Festival calendar
Festivals, vrats and important planet movements, from October 2026 to January 2027.
30 festivals and observances23 sky events
Festival dates for New Delhi, Delhi. Sky events in India time.
October 2026
Retrogradein Libra
Venus turns retrograde
Venus appears to move backwards through Libra until 14 Nov 2026. Traditionally a time to revisit relationships and spending rather than begin new ones.
Observance
Sarva Pitru Amavasyaसर्व पितृ अमावस्या
The last day of Pitru Paksha, for remembering all ancestors.
Festival
Sharad Navratri beginsशारदीय नवरात्रि
Nine nights honouring the forms of Goddess Durga, with Ghatasthapana in the morning.
Read more about Sharad Navratri beginsFestival
Durga Puja: Maha Shashthiमहाषष्ठी
Bodhon: Goddess Durga is invoked and the five days of Durga Puja begin.
Read more about Durga Puja: Maha ShashthiFestival
Durga Puja: Maha Saptamiमहासप्तमी
Navapatrika (Kola Bou) is bathed at dawn and the main Durga Puja worship starts.
Read more about Durga Puja: Maha SaptamiSankranti
Tula Sankrantiतुला संक्रांति
The Sun enters Libra, beginning a new solar month.
Sign changein Libra
Sun moves into Libra
The Sun enters Libra, its sign of debilitation in Vedic astrology, and stays until 16 Nov 2026.
Festival
Durga Ashtamiदुर्गा अष्टमी
The eighth day of Navratri, with Kanya Puja in many homes.
Read more about Durga AshtamiFestival
Dussehra (Vijayadashami)दशहरा
Marks the victory of good over evil; considered auspicious for starting learning or new work.
Read more about Dussehra (Vijayadashami)Festival
Durga Puja: Bijoya Dashamiविजया दशमी
Durga Visarjan and Sindoor Khela close Durga Puja in Bengal.
Read more about Durga Puja: Bijoya DashamiRetrogradein Libra
Mercury turns retrograde
Mercury appears to move backwards through Libra until 13 Nov 2026. Traditionally a time to double-check plans, messages and paperwork.
Festival
Sharad Purnimaशरद पूर्णिमा
The harvest full Moon of Ashwin, traditionally kept with kheer under the moonlight.
- Today, 28 Oct
Vrat
Karwa Chauthकरवा चौथ
A day-long fast for a spouse’s well-being, broken after sighting the Moon.
Read more about Karwa ChauthSign changein Leo
Jupiter moves into Leo
Jupiter enters Leo and stays until 25 Jan 2027.
November 2026
Vrat
Ahoi Ashtamiअहोई अष्टमी
Mothers fast for their children, breaking it after sighting the stars.
Festival
Dhanterasधनतेरस
The first day of Diwali, linked with Lakshmi and Dhanvantari and with buying metal items.
Read more about DhanterasSign changein Virgo
Venus moves into Virgo
Venus enters Virgo, its sign of debilitation in Vedic astrology, and stays until 22 Nov 2026.
Festival
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)दीवाली
The festival of lights, honouring Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya.
Read more about Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)Festival
Narak Chaturdashiनरक चतुर्दशी
Choti Diwali: an early bath and lamps to mark Krishna’s victory over Narakasura.
Read more about Narak ChaturdashiFestival
Govardhan Pujaगोवर्धन पूजा
Remembers Krishna lifting Govardhan hill, with Annakut offerings.
Read more about Govardhan PujaFestival
Bhai Doojभाई दूज
Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, closing the Diwali festivities.
Read more about Bhai DoojSign changein Leo
Mars moves into Leo
Mars enters Leo and stays until 10 Mar 2027.
Turns directin Libra
Mercury turns direct
Mercury resumes forward motion in Libra after turning retrograde on 24 Oct 2026.
Turns directin Virgo
Venus turns direct
Venus resumes forward motion in Virgo after turning retrograde on 3 Oct 2026.
Festival
Chhath Pujaछठ पूजा
Offerings to the Sun God at sunset and sunrise, observed with strict fasting.
Sankranti
Vrishchika Sankrantiवृश्चिक संक्रांति
The Sun enters Scorpio, beginning a new solar month.
Sign changein Scorpio
Sun moves into Scorpio
The Sun enters Scorpio and stays until 16 Dec 2026.
Vrat
Dev Uthani Ekadashiदेवउठनी एकादशी
Lord Vishnu wakes and Chaturmas ends; the wedding season traditionally resumes.
Read more about Dev Uthani EkadashiFestival
Tulsi Vivahतुलसी विवाह
The ceremonial wedding of the tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu.
Sign changein Libra
Venus moves into Libra
Venus enters Libra, one of its own signs, and stays until 1 Jan 2027.
Festival
Kartik Purnimaकार्तिक पूर्णिमा
The Kartik full Moon of Dev Deepawali, holy dips and lamps.
December 2026
Sign changein Scorpio
Mercury moves into Scorpio
Mercury enters Scorpio and stays until 22 Dec 2026.
Sign changein Capricorn
Rahu and Ketu change signs
Rahu enters Capricorn and Ketu enters Cancer, where they stay for about a year and a half.
Turns directin Pisces
Saturn turns direct
Saturn resumes forward motion in Pisces after turning retrograde on 27 Jul 2026.
Retrogradein Leo
Jupiter turns retrograde
Jupiter appears to move backwards through Leo until 13 Apr 2027. Traditionally a time to review plans, studies and beliefs.
Festival
Vivah Panchamiविवाह पंचमी
Celebrates the wedding of Lord Rama and Sita.
Sankranti
Dhanu Sankrantiधनु संक्रांति
The Sun enters Sagittarius; Kharmas begins, a pause for weddings.
Sign changein Sagittarius
Sun moves into Sagittarius
The Sun enters Sagittarius and stays until 14 Jan 2027.
Jayanti
Gita Jayantiगीता जयंती
Marks the day the Bhagavad Gita was spoken; also Mokshada Ekadashi.
Read more about Gita JayantiSign changein Sagittarius
Mercury moves into Sagittarius
Mercury enters Sagittarius and stays until 10 Jan 2027.
January 2027
Sign changein Scorpio
Venus moves into Scorpio
Venus enters Scorpio and stays until 29 Jan 2027.
Sign changein Capricorn
Mercury moves into Capricorn
Mercury enters Capricorn and stays until 28 Jan 2027.
Retrogradein Leo
Mars turns retrograde
Mars appears to move backwards through Leo until 1 Apr 2027. Traditionally a time to pace your energy and avoid rushed decisions.
Festival
Lohriलोहड़ी
A Punjabi winter bonfire festival on the eve of Makar Sankranti.
Read more about LohriSign changein Capricorn
Sun moves into Capricorn
The Sun enters Capricorn and stays until 13 Feb 2027.
Festival
Magh Bihuमाघ बिहू
Bhogali Bihu, Assam’s harvest feast on the first day of Magh.
Read more about Magh BihuSankranti
Makar Sankrantiमकर संक्रांति
The Sun enters Capricorn. A harvest festival of til-gud, kites and charity.
Read more about Makar SankrantiFestival
Thai Pongalपोंगल
Tamil Nadu’s harvest festival on the first day of Thai, with rice boiled over in new pots.
Read more about Thai PongalVrat
Sakat Chauthसकट चौथ
A fast kept for children’s well-being, broken after moonrise.
Sign changein Cancer
Jupiter moves into Cancer
Jupiter enters Cancer, its sign of exaltation in Vedic astrology, and stays until 26 Jun 2027.
Sign changein Aquarius
Mercury moves into Aquarius
Mercury enters Aquarius and stays until 24 Feb 2027.
Sign changein Sagittarius
Venus moves into Sagittarius
Venus enters Sagittarius and stays until 24 Feb 2027.