October 2026 Festivals

Mahalaya marks the end of Pitru Paksha (the 15-day period of ancestral offerings) and the beginning of Devi Paksha — the arrival of Goddess Durga. In Bengal, Mahalaya is the day when Durga is said to descend from Kailash to her maternal home. The pre-dawn radio broadcast of 'Mahishasura Mardini' — a 90-minute programme of Devi stotra and songs — has been a beloved tradition for Bengalis since 1932. Families also perform tarpan (water offerings) to ancestors at rivers. The clay images of Durga are given eyes (chhakkhu daan) on this day.

Amavasya ending Pitru Paksha (September/October)

Devi Mahatmya (from the Markandeya Purana) — Mahishasura the buffalo-demon obtained a boon that no man could kill him. The combined energies of all the gods became Durga, who battled him for nine days and slew him on the tenth (Vijayadashami).

Ashvin shukla pratipada to navami (September-October)

Durga Puja 2026 begins from Mahā Ṣaṣṭhī / Kalparambha on October 16, 2026 for the New Delhi panchang model, with the main Bengal-style celebration moving through Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami. The festival worships Maa Durga as the Shakti who defeats Mahishasura, but in Bengal the story is also deeply tender: Maa comes home like a beloved daughter, bringing Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha with her. Families visit pandals, hear the dhak, offer pushpanjali, share bhog, and finally bid her farewell at visarjan. That is why Durga Puja feels both grand and intimate: victory over adharma outside, and a mother's presence inside the home.

Shukla Sashti to Dashami of Ashvin (September/October) — overlaps with Navratri

(1) Rama's defeat of Ravana in Lanka (rakshasa-vadha); (2) Durga's defeat of Mahishasura on the tenth day of her nine-day battle. Both stories celebrate dharma's triumph over adharma.

Ashvin shukla dashami (October), tenth day after Sharad Navratri

Sharad Purnima is regarded as the most beautiful full moon of the year — the moon is believed to be at its fullest and most luminous, shining with all 16 kalas (phases). Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on this night asking 'Ko jagrati?' (Who is awake?) — hence called Kojagari Purnima. She bestows wealth on those who stay awake. In Vaishnava tradition, this is the night of the Maharaas — Krishna's divine circular dance with the gopis in Vrindavana. The moonlight on this night is said to have healing properties.

Purnima of Ashvin (October)

Several stories: (1) Veeravati, who broke her fast prematurely and lost her husband, then resumed strict observance and revived him; (2) Savitri-Satyavan story interpreted in this fast-context; (3) Draupadi's vrat to safeguard the Pandavas.

Kartik krishna chaturthi (October-November)

Kumbh Mela traces its origin to the Samudra Manthan — the churning of the cosmic ocean. A pot (kumbha) of amrita (nectar of immortality) emerged, and gods and demons fought over it for 12 days (equivalent to 12 human years). Drops of amrita fell at four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj every 12 years is the world's single largest peaceful human gathering — in 2025 it drew 400 million visitors. Bathing at the Triveni Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and invisible Saraswati) during the most auspicious Shahi Snan dates is considered to wash away all sin.

Every 12 years at Prayagraj (Ardha Kumbh every 6 years); rotating with Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain