Here is a complete list of major Hindu holidays and festivals, based on the traditional Hindu calendar.
The dates vary each year because they are based on lunar or lunisolar calculations, so this is a general list without specific Gregorian calendar dates.
Major Hindu Holidays and Festivals
Spring (March–May)
- Maha Shivaratri – Night dedicated to Lord Shiva
- Holi – Festival of colors; celebrates the victory of good over evil and arrival of spring
- Chaitra Navratri – 9-day festival honoring Goddess Durga
- Rama Navami – Birthday of Lord Rama
- Hanuman Jayanti – Birthday of Lord Hanuman
- Akshaya Tritiya – Auspicious day for wealth, success, and new beginnings
Summer (June–August)
- Vat Purnima – Married women fast for the longevity of their husbands
- Guru Purnima – Honoring spiritual teachers and gurus
- Nag Panchami – Worship of serpent deities
- Raksha Bandhan – Celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters
- Janmashtami – Birth of Lord Krishna
Autumn (September–November)
- Ganesh Chaturthi – Birth of Lord Ganesha
- Pitru Paksha – Period for honoring deceased ancestors
- Navratri (Sharad Navratri) – 9-day worship of the Divine Feminine (Durga)
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami) – Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana
- Karva Chauth – Married women fast for their husband’s longevity
- Dhanteras – Start of Diwali celebrations; worship of health and wealth
- Naraka Chaturdashi – Day before Diwali, celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura
- Diwali (Deepavali) – Festival of Lights; celebrates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya
- Govardhan Puja – Worship of Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill
- Bhai Dooj – Celebration of sibling bond
Winter (December–February)
- Makar Sankranti – Harvest festival; marks the transition of the sun into Capricorn
- Pongal (primarily in South India) – Harvest festival
- Vasant Panchami – Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (knowledge, learning)
- Maha Maghi / Magh Purnima – Sacred bathing festival
- Thaipusam (South India/Tamil communities) – Devotion to Lord Murugan
- Vijaya Ekadashi – Important fasting day in Vaishnavism
Other Regional/Community-Specific Hindu Holidays
- Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Cheti Chand – Hindu New Year in different regions
- Onam (Kerala) – Celebrates King Mahabali’s return
- Lohri – Preceding Makar Sankranti, popular in Punjab
- Bihu – Assamese New Year
- Navreh – Kashmiri New Year
- Paryushan – Observed by Jains (connected to Hindu traditions)
- Anant Chaturdashi – Final day of Ganesh Chaturthi
Notes:
- Dates vary every year; check a current Hindu calendar or Panchang for exact timing.
- Some festivals are celebrated more widely in specific regions or communities (e.g., Thaipusam in Tamil culture, Onam in Kerala).
- Fasting days like Ekadashi occur twice a month and are observed by devout Vaishnavas.
Also see: Christianity Holidays