Hindu Festival Calendar 2026: Diwali, Holi & Vrat Dates

By Bavishyavani Team | Vedic Panchang Division Updated: December 13, 2025 | Reading Time: 8 Minutes

Welcome to the 2026 Vrat & Tyohar Calendar. In Vedic culture, festivals are not just holidays; they are alignment points with cosmic energy. 2026 is a unique year:

• Late Diwali: The Festival of Lights falls in November, pushing the winter wedding season later than usual.

• Long Weekends: Raksha Bandhan falls on a Friday, giving families a perfect 3-day weekend.

• Divine Timing: Jupiter in Exaltation (Cancer) makes the festivals in the second half of the year (Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali) extremely powerful for spiritual growth.

Here is the complete, verified list of Hindu Festivals for 2026.

The Big 4: Major Festival Dates 2026

If you only remember four dates, make it these:

1. Maha Shivratri: February 15, 2026 (Sunday)

2. Holi: March 4, 2026 (Wednesday)

3. Raksha Bandhan: August 28, 2026 (Friday)

4. Diwali (Deepavali): November 8, 2026 (Sunday)

Month-by-Month Hindu Calendar 2026

January 2026 (Paush / Magha)

• Jan 14 (Wed): Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Uttarayan

• Jan 23 (Fri): Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Puja) – Excellent for students.

• Jan 26 (Mon): Republic Day / Ratha Saptami

February 2026 (Magha / Phalguna)

• Feb 15 (Sun): Maha Shivratri (The Great Night of Shiva)

• Feb 17 (Tue): Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) – No Puja allowed.

March 2026 (Phalguna / Chaitra)

• Mar 3 (Tue): Holika Dahan / Lunar Eclipse

• Mar 4 (Wed): Holi (Festival of Colors)

• Mar 19 (Thu): Chaitra Navratri Begins / Gudi Padwa / Ugadi (Hindu New Year)

• Mar 27 (Fri): Ram Navami (Birth of Lord Rama)

April 2026 (Chaitra / Vaishakha)

• Apr 2 (Thu): Hanuman Jayanti

• Apr 14 (Tue): Baisakhi / Tamil New Year

• Apr 19 (Sun): Akshaya Tritiya (Best day to buy Gold)

May 2026 (Vaishakha / Jyeshtha)

• May 1 (Fri): Buddha Purnima

June 2026 (Jyeshtha / Ashadha)

• Jun 16 (Tue): Vat Savitri Vrat

• Jun 26 (Fri): Devshayani Ekadashi (Chaturmas Begins – Weddings Stop)

July 2026 (Ashadha / Shravana)

• Jul 16 (Thu): Jagannath Rath Yatra

• Jul 29 (Wed): Guru Purnima

August 2026 (Shravana / Bhadrapada)

• Aug 17 (Mon): Nag Panchami

• Aug 28 (Fri): Raksha Bandhan (Long Weekend Alert!)

September 2026 (Bhadrapada / Ashwin)

• Sep 4 (Fri): Janmashtami (Birth of Krishna)

• Sep 14 (Mon): Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesh Visarjan on Sep 24)

• Sep 26 (Sat): Pitr Paksha Begins (Shradh)

October 2026 (Ashwin / Kartik)

• Oct 10 (Sat): Mahalaya Amavasya (Pitr Paksha Ends)

• Oct 11 (Sun): Shardiya Navratri Begins (Ghatasthapana)

• Oct 19 (Mon): Maha Navami / Durga Puja Ends

• Oct 20 (Tue): Dussehra (Vijayadashami)

• Oct 29 (Thu): Karwa Chauth

November 2026 (Kartik / Margashirsha)

• Nov 6 (Fri): Dhanteras (Buy Gold/Utensils)

• Nov 8 (Sun): Diwali (Deepavali) – Lakshmi Puja

• Nov 11 (Wed): Bhai Dooj

• Nov 15 (Sun): Chhath Puja

• Nov 20 (Fri): Tulsi Vivah (Wedding Season Restarts)

December 2026 (Margashirsha / Paush)

• Dec 20 (Sun): Geeta Jayanti

Key Festival Analysis for 2026

Diwali 2026: The Sunday Celebration

In 2026, Diwali falls on November 8 (Sunday).

• The Good News: You have the entire day to prepare for Lakshmi Puja without work stress.

• The Bad News: You lose a public holiday leave.

• Astrology: Jupiter will be in Cancer (Exalted) during this Diwali, making it one of the most financially auspicious Diwalis in 12 years.

Raksha Bandhan 2026: The Long Weekend

Rakhi falls on August 28 (Friday). This creates a perfect Friday-Saturday-Sunday break. Plan your travel to visit siblings early, as tickets will be sold out months in advance.

Navratri 2026: The Spiritual Peak

• Chaitra Navratri: March 19 – 27.

• Shardiya Navratri: Oct 11 – 19. Since Rahu is in Aquarius, worshipping Goddess Durga (the slayer of illusions) during these Navratris is the ultimate remedy for mental peace in 2026.

Detailed Rituals & Remedies for Major 2026 Festivals

Knowing the date is important, but knowing what to do on that date unlocks the festival’s power. Here is how to maximize the energy of the Big 5 festivals in 2026.

1. Maha Shivratri (Feb 15, 2026)

• The Energy: This is the night when the northern hemisphere’s energy naturally upsurges. Keeping the spine vertical (staying awake) allows this energy to rise.

• Recommended Ritual:

  • Fasting: Observe a ‘Nirjala’ (waterless) or fruit-based fast from sunrise to sunrise.

  • The Offering: Offer Bel Patra (Wood Apple leaves) and raw milk to the Shiva Lingam.

  • Mantra: Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” continuously between midnight and 3:00 AM (Brahma Muhurat).

  • Astrology Tip: Since Saturn is in Pisces (ruled by Jupiter), offering yellow flowers to Lord Shiva this year brings career stability.

2. Holi (March 4, 2026)

• The Energy: Holi falls on Full Moon (Purnima). It is a day of burning negative karma (Holika Dahan) and celebrating life.

• Recommended Ritual:

  • Holika Dahan (Mar 3): Take a dry coconut, rotate it around your head 7 times anticlockwise, and throw it into the Holika fire. This removes the “Evil Eye” (Nazar).

  • The Colors: In 2026, use Yellow and Pink herbal colors. Avoid Dark Blue or Black as Saturn is transitioning.

  • Remedy: Offer sweet rotis to stray dogs on Holi morning to pacify Rahu.

3. Akshaya Tritiya (April 19, 2026)

• The Energy: The Sun and Moon are both at their peak brightness. It is the day of “Never-Diminishing” wealth.

• Recommended Ritual:

  • Buying: Gold is traditional, but buying sea salt or turmeric is equally powerful for attracting Lakshmi.

  • Donation: This is the best day for Annadaan (donating food). The karma earned today lasts forever.

  • Mantra: Recite the Sri Suktam 16 times facing East.

4. Raksha Bandhan (Aug 28, 2026)

• The Energy: A celebration of the bond between siblings, governed by the Moon.

• Recommended Ritual:

  • Timing: Tie the Rakhi only during the auspicious Muhurat (usually afternoon). Avoid the Bhadra Kaal (inauspicious time).

  • The Thread: Since Jupiter is strong this year, sisters should prefer Yellow or Orange Rakhis over red ones for their brothers’ prosperity.

  • Gift: Brothers should avoid gifting sharp objects (knives/scissors) or handkerchiefs. Gold, silver, or clothes are best.

5. Diwali (Nov 8, 2026)

• The Energy: The darkest night of the year (Amavasya) illuminated by millions of lights. It represents the victory of awareness over ignorance.

• Recommended Ritual:

  • The Cleaning: Declutter your home 3 days before Diwali. Lakshmi does not enter a cluttered house.

  • The Direction: Place your main Diya (Akhand Jyoti) in the Southeast corner of your house to activate cash flow.

  • The Puja: Worship Lord Ganesha first, then Goddess Lakshmi. Place your account books or laptop in the Puja to bless your profession.

  • Gemstone Charge: If you wear gemstones, keep them dipped in raw milk during the Diwali Puja to recharge their power.

Understanding the Hindu Tithi System

Why do dates change every year? Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Hindu calendar is Luni-Solar. A Tithi (lunar day) can be shorter or longer than 24 hours depending on the Moon’s distance from the Earth.

• Purnima: Full Moon (High Energy)

• Amavasya: No Moon (Low Energy/Ancestral Worship)

• Ekadashi: 11th Day (Best for Fasting)

In 2026, an Adhik Maas (Extra Month) alignment shifts festivals like Diwali to November, making the winter season shorter but more intense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When is Holi in 2026? A: Holi is on March 4, 2026 (Wednesday). Holika Dahan is on the night of March 3.

Q: Why is Diwali so late in 2026? A: The Hindu calendar is based on the Lunar cycle, which adds an extra month (Adhik Maas) every few years to align with the solar year. This pushes festivals like Diwali to November.

Q: Is 2026 a good year for pilgrimages (Char Dham)? A: Yes. The period from May to June 2026 is excellent for Char Dham Yatra. Avoid July/August due to heavy planetary shifts and eclipses.

Conclusion: Mark Your Calendar

Festivals are the heartbeat of Indian culture. Whether you are waiting for Holi to splash colors or Karwa Chauth to pray for your spouse, 2026 brings ample opportunities for joy. Bookmark this page and share it with your family group to plan your holidays today.

• Planning a wedding around these dates? Check the Shubh Muhurat 2026 Calendar