Festivals & Rituals

Aja Ekadashi

Bhadrapada Krishna Ekadashi

August-September

Akshaya Tritiya

Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya

April-May

Amalaki Ekadashi

Phalguna Shukla Ekadashi

February-March

Amavasya Vrat

Krishna Paksha Amavasya (every lunar month)

Every month (recurring on each new moon day)

Ambaji Shakti Peetha

Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima (Bhadarvi Poonam)

August-September (peak pilgrimage); also Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri

Annakut

Kartik Shukla Pratipada

October-November

Annaprashana Samskara

Performed on an auspicious tithi chosen by the family priest, typically in the child's sixth month (for boys) or seventh month (for girls), avoiding Amavasya, Rikta tithis, and inauspicious nakshatras

Varies by child's birth date; performed six to seven months after birth on an auspicious day

Antyesti Last Rites

Not fixed — performed immediately upon death, irrespective of lunar date

Not applicable — performed as needed year-round

Apara Ekadashi

Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi

May-June

Aparna Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami (most auspicious); pilgrimage possible year-round

March-April (peak season); also Ashwin Navratri in September-October

Arudra Darshan

Margazhi Purnima (Ardra Nakshatra)

December-January

Ashtami Vrat

Every Shukla Ashtami and Krishna Ashtami (8th tithi of each lunar fortnight)

Twice monthly throughout the year

Attahas Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Navaratri period most auspicious)

September-October (peak pilgrimage); year-round access

Ayodhya Sacred City

Chaitra Shukla Navami (Ram Navami) is the principal sacred day, but pilgrimage is auspicious year-round

Year-round (peak: March-April during Ram Navami and October-November during Deepotsava)

Bahula Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Krishna Ashtami (Navaratri period most auspicious)

September-October (peak pilgrimage), though open year-round

Baidyanath Shakti Peetha

Shravan Shukla Pratipada to Purnima

July-August

Baisakhi

Vaisakh 1 (Mesha Sankranti — Solar New Year)

April

Bet Dwarka Pilgrimage

Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Janmashtami) and year-round

Year-round (peak: August-September during Janmashtami, November-March for pleasant weather)

Bhai Dooj

Kartik Shukla Dwitiya

October-November

Bhairavparvat Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami (most auspicious), though pilgrimage is undertaken year-round

March-April (peak season); accessible October-March

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Magha Krishna Chaturdashi (Maha Shivaratri) and Shravan Somvar

February-March (Shivaratri) and July-August (Shravan)

Bhramaramba Srisailam Shakti Peetha

Magha Shukla Chaturdashi (Maha Shivaratri) is the most auspicious day for pilgrimage

February-March (peak season); pilgrimage undertaken year-round

Bhramari Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Sharad Navaratri most auspicious)

September-October (peak pilgrimage); open year-round

Bihu

Mesha Sankranti (Solar calendar-based, not strictly lunar)

April (Bohag Bihu), January (Magh Bihu), October (Kati Bihu)

Biraja Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Ashtami to Navami (Navaratri period most auspicious)

March-April (Chaitra Navaratri) and September-October (Sharad Navaratri)

Buddha Purnima

Vaishakha Shukla Purnima

April-May

Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Navami

March-April

Chamundeshwari Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Dashami (Vijayadashami) and Navaratri period

September-October (peak pilgrimage); open year-round

Chandrabhaga Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami to Purnima

March-April

Chaturthi Vrat

Every Krishna Paksha Chaturthi and Shukla Paksha Chaturthi (monthly)

All months (recurring monthly observance)

Chhath Puja

Kartik Shukla Shashthi

October-November

Chota Char Dham Yatra

Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya) to Kartik Purnima

April/May–October/November

Chudakarana Samskara

Performed on an auspicious tithi chosen by the family priest, often during Shukla Paksha

Any auspicious month, commonly during the child's first or third year; often avoided during Ashwin and Bhadrapada

Coming Soon

Devshayani Ekadashi

Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi

June-July

Devutthana Ekadashi

Kartik Shukla Ekadashi

October-November

Dhanteras

Kartik Krishna Trayodashi

October-November

Diwali

Kartik Amavasya (with celebrations spanning Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya)

October-November

Durga Ashtami

Ashwin Shukla Ashtami

September-October

Dvaraka Sacred City

Janmashtami (Shravana Krishna Ashtami) is peak season; pilgrimage is year-round with special significance during Kartik and Phalguna months

Year-round (peak: August-September for Janmashtami, October-November for Kartik)

Dwarka Pilgrimage

Janmashtami (Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami) is the most auspicious occasion, though pilgrimage is undertaken year-round

Year-round (peak: August-September for Janmashtami, October-March for pleasant weather)

Ganesh Chaturthi

Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi

August-September

Gangotri Pilgrimage

Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya (temple opening); Kartik Purnima vicinity (temple closing)

May-October (pilgrimage season)

Garbhadhana Samskara

Performed on auspicious nights after Ritu Snana (post-menstrual purification bath), typically between the 6th and 16th night of the menstrual cycle, on even nights considered most favorable

Not calendar-specific; performed when a married couple desires conception, guided by astrological consultation

Godavari Teerth Shakti Peetha

Kartik Purnima (most auspicious); Godavari Pushkaram every 12 years when Jupiter transits Simha Rashi

Year-round; peak pilgrimages October-November (Kartik) and during Pushkaram (12-day cycle)

Govardhan Puja

Kartik Shukla Pratipada

October-November

Grihapravesha Ritual

Performed on an auspicious muhurta determined by the family's Jyotishi; often aligned with Shukla Paksha tithis, avoiding Rikta tithis and Bhadra periods

Any month — scheduled per astrological consultation, though Uttarayana (January–June) and months of Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Magha, and Phalguna are traditionally preferred

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

Magha Krishna Chaturdashi (Mahashivratri) and Shravan Somvar are most auspicious; pilgrimage undertaken year-round

Year-round; peak in February-March (Mahashivratri) and July-August (Shravan)

Gudi Padwa

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada

March-April

Guru Purnima

Ashadha Shukla Purnima

June-July

Hanuman Jayanti

Chaitra Shukla Purnima

March-April

Haridwar Sacred City

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Vaishakha Purnima (Kumbh cycle: every 12 years)

Year-round (Kumbh Mela: January-April)

Hartalika Teej

Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya

August-September

Hinglaj Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Chaturthi to Chaitra Shukla Ashtami

March-April

Holi

Phalguna Purnima

February-March

Holika Dahan

Phalguna Purnima

February-March

Indira Ekadashi

Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi

September-October

Janmashtami

Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami

August-September

Jatakarma Samskara

Performed immediately upon birth, not tied to a specific lunar date

Any month — performed at the time of the child's birth

Jaya Ekadashi

Magha Shukla Ekadashi

January-February

Jayanti Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami (most auspicious), though pilgrimage is undertaken year-round

Year-round (peak: March-April and September-October during Navaratri)

Jessoreswari Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami (primary festival), Ashwin Shukla Navami (Durga Puja)

March-April (Chaitra Navaratri), September-October (Sharad Navaratri)

Jwala Ji Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Ashtami to Navami (Navaratri peak days)

March-April (Chaitra Navaratri) and September-October (Sharad Navaratri)

Kalighat Shakti Peetha

Amavasya (New Moon) of every month; Kartik Amavasya and Magha Krishna Chaturdashi most auspicious

Year-round (peak: October-November during Kali Puja and January-February during Ratanti Kali Puja)

Kamada Ekadashi

Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi

March-April

Kamakhya Shakti Peetha

Ashadha Amavasya to Ashadha Shukla Tritiya (Ambubachi Mela period)

Year-round pilgrimage; Ambubachi Mela in June-July

Kamika Ekadashi

Shravana Krishna Ekadashi

July-August

Kanchi Kamakshi Shakti Peetha

Magha Purnima (annual Brahmotsavam); Navaratri Pratipada to Dashami

February (Magha Purnima); September-October (Navaratri)

Kanchipuram Sacred City

Year-round; special significance during Panguni Uthiram (Phalguna Purnima), Masi Magam (Magha), and Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi)

Year-round (peak seasons: January-March and October-December)

Karnavedha Samskara

Performed on an auspicious day in the child's 3rd, 5th, or 7th year, often on Shukla Paksha Dashami or Dwadashi

No fixed month; performed on an auspicious muhurta determined by family jyotishi, though months of Chaitra, Margashirsha, and Phalguna are preferred

Kartik Purnima

Kartik Shukla Purnima

November-December

Karva Chauth

Kartik Krishna Chaturthi

October-November

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga

Margashirsha Amavasya (most auspicious), though pilgrimage is undertaken year-round

Year-round (peak during Mahashivaratri in February-March and Shravan month in July-August)

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya (opening) to Kartik Purnima (closing)

April/May–November

Keshanta Samskara

Performed on an auspicious Shukla Paksha tithi chosen by the family priest, typically when the youth reaches age 16

No fixed month — performed at the appropriate age on an astrologically auspicious day

Kiriteswari Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Navaratri period most auspicious)

Year-round (peak: September-October during Sharad Navaratri)

Krishna Janmashtami Dahi Handi

Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami / Navami

August-September

Kumbh Mela Haridwar

Makar Sankranti to Vaishakha Purnima (spanning multiple lunar months)

January-April (every 12 years; Ardh Kumbh every 6 years)

Kumbh Mela Nashik

Shravan Purnima to Kartik Purnima (multiple sacred bathing dates across months)

July-November (every 12 years when Jupiter enters Simha Rashi)

Kumbh Mela Prayagraj

Magha Shukla Amavasya to Magha Purnima (primary bathing dates span Paush Purnima through Magha Purnima)

January-February (Maha Kumbh every 12 years; Ardh Kumbh every 6 years)

Kumbh Mela Ujjain

Vaishakha Purnima (primary bathing date; the mela spans several weeks aligned with Jupiter's transit into Simha Rashi and Sun's entry into Mesha Rashi)

April-May (occurs once every 12 years)

Lakshmi Puja

Kartik Amavasya (Ashwin Amavasya in Purnimant)

October-November

Lanka Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami to Chaturdashi (Chaitra Navaratri preferred)

March-April (year-round pilgrimage)

Lohri

Paush (last day), the day before Makar Sankranti

January

Maha Navami

Ashwin Shukla Navami

September-October

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

Maha Shivaratri (Magha/Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi) is the most sacred day; Shravan Somvar (Mondays of Shravan month) also hold great significance

Year-round (peak: July-August during Shravan; February-March for Maha Shivaratri)

Mahalakshmi Kolhapur Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Sharad Navratri); Kirnotsav during Makar Sankranti period

January-February (Kirnotsav); September-October (Navratri)

Mahashivaratri

Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi

February-March

Makar Sankranti

Solar festival — Sun's transit into Makara (Capricorn) rashi; falls in Pausha/Magha month, independent of lunar tithi

January

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Magha Krishna Chaturdashi (Maha Shivaratri) — most auspicious; pilgrimage undertaken year-round

February-March (peak season); accessible year-round

Manasa Shakti Peetha

Jyeshtha Purnima to Shravan Purnima (pilgrimage season)

June-September

Mangalvar Vrat

Every Tuesday (weekly observance, not tied to a specific lunar tithi)

Year-round (observed every Tuesday)

Mathura Sacred City

Year-round; peak during Kartik Purnima and Janmashtami (Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami)

Year-round (peak August-November)

Mithila Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami to Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi (Chaitra Navaratri)

March-April (peak pilgrimage); year-round otherwise

Mohini Ekadashi

Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi

April-May

Mokshada Ekadashi

Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi

November-December

Mookambika Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Dashami (Navaratri period most auspicious)

September-October (peak pilgrimage); open year-round

Nag Panchami

Shravana Shukla Panchami

July-August

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

Magha Krishna Chaturdashi (Maha Shivaratri) is most auspicious, though pilgrimage is undertaken year-round

February-March (peak season: October-March)

Naina Devi Shakti Peetha

Shravana Shukla Ashtami (Naina Devi Fair); pilgrimage auspicious year-round, especially during Navaratri

July-August (main fair); March-April and September-October (Navaratri)

Namakarana Samskara

Performed on the 11th or 12th day after birth, on an auspicious nakshatra

Year-round (based on child's date of birth)

Nandini Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Sharad Navaratri most auspicious)

Year-round (peak: September-October during Navaratri)

Naraka Chaturdashi

Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi

October-November

Navami Vrat

Shukla Navami and Krishna Navami (every lunar month); most significant on Chaitra Shukla Navami

Monthly observance; principal Navami falls in March-April (Chaitra)

Navratri Night 1 Shailputri

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada

September-October

Navratri Night 2 Brahmacharini

Ashwin Shukla Dwitiya

September-October

Navratri Night 3 Chandraghanta

Ashwin Shukla Tritiya

September-October

Navratri Night 4 Kushmanda

Ashwin Shukla Chaturthi

September-October

Navratri Night 5 Skandamata

Ashwin Shukla Panchami

September-October

Navratri Night 6 Katyayani

Ashwin Shukla Shashthi

September-October

Navratri Night 7 Kalaratri

Ashwin Shukla Saptami

September-October

Navratri Night 8 Mahagauri

Ashwin Shukla Ashtami

September-October

Navratri Night 9 Siddhidatri

Ashwin Shukla Navami

September-October

Nirjala Ekadashi

Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi

May-June

Nishkramana Samskara

Performed in the fourth month after birth on an auspicious tithi chosen by the family purohit

Varies by birth date; performed when the infant completes the fourth month of life

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi (most auspicious); Shravan Somvar (sacred Mondays)

Year-round; peak during July-August (Shravan) and October-November (Kartik)

Onam

Chingam month, Thiruvonam Nakshatra (Bhadrapada Shukla Dwadashi approximately)

August-September

Panguni Uthiram

Phalguna Purnima (Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra)

March-April

Papamochani Ekadashi

Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi

March-April

Papankusha Ekadashi

Ashwin Shukla Ekadashi

September-October

Parsva Ekadashi

Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi

August-September

Pongal

Pausha/Magha — Thai Pirandhal (Tamil solar calendar, 1st of Thai month)

January

Prabhasa Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami to Purnima

March-April (peak pilgrimage season; open year-round)

Pradosh Vrat

Trayodashi (13th Tithi) of both Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha every month

Twice monthly (every fortnight, throughout the year)

Pumsavana Samskara

Performed during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon), ideally on Pushya or Shravana Nakshatra, in the second or third month of pregnancy

Varies based on pregnancy; no fixed calendar month

Purnima Vrat

Shukla Purnima (every lunar month)

Every calendar month (monthly observance)

Pushkar Fair

Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima

October-November

Putrada Ekadashi Paush

Paush Shukla Ekadashi

December-January

Raksha Bandhan

Shravana Purnima

July-August

Ram Navami

Chaitra Shukla Navami

March-April

Rama Ekadashi

Kartik Krishna Paksha Ekadashi

October-November

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga

Maha Shivaratri (Magha Krishna Chaturdashi) and Amavasya tithis considered most auspicious

Year-round (peak: October-April)

Ramgiri Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami to Chaturdashi

March-April (peak pilgrimage season; open year-round)

Rath Yatra

Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya

June-July

Ratnavali Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Vasant Navaratri) and Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Sharad Navaratri)

Year-round (especially March-April and September-October during Navaratri)

Samavartana Samskara

Performed upon completion of Vedic studies, no fixed lunar date; often on an auspicious Shukla Paksha tithi chosen by the Acharya

No fixed month; performed at the conclusion of Brahmacharya, typically between ages 16–25 depending on Veda studied

Saphala Ekadashi

Paush Krishna Ekadashi

December-January

Saraswati Puja

Magha Shukla Panchami

January-February

Savitri Pushkar Shakti Peetha

Kartik Purnima (most auspicious); pilgrimage open year-round

October-November (peak pilgrimage season)

Shakti Peethas Overview

Year-round; Navaratri (Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Dashami) is most auspicious

Year-round; peak during September-October (Sharad Navaratri) and March-April (Chaitra Navaratri)

Sharad Purnima

Ashvin Shukla Purnima

September-October

Shashti Vrat

Shukla Paksha Shashti (sixth day of the bright fortnight, observed monthly; most significant on Margashirsha and Jyeshtha Shukla Shashti)

Observed monthly; principal observances in November-December (Margashirsha) and May-June (Jyeshtha)

Shattila Ekadashi

Magha Krishna Ekadashi

January-February

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

Shravana Shukla Ekadashi

July-August

Shukravar Vrat

Every Friday (no specific lunar date; weekly observance)

Year-round (every Friday)

Simantonnayana Samskara

Performed during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the 6th or 7th month of pregnancy, on a day with auspicious Nakshatra

No fixed month — determined by the stage of pregnancy and astrological consultation

Skanda Sashti

Aippasi/Kartik Shukla Shashthi

October-November

Somnath Jyotirlinga

Kartik Purnima (most auspicious visit); Maha Shivaratri

November (Kartik Purnima); February-March (Shivaratri)

Somvar Vrat

Every Monday (Somvar); especially potent during Shravan Maas (Shravan Somvar)

Year-round (Shravan Somvar: July-August)

Srisailam Shakti Peetha

Magha Shukla Chaturdashi (Maha Shivaratri) and Ashada Shukla Purnima

Year-round (peak: February-March during Shivaratri, July-August during Ashada festivities)

Sugandha Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Navami to Chaturdashi (Vasant Navaratri)

March-April (peak pilgrimage); year-round access

Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Purnima (primary yatra season); Ashwin Navaratri

March-April (Chaitra Mela); September-October (Navaratri)

Tarapith Shakti Peetha

Amavasya (New Moon) and Chaturdashi of every month, especially Poush Amavasya and Kali Chaturdashi

Year-round (peak: October-November during Kali Puja and December-January during Poush Mela)

Thai Pongal

Solar festival — 1st day of Tamil month Thai (Sun enters Makara Rashi)

January (typically 14–15 January)

Thaipusam

Magha Purnima (Pushya Nakshatra)

January-February

Thirukarthigai

Kartik Purnima (Full Moon in Tamil month of Karthigai)

November-December

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

Shravan Somvar (Mondays of Shravan month are most auspicious; Mahashivaratri also significant)

July-August (Shravan); pilgrimage year-round

Tripura Sundari Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Ashtami to Navami (Maha Ashtami–Navami during Navaratri)

October (peak during Sharad Navaratri; pilgrimage year-round)

Tuljapur Bhavani Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Sharad Navaratri)

September-October (peak pilgrimage); year-round

Tulsi Vivah

Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Dwadashi

October-November

Ugadi

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada

March-April

Ujjain Sacred City

Year-round; Simhastha Kumbh every 12 years when Jupiter enters Simha (Leo); Mahashivaratri (Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi) holds special significance

Year-round; Kumbh typically April-May; Mahashivaratri in February-March

Ujjayini Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Sharad Navaratri most auspicious)

Year-round; peak during September-October (Navaratri)

Umananda Shakti Peetha

Magha Shukla Chaturdashi (Maha Shivaratri) and Ashvin Shukla Navami (Navaratri)

February-March (Shivaratri) and September-October (Navaratri)

Upanayana Samskara

Performed on an auspicious muhurta, preferably during Shukla Paksha in the months of Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Magha, or Shravana

Typically February–August (varies by family tradition and astrological consultation)

Utpanna Ekadashi

Margashirsha Krishna Ekadashi

November-December

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga

Shravan Shukla Purnima (peak pilgrimage during Shravan month)

July-August

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi

December-January

Vaishnodevi Shakti Peetha

Chaitra & Ashwin Navaratri (most auspicious); pilgrimage open year-round

March-April (Chaitra Navaratri) and September-October (Sharad Navaratri)

Vanaprastha Ceremony

Performed on an auspicious tithi chosen by the family purohita, often during Shukla Paksha

No fixed month — performed when the householder perceives gray hair, wrinkled skin, and the birth of grandchildren, as prescribed in Manusmriti 6.2

Varanasi Sacred City

Kartik Purnima (most auspicious), though pilgrimage is undertaken year-round

Year-round (Kartik month: October-November is peak)

Varuthini Ekadashi

Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi

April-May

Vasant Panchami

Magha Shukla Panchami

January-February

Vat Savitri Vrat

Jyeshtha Krishna Amavasya (North India) / Jyeshtha Purnima (Gujarat & parts of South India)

May-June

Vedarambha Samskara

Shravana Shukla Panchami (Vasant Panchami also auspicious)

July-August (Shravana) or January-February (Vasant Panchami)

Vibhasha Shakti Peetha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Navaratri peak pilgrimage; accessible year-round)

September-October (Navaratri peak); pilgrimage undertaken year-round

Vidyarambha Samskara

Ashvina Shukla Dashami (Vijayadashami)

September-October

Vijaya Ekadashi

Phalguna Krishna Ekadashi

February-March

Vindhyavasini Shakti Peetha

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Navami (Chaitra Navaratri)

March-April (Chaitra Navaratri) and September-October (Sharad Navaratri)

Vishu

Mesha Sankranti (Solar New Year — 1st of Medam in Malayalam calendar)

April

Yamunotri Pilgrimage

Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya (Akshaya Tritiya) to Kartik Purnima

May-November

Yogini Ekadashi

Ashadha Krishna Ekadashi

June-July