Festivals
The date, tithi and timing of every festival, for London.
Festivals 2027
January
Wed13JanBhogiThe day before Sankranti: sesame bhakri and mixed vegetables.Thu14JanMakar SankrantiThe Sun enters Makara: sesame and jaggery are shared, "tilgul ghya, god god bola".Fri15JanKinkrantThe day after Sankranti (karidin), held unsuitable for new beginnings.Tue26JanRepublic DayIndia's constitution came into force.
February
Wed10FebGanesh JayantiMagha Shukla Chaturthi: Ganesha's birth (Maghi Ganeshotsav).Thu11FebVasant PanchamiWelcomes spring; Saraswati is worshipped.Sat13FebRatha SaptamiA day to worship the Sun; the end of the Haldi-Kunku season.Fri19FebChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj JayantiShivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary by the Gregorian date (19 February).
March
Sat6MarMaha ShivaratriThe great night of Shiva: fasting, a night-long vigil and worship.Sun21MarHoli (Holika Dahan)Phalguna Purnima: the Holi fire is lit in the evening, with puran poli as offering.Mon22MarDhulivandanThe day after Holi: the day of colours.Sat27MarRangapanchamiPhalguna Krishna Panchami: in Maharashtra, the day to play with colours.
April
Wed7AprGudi PadwaChaitra Shukla Pratipada: the Marathi new year and the start of the Shaka year; a gudi is raised at the door.Wed14AprRama NavamiRama's birth, celebrated at midday.Wed14AprDr. Ambedkar JayantiBirth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, architect of the Indian constitution.Tue20AprHanuman JayantiChaitra Purnima: Hanuman's birth, celebrated at sunrise.
May
Sat1MayMaharashtra DayThe founding of Maharashtra state (1960).Sat8MayAkshaya TritiyaOne of the three and a half auspicious days: what is given today is held to never diminish.Tue18MayNarasimha JayantiVaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi: Narasimha's appearance, celebrated at dusk.Thu20MayBuddha PurnimaThe birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.
June
July
August
Fri6AugNag PanchamiShravana Shukla Panchami: snakes are worshipped.Sun15AugIndependence DayIndia's independence (1947).Mon16AugNarali PurnimaCoastal communities offer a coconut to the sea as the fishing season opens.Mon16AugRaksha BandhanSisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists.Tue24AugKrishna JanmashtamiKrishna's birth at midnight; a day of fasting.Wed25AugGopalkala (Dahi Handi)The day after Janmashtami: Dahi Handi.Tue31AugPolaShravana Amavasya: bullocks are rested, decorated and worshipped.
September
October
Sat2OctGandhi JayantiMahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.Sat9OctDussehraVijayadashami: aapta leaves are exchanged as gold; a day for new beginnings.Thu14OctKojagiri PurnimaSharad Purnima: milk is simmered under the moonlight and people stay awake late.Tue26OctVasubarasThe first day of Diwali: a cow and her calf are worshipped.Wed27OctDhantrayodashiDhanvantari is worshipped; a lamp is offered to Yama at dusk.Thu28OctNarak ChaturdashiThe ritual oil bath before dawn: the first bath of Diwali.Thu28OctLakshmi PujaLakshmi and Kubera are worshipped in the evening of Ashwin Amavasya.Sat30OctBali Pratipada (Diwali Padwa)Diwali Padwa: the half of the three and a half auspicious days, and the Vikram Samvat new year.Sat30OctBhaubeejYama Dwitiya: sisters perform aarti for their brothers.