October 2026 Calendar with Festivals: When is Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Vijayadashmi, Karwa Chauth, Ekadashi and Sharad Purnima?

October 2026 will bring several major festivals, including Shardiya Navratri, Dussehra, Sharad Purnima and Karwa Chauth. The month will also see important religious observances such as Indira Ekadashi, Papankusha Ekadashi, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami. Shardiya Navratri will begin on October 11, while Dussehra will be celebrated on October 20. Later in the month, Sharad Purnima will fall on October 25, followed by Karwa Chauth on October 29.

Also Read: Navratri 2026 Date: Is it October 10 or 11? Know the start date and full 9-day calendar from Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami

Here is a complete October 2026 Hindu festival calendar, including important vrat dates, Ekadashi, Purnima and other religious observances.

October 2026 Hindu festival calendar: Full list

The following dates are based on the Hindu calendar for North India. Festival observances and tithi timings can vary by location and regional tradition.

Date	Day	Festival or observance
October 2	Friday	Gandhi Jayanti
October 3	Saturday	Avidhava Navami, Mahalakshmi Vrat concludes
October 6	Tuesday	Indira Ekadashi
October 8	Thursday	Pradosh Vrat, Masik Shivaratri
October 10	Saturday	Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya
October 11	Sunday	Shardiya Navratri begins, Ghatasthapana
October 14	Wednesday	Vinayaki Chaturthi Vrat
October 15	Thursday	Lalita Panchami
October 16	Friday	Saraswati Avahan
October 17	Saturday	Saraswati Puja, Tula Sankranti
October 19	Monday	Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami
October 20	Tuesday	Vijayadashami, Dussehra
October 22	Thursday	Papankusha Ekadashi
October 23	Friday	Pradosh Vrat
October 25	Sunday	Sharad Purnima, Kojagara Puja
October 26	Monday	Valmiki Jayanti, Ashwina Purnima
October 29	Thursday	Karwa Chauth

When is Shardiya Navratri 2026?

October 11 to October 20

Navratri begins October 11

Shardiya Navratri will begin on Sunday, October 11, with Ghatasthapana. The nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga will culminate in Vijayadashami and Dussehra on October 20.

Navratri dates in October 2026:

• October 11: Ghatasthapana and Navratri begins.
• October 16: Saraswati Avahan.
• October 17: Saraswati Puja.
• October 19: Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami.
• October 20: Vijayadashami and Dussehra.

Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall on the same date in the referenced North Indian calendar. Regional observances may differ according to tithi timings.

When is Dussehra in 2026?

Tuesday, October 20

Vijayadashami 2026 Date: Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, will be celebrated on October 20, 2026. The festival marks the victory of good over evil. In the Ramayana tradition, it commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. In the Durga tradition, it marks Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.

Ramlila performances and Ravana effigy burning are common during Dussehra celebrations in several parts of India. In West Bengal, Vijayadashami is associated with the conclusion of Durga Puja and the farewell to Goddess Durga.

When is Karwa Chauth in October 2026?

Thursday, October 29

Karwa Chauth will be observed on October 29, 2026. Karwa Chauth is observed by many married Hindu women, who keep a fast for the well-being and long life of their husbands. The fast is traditionally broken after sighting the Moon and performing the prescribed rituals.

Women commonly gather for prayers, exchange Karwa Chauth stories and prepare a puja thali. Moonrise and fasting timings depend on the city, so local panchang timings should be checked closer to the date.

October Ekadashi dates 2026?

There will be two major Ekadashi observances during October.

October 6, Tuesday: Indira Ekadashi

Observed during Pitru Paksha, Indira Ekadashi is associated with prayers and rituals for the peace and spiritual well-being of deceased ancestors.

October 22, Thursday: Papankusha Ekadashi

Observed during the Shukla Paksha of Ashwina, Papankusha Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees observe fasting and offer prayers.

When is Sharad Purnima in October 2026?

Sunday, October 25

Sharad Purnima will be observed on October 25, 2026. It is also associated with Kojagara Puja and Lakshmi worship. Sharad Purnima holds religious significance in several Hindu traditions. According to popular belief, the Moon's rays on this night have special significance. Many families prepare kheer and leave it under the moonlight as part of the observance.

The Purnima tithi continues into October 26 in the referenced calendar, which also lists Ashwina Purnima and Valmiki Jayanti on that date.

October 2026 important dates

Apart from the major festivals, October includes several other vrat and religious observances.

• October 8: Pradosh Vrat and Masik Shivaratri, observed in devotion to Lord Shiva.
• October 14: Vinayaki Chaturthi Vrat, dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
• October 16: Saraswati Avahan, marking the invocation of Goddess Saraswati during Durga Puja.
• October 17: Saraswati Puja and Tula Sankranti.
• October 23: Pradosh Vrat, observed during the Krishna Paksha.
• October 26: Valmiki Jayanti, commemorating the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki.