Hindu/Vedic Festival Calendar

The abundance of Hindu (Vedic) festivals reflects the depth, diversity, and living rhythm of Sanātana Dharma, which is not just a religion—but a complete way of life rooted in nature, cosmology, seasonal cycles, and divine remembrance.

The Hindu/Vedic calendar follows the movements of the Moon, Sun, and planets—unlike the Gregorian calendar. Festivals shift each year based on tithi (lunar days) and nakṣatra (constellations), aligning with cosmic energies. Dates below show seasonal windows. Check your local panchānga or subscribe for updates.

The term "Jayanti" (जयन्ती) is a Sanskrit word with multiple meanings, including "victory" and "birthday".

Purnima (Sanskrit: पूर्णिमा) is a Sanskrit word meaning "full moon", "Purna" (full, complete) and "ma" (moon). Purnima is a significant day for spiritual practices, rituals, and festivals like Guru Purnima, which honors the guru.

Sanātana Dharma recognizes the Supreme Being (Isha) expressing through many divine forms—each representing unique cosmic principles and divine functions.

Festivals like Rama Navami, Janmāṣṭamī, Durga Pūjā, and Ganesh Chaturthi honor different aspects of the Divine—not as separate gods, but as manifestations of One reality.

Vedic tradition views festivals as a celebration of life itself. They include music, dance, storytelling, food, dress, ritual, and community—making Dharma joyful, accessible, and embodied. Each festival is also a checkpoint for inner growth. Whether through fasting, pilgrimage, kīrtan, or charity, these days invite self-purification and spiritual upliftment.

_____________________ENJOY THE CELEBRATION_________________

🌸 January – March

• Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Lohri – Mid-January: A solar festival marking the Sun’s entry into Capricorn; celebrated with harvest rituals, bonfires, and kite flying.
• Vasant Panchami / Sarasvatī Pūjā – January/February: Honors Sarasvatī Devi, the embodiment of wisdom, music, and learning.
• Mahā Shivaratri – February/March: A sacred night of deep meditation and devotion to Shri Shiva, symbolizing inner awakening and transformation.
• Holi & Holika Dahan – March: The festival of colors celebrating the triumph of bhakti over asuric forces; associated with Shri Krishna and Prahlāda.
• Ugadi / Gudi Padwa – March/April: New Year festival marking the beginning of the Vedic lunar calendar in several Indian traditions.
• Gaura Purnima – March/April: Full moon celebration of the divine appearance of Shri Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the golden avatāra of love and devotion.

🌼 April – June

• Rama Navami – March/April: Appearance day of Shri Rama, revered as the seventh avatāra of Vishnu and the central figure of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana.
• Hanuman Jayanti – April: Celebrates the divine birth of Shri Hanuman, symbol of strength, devotion, and fearless service.
• Akshaya Tritiya – April/May: A day signifying never-diminishing prosperity and success.
• Buddha Purnima – April/May: Also known as Vesak, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and liberation (mahāparinirvāṇa) of Gautama Buddha.
• Narasimha Jayanti – May: Celebrates the appearance of Shri Narasimha, the fierce avatāra who protects dharma.
• Shani Jayanti – May/June: Honoring the birth of Shani Dev, deity of karmic discipline and cosmic justice.
• Nirjal Ekadashi – June: The most austere of all Ekadashis; devotees abstain from food and water, and engage in prayer and chanting.
• Ratha Yatra – June/July: The Festival of Chariots honoring Shri Jagannāth, Balabhadra, and Subhadra; celebrated in Puri and worldwide.

☀️ July – September

• Guru Purnima – July: Full moon day dedicated to honoring the guru-paramparā, the living lineage of Vedic teachers.
• Raksha Bandhan – August: Celebrates the sacred bond of protection and love between siblings.
• Janmāṣṭamī – August: Midnight celebration of the appearance of Shri Krishna, observed with fasting, kīrtan, and remembrance.
• Ganesh Chaturthi – August/September: Appearance day of Shri Gaṇesha, the remover of obstacles and patron of new beginnings.

🍁 October – November

• Navarātri / Durga Pūjā / Vijayā Dashamī (Dussehra) – September/October: Nine nights honoring Devi in her many forms, concluding with the victory of Shri Durga over Mahishāsura and Shri Rama over Rāvaṇa.
• Diwali / Deepavali – October/November: Festival of lights celebrating Shri Rama’s return to Ayodhya, Shri Krishna’s victory over Narakāsura, Lakshmi Devi’s blessings, and Govardhan Pūjā.

❄️ November – December

• Geeta Jayanti – December: Commemorates the day Shri Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gītā to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – December/January: Celebrated as the day when the gates of Vaikuntha, the