Hindu festival calendar is a comprehensive guide to all the religious festivals that is celebrated by the Hindus all over the world.
The Hindus all over the world observe their religious observances based on the traditional Hindu calendar which is a solar based calendar.
Though for the Hindu observances, the traditional Hindu calendar is followed, yet for official purposes and for keeping up with the world, the Gregorian calendar is followed all over by the Hindus. The Hindu festival dates keep changing as per the dates and the positioning of the stars in the Hindu almanac.
There is always a tremendous urge to know the dates of all the Hindu observances as per the Gregorian calendar. So, as per the Gregorian calendar we at 123NY.com will be listing the comprehensive dates of the Hindu observances for your kind perusal.
Just to make the modern readers aware of the traditions of each of the festivals, we have also included a brief description about the festivals. Let us then have a look at the same –
| Buddhist Calendar | Sikh Calendar | Hindu Calendar |
| Muslim Calendar | Christian Calendar | Jewish Calendar |
| Bahai Calendar | Rastafari Calendar | Zoroastrian Calendar |
| Pagan Calendar | Jain Calendar | Shinto Calendar |
| Name of the Festival | Date of the Festival | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti, Uttarayana Sankranti, Pongal, Maghi, Lohri, Bhogali Bihu. | 14-01-2017 – Saturday | This is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus. This day is celebrated when the Spring season sets in as per the beliefs of the Hindus traditionally. Apart from this in numerous parts of the country, the Makar Sankranti day is also celebrated as the Harvest festival. this is celebrated in Assam, West Bengal, certain parts of southern India etc. |
| Pushya (Paush) Putrada Ekadashi | 08-01-2017 ( Sunday) / 29-12-2017 ( Friday) | This is observed by disciples who pray to Vishnu and also seek the well being of their children from God. |
| Pushya (Paush) Purnima | 12-01-2017 – Thursday | This day is generally considered by the Hindus as auspicious to embark on the educational front in a formal and structured manner. |
| Mauni Amavas | 27-01-2017 – Friday | This is a day which is observed keeping a check on what one utters and is believed to bring the devotee spiritual gains if it is observed piously. |
| Vasant Panchami | 01-02-2017 – Wednesday | This is the auspicious day of worshipping Goddess Saraswati , who is the Goddess of learning, for knowledge and enlightenment. |
| Kumbha Sankranti | 12-02-2017 – Sunday | As per the traditional Hindu calendar, this is the first day and is considered to be extremely auspicious and is thus observed. |
| Bhishma Ashtami | 04-02-2017 – Saturday | The epic Mahabharata has a central character called Bhishma, revered for his integrity honesty and truthfulness. On this auspicious day people pray to Lord Vishnu to grant them sons like the Great Bhishma. |
| Maagh Purnima | 10-02-2017 _ Friday | This is the day when as per the Hindu calendar, one has to pay tribute to one’s ancestors. |
| Maha ShivaRatri | 24-02-2017 | People pray to Lord Shiva on this day with devotion for not only to gain moksha or salvation and redemption from sins; but younger girls also pray to get husbands like him. |
| Holika Dahan/ Jalanevali Holi/ Chhoti Holi | 12-03-2017 – Sunday | This is also known as Chhoti Holi. As per Hindu mythological belief on this is the day the Demon Holika was killed on a pyre. People burn effigies of Holika to symbolize the victory of virtue over vice. |
| Holi | 01-03-2017 – Monday | A colorful festival where people play with gulal or colors to enjoy the advent of the Spring Season. |
| Yugadi , Gudi Padwa | 28-03-2017 – Tuesday | The traditional New Year day for the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. |
| Gauri Puja/Gangaur | 30-03-2017 – Thursday | People worship the Gods and Goddesses on this day to seek happiness in their marital life. |
| Solar New Year – Baisakh/ Bohag Bihu/ Vishu/ Pahela Baisakh (Nabo Barsho)/ Navreh. | 14-04-2017 – Friday | Traditional New Year is observed in various States such as Punjab, Assam, Kerala, Bengal and Kashmir. |
| Rama Navami | 05-04-2017 – Wednesday | This auspicious day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. |
| Hanuman Jayanti | 11-04-2017 – Tuesday | This auspicious day is the birth anniversary celebration of Hanuman, who had aided Rama to save Sita. |
| Parashuram Jayanti | 28/04/17 | This is the auspicious birth anniversary of Parashuram, who is considered to be the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. |
| Akshaya Tritiya/ Akha Teej | 28/04/17 | This is perhaps one of the most auspicious days as per the Hindu calendar. It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu and Kuber on this day endows one with virtues that can never be destroyed along with immense wealth |
| Buddha Purnima | 10-05-2017 – Wednesday | This is the day that marks the auspicious Birth, the Enlightenment and the Nirvana of Lord Buddha. |
| Vat Savitri Vrat | 25-05-2017- Thursday | This is an observance generally Performed by married women who pray for the wellbeing of their husband. |
| Shani Jayanti | 25-05-2017- Thursday | The auspicious Birth anniversary of Lord Shani. |
| Ganga Dussehra | 03-06-2017- Saturday | On this day People worship the heaven born river Ganga. |
| Nirjala Ekadashi | 05-06-2017 – Monday | Devotees Go without food and also water on this day to help them attain nirvana |
| Vat Purnima Vrat | 08-06-2017 – Thursday | On this day all Married women pray for the long life of their husband. |
| Jagannath Rathyatra | 25-06-2017 – Sunday | On this day is the annual ratha yatra or the chariot festival is held in observance of worshipping Lord Jagannath, Lord Balaram and Goddess Subhadra. |
| Dev Shayani Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi or Padma Ekadasi | 04-07-2016 – Tuesday | From this auspicious day begins the four monthly period of Chatur-Masa of the Jains |
| Guru Purnima | 09-07-2017 – Sunday | The day when the disciples pay homage to their revered teacher or Guru. |
| Hariyali Teej | 26-07-2017 – Wednesday | This is auspicious day when women pray for their happiness in marriage in many parts of India |
| Nag Panchami | 27-07-2017- Thursday | On this day, devotees worship Snakes seeking good fortune. |
| Varalakshmi Vrat | 04-08-2017 – Friday | On this auspicious day Married women pray seeking the wellbeing of family, especially their children. |
| Raksha Bandhan | 07-08-2017 – Monday | A day that famously celebrates the bond of love between brothers and sisters, made immortal by Yama and Yamuna |
| Kajari/ Kajli Teej | 10-08-2017 – Thursday | On this auspicious day devout married women fast the whole day, seeking the long life and overall wellbeing of husband. |
| Janmashtami | 14-08-2017 – Monday | This is the auspicious birth anniversary of Lord sri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. |
| Hartalika Teej | 24-08-2017- Thursday | This is the auspicious day when women worship to have a happy and fulfilling marriage. |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | 25-08-2017- Friday | The auspicious day celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha and is also observed for new beginnings. |
| Rishi Panchami | 26-08-2017- Saturday | This auspicious day pays homage to all the divine saints who have guided the devotees like a star. |
| Radha Ashtami | 29-08-2017- Tuesday | This auspicious day is when Radha, Lord Krishna’s Divine Consort, was born. |
| Parsva Ekadashi or Vamana Ekadasi, Onam | 03-09-2017 | This is the auspicious day when it is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared in his Vamana incarnation. |
| Ganesh Visarjan , Anant Chaturdashi | 05-09-2017 | This is the last day of the Ganesh puja. On this blessed day Anant Dev is worshipped to seek wealth and glory |
| Sarva-Pitru Amavasya/ Mahalaya Amavasya | 19-09-2017 | People pray to pay homage to their departed ancestors and this marks the end of pitri paksha |
| Sharad Navratri or Maha Navaratri begins | 21-09-2017- Thursday | This marks the auspicious beginning of the nine days of worshipping and revering the Goddess Durga in her various forms. |
| Dussehra | 30-09-2017 – Saturday | According to mythology this is the day when the demon king Ravana who kidnapped Devi Sita was defeated by Lord Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People celebrate this day to celebrate the victory of good over evil |
| Papankusha Ekadashi | 01-10-2017- Sunday | People on this day, worship Lord Vishnu and seek his forgiveness from all their sins ever committed. |
| Sharad Purnima or Kojagari Poornima. | 05-10-2017 – Thursday | An auspicious day when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for seeking peace and prosperity in the household. |
| Karwa Chauth | 08-10-2017 – Sunday | A day long Fasting of even water is observed by married women for the life and wellbeing of their husband. |
| Ahoi Ashtami | 12-10-2017 – Thursday | On this day Mothers fast for the wellbeing of their son/ sons. |
| Rama Ekadashi | 15-10-2017 – Sunday | It is believed by people that observing rituals on this day will help them to attain salvation. |
| Dhan Teras/ Dhana Trayodashi | 17-10-2017 – Tuesday | On this widely observed auspicious day, People seek round the year wealth and prosperity by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and/or Lord Kubera. It is also a custom to buy any precious metal or ornaments. |
| Narak Chaturdashi/ Kali Chaudus/ Chhoti Deewali | 18-10-2017 – Wednesday | This is the auspicious day when the Goddess Kali is worshipped for strength. |
| Diwali or Deepavali | 19-10-2017 | This is the festival of lights when people worship to erase all darkness from one’s life. It is also believed Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya on this day. |
| Gowardhan Puja/ Annakut | 20-10-2017- Friday | On this auspicious day People worship Lord Krishna seeking his protection. |
| Bhaiya Duj/ Bhai dooj/ Bhatri Dwitiya/ Bhau Bij/ Bhai Tika/ Bhai Phota | 21-10-2017 – Saturday | On this beautiful day, Sisters pray for the happiness well being and long life of brother/ brothers. |
| Chhath Puja or Surya Shashti | 26-10-2017- Thursday | On this day People worship the Sun God in the river. |
| Prabodhini Ekadasi or Devutthana Ekadashi | 31-10-2017 | On this day The four months of the Chatur-Masa ends. |
| Gita Jayanti | 30-11-2017- Thursday | It is believed that this is the day when the holy Bhagavad Gita is believed to have been born. |
| Mokshada Ekadashi | 30-11-2017- Thursday | People on this day keep Praying to bring them salvation. |
| Dattatreya Jayanti, | 03-12-2017- Sunday | This is the auspicious birthday of God Dattatreya, who is an amalgamation of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Shiva). |
| Margashirsha Purnima | 03-12-2017- Sunday | On this auspicious day unmarried girls bathe in river Yamuna and pray so that they get a groom as they wish |
| Saphala Ekadasi (Pausha Krishna Ekadashi) | 13-12-2017 – Wednesday | This is Observed in the waning phase of the moon or the krishna paksha of the Indian month of Pausha, this is the day when the devotees worship Lord Vishnu to attain salvation or nirvana |