Hindu Festivals in November 2026

Sunday · Shiva / Parvati / Moon

Wives fast nirjala (no food, no water) from sunrise to moonrise, praying for husband's longevity. Moon sighted through a sieve before breaking fast — husband offers first water.

Monday · Ahoi Mata

Ahoi Ashtami falls on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami of Kartik month, observed primarily by mothers across North India — Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal and Uttarakhand — for the long life, health and prosperity of their children. Ahoi Mata, a benevolent form of Parvati, is depicted with eight corners (ashta-koshthaka) on a wall painting or pata along with her cubs, recalling the legend of a merchant's wife who accidentally killed a porcupine's young while digging clay and lost her own seven sons until Ahoi Mata's grace restored them. The vrata-katha is recited in the evening before sighting stars or the moon.

Friday · Dhanvantari / Lakshmi / Kubera

First day of Diwali week. Worship of Dhanvantari (god of Ayurveda) and Lakshmi. Buying gold, silver, utensils, brooms today believed to multiply wealth 13-fold.

Sunday · Maa Lakshmi

Festival of lights — five-day celebration centered on Lakshmi puja. Marks Rama's return to Ayodhya and Lakshmi's emergence from samudra manthan.

Monday · Krishna / Govardhan

Annakut — day after Diwali. Commemorates Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter Vrindavan from Indra's wrath. 56-item bhog (chappan bhog) offered to Krishna; cow worship central.

Tuesday · Yama / Yamuna (sibling bond)

Sister applies tilak on brother's forehead and prays for his long life. Originates from Yama-Yamuna myth. Brother gives gifts. Marks the close of Diwali week.

Sunday · Surya / Chhathi Maiya

Four-day festival of the Sun god. Most celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern UP. Strict 36-hour nirjala fast culminating in arghya at sunrise.

Friday · Vishnu

Devotthan Ekadashi, also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Gyaras, falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartika and marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his four month yogic slumber on the cosmic ocean. According to the Skanda Purana and the Padma Purana, Vishnu enters yoga nidra on Devshayani Ekadashi in Ashadha and reclines on Shesha Naga through the chaturmasa, during which time auspicious ceremonies such as marriages, griha pravesha, and major yajnas are suspended. On Devotthan Ekadashi he is ritually awakened with the recitation of the Prabodhini Stotra, the ringing of bells, the blowing of conches, and the singing of awakening mantras, and the four month chaturmasa vrata of monks and householders concludes with great celebration. The day is closely linked to Tulsi Vivah which follows on Dwadashi, the symbolic marriage of the tulsi plant representing Vrinda to Shaligram representing Vishnu, after which the wedding season of the year formally opens across India. In Vrindavan, Mathura, Pandharpur, and Vaishnava centers, the festival is marked by elaborate processions, jhulan, and the first major sankirtan of the post monsoon season. Devotees observe the ekadashi fast, decorate their courtyards with sugarcane stalks and rangoli, and light rows of lamps echoing the recent Diwali festivities.

Saturday · Tulsi / Vishnu (Shaligram)

Ceremonial wedding of Tulsi (basil plant) to Shaligram (Vishnu). Marks end of Chaturmas — wedding season can resume. Full Hindu wedding rituals performed for the plant.

Tuesday · Shiva / Vishnu / Kartikeya

Full moon of Kartik month. Dev Diwali — gods descend to bathe in Ganga at Varanasi. Lakhs of diyas lit on ghats. Shiva killed Tripurasura — also called Tripuri Purnima.

Tuesday · Rama / Sita

Wedding anniversary of Lord Rama and Sita. Massive celebrations at Janakpur (Nepal) and Ayodhya. Marriage of unmarried devotees gets a divine boost when done on or near this day.