The coming year's festivals with their story, how they are celebrated and what they mean, dates for New Delhi. Listen to the next few here.
▶ Listen in
🎧 Find more in the Divya Sannidhi app: every story narrated in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu.
Navratri Begins · शारदीय नवरात्रि आरंभ
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Sharad Navratri: nine nights of worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, with garba and Durga Puja.
Goddess Durga fought the buffalo-demon Mahishasura for nine nights and won on the tenth day. Sharad Navratri honours her nine forms, the Navadurga.
Ghatasthapana (installing a sacred pot) on the first day, fasting, daily puja of one form of the Goddess, garba and dandiya in Gujarat, Durga Puja pandals in Bengal, and Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami.
Nine days of discipline and devotion help us slow down, reflect and renew inner strength. Honouring young girls as the Goddess reminds us to respect and protect women.
शारदीय नवरात्रि: माँ दुर्गा के नौ रूपों की नौ रातों की आराधना, गरबा और दुर्गा पूजा के साथ।
Dussehra · दशहरा (विजयादशमी)
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and of Durga over Mahishasura: the victory of good over evil.
Lord Rama defeated Ravana on this day, and Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura. It marks the victory of good over evil.
Effigies of Ravana are burnt after Ramlila, Durga idols are immersed in Bengal, Shami tree and weapons are worshipped, and people exchange Apta leaves as 'gold' in Maharashtra.
It is a day to let go of our own 'Ravanas' such as anger, pride and greed. It is also considered an auspicious day to begin learning or new work.
रावण पर श्रीराम और महिषासुर पर माँ दुर्गा की विजय: बुराई पर अच्छाई की जीत।
Sharad Purnima · शरद पूर्णिमा
Sunday, 25 October 2026
The brightest full moon of the year. Kheer is kept in moonlight and offered to Lakshmi.
On this full moon the moon shines with all sixteen kalas. It is believed Goddess Lakshmi goes around asking 'Ko Jagarti' (who is awake?), and in Braj it is the night of Krishna's Maha Raas.
Kheer is kept under the moonlight overnight and eaten as prasad the next morning. People stay awake, worship Lakshmi and the Moon, and sing bhajans.
It celebrates the harvest and the change of season, and reminds us to stay alert and grateful for abundance.
वर्ष की सबसे उज्ज्वल पूर्णिमा। खीर चाँदनी में रखकर लक्ष्मी को अर्पित की जाती है।
Karwa Chauth · करवा चौथ
Thursday, 29 October 2026
Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husbands' long life.
It remembers Queen Veeravati and Savitri, whose devotion and fasting protected their husbands' lives.
Married women eat sargi before dawn, fast without water all day, listen to the vrat katha with a decorated karwa, and break the fast after sighting the moon.
It celebrates love, commitment and care in marriage. Today many couples fast together as a sign of mutual respect.
विवाहित महिलाएँ पति की दीर्घायु के लिए सूर्योदय से चंद्रोदय तक व्रत रखती हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Dhanteras · धनतेरस
Friday, 6 November 2026
The first day of Diwali, worshipping Dhanvantari and Lakshmi. Buying metal or gold is considered lucky.
Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, rose from the churning of the ocean holding a pot of nectar on this day. It is also linked to worship of Yama for protection from untimely death.
People clean their homes, buy gold, silver or new utensils, light a Yama deepak facing south in the evening and worship Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari.
It reminds us that health is the first wealth, and that wealth should be earned honestly and used wisely.
दीपावली का पहला दिन, धन्वंतरि और लक्ष्मी की पूजा। धातु या सोना खरीदना शुभ माना जाता है।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Diwali · दीपावली (लक्ष्मी पूजा)
Sunday, 8 November 2026
The festival of lights, with Lakshmi Puja on Kartik Amavasya evening, marking Rama's return to Ayodhya.
Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and defeating Ravana, and the people lit rows of lamps to welcome him. Goddess Lakshmi is also believed to have appeared from the ocean of milk.
Homes are cleaned and decorated with rangoli and diyas, Lakshmi-Ganesh puja is done in the evening muhurat, sweets are shared, and businesses begin new account books.
Light over darkness: removing ignorance, forgiving old quarrels, and sharing joy with family, neighbours and those in need.
दीपों का त्योहार, कार्तिक अमावस्या की शाम लक्ष्मी पूजा, श्रीराम के अयोध्या लौटने का उत्सव।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Govardhan Puja · गोवर्धन पूजा
Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Krishna lifted Govardhan hill to protect Gokul. Annakut, a mountain of food, is offered.
When Indra sent heavy rains on Gokul, young Krishna lifted Govardhan hill on his little finger for seven days to shelter everyone.
A small Govardhan is made of cow dung or food and worshipped, cows are honoured, and Annakut, a mountain of many dishes, is offered to Krishna.
It teaches respect for nature, cows and farmers, and trust in the divine when we face storms in life.
श्रीकृष्ण ने गोकुल की रक्षा के लिए गोवर्धन पर्वत उठाया। अन्नकूट का भोग लगाया जाता है।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Bhai Dooj · भाई दूज
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Sisters pray for their brothers and apply tilak, the last day of the Diwali festival.
Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yamuna on this day. She welcomed him with tilak and food, and he blessed all brothers who visit their sisters on this day.
Sisters apply tilak, perform aarti and pray for their brothers' long life. Brothers give gifts and a meal is shared together.
It strengthens the bond between siblings and reminds us to make time for family.
बहनें भाइयों को तिलक करके उनकी मंगलकामना करती हैं, दीपावली उत्सव का अंतिम दिन।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Chhath Puja · छठ पूजा
Sunday, 15 November 2026
Four days of worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, with evening and dawn arghya at rivers.
It is worship of Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya, for health, children and prosperity. It is linked to Karna's sun worship and to Sita's worship after returning to Ayodhya.
Four days of Nahay-Khay, Kharna, evening arghya to the setting sun and morning arghya to the rising sun, standing in rivers or ponds, with a strict fast and thekua prasad.
It teaches purity, discipline and gratitude to the Sun and water that sustain all life, and brings whole communities together at the ghats.
सूर्य देव और छठी मैया की चार दिन की उपासना, नदी तट पर संध्या और उषा अर्घ्य के साथ।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Kartika Purnima · कार्तिक पूर्णिमा (देव दीपावली)
Tuesday, 24 November 2026
A holy bath in rivers, and Dev Deepawali when the ghats of Kashi are lit with lakhs of lamps.
Lord Shiva destroyed the demon Tripurasura on this day, so it is also called Tripuri Purnima. The gods are believed to come down to celebrate at Kashi, which is why it is Dev Deepawali.
Holy dips in the Ganga and other rivers, deep daan (floating lamps), lakhs of diyas on the ghats of Varanasi, and fairs such as Pushkar and the Somnath Kartik fair.
It closes the holy month of Kartik and encourages charity, gratitude and spreading light for others.
नदियों में पवित्र स्नान, और देव दीपावली जब काशी के घाट लाखों दीपों से जगमगाते हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Gita Jayanti · गीता जयंती
Sunday, 20 December 2026
The day Krishna taught the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
On Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, Lord Krishna taught the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
Reading or chanting the Gita (often all 18 chapters), Gita talks and quizzes, and a large festival at Kurukshetra.
The Gita teaches us to do our duty without worrying about the result, to stay steady in success and failure, and to act with devotion.
वह दिन जब श्रीकृष्ण ने कुरुक्षेत्र में अर्जुन को भगवद्गीता का उपदेश दिया।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Makara Sankranti · मकर संक्रांति
Friday, 15 January 2027
The Sun enters Capricorn. Holy dips, sesame sweets and kite flying mark the harvest festival.
The Sun enters Capricorn (Makara) and begins its northward journey, Uttarayan. Bhishma chose this time to leave his body.
Holy dips (Ganga Sagar, Prayag), til-gud sweets, khichdi, kite flying in Gujarat, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri the night before in Punjab, and giving grain and warm clothes.
A harvest thanksgiving that reminds us to speak sweetly ('til-gud ghya, god god bola') and share with others.
सूर्य मकर राशि में प्रवेश करते हैं। पवित्र स्नान, तिल के लड्डू और पतंगबाज़ी के साथ फसल उत्सव।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Vasant Panchami · वसंत पंचमी
Thursday, 11 February 2027
Worship of Goddess Saraswati and the start of spring.
Goddess Saraswati, of knowledge, music and art, is believed to have appeared on this day. It also welcomes spring.
People wear yellow, worship Saraswati with books and instruments, children begin writing (Vidyarambh), and yellow sweets are made.
It inspires lifelong learning and respect for teachers, arts and knowledge.
माँ सरस्वती की पूजा और वसंत का आगमन।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Maha Shivaratri · महाशिवरात्रि
Saturday, 6 March 2027
The great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast, stay awake through the night and offer water, milk and bilva leaves to the Shiva linga.
It is the night Shiva manifested as an endless pillar of light (the origin of the Jyotirlingas) and the night of Shiva and Parvati's divine marriage.
Fasting, night-long jagran, abhishek of the linga with water, milk and honey, offering bilva leaves, chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya', and worship in four prahars of the night.
Staying awake in prayer symbolises overcoming darkness and ignorance. It is a night for self-reflection, restraint and letting go of ego.
भगवान शिव की महान रात्रि। भक्त उपवास रखते हैं, रात भर जागरण करते हैं और शिवलिंग पर जल, दूध और बेलपत्र चढ़ाते हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Holika Dahan · होलिका दहन
Sunday, 21 March 2027
Bonfires are lit on Phalguna Purnima evening to mark the burning of Holika and the protection of Prahlad.
Demon king Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika sat in fire with the young devotee Prahlad, but Holika burned and Prahlad was saved by Lord Vishnu.
A bonfire is lit on Phalguna Purnima evening after puja; people circle it, offer new grain, coconut and cow-dung cakes.
It reminds us that faith protects, and asks us to burn away negativity before starting fresh.
फाल्गुन पूर्णिमा की शाम होलिका दहन होता है, जो होलिका के जलने और प्रह्लाद की रक्षा का प्रतीक है।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Holi · होली
Monday, 22 March 2027
The festival of colours, celebrating spring and the victory of Prahlad's devotion, the night after Holika Dahan.
It celebrates Prahlad's protection and the playful love of Radha and Krishna, who smeared colours on each other in Braj.
People play with colours and water, visit friends, eat gujiya and thandai, and Braj celebrates for days with Lathmar Holi and flower Holi.
Colours erase differences of age, status and caste. It is a day to forgive, reconnect and welcome spring with joy.
रंगों का त्योहार, वसंत और प्रह्लाद की भक्ति की विजय का उत्सव, होलिका दहन के अगले दिन।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Chaitra Navratri Begins · चैत्र नवरात्रि आरंभ
Wednesday, 7 April 2027
Nine nights of worship of Goddess Durga in spring, ending with Rama Navami.
Spring Navratri honours the nine forms of Goddess Durga and leads up to Rama Navami, the birth of Lord Rama.
Ghatasthapana, fasting for nine days, Durga Saptashati path, and Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami.
A fresh start with the new year: a time to cleanse body and mind and set good intentions.
वसंत में माँ दुर्गा की नौ रातों की आराधना, जो राम नवमी पर पूर्ण होती है।
Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat) on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, marked with a gudi flag, neem and jaggery.
Lord Brahma is believed to have begun creation on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, and the Vikram Samvat new year starts. It also recalls Rama's return and King Shalivahana's victory.
A Gudi (decorated pole with cloth and kalash) is raised in Maharashtra; Ugadi pachadi of six tastes is eaten in the south; people hear the Panchang for the new year.
The six tastes of Ugadi pachadi remind us that life brings sweet and bitter moments, and we should accept all with balance.
चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा पर हिंदू नव वर्ष (विक्रम संवत), गुड़ी, नीम और गुड़ के साथ मनाया जाता है।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Rama Navami · राम नवमी
Thursday, 15 April 2027
Birth of Lord Rama, celebrated at noon with bhajans, Ramayana recitation and processions.
Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami.
Fasting, Ramcharitmanas or Ramayana path, bhajans at noon, cradle ceremony for baby Rama, and processions (shobha yatras).
Rama is Maryada Purushottam, the ideal person. The day inspires truthfulness, duty, respect for parents and fairness to all.
भगवान राम का जन्मोत्सव, दोपहर में भजन, रामायण पाठ और शोभायात्राओं के साथ।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Hanuman Jayanti · हनुमान जयंती
Tuesday, 20 April 2027
Birth of Lord Hanuman. Devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa and offer sindoor.
Lord Hanuman, son of Anjana and Vayu and the greatest devotee of Rama, was born on Chaitra Purnima (in many regions).
Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand path, offering sindoor and jasmine oil, laddoo or boondi prasad, and visits to Hanuman temples from early morning.
Hanuman stands for strength with humility, courage, selfless service and unshakable devotion.
भगवान हनुमान का जन्मोत्सव। भक्त हनुमान चालीसा का पाठ करते हैं और सिंदूर चढ़ाते हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Akshaya Tritiya · अक्षय तृतीया
Sunday, 9 May 2027
A day of never-ending good fortune, considered auspicious for new beginnings. The Char Dham yatra usually opens around this time.
'Akshaya' means never-ending. The Treta Yuga is said to have begun on this day; Parashurama was born; and Krishna gave the Pandavas the Akshaya Patra.
It is a self-auspicious day for weddings, housewarming and starting new work. People buy gold, donate water, food and clothes, and worship Vishnu and Lakshmi.
Good deeds and charity done today are believed to multiply without end, so it encourages generosity.
अक्षय पुण्य का दिन, नए कार्यों के लिए शुभ। चार धाम यात्रा प्रायः इसी समय आरंभ होती है।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Ganga Dussehra · गंगा दशहरा
Sunday, 13 June 2027
Celebrates the descent of Ganga to earth. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganga.
Goddess Ganga descended from heaven to earth on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, brought by King Bhagirath's penance.
Bathing in the Ganga, Ganga aarti at Haridwar and Varanasi, and giving ten kinds of charity.
Rivers give life; the day reminds us to keep them clean and to wash away ten kinds of wrongdoing in thought, speech and action.
गंगा के धरती पर अवतरण का उत्सव। श्रद्धालु गंगा स्नान करते हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Jagannath Rathyatra · जगन्नाथ रथ यात्रा
Monday, 5 July 2027
Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra ride out in huge wooden chariots pulled by devotees.
Lord Jagannath with Balabhadra and Subhadra goes each year from the Puri temple to the Gundicha temple, their aunt's home, and returns after nine days.
Three huge wooden chariots are pulled by lakhs of devotees; the Gajapati king sweeps the chariots (Chhera Pahanra); cities around the world hold their own Rath Yatras.
God comes out to meet everyone, regardless of caste or status. It teaches humility, since even the king sweeps, and the joy of serving together.
भगवान जगन्नाथ, बलभद्र और सुभद्रा विशाल रथों पर निकलते हैं, जिन्हें भक्त खींचते हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Guru Purnima · गुरु पूर्णिमा
Sunday, 18 July 2027
A day to honour one's guru and Sage Vyasa.
It is the birthday of Sage Ved Vyasa, who compiled the Vedas and wrote the Mahabharata. The Buddha also gave his first sermon on this full moon.
Disciples worship their guru (Guru Puja), students thank teachers, and ashrams hold satsang and bhandara.
It reminds us to honour everyone who teaches us, and to stay humble and keep learning.
गुरु और महर्षि वेदव्यास के सम्मान का दिन।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Nag Panchami · नाग पंचमी
Friday, 6 August 2027
Worship of serpent deities for protection of the family.
Serpent deities such as Vasuki, Shesha and Takshaka are honoured; Krishna subdued the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna.
Images of nagas are drawn and worshipped with milk, flowers and turmeric; people avoid digging the earth on this day.
It teaches respect for all living beings and for the balance of nature, including snakes that protect crops from pests.
परिवार की रक्षा हेतु नाग देवता की पूजा।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Raksha Bandhan · रक्षा बंधन
Tuesday, 17 August 2027
Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists, praying for their well-being.
Draupadi tied a strip of her sari on Krishna's bleeding finger, and he promised to protect her. Lakshmi tied a rakhi to King Bali as well.
Sisters tie a rakhi, apply tilak and pray for their brothers; brothers give gifts and a promise of care. Priests tie raksha sutras, and Shravani (sacred thread renewal) is done.
A thread becomes a promise. It celebrates caring for each other, and today many tie rakhis to soldiers, friends and trees.
बहनें भाइयों की कलाई पर राखी बाँधकर उनके कल्याण की प्रार्थना करती हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Krishna Janmashtami · श्रीकृष्ण जन्माष्टमी
Wednesday, 25 August 2027
Birth of Lord Krishna at midnight, with fasting, bhajans and jhulan decorations.
Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, was born at midnight in Kansa's prison in Mathura and carried by Vasudeva across the Yamuna to Gokul.
Fasting until midnight, jhula (cradle) decorations, bhajans and Krishna leela, abhishek of Bal Gopal at midnight, and Dahi Handi the next day in Maharashtra.
Krishna shows that joy, love and wisdom can go together, and that even in dark times the divine is born to protect goodness.
मध्यरात्रि में भगवान कृष्ण का जन्मोत्सव, उपवास, भजन और झूला सजावट के साथ।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Ganesh Chaturthi · गणेश चतुर्थी
Saturday, 4 September 2027
Birth of Lord Ganesha. Ganesh idols are installed at home and in pandals for up to ten days.
Goddess Parvati created Ganesha, and Shiva gave him an elephant head and made him first among the gods. Lokmanya Tilak made it a public festival in 1893.
Ganesh idols are installed at home and in pandals for 1.5 to 10 days, with modak, aarti and cultural programmes, and immersed on the last day.
Ganesha removes obstacles and blesses new beginnings. Choosing eco-friendly clay idols protects our rivers.
भगवान गणेश का जन्मोत्सव। घरों और पंडालों में दस दिन तक गणेश प्रतिमा स्थापित की जाती है।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Anant Chaturdashi · अनंत चतुर्दशी (गणेश विसर्जन)
Tuesday, 14 September 2027
The last day of Ganeshotsav, when Ganesh idols are immersed.
It honours Lord Vishnu as Anant, the infinite, and is the last day of Ganeshotsav.
Grand Ganesh immersion processions ('Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudhchya varshi lavkar ya'), and tying the 14-knot Anant sutra after Vishnu puja.
Immersion teaches that everything that takes form must also let go, and that the divine is present always.
गणेशोत्सव का अंतिम दिन, जब गणेश प्रतिमाओं का विसर्जन होता है।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Pitru Paksha Begins · पितृ पक्ष आरंभ
Thursday, 16 September 2027
Fifteen days of shraddha and tarpan for one's ancestors.
A fortnight when ancestors (pitrs) are believed to visit the earth. Karna was sent back from heaven to offer food to his ancestors.
Shraddha and tarpan with water, sesame and rice on the ancestor's tithi, feeding Brahmins, cows, crows and the needy; Gaya, Varanasi and Prayag are special places.
It reminds us of our roots, and to remember and thank those who came before us.
पितरों के लिए श्राद्ध और तर्पण के पंद्रह दिन।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Durga Ashtami · दुर्गा अष्टमी
Thursday, 7 October 2027
The eighth day of Navratri, with Kanya Puja and Sandhi Puja.
The eighth day of Navratri, when Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped; in Bengal the Sandhi Puja marks the moment Durga slew Chanda and Munda.
Kanya Puja (feeding young girls as the Goddess), Sandhi Puja with 108 lamps and lotuses, and Pushpanjali in pandals.
It celebrates the strength of the Divine Mother and the dignity of every girl and woman.
नवरात्रि का आठवाँ दिन, कन्या पूजन और संधि पूजा के साथ।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Devutthana Ekadashi · देवउठनी एकादशी
Wednesday, 10 November 2027
Lord Vishnu wakes from his four-month rest. Weddings and auspicious work begin again.
Lord Vishnu wakes after four months of yoga-nidra (Chaturmas) that began on Devshayani Ekadashi.
Fasting, waking the Lord with bells and songs, and Tulsi Vivah (marriage of Tulsi with Shaligram) around this day; weddings resume after it.
It marks a fresh beginning after a period of rest and restraint, and brings families together for auspicious work.
भगवान विष्णु चार महीने की निद्रा से जागते हैं। विवाह और शुभ कार्य फिर शुरू होते हैं।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Kalabhairav Jayanti · कालभैरव जयंती
Saturday, 20 November 2027
Birth of Kala Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva and guardian of Kashi.
Lord Shiva appeared as Kala Bhairava to humble Brahma's pride. Bhairava is the guardian (Kotwal) of Kashi.
Night worship at Bhairav temples, Kalabhairav Ashtakam, offering mustard oil lamps, and feeding dogs, Bhairava's companions.
It teaches respect for time and discipline, and that pride always falls.
शिव के उग्र रूप और काशी के कोतवाल कालभैरव का जन्मोत्सव।
🎧 Listen to this story in the Divya Sannidhi app
Dates follow the Panchang for New Delhi; in the Divya Sannidhi app they are worked out for your own city, with a reminder the evening before.
