Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 2020–2025

Celebrating the Major Holidays of Hindusim

Major Hindu festivals: Holi, Ganga Dussehra, Navaratri, Diwali

Learn Religions / Jiaqi Zhou

Hinduism is often described as a religion of fasts, feasts, and festivals. They are organized according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which is different than the Gregorian calendar used in the West. There are 12 months in the Hindu calendar, with the new year falling between mid-March and mid-April on the Western calendar. This list organizes important Hindu festivals and holy days according to the Gregorian calendar for the years 2019 through 2025.

January

The first day of the Gregorian calendar brings Kalpataru Divas, when the faithful celebrate the life of Ramakrishna, one of the most influential Hindu holy men of the 19th century. Other holidays during this cold month include Lohri, when celebrants build bonfires to celebrate the harvesting of winter crops, and Republic Day, which commemorates the day that the Indian Constitution was adopted in 1950.

January Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Kalpataru Divas 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1
Ramana Maharishi Jayanti 1/5
Vivekananda Jayanti 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12 1/12
Paush Purnima 1/20 1/10 1/28 1/17 1/6 1/14 1/13
Lohri 1/13 1/14 1/13 1/13 1/13 1/14 1/13
Makar Sankranti/
Paush Sankranti
1/15 1/15 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14
Uttarayan & Kite Festival 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14
Pongal 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/14
Magh Bihu 1/15 1/15 1/14 1/14 1/14 1/16 1/15
Thiruvalluvar Day 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16
India's Republic Day 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26
Mauni Amavas 1/16 1/24 2/11 2/1 1/19 2/9 1/29
Vasant Panchami 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/2
Saraswati Puja 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/25

February

The most important February festivals are Hindu holy days honoring the deity Shiva and his children. Vasant Panchami, which begins the month, honors Shiva's daughter Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts. Midmonth, Thaipusam honors Shiva's son Murugan. Toward the end of the month is Maha Shivaratri, when the faithful pay homage through the night to Shiva, the most powerful Hindu deity.

February Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Mauni Amavas 1/16 1/24 2/11 2/1 1/19 2/9 1/29
Vasant Panchami 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/2
Saraswati Puja 2/9 1/29 2/16 2/5 1/25 2/13 2/25
Ratha Saptami 2/12 2/1 2/19 2/7 1/28 2/16 2/4
Thaipusam 1/21 2/8 1/28 1/18 2/5 1/25 2/11
Magha Purnima 2/19 2/9 2/27 2/16 2/5 2/24 2/12
Shivaji Jayant 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19

Maharishi Dayanand
Saraswati Jayanti

2/28 2/18 3/8 2/26 2/15 3/5 2/23
Maha Shivaratri 3/4 2/21 3/11 2/28 2/18 3/8 2/25
Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti 3/8 2/25 3/15 3/4 2/21 3/12 3/1

March

With springtime approaching, Hindus celebrate Holi. One of the most joyous holidays of the year, this celebration is known for the colorful dyes thrown to herald spring's arrival. March is also the month when Hindus celebrate the lunisolar new year.

March Festivals   2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti   3/8 2/25 3/15 3/4 2/21 3/12 3/1
Chaitanya Jayanti   3/21 3/9 3/28 3/18 3/7 3/25 3/14
Holika Dahan   3/20 3/9 3/28 3/17 3/7 3/24 3/13
Holi (start)   3/20 3/10 3/29 3/18 3/11 3/25 3/14
Hindi New Year   3/22 3/21 3/22 3/22 3/22 3/21 3/22
Nyepi or Balinese New Year   3/7 3/25 3/14 3/3 3/22 3/11 3/29
Ugadi/Telugu New Year/
Gudi Padwa
  4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Ramayana (weeklong, begins)   4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Cheti Chand   4/7 3/26 4/14 4/3 3/23 4/10 3/31

April 2017

New Year's celebrations continue in April as Tamils in Sri Lanka and Bengalis in India observe this Hindu holiday. Other important events in April include Vasanta Navaratri, a nine-day celebration of fasting and prayer, and Akshaya Tritiya, a day Hindus consider especially lucky for beginning new ventures.

April Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Ugadi/Telugu New Year/
Gudi Padwa
4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Ramayana (weeklong, begins) 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Cheti Chand 4/7 3/26 4/14 4/3 3/23 4/10 3/31
Ramanavami 4/14 4/2 4/21 4/10 3/30 4/17 4/6
Vasanta Navaratri/Chaitra Navatri
(nine days long, begins)
4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Mahavir Jayanti 4/17 4/6 4/25 4/14 4/3 4/21 4/10
Hanuman Jayanti 4/19 4/8 4/27 4/16 4/6 4/23 4/12
Baisakh/Vaisakha 4/14 4/13 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/13 4/14
Tamil New Year (Puthandu) 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14
Vishu/Mesadi 4/15 4/14 4/14 4/15 4/15 4/14 4/14
Bengali New Year/Pohela Boishakh 4/15 4/14 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/14 4/15
Vasanta Navaratri 4/6 3/25 4/13 4/2 3/22 4/9 3/30
Parshuram Jayanti 5/7 4/25 5/14 5//3 4/22 5/10 4/29
Akshaya Tritiya/Akhateej 5/7 4/26 5/14 5/3 4/22 5/10 4/30

May

In May, Hindus celebrate deities and mystics important to the faith. The lion-faced deity Narasimha and Narada, the messenger of the gods, are both honored in May, as is the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize for literature.

May Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Parshuram Jayanti 5/7 4/25 5/14 5//3 4/22 5/10 4/29
Akshaya Tritiya/Akhateej 5/7 4/26 5/14 5/3 4/22 5/10 4/30
Gurudev Rabindranath Jayanti 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7
Narasimha Jayanti 5/17 5/6 5/25 5/14 5/4 5/21 5/11
Narada Jayanti 5/19 5/8 5/27 5/17 5/6 5/24 5/13
Shani Jayanti 6/3 5/22 6/10 5/30 5/19 6/6 5/27

June

In June, Hindus honor the goddess Ganga, for whom the holy Ganges River is named. The faithful believe that those who die around this river reach the heavenly abode with all their sins washed away. The month concludes with the celebration of Rath Yatra, when Hindus build and race elaborate chariots in celebration of the summertime travel of deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.

June Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Shani Jayanti 6/3 5/22 6/10 5/30 5/19 6/6 5/27
Ganga Dashami/Ganga Dussehra 6/12 6/1 6/20 6/9 5/30 6/16 6/5
Nirjala Ekadasi/Gayatri Jayanti 6/13 6/2 6/21 6/10 5/31 6/18 6/6
Sant Kabir Jayanti 6/17 6/5 6/24 6/14 6/4 6/22 6/11
Rath Yatra 7/4 6/23 7/12 7/1 6/20 7/7 6/27

July

July marks the beginning of the three-month monsoon season in Nepal and northern India. During this month, Hindu women observe the holiday of Hariyali Teej, fasting and offering prayers for a happy marriage. Other festivals include Manasa Puja, which honors the snake goddess. Hindu faithful believe she has the power to cure illnesses such as chicken pox and to aid in fertility.

July Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Rath Yatra 7/4 6/23 7/12 7/1 6/20 7/7 6/27
Guru Purnima/Asadha Purnima 7/16 7/5 7/24 7/13 7/3 7/21 7/10
Karkidaka Vavu 7/31 7/20 8/8 7/28 8/15 8/4 7/24
Hariyali Teej 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Nag Panchami 8/5 7/25 8/13 8/2 8/21 8/9 7/29

August

August is an important month in India because in that month the nation celebrates its independence. Another major holiday, Jhulan Yatra, honors the deities Krishna and his consort Radha. The days-long festival is known for its spectacular display of decorated swings, song, and dance. 

August Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Karkidaka Vavu 7/31 7/20 8/8 7/28 8/15 8/4 7/24
Hariyali Teej 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Nag Panchami 8/5 7/25 8/13 8/2 8/21 8/9 7/29
Jhulan Yatra (begins) 8/11
Varalakshmi Vratam 8/9 7/31 8/21 8/12 8/25 8/16 8/8
Balaram Jayanti 8/21 8/9 8/28 8/17 9/5 8/24 8/14
Kajari
Teej
8/18 8/6 8/25 8/14 9/2 8/22 8/12
Krishna Janmashtami 8/24 8/11 8/30 8/18 9/6 8/26 8/15
India's Independence Day 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15 8/15
Raksha-Bandhan 8/15 8/3 8/22 8/11 8/30 8/19 8/9
Varaha Jayanti 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/17 9/6 8/25
Hartalika Teej 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Vamana Jayanti 9/10 8/29 9/17 9/7 9/26 9/15 9/4
Ganesh/Vinayak Chaturthi 9/2 8/22 9/10 8/31 9/19 9/7 8/27
Radha Ashtami 9/6 8/26 9/14 9/4 9/23 9/11 8/31

September

As the monsoon season comes to a close, Hindus celebrate several holidays in September. Some, like Shikshak Diwas, or Teacher's Day, are secular. This holiday celebrates Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a former president of India and educational leader. Other celebrations pay homage to Hindu deities, the most auspicious being the nine-night festival of Navaratri, which honors the Divine Mother Durga.

September Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Hariyali Teej 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Nag Panchami 8/5 7/25 8/13 8/2 8/21 8/9 7/29
Balaram Jayanti 8/21 8/9 8/28 8/17 9/5 8/24 8/14
Kajari
Teej
8/18 8/6 8/25 8/14 9/2 8/22 8/12
Krishna Janmashtami 8/24 8/11 8/30 8/18 9/6 8/26 8/15
Varaha Jayanti 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/17 9/6 8/25
Hartalika Teej 9/1 8/21 9/9 8/30 9/18 9/6 8/26
Vamana Jayanti 9/10 8/29 9/17 9/7 9/26 9/15 9/4
Ganesh/Vinayak Chaturthi 9/2 8/22 9/10 8/31 9/19 9/7 8/27
Radha Ashtami 9/6 8/26 9/14 9/4 9/23 9/11 8/31
Onam 9/11 8/31 8/21 9/8 8/29 9/15 9/5
Shikshak Diwas/
Radhakrishnan Jayanti
9/5
Ananta Chaturthi/Ganesha
Visarjan Immersion
9/12 9/1 9/19 9/9 9/28 9/17 9/6
Pitri-Paksha 9/13 9/1 9/20 9/10 9/29 9/17 9/7
Vishwakarma Puja 9/17 9/16 9/17 9/17 9/17 9/16 9/17
Mahalaya 9/28 10/16 10/6 9/25 10/14 10/2 9/21
Navaratri 9/29 10/17 10/7 9/26 10/15 10/3 9/22
Durgashtami/Maha Ashtam 10/6 10/24 10/13 10/3 10/22 10/10 9/25

October

October is another month that is full of Hindu holidays and celebrations. Perhaps none is better known than Diwali, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. During this event, Hindu faithful hang lights, burn lamps, and shoot off fireworks to illuminate the world and chase the darkness away. Other important days in October include Mohandas Gandhi's birthday on Oct. 2 and a celebration of tulsi, known as Indian basil, at the end of the month.

October Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Mahalaya 9/28 10/16 10/6 9/25 10/14 10/2 9/21
Navaratri 9/29 10/17 10/7 9/26 10/15 10/3 9/22
Durgashtami/Maha Ashtam 10/6 10/24 10/13 10/3 10/22 10/10 9/25
Maha Navami 10/6 10/24 10/14 10/4 10/23 10/11 10/1
Gandhi Jayant 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2
Lakshmi Puja/Kojagari Purnima/Sharad Purnima 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/24 11/12 11/1 10/25
Valmiki Jayanti 10/13 10/31 10/20 10/9 10/28 10/17 10/7
Karwa Chauth/Karaka Chaturthi 10/17 11/4 10/24 10/13 11/1 10/24 10/10
Dhanteras/Dhantrayodashi 10/25 11/13 11/2 10/22 11/10 10/29 10/18
Kali Puja 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/24 11/12 10/31 10/20
Naraka Chaturdashi/Chhoti Diwali 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/24 11/12 10/31 10/20
Diwali/Deepavali 10/27 11/14 11/4 10/25 11/13 11/1 10/21
Vikram New Year/Gujarati New Year 10/28 11/16 11/5 10/26 10/14 11/2 10/22
Bhai Dooj/Bhai Phota/Bhav-Bij 10/29 11/16 11/6 10/26 10/14 11/3 10/23
Chhat Puja/Pratihar/Surya Sashthi 10/31 11/18 11/8 10/28 11/17 11/5 10/25
Kansa Vadh 11/7 11/24 11/13 11/3 11/22 11/11 11/1
Tulsi Vivah 11/9 11/26 11/15 11/5 11/24 11/13 11/2

November

There are few major Hindu holidays in November. The celebration of Kartik Poornima or Guru Nanak Jayanti observes the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. 2019 marks the 550th. The ceremonies include a 48-hours-straight recitation of the holy book, the "Guru Granth Sahib." It is a hugely popular day for washing in the Ganges. People also take a ritual bath at other sacred sites.

November Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Kartik Poornima/Guru Nanak Jayanti 11/12 11/30 11/19 11/8 11/27 11/15 11/5

December

The year concludes with a handful of holy days celebrating deities and other Hindu spiritual figures. The most notable is Gita Jayanti, which pays homage to the "Bhagavad-Gita," one of Hinduism's most important religious and philosophical texts. During this celebration, readings and lectures are held, and pilgrims make trips to the northern India city of Kurukshetra, where much of the "Bhagavad-Gita" takes place. Its festival rarely takes place in November.

Hindus also celebrate the deity Dattatreya, whose teachings describe the 24 gurus of nature. December concludes with a celebration of the life of Hindu holy man Ramana Maharishi Jayanti, whose teachings became popular with followers in the West in the early 20th century.

December Festivals 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Gita Jayanti 12/8 12/25 12/14 12/3 12/22 12/11 12/1
Sri Dattatreya Jayanti 12/11 12/29 12/18 12/7 12/26 12/14 12/4
Sabarimala Mandala Puja 12/27 12/26 12/26 12/27 12/27 12/26 12/27
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Your Citation
Das, Subhamoy. "Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 2020–2025." Learn Religions, Mar. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/hindu-festivals-calendar-1770190. Das, Subhamoy. (2021, March 4). Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 2020–2025. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/hindu-festivals-calendar-1770190 Das, Subhamoy. "Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 2020–2025." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/hindu-festivals-calendar-1770190 (accessed March 19, 2024).