Hindu Festival Calendar 2025: Key Dates and Events

Hindu Festival Calendar 2025–26

The Hindu Festival Calendar 2025 offers more than dates—it provides a spiritual rhythm for the year. Each celebration carries deep meaning, reminding devotees of values like gratitude, devotion, discipline, and unity. From harvest rituals to divine births and fasting traditions, every observance connects people to culture and faith.

January 2025: Harvest Celebrations and New Beginnings

Makar Sankranti / Pongal (January 14, 2025)

According to the Hindu Festival Calendar 2025, Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s entry into Capricorn, ending winter and beginning the harvest season. This pan-Indian festival takes different forms across regions. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it becomes the famous Kite Festival, with skies filled by colorful kites that symbolize the soul’s ascent. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu celebrates it as Pongal, cooking rice, jaggery, and milk in clay pots as a thanksgiving ritual.

Paush Putrada Ekadashi (January 10, 2025)

As highlighted in the Hindu Festival Calendar 2025, this Ekadashi is especially important for couples seeking the blessing of children. Devotees observe a strict fast and worship Lord Vishnu. As a result, they believe sincere prayers on this day bring the boon of progeny. The fast begins at sunrise on January 10 and concludes after sunrise on January 11.

February 2025: Spring Awakening and Divine Worship

Vasant Panchami (February 2, 2025)

In the Hindu Festival Calendar 2025, Vasant Panchami ushers in spring and honors Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, learning, and arts. Schools and institutions hold special prayers, with students placing books and musical instruments before her for blessings. Moreover, the color yellow dominates the festival, reflecting the mustard flowers that bloom at this time.

Maha Shivaratri (February 26, 2025)

As per the Hindu Festival Calendar 2025, Maha Shivaratri is among the most revered Hindu observances. Devotees keep night-long vigils and offer milk, honey, and bel leaves to Shiva Lingas. Therefore, the day represents the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti, symbolizing the merging of energy and consciousness.

March 2025: Colors and Renewal

Holi (March 14, 2025)

The festival of colors celebrates good triumphing over evil, rooted in the story of Prahlad and Holika. A day earlier, Holika Dahan bonfires symbolize the burning of negativity and ego. The next morning, communities burst into joyful play with colors, and this, in turn, represents the diversity and unity of life.

Ugadi / Gudi Padwa (March 30, 2025)

Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, mark the regional New Year. Families prepare a mix of six tastes—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy, and astringent—thereby symbolizing life’s varied experiences.

April 2025: Divine Births and Sacred Observances

Ram Navami (April 6, 2025)

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Devotees read the Ramayana, hold processions, and visit temples. Consequently, the day inspires followers to practice truth, compassion, and dharma.

Hanuman Jayanti (April 12, 2025)

Hanuman Jayanti marks the birth of Hanuman, celebrated for courage and devotion. Worshippers chant the Hanuman Chalisa, offer red flowers, and seek both strength and spiritual protection.

May 2025: Auspicious Ventures and Devotion

Akshaya Tritiya (May 30, 2025)

Among the most auspicious days in the Hindu Festival Calendar 2025, Akshaya Tritiya is perfect for new ventures and investments. The word “Akshaya” means eternal, implying that good deeds performed today bring lasting rewards. Moreover, legends such as the friendship of Krishna and Sudama highlight the festival’s deeper spiritual and material balance.

June 2025: Austere Observances and Divine Grace

Nirjala Ekadashi (June 6, 2025)

This Ekadashi is the most difficult, as devotees avoid both food and water for 24 hours. As a result, it is believed to equal the merit of observing all Ekadashis in the year.

Puri Rath Yatra (June 27, 2025)

The grand chariot festival in Puri features massive wooden carts carrying Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Millions gather to witness the spectacle, which, therefore, represents the soul’s journey toward liberation.

July 2025: Teacher Veneration and Monsoon Blessings

Guru Purnima (July 10, 2025)

Guru Purnima honors spiritual teachers and guides. Students express gratitude, thereby acknowledging the importance of the guru-disciple tradition.

Nag Panchami (July 29, 2025)

Dedicated to serpent worship, Nag Panchami recognizes the ecological importance of snakes. Devotees offer milk and prayers, showing respect for nature’s balance.

August 2025: Bonds, Birth, and Devotion

Raksha Bandhan (August 9, 2025)

Raksha Bandhan celebrates sibling bonds. Sisters tie rakhis on brothers’ wrists, while brothers, in return, promise lifelong protection. Importantly, the festival also extends beyond families to signify community ties.

Krishna Janmashtami (August 16, 2025)

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees fast, sing bhajans, and reenact Krishna’s playful acts like Dahi Handi. Consequently, the breaking of the pot represents shattering ego and attachments.

Ganesh Chaturthi (August 27, 2025)

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles. Elaborate rituals, prayers, and cultural programs are held. Finally, Ganesh Visarjan symbolizes the cycle of creation and dissolution.

September 2025: Harvest Joy and Divine Preparation

Onam (September 4, 2025)

Onam, Kerala’s biggest festival, honors the legendary King Mahabali. Ten days of celebrations include floral carpets (pookalam), feasts (sadya), and traditional dance, all symbolizing prosperity.

Navaratri Begins (September 22, 2025)

Navaratri, spanning nine nights, is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Each day highlights a different form of the goddess with prayers, offerings, and colors. Consequently, it emphasizes divine power conquering evil.

October 2025: Victory and Lights

Dussehra (October 2, 2025)

Dussehra marks Rama’s victory over Ravana and Durga’s defeat of Mahishasura. The burning of effigies, therefore, symbolizes the destruction of ego and evil forces.

Karwa Chauth (October 9, 2025)

Married women fast for their husbands’ well-being, breaking it after moonrise. This ritual, in turn, strengthens family ties and devotion.

Diwali (October 21, 2025)

Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings, and the victory of light over darkness. Homes, therefore, shine with diyas, rangoli, and fireworks.

Chhath Puja (October 27, 2025)

Dedicated to the Sun God, Chhath Puja involves devotees standing in rivers during sunrise and sunset. As a result, it expresses gratitude for nature’s life-giving energy.

Ekadashi Fasting Calendar 2025

Significance of Ekadashi

Ekadashi, the 11th day of each lunar fortnight, is one of the most important Hindu fasts. Observing it purifies the body and strengthens willpower. Moreover, devotees believe it deepens spiritual connection with Lord Vishnu.

Types of Hindu Fasts

Complete Fasting (Nirjala): No food or water.
Partial Fasting (Phalahar): Fruits, nuts, and light grains.
One-Meal Fast: Eating only once, after prayers.
Restricted Food: Avoiding onion, garlic, and grains.

Regional Variations in Festivals

Gujarat: Known for Navratri dances and kite festivals.
Bengal: Famous for Durga Puja and Kali Puja.
Kerala: Celebrates Onam, Vishu, and temple festivals.
Tamil Nadu: Hosts Pongal, Thaipusam, and Natyanjali.
Maharashtra: Renowned for Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa.

Conclusion

The Hindu Festival Calendar 2025 guides devotees through a sacred journey of devotion, culture, and spirituality. From the harvest rituals of January to the lights of Diwali in October, each observance carries lessons of discipline, gratitude, and divine connection.

Moreover, these festivals remind us that spiritual practice extends beyond rituals—it permeates daily life, shaping values and fostering harmony. By engaging with them consciously, we not only preserve tradition but also discover timeless wisdom that brings balance to modern living.

Hindu Festival Calendar 2025-26: Key Dates, Rituals & Fasting Guide