April 2026 Festivals

Birth of Hanuman, son of Anjana and Vayu, with Shiva's amsa, at Anjaneri (Maharashtra) or Hampi (Karnataka) per regional tradition.

Chaitra Purnima (March-April) — most common; some traditions observe Kartik krishna chaturdashi; Tamil Hanuman Jayanthi in Margashirsha

Baisakhi marks the solar New Year and the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab and northern India. Hindu communities celebrate it as a harvest festival with thanksgiving to the sun. The Ganga Sagar fair at Haridwar on the same day draws millions of pilgrims.

Sun enters Aries (Mesha Sankranti) — April 13 or 14

Bohag Bihu (also called Rangali Bihu — the colourful Bihu) is Assam's most joyous festival marking the spring harvest and the Assamese New Year. The seven days each have a name: Goru Bihu (cattle), Manuh Bihu (humans), Gosai Bihu (ancestors and deities), Kutum Bihu (visiting relatives), Senehi Bihu (friendship), Mela Bihu (fair), and Chera Bihu (concluding). Bihu dances — with vigorous footwork and graceful hand movements — and Bihu songs (husori) performed by young people are the cultural heart of the festival.

Starts April 14 (Assamese New Year) — 7 days

The Sun's entry into Aries is treated as a major solar transition. It overlaps with several regional Hindu new year and harvest observances.

Sun enters Mesha rashi

Puthandu (meaning 'new year') is the Tamil solar new year marking the sun's transit into Aries (Chithirai month). The night before, families arrange a kani — an auspicious display of items including mango, jackfruit, bananas, gold, silver, and a mirror — so the first thing one sees on the new year morning is this auspicious sight. The tradition holds that what one first sees on New Year's Day will determine the nature of the year ahead.

Sun enters Aries (Mesha Rashi) — April 14

Vishu is Kerala's astronomical new year and one of its most important festivals. The Vishukkani is the central tradition — an elaborate display arranged in a bell-metal vessel (uruli) containing a Krishna idol, golden yellow flowers (kani konna), rice, coconuts, vegetables, gold, and a mirror. Family members are led to see this auspicious sight with closed eyes as the first vision of the new year. The kani konna (cassia fistula) tree blooms specifically for Vishu, its golden flowers being synonymous with the festival. Vishukaineetam — elders giving money to children — is another beloved tradition.

Sun enters Aries — April 14–15 (Vishukkani day)

(1) Treta Yuga began this day; (2) Parashurama's birth; (3) Veda Vyasa began composing the Mahabharata; (4) Krishna gifted Sudama with eternal wealth; (5) Ganga descended; (6) Pandavas received the Akshaya Patra (inexhaustible vessel) from Surya.

Vaishakha shukla tritiya (April-May)

Parashurama, one of Vishnu's avatars, is remembered as a fierce protector of dharma and a master of austerity. His jayanti commonly coincides with Akshaya Tritiya.

Vaisakha Shukla Tritiya

Ganga Saptami, also called Jahnu Saptami, remembers the sacred manifestation and reverence of Ganga Devi. Devotees worship the river, offer lamps, and perform charity.

Vaisakha Shukla Saptami

Sita Navami marks the birth of Sita (Janaki) — she was found by King Janaka while ploughing the earth, hence called 'Ayanija' (earth-born) or 'Bhumija'. The earth herself is Sita's mother. Sita is revered as the ideal of wifely devotion, courage, and purity — she followed Rama into forest exile and endured captivity in Lanka. Her story in the Ramayana is the archetype of feminine strength and virtue. On this day women fast and pray for marital bliss in the image of Sita.

Shukla Navami of Vaisakha (April/May)

When Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlada's devotion, Vishnu appeared as Narasimha, neither man nor animal, and protected the devotee while upholding dharma.

Vaisakha Shukla Chaturdashi