Hindu · 2013 · New Delhi
Hindu Festival & Vrat Calendar 2013
Every major festival, and each Ekadashi, Purnima, Amavasya, Pradosh, Chaturthi, Shivaratri and Sankranti of the year — worked out day by day from the Panchang for New Delhi.
Tap any festival or vrat to read why it is celebrated, the story behind it and how to celebrate. You can also listen to the stories.
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January 2013
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13SunLohriलोहड़ीPunjab’s winter bonfire festival on the eve of Makar Sankranti. Story →
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14MonMakar Sankranti · Pongal · Uttarayanमकर संक्रांति · पोंगल · उत्तरायणThe Sun enters Capricorn and begins its northward journey: Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan, Bihu. Story →
February 2013
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15FriVasant Panchamiवसंत पंचमीThe arrival of spring and the worship of Saraswati, goddess of learning. Story →
March 2013
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10SunMaha Shivaratriमहाशिवरात्रिThe great night of Shiva: fasting, night-long worship and abhishek. Story →
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27WedHolika Dahanहोलिका दहनThe bonfire on the eve of Holi: Prahlad is saved and Holika burns. Story →
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28ThuHoliहोलीThe festival of colours: spring, friendship and the love of Radha and Krishna. Story →
April 2013
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11ThuChaitra Navratri begins · Gudi Padwa · Ugadiचैत्र नवरात्रि आरंभ · गुड़ी पड़वा · उगादिThe Hindu New Year: Navratri of spring begins, with Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in the South. Story →
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14SunMesha Sankranti · Baisakhiमेष संक्रांति · बैसाखीMesha Sankranti: the solar New Year — Baisakhi, Bohag Bihu, Pana Sankranti, Puthandu, Vishu. Story →
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19FriRam Navamiराम नवमीThe birthday of Lord Rama, born at midday in Ayodhya. Story →
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25ThuHanuman Jayantiहनुमान जयंतीThe birthday of Hanuman, Lord Rama’s devoted helper and the god of strength. Story →
May 2013
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13MonAkshaya Tritiyaअक्षय तृतीयाThe “never-ending” day: what is begun or given today is believed to grow without end. Story →
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25SatBuddha Purnimaबुद्ध पूर्णिमाThe birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha — all on Vaishakha Purnima. Story →
July 2013
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10WedJagannath Rath Yatraजगन्नाथ रथ यात्राLord Jagannath rides out of his temple in Puri on a giant chariot to meet his devotees. Story →
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22MonGuru Purnimaगुरु पूर्णिमाA day to thank one’s gurus and teachers; also Vyasa Purnima. Story →
August 2013
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10SatHariyali Teejहरियाली तीजThe green festival of the monsoon, celebrating the reunion of Shiva and Parvati. Story →
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12MonNag Panchamiनाग पंचमीSerpents are worshipped and thanked; no digging or ploughing today. Story →
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21WedRaksha Bandhanरक्षा बंधनSisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists; brothers promise to protect them. Story →
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28WedKrishna Janmashtamiकृष्ण जन्माष्टमीThe birth of Lord Krishna at midnight in Mathura. Story →
September 2013
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8SunHartalika Teejहरतालिका तीजA strict fast by women, remembering Parvati’s penance to win Shiva. Story →
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9MonGanesh Chaturthiगणेश चतुर्थीThe birthday of Lord Ganesha; ten days of worship begin. Story →
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18WedAnant Chaturdashiअनंत चतुर्दशीWorship of Vishnu as Anant, and the farewell (visarjan) of Ganesha. Story →
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20FriPitru Paksha beginsपितृ पक्ष आरंभFifteen days to remember and feed one’s ancestors (shraddha). Story →
October 2013
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5SatSharad Navratri beginsशारदीय नवरात्रि आरंभNine nights of the Goddess: Durga is worshipped in her nine forms. Story →
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12SatDurga Ashtamiदुर्गा अष्टमीThe eighth day of Navratri: Mahagauri puja and Kanya Pujan. Story →
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13SunDussehra (Vijayadashami)दशहरा (विजयादशमी)Vijayadashami: the victory of Rama over Ravana and of Durga over Mahishasura. Story →
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13SunMaha Navamiमहा नवमीThe ninth day of Navratri: Siddhidatri puja, Ayudha Puja and the Navratri havan. Story →
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18FriSharad Purnimaशरद पूर्णिमाThe brightest full moon of the year; kheer is left in the moonlight overnight. Story →
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22TueKarwa Chauthकरवा चौथMarried women fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husbands’ long life. Story →
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26SatAhoi Ashtamiअहोई अष्टमीMothers fast for the well-being of their children until the stars appear. Story →
November 2013
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1FriDhanterasधनतेरसThe first day of Diwali: Dhanvantari and Lakshmi are worshipped, and new utensils or gold are bought. Story →
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2SatNarak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali)नरक चतुर्दशी (छोटी दिवाली)Chhoti Diwali: Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Story →
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3SunDiwali (Lakshmi Puja)दीपावली (लक्ष्मी पूजा)The festival of lights: Lakshmi puja on the new moon of Kartik, and Rama’s return to Ayodhya. Story →
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4MonGovardhan Pujaगोवर्धन पूजाKrishna lifted Govardhan hill to shelter Braj; the Annakut feast is offered. Story →
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5TueBhai Doojभाई दूजSisters pray for their brothers’ long life; brothers visit and bring gifts. Story →
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8FriChhath Pujaछठ पूजाFour days of worship of the Sun god and Chhathi Maiya, with offerings at sunset and sunrise. Story →
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13WedDevuthani Ekadashiदेवउठनी एकादशीVishnu wakes from his four-month sleep; weddings can begin again. Tulsi Vivah follows. Story →
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17SunKartik Purnima · Dev Deepawaliकार्तिक पूर्णिमा · देव दीपावलीDev Deepawali: the gods’ own Diwali on the ghats of Varanasi; also Guru Nanak’s birthday. Story →
December 2013
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7SatVivah Panchamiविवाह पंचमीThe wedding anniversary of Rama and Sita. Story →
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13FriGita Jayantiगीता जयंतीThe day Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra. Story →
How the dates are worked out
The calendar is computed, not copied from a list: for every day of the year we find the tithi at sunrise, midday, afternoon, evening (pradosh), moonrise and midnight for your city, on the same ephemeris as our Kundali.
A festival falls on the day its tithi prevails at sunrise (udaya tithi), except where tradition looks at another time: Diwali, Dhanteras, Pradosh and Holika Dahan in the evening; Janmashtami and Shivaratri at midnight; Karwa Chauth and Sankashti at moonrise; Ram Navami and Ganesh Chaturthi at midday; Dussehra and Maha Navami in the afternoon. Holika Dahan moves to the next evening when Bhadra covers the Purnima evening.
Months are amanta (new moon to new moon); a month with no Sankranti is Adhik. North India names the dark half by the next month (purnimanta) — the festival dates are the same. Vaishnava Ekadashi and local custom can differ by a day; for a vow or a ceremony, confirm with your family priest.