Sacred time
The year is not experienced the same way everywhere.
Browse Hindu holidays by Gregorian month, see their usual month windows and explore source-linked festival readings.
Holidays by month
Find a festival by the time of year.
Browse familiar Gregorian months from January to December. These are approximate month windows, not dates for a particular year. A festival appears in both months when it can fall in either; confirm the local date when making plans.
January
- Makara Saṅkrānti / Pongal
Usually January - Vasanta Pañcamī
Usually January–February - Vaikuṇṭha Ekādaśī
Usually December–January
February
- Vasanta Pañcamī
Usually January–February - Mahāśivarātri
Usually February–March - Holi
Usually February–March
March
- Mahāśivarātri
Usually February–March - Holi
Usually February–March - Rāma Navamī
Usually March–April
April
- Rāma Navamī
Usually March–April - Akṣaya Tṛtīyā
Usually April–May
May
- Akṣaya Tṛtīyā
Usually April–May
June
- Jagannātha Ratha Yātrā
Usually June–July - Guru Pūrṇimā
Usually June–July
July
- Jagannātha Ratha Yātrā
Usually June–July - Guru Pūrṇimā
Usually June–July
August
- Janmāṣṭamī
Usually August–September - Gaṇeśa Caturthī
Usually August–September - Rakṣā Bandhan
Usually August–September
September
- Janmāṣṭamī
Usually August–September - Gaṇeśa Caturthī
Usually August–September - Autumn Navarātri
Usually September–October - Durgā Pūjā
Usually September–October - Rakṣā Bandhan
Usually August–September
October
- Autumn Navarātri
Usually September–October - Durgā Pūjā
Usually September–October - Dīpāvalī / Diwali
Usually October–November
November
- Dīpāvalī / Diwali
Usually October–November - Kārttigai Dīpam
Usually November–December
December
- Kārttigai Dīpam
Usually November–December - Vaikuṇṭha Ekādaśī
Usually December–January
About these month windows: selected festivals, not a complete list of every regional observance. Most ranges follow the corresponding festival chapters in Swami Sivananda’s Hindu Fasts & Festivals (Divine Life Society, WWW edition 2000). Akṣaya Tṛtīyā and Ratha Yātrā use the linked calendar publisher for month placement. Guru Pūrṇimā’s month window follows Maharashtra Tourism’s calendar description. Links open an existing handbook guide where available, otherwise the calendar or source reference.
Holi
Explore Holi through attributed English readings, the Prahlāda narrative, different celebration settings, family guidance and questions with answer feedback.
Rāma Navamī
Explore Rāma Navamī through the birth, family, celebration and naming scenes, with attributed English readings, shared discussion and answer feedback.
Janmāṣṭamī
Explore Janmāṣṭamī through selected birth-narrative readings, clearly attributed commentary, family discussion and questions with answer feedback.
Durgā Pūjā
Understand Durgā Pūjā through Belur Math’s named tradition, with a festival reading path and practical questions for a first visit.
Navarātri
Explore Navarātri through attributed English readings, the stories of Suśīla and Rāma, a clear study route and questions with answer feedback.
Dīpāvalī / Diwali
Explore Diwali through English source readings, distinct author and family perspectives, a practical gathering plan and questions with answer feedback.
Mahāśivarātri
Explore Mahāśivarātri through English source readings, the night observance, an attributed story and interpretation, and a practical temple planning brief.
Gaṇeśa Caturthī
Explore Gaṇeśa Caturthī through a named Purāṇic rite, devotional name meanings, an attributed birth story and questions for a local celebration.
Not sure how to observe it?
Start with the holiday practical guide.
Check the calendar source and location, confirm the host’s programme, and make a manageable plan with your family.