September 2026 Festivals

Krishna's birth at midnight in Mathura's prison to Devaki and Vasudeva, while the asura king Kamsa held them captive. Vasudeva carried the infant across the flooded Yamuna to Gokul, exchanging him with Yashoda's daughter (Yogamaya). Heralded the eventual destruction of Kamsa.

Bhadrapada krishna ashtami (August-September); midnight observance

Multiple stories: (1) Parvati created Ganesha from sandalwood paste; Shiva beheaded him in conflict, then restored him with an elephant's head; (2) Vyasa dictated the Mahabharata to Ganesha as scribe; (3) Ganesha is the first to be worshipped in any puja by Shiva's command.

Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi (August-September); 10-day festival ending on Anant Chaturdashi

Hartalika Teej takes its name from harta (abduction) and aalika (friend) — Parvati's friend abducted her to the forest to prevent her forced marriage to Vishnu (arranged by her father Himavat), so that she could continue her penance for Shiva. This day commemorates Parvati's ultimate attainment of Shiva as her husband. Unlike Hariyali Teej, this is a stricter fast — nirjala (no water, no food), maintained even through sleeplessness. Parvati-Shiva idols made of sand or clay are worshipped and immersed the next day.

Shukla Tritiya of Bhadrapada (August/September)

Vishwakarma is the divine craftsman and architect of the gods — the builder of Lanka for Ravana, the celestial city of Dwaraka for Krishna, and the divine weapons of the gods. On Vishwakarma Puja day, all tools, machines, vehicles, and instruments of craft are cleaned, decorated, and worshipped. Workers in factories, offices, garages, workshops, and homes pay homage to their tools as extensions of the divine craftsman. The festival celebrates the sanctity of work and craft.

September 17 (solar calendar — when sun enters Virgo/Kanya) or last day of Bhadrapada

Anant Chaturdashi has dual significance. First, it is the day of Anant Vrat — the worship of Vishnu in his infinite (ananta) form, with a thread (Anant Sutra) tied on the right wrist of men. The Pandavas observed this vrat on Krishna's advice during their difficult forest years. Second, this is Ganesh Visarjan — the immersion of Ganesh idols on the 10th day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the day with the biggest processions. Across Maharashtra, Goa, and southern India, the Ganesh processions on this day are among India's most spectacular.

Shukla Chaturdashi of Bhadrapada (August/September)

Pitru Paksha is the 15-day period (16 days including Mahalaya) dedicated to honouring deceased ancestors. According to Garuda Purana, the souls of ancestors are temporarily released from their abode and descend to earth expecting their descendants to perform shradh rituals — offerings of food, water, and prayers. If shradh is not performed, the ancestors remain hungry and may curse their lineage. Gaya in Bihar is the most sacred place for Pitru Paksha — Vishnu himself blessed Gaya as the place where performing tarpan liberates ancestors across 100 generations.

Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada/Ashvin (16 days) — September/October