October 2026 is going to be a particularly important month in the Hindu calendar, with Navratri, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, Dussehra, Papankusha Ekadashi, Sharad Purnima, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja and Karwa Chauth falling during the month. The month also includes the concluding days of Pitru Paksha, making it an important period for prayers, fasting, puja and religious observances.

The dates below follow the commonly used North Indian Hindu calendar. Festival dates and rituals can vary slightly by region because Hindu festivals are determined by local tithi and sunrise timings.

October 2026 Hindu Festivals and Important Dates

Here is a quick list of the major Hindu festivals in October 2026:

October 6, 2026: Indira Ekadashi

Indira Ekadashi will be observed on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. It falls during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month. Devotees observe a fast and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu on this Ekadashi.

Indira Ekadashi is also associated with prayers for ancestors, making it particularly significant during the Pitru Paksha period.

October 8, 2026: Guru Pradosh Vrat

Guru Pradosh Vrat falls on Thursday, October 8. Pradosh Vrat is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is observed around the Pradosh period in the evening. The October 8 observance is a Thursday Pradosh, also known as Guru Pradosh.

Devotees visit Shiva temples, perform abhishekam and offer prayers during the Pradosh period.

October 10, 2026: Sarvapitru Amavasya

Sarvapitru Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya or Pitru Amavasya, will be observed on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

This day marks the conclusion of Pitru Paksha in the North Indian calendar. It is considered an important day for performing Shraddha, Tarpan and other rituals in remembrance of ancestors.

Pitru Paksha in 2026 begins on September 27 and concludes with Sarvapitru Amavasya on October 10.

October 11, 2026: Navratri Begins

One of the biggest Hindu festivals of the year, Sharad Navratri, begins on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

The first day is observed as Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana, marking the beginning of the nine-day worship of Goddess Durga and her different forms.

Navratri will continue through October 19, with Vijayadashami celebrated on October 20.

October 16-19, 2026: Saraswati Puja

Saraswati Puja observances begin in several regions from October 16, 2026. Goddess Saraswati, the deity associated with knowledge, wisdom, learning and the arts, is worshipped during these days.

In several parts of India, Saraswati Puja is observed during the final days of Navratri, although the exact observance differs by region.

October 19, 2026: Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami

October 19 will be an especially significant day during Navratri, with Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami observed on the same date according to the cited 2026 calendar.

Devotees may perform Durga Puja, Kanya Puja and other special rituals on Ashtami and Navami according to regional traditions.

October 20, 2026: Vijayadashami or Dussehra

Vijayadashami, popularly known as Dussehra, will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

The festival marks the conclusion of Sharad Navratri and is associated with the victory of good over evil. In different parts of India, the day is celebrated through different traditions, including Durga immersion, Ramlila celebrations and the burning of Ravana effigies.

It is also considered an auspicious day for beginning new ventures, learning and important activities in several Hindu traditions.

October 22, 2026: Papankusha Ekadashi

Papankusha Ekadashi falls on Thursday, October 22, 2026. It is the Ekadashi observed during the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. Devotees traditionally observe a fast and worship Lord Vishnu on this day.

October 23, 2026: Shukra Pradosh Vrat

The second Pradosh Vrat of October will fall on Friday, October 23. It is known as Shukra Pradosh Vrat because it falls on Friday. Devotees worship Lord Shiva during the Pradosh period.

October 25-26, 2026: Kojagari Lakshmi Puja and Sharad Purnima

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja will be observed on October 25, while the Sharad Purnima observance falls across October 25-26 according to the tithi.

Sharad Purnima is considered an important full moon in the Hindu calendar. In many regions, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this night, while devotees also observe traditional moon-related rituals.

The Purnima Tithi begins on October 25 and ends on October 26, making local Panchang timings important when determining the exact time for rituals.

October 29, 2026: Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

The festival is traditionally observed by married women who undertake a fast and offer prayers for the well-being and long life of their husbands. The fast is generally concluded after sighting the moon, with the exact moonrise time varying by location.

October 2026 and the Hindu Calendar

October 2026 falls across important periods of the Hindu lunar calendar. In the North Indian Hindi calendar, Ashwin month continues through October 26. In several western and southern calendars, the corresponding Ashwin/Ashwayuja month follows a somewhat different month structure.

This is why festival dates, month names and some observances can differ between regions. For performing a puja, vrat or other religious ritual, it is always advisable to check the local Panchang for your city.

October 2026: A Month of Festivals and Spiritual Observances

From Pitru Paksha and Sarvapitru Amavasya to Navratri, Dussehra, Sharad Purnima and Karwa Chauth, October 2026 has several important Hindu festivals and religious occasions.

Whether you observe these festivals through fasting, temple visits, puja, charity, meditation or simply spending time with family, the month offers many opportunities for prayer, reflection and celebration.

October 2026 Hindu festivals at a glance: Indira Ekadashi, Guru Pradosh Vrat, Sarvapitru Amavasya, Sharad Navratri, Saraswati Puja, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, Dussehra, Papankusha Ekadashi, Shukra Pradosh, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Sharad Purnima and Karwa Chauth.

Note: Hindu festival dates can vary according to location and regional Panchang calculations. Always check the local Panchang for exact puja, fasting and moonrise timings.

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