January 2025
- 15th January – Makarsankranti / Pongal: A harvest festival welcoming longer days and new beginnings. People fly kites, prepare sweet dishes like pongal, and thank the sun for its blessings.
- 25th January – Vasant Panchami: Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts. Yellow flowers and clothes are common, and students often pray for wisdom.
February 2025
- 11th February – Thaipusam: Celebrated mainly in South India and by Tamil communities worldwide, honoring Lord Murugan with vibrant processions and acts of devotion.
- 26th February – Maha Shivaratri: A night devoted to Lord Shiva, filled with fasting, prayers, and staying awake to seek his blessings.
March 2025
- 14th March – Holi: The famous festival of colors that celebrates the arrival of spring, love, and forgiveness. Expect playful color fights, music, and delicious sweets.
- 29th-30th March – Gudi Padwa / Ugadi / Tamil New Year: Different regions celebrate their New Year with prayers, new clothes, and festive meals.
- 30th March – Ram Navami: Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, with temple visits and recitations of the Ramayana.
April 2025
- 6th April – Hanuman Jayanti: Marks the birth of Lord Hanuman, the symbol of strength and devotion. Devotees visit temples and chant hymns.
- 14th April – Vaisakhi / Baisakhi / Vishu: Harvest festivals celebrated across North and South India with dances, prayers, and feasting.
- 30th April – Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej): An auspicious day for new beginnings, buying gold, and starting ventures. It’s believed that anything started on this day will bring endless prosperity.
May 2025
- 6th May – Sita Navami: Celebrates the birth of Goddess Sita, wife of Lord Rama. Devotees fast and perform special prayers.
- 10th-11th May – Narasimha Jayanti: Marks the appearance of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu. Devotees observe rituals during specific times on these days.
- 30th May – Akshaya Tritiya (alternate date): Some calendars also mark this day for the same auspicious observances.
June 2025
- 10th June – Savitri Pooja: Married women pray for their husbands’ long life and well-being.
- 27th June – Puri Rath Yatra: The famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath in Odisha, attracting millions of devotees.
July 2025
- 10th July – Guru Purnima: A day to honor and thank spiritual and academic teachers.
- 29th July – Nag Panchami: Devotees worship snakes, seeking protection and blessings.
August 2025
- 8th August – Varalakshmi Vrat: Women observe this fast for family prosperity and health.
- 9th August – Raksha Bandhan: Celebrates the loving bond between brothers and sisters.
- 16th August – Krishna Janmashtami: Marks the birth of Lord Krishna with midnight prayers, singing, and festive events.
- 27th August – Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birthday with idol worship and immersion ceremonies.
September-October 2025 (Festival Season)
- 4th September – Onam: Kerala’s harvest festival, famous for floral decorations and boat races.
- 17th September – Vishwakarma Puja: Worship of the divine architect and craftsmen.
- 21st September – Mahalaya Amavasya: Beginning of Devi Paksha, a time for goddess worship.
- 22nd September – Navaratri begins: Nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga, full of dance and devotion.
- 28th September – Durga Puja begins: Grand celebrations honoring Goddess Durga.
- 2nd October – Dussehra: Marks the victory of good over evil, with effigy burning and festivities.
- 21st October – Diwali: The Festival of Lights, celebrated with lamps, fireworks, and sweets.
- 23rd October – Bhai Dooj: Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
- 27th October – Chhath Puja: Worship of the Sun God with prayers at sunrise and sunset.
November-December 2025
- 5th November – Kartik Poornima: A sacred full moon day celebrated with lamps and prayers.
- 1st December – Gita Jayanti: Commemorates the day Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita.
- 16th December – Dhanu Sankranti: Marks the sun’s transit into Sagittarius, signaling a new zodiac phase.
January begins with Makarsankranti, where kites flutter above and South Indian homes fill with the sweet aroma of pongal, welcoming the sun’s new journey. On February 2, Vasant Panchami arrives, and you’ll see students gently placing marigolds on their books, offering prayers to Saraswati for wisdom. By February 11, Thaipusam brings a deep sense of devotion as people honor Lord Murugan with heartfelt rituals. Then, on February 26, Maha Shivaratri invites everyone to stay up, chanting softly for Lord Shiva, the night wrapped in peace.
Come March 14, Holi sprinkles joy everywhere—friends toss colors, laugh, and let go of old quarrels. On March 29-30, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Tamil New Year bring fresh hope with shared meals and new clothes. April 6’s Ramanavami fills temples with stories of Lord Rama, while April 12’s Hanuman Jayanti sees quiet prayers for strength. Vaisakhi on April 14 hums with gratitude, from Punjab’s joyful dances to Kerala’s Vishu traditions, celebrating the harvest.
May 30’s Akshaya Tritiya feels like a gentle nudge to start something new—maybe buying a small piece of gold or dreaming up a fresh plan. On June 10, Savitri Pooja has women praying for their loved ones, each ritual full of care. June 27’s Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha is a beautiful sight, with countless hands pulling Lord Jagannath’s chariot in unity. July 10’s Guru Purnima offers a moment to thank teachers, and July 29’s Nag Panchami sees families offer milk to snakes, hoping for blessings.
August feels warm and full. On August 8-9, Varalakshmi Vrat seeks prosperity, and Raksha Bandhan ties siblings closer with rakhis. Krishna Janmashtami on August 16 brings soft songs and late-night celebrations for Krishna’s birth. Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27 gathers neighbors around Ganesha’s idols, prayers rising together. September 4-28 is alive with Onam’s harvest feasts, Vishwakarma Puja’s respect for craftsmen, and Navaratri’s devotion to the goddess, ending with Bengal’s radiant Durga Puja.
On October 2, Dussehra’s bonfires remind us of goodness prevailing. Diwali on October 21 glows with candles, sweets, and shared smiles. October 23’s Bhai Dooj and October 27’s Chhath Puja deepen family ties, with prayers by rivers at dawn. November 5’s Kartik Poornima lights up with lamps for loved ones gone, and December 16’s Dhanu Sankranti feels like a soft nod to the stars above.
These festivals are more than dates—they’re moments that bring India together, filled with kindness, faith, and shared stories. In 2025, join in: light a lamp, share a sweet, and let these days warm your heart.
