Festivals in 2018

Shattila Ekadashi

The Magha Krishna vrat observed with six uses of sesame (til) for purification.

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, celebrating knowledge, music, art, and the arrival of spring.

Jaya Ekadashi (Bhaimi)

The Magha Shukla vrat said to free one from the fate of becoming a ghost or spirit.

Thaipusam

A Tamil and Malaysian festival celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

Vijaya Ekadashi

The Phalguna Krishna vrat said to grant victory over all obstacles.

Makar Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Capricorn and the start of its northward journey (Uttarayan).

Lohri

A Punjabi harvest festival marked by bonfires, folk dances, and festive treats on the eve of Makar Sankranti.

Observed in: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi

Pongal

A Tamil harvest festival celebrating the sun god and the bounty of the harvest season.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu

Maha Shivaratri

The "Great Night of Shiva", observed with night-long vigils, fasting, and worship of Lord Shiva.

Amalaki Ekadashi

The Phalguna Shukla vrat dedicated to the worship of the sacred amla (Indian gooseberry) tree.

Holika Dahan

The bonfire ritual on the eve of Holi, symbolizing the burning away of evil.

Papamochani Ekadashi

The Chaitra Krishna vrat said to liberate the devotee from sins.

Kumbha Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Aquarius, an auspicious time for spiritual practices.

Kamada Ekadashi

The Chaitra Shukla vrat, the first Ekadashi of the lunar new year, said to fulfil desires.

Hanuman Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, the devoted disciple of Rama known for strength and loyalty.

Varuthini Ekadashi

A vrat said to destroy all sins committed in past and present lives.

Meen Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Pisces, welcoming the spring season.

Akshaya Tritiya

An auspicious day for new beginnings, considered ideal for investments, purchases, and charitable acts.

Varaha Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu.

Parashurama Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Parashurama, the warrior-sage avatar of Vishnu.

Mohini Ekadashi

A vrat dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Mohini avatar, said to grant freedom from delusions.

Buddha Purnima

Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.

Apara Ekadashi

A vrat for the alleviation of sins and attainment of eternal peace.

Mesh Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Aries, marking the solar new year in many traditions.

Ganga Dussehra

Celebrates the descent of the river Ganga from heaven to earth.

Narasimha Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Narasimha, the man-lion avatar of Vishnu.

Vat Purnima

Married women observe a fast and worship the banyan tree for the well-being of their husbands.

Baisakhi

A spring harvest festival in Punjab, also marking the founding of the Khalsa.

Observed in: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh

Vrishabha Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Taurus, entering the season of abundance.

Nirjala Ekadashi (Bhima)

The Jyeshtha Shukla vrat observed without even water, the most austere of all Ekadashis.

Guru Purnima

A day dedicated to honoring teachers and spiritual guides.

Yogini Ekadashi

A vrat dedicated to spiritual practices and the attainment of yogic perfection.

Rath Yatra

The grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, famously held in Puri.

Observed in: Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat

Mithun Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Gemini, entering the peak summer season.

Padma Ekadashi

A vrat said to destroy the sin of killing a Brahmin or other heinous crimes.

Nag Panchami

A day of worship dedicated to serpent deities (Nagas).

Karka Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Cancer and the onset of the monsoon season.

Pavitra Ekadashi (Shravana Putrada)

The Shravana-month vrat for the blessing of progeny and purification through devotion.

Vamana Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Vamana, the dwarf avatar of Vishnu.

Raksha Bandhan

A celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters, marked by tying a sacred thread (rakhi).

Krishna Janmashtami

Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

Aja Ekadashi

The Bhadrapada Krishna vrat said to absolve grave sins and restore lost fortune.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and new beginnings.

Simha Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Leo, continuing the monsoon season.

Vijayadashami (Dussehra)

Marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and the culmination of Navratri.

Parivartini Ekadashi (Parsva)

The Bhadrapada Shukla vrat marking Lord Vishnu turning over in his cosmic slumber.

Indira Ekadashi

The Ashwin Krishna vrat dedicated to liberating ancestors from lower realms.

Mahalaya Amavasya

The final day of Pitru Paksha, dedicated to honoring and offering peace to one's ancestors.

Sharad Navratri

A nine-night festival honoring nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Kanya Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Virgo, welcoming the post-monsoon harvest season.

Durga Ashtami

The eighth day of Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri and Kanya Pujan rituals.

Tulsi Vivah

Ceremonially celebrates the marriage of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu.

Papankusha Ekadashi

The Ashwin Shukla vrat said to act as a goad (ankusha) against sins.

Kartik Purnima

A sacred full moon day marked by river baths, lamp offerings, and temple visits.

Matsya Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Matsya, the fish avatar of Vishnu.

Karva Chauth

Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life of their husbands.

Observed in: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh

Kurma Jayanti

Celebrates the birth of Lord Kurma, the turtle avatar of Vishnu.

Rama Ekadashi

The Kartik Krishna vrat, falling just before Diwali, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (Rama) and Vishnu.

Dhanteras

The first day of the Diwali festivities, dedicated to wealth and prosperity.

Diwali

The festival of lights, marking the victory of light over darkness and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.

Govardhan Puja

Commemorates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to protect villagers from torrential rains.

Bhai Dooj

Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan.

Chhath Puja

A rigorous four-day festival of sun worship, observed with offerings at riverbanks.

Observed in: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand

Skanda Sashti

Dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya), commemorating his victory over the demon Surapadman.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Tula Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Libra and the arrival of autumn.

Prabodhini Ekadashi (Devutthana)

The Kartik Shukla vrat marking Lord Vishnu awakening from his four-month cosmic sleep.

Karthigai Deepam

A South Indian festival of lights honoring Lord Shiva, celebrated on the full moon under the Krittika star.

Observed in: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh

Utpanna Ekadashi

A vrat for liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Vrischika Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Scorpio, deepening the autumn season.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

A sacred fasting day believed to open the gates of Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu's celestial abode.

Gita Jayanti

Commemorates the day Lord Krishna recited the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Pausha Purnima

The full moon of the Pausha month, observed with sacred bathing and prayers.

Dhanu Sankranti

Marks the sun's transition into Sagittarius, welcoming winter.