Chaturmas 2026 Festivals: Every Major Event from Sawan to Kartik

Chaturmas 2026 starts from July 25 and ends on November 20. Four months. And these four months cover more than half of the Hindu festival calendar.

While weddings pause and auspicious ceremonies stop, the festival season does not. Fasting days, birth celebrations of major deities, the biggest pujas of the year, and the dawn of the harvest season all fall within this period. Here are all the major festivals and events you need to track, month by month.

Sawan (July 25 to Late August 2026)

Chaturmas opens with Devshayani Ekadashi on July 25, the day Lord Vishnu enters yoga nidra. From here, Sawan takes over as the most spiritually active month of the year.

Sawan Somvar, the Monday fasts dedicated to Lord Shiva, begin immediately. Devotees observe four to five Mondays throughout the month, visiting Shiva temples, offering milk and bel leaves, and maintaining strict fasts. These Mondays are among the most meritorious Shiva worship days in the entire year.

Kamika Ekadashi on August 9 is considered especially meritorious for Vishnu fasting and worship.

Hariyali Teej falls on August 15 and is observed primarily by married women fasting for their husbands' long lives and praying to Goddess Parvati. Green attire, swings, and folk songs mark this day in North India.

Nag Panchami, on August 17, is dedicated to serpent worship. Families offer milk to snake idols and pray for protection from snakebites and misfortune.

Raksha Bandhan falls on August 28. Sisters tie rakhi on their brothers' wrists, and the day doubles as a sacred bathing day, Shravan Purnima Snan, considered highly purifying.

Sawan Putrada Ekadashi arrives on August 23, observed by couples seeking children and general spiritual merit.

Bhadrapada (Late August to Late September 2026)

Onam falls on August 26, the harvest festival of Kerala observed on Thiruvonam nakshatra. Celebrated across the state with elaborate flower rangolis, feasts, and folk performances, it marks the mythical return of King Mahabali.

Krishna Janmashtami on September 4 is the single biggest event of Chaturmas, celebrating Lord Krishna's birth at midnight. Temples fill past capacity. Devotees fast through the day and break it only after the midnight abhishek. Dahi Handi follows the next day.

Ganesh Chaturthi arrives on September 14 on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. The ten-day festival begins with the installation of Ganesh idols in homes and public pandals across Maharashtra and South India, closing with Visarjan.

Pitru Paksha begins on September 27 and runs through October 10. These 15 days are dedicated to ancestors, with families performing shraddha rituals, tarpan, and pind daan at sacred rivers and temples. No auspicious events are held during this period. It ends on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also called Mahalaya, when offerings are made for all ancestors.

Ashwin (Late September to Late October 2026)

Sharad Navaratri begins on October 11 on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada and runs for nine nights. Nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped across the country in one of the most significant devotional periods in the Hindu calendar. Garba, Dandiya, and Kanya Pujan are central to the observance.

Vijayadashami or Dussehra follows on October 20, the tenth day of Ashwin Shukla Dashami. It marks Rama's victory over Ravana and the goddess's victory over Mahishasura. Effigies of Ravana are burned across the country.

Sharad Purnima falls on the full moon of Ashwin. According to tradition, the moon's rays carry healing properties on this night, which is why kheer is prepared and left under open moonlight as an offering. The night is associated with Lakshmi's blessings and is also called Kojagari Purnima.

Kartik (Late October to November 20, 2026)

Karva Chauth falls in Kartik Krishna Chaturthi. Married women fast from sunrise until they sight the moon, praying for their husbands' long life.

Dhanteras opens the Diwali period on November 6. Purchasing gold, silver, or utensils on this day is considered auspicious for household prosperity.

Diwali falls on November 8 on Kartik Amavasya. Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped at night with diyas, fireworks, and the exchange of sweets.

Chhath Puja follows Diwali on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, one of the most rigorous fasts in Hinduism. Devotees offer arghya to the rising and setting sun over two days.

Chaturmas closes on November 20 with Devutthana Ekadashi and Tulsi Vivah, the ceremonial marriage of Tulsi to Lord Shaligram. Lord Vishnu awakens, and the wedding season officially reopens.

Observe These Festivals with BookMyPooja

From Janmashtami abhisheks to Navaratri havans and Satyanarayan Kathas on Ekadashi days, BookMyPooja Online's verified pandits can conduct any of these rituals at your home with complete Vedic authenticity. Book your pandit in advance, especially for high-demand dates like Janmashtami and Navratri.