22
Durgashtami /
Maha Ashtami 10/17 10/6 10/24 10/13 10/3 10/22 10/10 9/25
Maha Navami 10/17 10/6 10/24 10/14 10/4 10/23 10/11 10/1
Gandhi Jayanti 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2
Lakshmi Puja/
Kojagari Purnima/
Sharad Purnima 11/7 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/24 11/12 11/1 10/25
Valmiki Jayanti 10/24 10/13 10/31 10/20 10/9 10/28 10/17 10/7
Karwa Chauth /
Karaka Chaturthi 10/27 10/17 11/4 10/24 10/13 11/1 10/24 10/10
Dhanteras /
Dhantrayodashi 11/6 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/24 11/12 10/31 10/20
Naraka Chaturdashi /
Chhoti Diwali 11/6 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/24 11/12 10/31 10/20
Diwali / Deepavali 11/7 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/25 11/13 11/1 10/21
Vikram New Year /
Gujarati New Year 11/8 10/28 11/16 11/5 10/26 10/14 11/2 10/22
Bhai Dooj /
Bhai Phota/Bhav-Bij 11/9 10/29 11/16 11/6 10/26 10/14 11/3 10/23
Chhat Puja/Pratihar/
Surya Sashthi 11/11 10/31 11/18 11/8 10/28 11/17 11/5 10/25
Kansa Vadh 11/18 11/7 11/24 11/13 11/3 11/22 11/11 11/1
Tulsi Vivah 11/20 11/9 11/26 11/15 11/5 11/24 11/13 11/2
November
There are only a few major Hindu holidays in November. The most notable is Gita Jayanti, which pays homage to the Bhagavad Gita, one of Hinduism's most important religious and philosophical texts. During this celebration, readings and lectures are held, and pilgrims make trips to the northern India city of Kurukshetra, where much of the Bhagavad Gita takes place
November Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Kartik Poornima /
Guru Nanak Jayanti 11/23 11/12 11/30 11/19 11/8 11/27 11/15 11/5
Gita Jayanti 12/18 12/8 12/25 12/14 12/3 12/22 12/11 12/1
December
December Festivals 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Gita Jayanti 12/18 12/8 12/25 12/14 12/3 12/22 12/11 12/1
Sri Dattatreya Jayanti 12/22 12/11 12/29 12/18 12/7 12/26 12/14 12/4
Sabarimala
Mandala Puja 12/27 12/27 12/26 12/26 12/27 12/27 12/26 12/27
The year concludes with a handful of holy days celebrating deities and other Hindu spiritual figures. At the start of the month, Hindus celebrate the deity Dattatreya, whose teachings describe the 24 gurus of nature. December concludes with a celebration of the life of Hindu holy man Ramana Maharishi Jayanti.