Hindu calendar for 2009

All dates are shown using the Gregorian (Western) calendar.

Some dates may vary slightly because they are determined by the lunar calendar, or because of local variations.

Wednesday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Saturday 31 January

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Monday 23 February

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Wednesday 11 March

Holi

The Hindu spring festival.

Friday 3 April

Swaminarayan Jayanti

This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Thursday 9 April

Hanuman Jayanti

This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Wednesday 5 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Friday 14 August

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Sunday 23 August

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God.

Saturday 19 September

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Monday 28 September

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Saturday 17 October

Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2010

Thursday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Wednesday 20 January

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Friday 12 February

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Sunday 28 February

Holi

The Hindu spring festival.

Wednesday 24 March

Swaminarayan Jayanti

This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Tuesday 30 March

Hanuman Jayanti

This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Tuesday 24 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Thursday 2 September

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Saturday 11 September

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God.

Friday 8 October

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Sunday 17 October

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Friday 5 November

Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2011

Friday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Tuesday 8 February

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Thursday 3 March

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Saturday 19 March

Holi

The Hindu spring festival.

Tuesday 12 April

Swaminarayan Jayanti

This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Monday 18 April

Hanuman Jayanti

This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Saturday 13 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Monday 22 August

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Wednesday 28 September

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Thursday 6 October

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Wednesday 26 October

Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2012

Saturday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Saturday 28 January

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Monday 20 February

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Thursday 8 March

Holi

The Hindu spring festival.

Sunday 1 April

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Swaminarayan Jayanti

This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Friday 6 April

Hanuman Jayanti

This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Thursday 2 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Friday 10 August

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Tuesday 16 October

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Wednesday 24 October

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Tuesday 13 November

Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2013

Monday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Friday 15 February

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Friday 19 April

Swaminarayan Jayanti

This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Saturday 5 October

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Monday 14 October

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Sunday 3 November

Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

Hindu calendar for 2014

Tuesday 8 April

Swaminarayan Jayanti

This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Thursday 25 September

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.