Major festivals in September 2026 in India

September 2026 brings several important Hindu, Jain and Sikh observances across India. The month is particularly significant because it brings together Krishna Janmashtami, Hartalika Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi, Paryushan Parva, Vishwakarma Puja, Radha Ashtami, Anant Chaturdashi and the beginning of Pitru Paksha, alongside important Sikh Gurpurabs and regional observances. The dates below follow commonly used Indian panchang calculations, but some festivals may vary by location because they depend on lunar tithis, sunrise or moonrise timings. Check a local temple, community calendar or regional panchang for exact rituals and fasting times.

Krishna Janmashtami — 4 September

Krishna Janmashtami is one of India’s most prominent Hindu festivals. It celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, whose teachings in the Bhagavad Gita are central to Hindu philosophy. In 2026, the principal observance falls on Friday, 4 September, although celebrations and midnight rituals may extend into the early hours of 5 September.

Celebrations often continue into the night, reflecting the traditional belief that Krishna was born at midnight. Temples are decorated with flowers and lamps, devotional music and bhajans are performed, and devotees observe fasting before breaking it after the midnight birth ceremony.

In Mathura and Vrindavan, Janmashtami has a particularly strong devotional character, with temple ceremonies, processions and elaborate enactments of episodes from Krishna's life. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and many other parts of India also observe the festival with considerable enthusiasm.

In Maharashtra, the celebrations continue with Dahi Handi, traditionally associated with Krishna's childhood pastime of stealing butter. Groups form human pyramids to break a suspended pot of curd or buttermilk, turning the religious observance into a major community event.

Aja Ekadashi — 7 September

Aja Ekadashi falls on Monday, 7 September 2026. Ekadashi observances are associated with fasting, prayer and devotion to Vishnu, and Aja Ekadashi is traditionally observed during the Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada.

For many devotees, Ekadashi is less a public festival than a day of personal religious discipline. Fasting practices differ, with some devotees observing a complete fast while others follow a restricted diet consisting of fruits, milk or permitted fasting foods.

Paryushan Parva — 8–15 September

Paryushan is among the most important annual observances in Jainism. Shvetambara Jains observe Paryushan from 8 to 15 September 2026, culminating in Samvatsari, while Digambara Jains observe Das Lakshan Parva from 15 to 24 September, followed by Kshamavani on 25 September.

The focus is not on large public festivities but on spiritual renewal. Fasting, meditation, scriptural study, non-violence, self-discipline and forgiveness are central themes.

For Shvetambara Jains, Samvatsari is particularly significant. It is traditionally associated with seeking and offering forgiveness, including the widely known expression Micchami Dukkadam. The emphasis is on recognising one's mistakes and repairing relationships.

The Digambara tradition observes Das Lakshan Parva, a ten-day period devoted to ten supreme virtues, including forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, contentment and self-restraint. The period concludes with Kshamavani, another important occasion for seeking forgiveness.

Hartalika Teej — 14 September

Hartalika Teej falls on Monday, 14 September 2026, the same day as Ganesh Chaturthi.

Hartalika Teej is especially associated with women’s devotional observances and the worship of Shiva and Parvati. Traditionally, married women pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands, while unmarried women may observe the fast seeking a suitable spouse.

The festival has a particularly strong cultural presence in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and parts of Maharashtra. Fasting, mehndi, traditional clothing, songs and visits to Shiva-Parvati temples are common features.

Because Hartalika Teej is based on the lunar calendar, the exact fasting period and puja muhurta should be checked against the local panchang.

Ganesh Chaturthi — 14 September

Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Monday, 14 September 2026. This is one of the most prominent Hindu festivals of the month and is particularly important in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, although it is celebrated by Hindu communities across India.

The festival marks the worship of Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity associated with wisdom, auspicious beginnings and the removal of obstacles. Homes, temples and public spaces receive elaborately decorated Ganesha idols, while devotees perform puja, aarti and community programmes.

In Maharashtra, Ganeshotsav has developed into a major cultural institution. Public mandals combine religious worship with music, theatre, social initiatives, art installations and community gatherings.

The festival traditionally culminates in Ganesh Visarjan, when idols are carried in processions and immersed in water. The largest community celebrations can continue for several days, with the final major immersion traditionally associated with Anant Chaturdashi on 25 September 2026.

Rishi Panchami — 15 September

Rishi Panchami falls on Tuesday, 15 September. It occurs on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada and is associated with reverence for the rishis or sages of Hindu tradition.

The day is observed through ritual purification, fasting and prayers. In some traditions, particular emphasis is placed on remembering the Sapta Rishis and reflecting on personal conduct and ritual purity.

Balarama Jayanti — 16 September

Balarama Jayanti is observed on 16 September 2026 in several commonly used Hindu calendars. Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, occupies an important position in Vaishnava traditions and is particularly prominent in the religious traditions associated with Krishna.

Temples associated with Krishna and Balarama may conduct special prayers, devotional singing and abhisheka ceremonies.

Vishwakarma Puja — 17 September

Vishwakarma Puja falls on Thursday, 17 September 2026. It is associated with Vishwakarma, traditionally regarded as the divine architect and craftsman.

The observance has particular importance among engineers, architects, artisans, mechanics, craftsmen, factory workers and industrial establishments. Workshops, factories and workplaces may be cleaned and decorated, while tools, machinery and equipment are ceremonially worshipped.

The festival therefore occupies an interesting position between religion and working life. In industrial areas, it can become a community celebration involving workers, employers and local businesses.

Radha Ashtami — 19 September

Radha Ashtami falls on Saturday, 19 September 2026. It commemorates the appearance of Radha, who occupies a central position in many Vaishnava traditions as the beloved companion and supreme devotee of Krishna.

The festival has particular importance in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and other parts of Braj, where temples conduct special ceremonies, devotional singing and abhisheka rituals.

For many Vaishnava devotees, Radha Ashtami is not simply another festival in the Krishna calendar but an important occasion for reflecting on bhakti, devotion and the relationship between Radha and Krishna.

Parivartini Ekadashi — 22 September

Parivartini Ekadashi falls on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. It is another important Vaishnava fasting day occurring during the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada.

As with other Ekadashis, observances range from strict fasting to modified diets. Devotees commonly spend additional time in prayer, reading religious texts and visiting temples.

Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan — 25 September

Anant Chaturdashi falls on Friday, 25 September 2026, and is also the principal day associated with Ganesh Visarjan in many traditions.

In Maharashtra and several other parts of India, this becomes one of the most visually spectacular days of the Ganesh festival. Processions carry idols through streets accompanied by drums, devotional music, dancing and chants before the idols are immersed.

Anant Chaturdashi also has an independent religious significance associated with Ananta, a form of Vishnu. Thus, the date represents an intersection of different ritual traditions within the wider Hindu calendar.

Bhadrapada Purnima — 26 September

Bhadrapada Purnima falls on Saturday, 26 September 2026. It marks the full moon of the Bhadrapada month and is also associated with Purnima Shraddha in calendars that begin the ancestral observance period around this date.

The full moon also marks an important transition in the Hindu ritual calendar, because the following day begins the period commonly known as Pitru Paksha.

Pitru Paksha Begins — 27 September

Pitru Paksha begins on Sunday, 27 September 2026, according to commonly used Indian panchang calculations.

Pitru Paksha is a roughly fortnight-long period dedicated to remembering and honouring deceased ancestors. Families may perform shraddha, tarpana and other rites according to their family traditions.

The atmosphere of Pitru Paksha is markedly different from that of celebratory festivals such as Janmashtami or Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a period of remembrance, gratitude and ritual obligation, with particular emphasis on family lineage and ancestors.

The observance also illustrates how India's religious calendar encompasses very different emotional registers: celebration, devotion, fasting, forgiveness, remembrance and mourning can all occur within the same month.

Regional and Community Observances

India's festival calendar is shaped by local traditions as much as by nationally recognised festivals. A festival that receives enormous attention in one state may be a relatively minor observance elsewhere, while regional communities may follow their own calendars and ritual priorities.

Sikh Observances

Sikh communities observe several important occasions during September. A calendar commonly used for Sikh observances lists Pahila Prakash/Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on 1 September, Gurgaddi Gurpurab of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on 6 September, Joti Jot of Guru Amar Das Ji on 7 September, and Sangrand marking the beginning of Assu on 15 September.

These occasions are marked through Gurbani recitation, kirtan, prayers, ardaas, community gatherings and langar. As with other lunar and traditional calendars, dates can differ between calendar systems, so Sikh institutions and local gurdwaras are the best sources for precise observance information.

It is worth noting that another Nanakshahi-based calendar gives 12 September as Pehla Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, illustrating why the article should explicitly state that Sikh dates can vary according to the calendar tradition being followed.

Jain Observances

September is particularly important for Jain communities because of Paryushan and Das Lakshan Parva. The two major Jain traditions follow different schedules: Shvetambara Paryushan runs from 8–15 September, while Digambara Das Lakshan Parva runs from 15–24 September.

Rather than public spectacle, these observances emphasise introspection, fasting, meditation, scriptural study, self-restraint and forgiveness. This makes September an unusually important month for Jain religious and community life.

Regional Traditions

Other regional observances can also appear in September calendars, including Onam-related celebrations continuing from late August in Kerala, local Krishna traditions, temple festivals and community-specific observances.

For a pan-Indian calendar, however, it is useful to distinguish between major festivals with broad national recognition and regional or sectarian observances. This prevents the calendar from becoming an indiscriminate list of every vrat, jayanti and tithi while still acknowledging India's enormous religious diversity.

September 2026 at a Glance

*Sikh dates should be checked against the calendar followed by the relevant gurdwara or community, because different calendar traditions can produce different dates.