October 2026 Panchang: Hindu Calendar
Hindu month: Ashwin-Kartik. Key events: Karwa Chauth, Diwali, Dhanteras, Chhath Puja begins, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj.
| Date | Festival / Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 5 | Ashwin Purnima (Sharad Purnima) | Kojagari Purnima, full moon of Ashwin, Lakshmi descends |
| Oct 7 | Karwa Chauth | Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for husbands |
| Oct 15 | Ahoi Ashtami | Mothers fast for children's wellbeing |
| Oct 18 | Dhanteras | Buy gold, silver and utensils, Dhanvantari worship |
| Oct 19 | Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) | Krishna killed Narakasura, fire crackers |
| Oct 20 | Diwali (Deepawali) | Lakshmi Puja, festival of lights |
| Oct 21 | Govardhan Puja (Annakut) | Krishna lifted Govardhan hill, day after Diwali |
| Oct 22 | Bhai Dooj | Sibling bond festival, 5th day of Diwali |
| Oct 22 | Chhath Puja begins (Nhaay Khaay) | Day 1 of the 4-day Sun festival |
| Oct 25 | Chhath Usha Arghya (morning offering) | Final day: rising Sun arghya, Chhath concludes |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 falls on October 20, 2026 (Tuesday), Kartik Amavasya. The complete 5-day Diwali celebration: Dhanteras: October 18 (buy gold/silver). Choti Diwali: October 19. Main Diwali: October 20 (Lakshmi Puja at night). Govardhan Puja: October 21. Bhai Dooj: October 22. The auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali night is the Pradosh Kaal (about 1.5 hours after sunset), confirmed in local panchang.
When is Karwa Chauth 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on October 7, 2026 (Wednesday), Kartik Krishna Chaturthi. Married women observe a Nirjala (waterless) fast from before sunrise until they see the moon (approximately 8-9 PM). Rituals: Sargi (pre-dawn meal offered by mother-in-law). Karwa Chauth puja in the evening with other women. Seeing the moon through a sieve and then seeing husband's face. Breaking the fast with water given by husband. This is one of the most widely observed married women's festivals in North India.
What is Chhath Puja 2026 schedule?
Chhath Puja 2026 complete schedule: Day 1 (Nhaay Khaay): October 22, 2026 - Holy bath and pure food. Day 2 (Kharna): October 23, 2026 - Day-long fast, evening kheer-roti offering. Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya): October 24, 2026 - Sunset offering to the Sun at river/pond. Day 4 (Usha Arghya): October 25, 2026 - Dawn offering to the rising Sun, fast broken. The Sandhya Arghya on October 24 (at sunset, around 5:30-6:00 PM) and Usha Arghya on October 25 (at sunrise, around 6:15 AM) are the key ritual moments.
What should be bought on Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 falls on October 18, 2026 (Sunday). Auspicious purchases: Gold and silver (jewelry, coins, bars - the most traditional). Silver utensils and kitchenware. Electronic items. Vehicles (if muhurat is confirmed). New broom (symbolically welcoming Goddess Lakshmi). Diyas (earthen lamps). What NOT to buy: Iron, sharp objects (scissors, knives), black-colored items. Evening Puja: Worship Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Light 13 diyas facing south.
What is Sharad Purnima 2026?
Sharad Purnima 2026 falls on October 5, 2026 (Monday), Ashwin Shukla Purnima. Sharad Purnima is considered the most beautiful full moon of the year when the moon is full and bright in the clear autumn sky. Traditions: Kheer (rice pudding) is left outside under moonlight overnight and consumed the next morning for health blessings. This practice has a scientific basis - the moon's energy on Sharad Purnima is believed to activate healing properties in the kheer. Lord Krishna's Maharaas (cosmic dance with the Gopis) occurred on Sharad Purnima.
What is Govardhan Puja 2026?
Govardhan Puja (Annakut) 2026 falls on October 21, 2026 (Wednesday), the day after Diwali. It celebrates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from Indra's rains. Traditions: A mountain of food (Annakut) is prepared and offered to Krishna. Cow dung replicas of Govardhan Hill are made. Cows are decorated and worshipped. In Mathura-Vrindavan, thousands participate in circumambulating (parikrama) the Govardhan Hill. In business community: New account books (Chopda Puja) are started on this day in many mercantile communities.
Is October 2026 a good month for property purchase?
October 2026 is an excellent month for property purchase and other major decisions: Jupiter in exalted Cancer strongly favors real estate and home purchases (Cancer rules home and property). Venus is now direct (from September 6) and moving strongly. Venus enters Virgo in late September/October - focus on practical, value-oriented purchases. Akshaya Tritiya impact: Although Akshaya Tritiya was in April, the festive season of Diwali (October 20) makes the October-November period traditionally strong for property decisions.
What is Ahoi Ashtami 2026?
Ahoi Ashtami 2026 falls on October 15, 2026 (Thursday), Kartik Krishna Ashtami (8th day of the dark fortnight). It is a festival when mothers fast for the welfare and longevity of their sons. The fast is observed from sunrise to the first stars appearing in the sky (not the full moon). The fast is broken by seeing the stars in the evening. An image of the Ahoi Mata (a mother deity protecting children) is drawn and worshipped. This festival is predominantly observed in North India (Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana).
What is the moon schedule for October 2026 panchang?
October 2026 moon phases: Sharad Purnima (full moon): October 5, 2026. Ashtami (8th, Ahoi Ashtami): October 15. Dashami (10th, beginning of pre-Diwali): October 17. Chaturdashi (14th, Choti Diwali): October 19. Amavasya (Diwali new moon): October 20. Pratipada (Govardhan): October 21. Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj): October 22. Chaturthi (Chhath begins): October 22. October has the most dense concentration of major Hindu festivals of any month in 2026.