Gujarati Calendar 2026: Festivals, Traditions, and Cultural Rhythm

Complete List of Gujarati Festivals and Holidays for 2026

Plan your year with this comprehensive guide to Gujarati festivals, vrats, and cultural observances in 2026 according to the traditional Gujarati calendar.

Gujarati Calendar 2026: January

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
06 January	Tuesday	Lambodara Sankashta
10 January	Saturday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
14 January	Wednesday	Makara Sankranti / Shattila Ekadashi
20 January	Tuesday	Chandra Darshana
22 January	Thursday	Gauriganesh Chaturthi
23 January	Friday	Vasant Panchami
26 January	Monday	Masik Durgashtmi
29 January	Thursday	Jaya Ekadashi

Gujarati Calendar 2026: February

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
05 February	Thursday	Dwijapria Sankashta
09 February	Monday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
13 February	Friday	Vijaya Ekadashi
15 February	Sunday	Maha Shivaratri
17 February	Tuesday	Surya Grahan Valayakara
18 February	Wednesday	Chandra Darshan
21 February	Saturday	Dhundhiraja Chaturthi
24 February	Tuesday	Masik Durgashtmi
27 February	Friday	Amalaki Ekadashi

Gujarati Calendar 2026: March

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
03 March	Tuesday	Holi
04 March	Wednesday	Dhuleti
06 March	Friday	Bhalachandra Sankashta
11 March	Wednesday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
15 March	Sunday	Papamochani Ekadashi
19 March	Thursday	Gudi Padwa
20 March	Friday	Chandra Darshana
22 March	Sunday	Vasudeva Chaturthi
26 March	Thursday	Ram Navami / Masik Durgashtami
27 March	Friday	Ram Navami (ISKCON)
29 March	Sunday	Kamada Ekadashi

Gujarati Calendar 2026: April

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
02 April	Thursday	Hanuman Jayanti
05 April	Sunday	Vikata Sankashta
09 April	Thursday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami
10 April	Friday	Kalashtami
13 April	Monday	Varuthini Ekadashi
18 April	Saturday	Chandra Darshana
19 April	Sunday	Parashurama Jayanti
20 April	Monday	Sankarshana Chaturthi
23 April	Thursday	Ganga Saptami
24 April	Friday	Masik Durgashtami
25 April	Saturday	Sita Navami
27 April	Monday	Mohini Ekadashi
30 April	Thursday	Nrisinha Jayanti

Gujarati Calendar 2026: May

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
01 May	Friday	Kurma Jayanti
02 May	Saturday	Narada Jayanti
05 May	Tuesday	Ekadanta Sankashta
09 May	Saturday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
13 May	Wednesday	Apara Ekadashi
16 May	Saturday	Shani Jayanti
17 May	Sunday	Adhika Chandra Darshana
20 May	Wednesday	Varada Chaturthi
23 May	Saturday	Adhika Masik Durgashtami
27 May	Wednesday	Padmini Ekadashi

Gujarati Calendar 2026: June

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
03 June	Wednesday	Vibhuvana Sankashta
08 June	Monday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
11 June	Thursday	Parama Ekadashi
16 June	Tuesday	Chandra Darshana
18 June	Thursday	Pradyumna Chaturthi
22 June	Monday	Masik Durgashtami
25 June	Thursday	Nirjala Ekadashi

Gujarati Calendar 2026: July

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
03 July	Friday	Krishnapingala Sankashta
07 July	Tuesday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
10 July	Friday	Yogini Ekadashi
11 July	Saturday	Gauna Yogini Ekadashi
15 July	Wednesday	Chandra Darshana
16 July	Thursday	Jagannath Rathyatra
17 July	Friday	Aniruddha Chaturthi
21 July	Tuesday	Masik Durgashtami
25 July	Saturday	Devshayani Ekadashi
27 July	Monday	Jayaparvati Vrat Begins
28 July	Tuesday	Kokila Vrat
29 July	Wednesday	Guru Purnima

Gujarati Calendar 2026: August

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
01 August	Saturday	Jayaparvati Vrat Ends
02 August	Sunday	Gajanana Sankashta
05 August	Wednesday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
09 August	Sunday	Kamika Ekadashi
12 August	Wednesday	Surya Grahan
16 August	Sunday	Durva Ganapati Chaturthi
18 August	Tuesday	Kalki Jayanti
20 August	Thursday	Masik Durgashtami
23 August	Sunday	Pavitra Ekadashi
28 August	Friday	Raksha Bandhan
31 August	Monday	Bol Choth / Heramba Sankashta

Gujarati Calendar 2026: September

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
01 September	Tuesday	Nag Panchami
02 September	Wednesday	Randhan Chhath
04 September	Friday	Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashatmi
07 September	Monday	Bachha Baras Dwadashi
13 September	Sunday	Varaha Jayanti / Chandra Darshan
14 September	Monday	Ganesh Chaturthi
15 September	Tuesday	Rishi Panchami
19 September	Saturday	Radha Asthami / Masik Durgashtami
22 September	Tuesday	Parsva Ekadashi
23 September	Wednesday	Vamana Jayanti
25 September	Friday	Ganesh Visarjan
27 September	Sunday	Pitrupaksh Begins
29 September	Tuesday	Vighnaraja Sankashta

Gujarati Calendar 2026: October

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
03 October	Saturday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
06 October	Tuesday	Indira Ekadashi
10 October	Saturday	Sarva Pitru Amavasya
11 October	Sunday	Navratri Begins
12 October	Monday	Chandra Darshan
14 October	Wednesday	Kapardisha Chaturthi
16 October	Friday	Saraswati Avahan
17 October	Saturday	Saraswati Puja
18 October	Sunday	Saraswati Balidan
19 October	Monday	Saraswati Visarjan / Durgashtami
20 October	Tuesday	Dussehra
22 October	Thursday	Papankusha Ekadashi
25 October	Sunday	Sharad Purnima
29 October	Thursday	Karwa Chauth

Gujarati Calendar 2026: November

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
01 November	Sunday	Masik Krishna Janmashtami / Kalashtami
05 November	Thursday	Rama Ekadashi
06 November	Friday	Dhanteras
07 November	Saturday	Kali Chaudas
08 November	Sunday	Lakshmi Puja / Diwali
10 November	Tuesday	Govardhan Puja
11 November	Wednesday	Bhai Beej / Chandra Darshan
13 November	Friday	Labh Chaturthi
14 November	Saturday	Labh Pancham
16 November	Monday	Jalaram Bapa Jayanti
17 November	Tuesday	Masik Durgashtami
18 November	Wednesday	Akshya Navami
20 November	Friday	Devutthana Ekadashi
21 November	Saturday	Tulasi Vivah
24 November	Tuesday	Dev Diwali
27 November	Friday	Ganadhipa Sankashta

Gujarati Calendar 2026: December

Date	Day	Gujarati Festival/Holidays
01 December	Tuesday	Kalabhairav Jayanti / Masik Krishna Janmashtami
04 December	Friday	Utapanna Ekadashi
10 December	Thursday	Chandra Darshan
13 December	Sunday	Krichchhra Chaturthi
17 December	Thursday	Masik Durgashtami
20 December	Sunday	Gita Jayanti / Mokshada Ekadashi
23 December	Wednesday	Dattatreya Jayanti
26 December	Saturday	Akhuratha Sankashta
30 December	Wednesday	Kaalashtami / Masik Krishna Janmashtami

Gujarati Calendar 2026: Festivals, Traditions, and Cultural Rhythm

The Gujarati Calendar 2026 reflects the rhythm of life in Gujarat, where time is measured not only by days and months but by festivals, rituals, and seasonal transitions. Rooted in ancient astronomical knowledge, this calendar continues to influence religious observances, agricultural planning, and social traditions across Gujarati households and business communities. In 2026, the Gujarati calendar remains a trusted cultural guide, shaping everything from festival celebrations and fasting periods to business beginnings and family ceremonies. By aligning human activity with cosmic cycles and natural seasons, it preserves a way of life that values balance, discipline, and collective harmony, making it as relevant today as it was generations ago.

Bestu Varas 2026
The Gujarati year formally begins with Bestu Varas, celebrated on the day following Diwali. This occasion symbolizes renewal, optimism, and prosperity. Families begin the New Year with temple visits, prayers, and traditional greetings of “Saal Mubarak,” reflecting goodwill and togetherness. For the business community, Bestu Varas holds special importance due to Chopda Pujan, a ritual marking the opening of new financial records. This practice highlights Gujarat’s strong mercantile tradition and ethical approach to commerce. Festive meals featuring farsan, sweets, and home-style delicacies add warmth to Bestu Varas 2026.

Diwali and Kali Chaudas Observances
Diwali is deeply embedded in the Gujarati calendar and is observed as a multi-day festival rather than a single event. The celebrations include Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas, Diwali, and Bestu Varas, each carrying a distinct spiritual meaning. Kali Chaudas is associated with protection and cleansing, while Diwali celebrates spiritual illumination and the victory of positivity over darkness. Homes, markets, and public spaces are adorned with lamps and decorations, creating an atmosphere of hope and prosperity. Diwali 2026 continues to serve as a powerful cultural and spiritual anchor for Gujarati society.

Navratri Expressed Through Dance
Navratri is one of the most culturally defining festivals in the Gujarati calendar. Celebrated over nine nights, it is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Shakti. What distinguishes Navratri in Gujarat is the collective participation in Garba and Dandiya Raas, where devotion is expressed through rhythmic movement and music. People of all ages dress in traditional attire and gather in community spaces, transforming spiritual observance into a vibrant social celebration. Navratri 2026 once again highlights Gujarat’s unique blend of faith, art, and community bonding.

Makar Sankranti and Seasonal Celebrations
Known locally as Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti marks the sun’s northward journey and the arrival of the harvest season. The festival emphasizes gratitude toward nature and agricultural prosperity. Kite flying fills the skies of Gujarat, symbolizing joy, freedom, and communal harmony. Traditional foods such as undhiyu, jalebi, and sesame-based sweets are prepared in abundance, reflecting the seasonal character of the festival. Sankranti 2026 remains a joyful celebration rooted in rural and urban traditions alike.

Janmashtami, Rath Yatra, and Spiritual Heritage
Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, holds special significance in Gujarat, particularly in Dwarka. Devotional songs, fasting, and midnight rituals mark the occasion, reflecting the region’s strong Vaishnav influence. Another major religious event is the Rath Yatra, especially prominent in Ahmedabad. The grand procession of Lord Jagannath attracts large crowds and symbolizes unity, inclusivity, and collective devotion, values central to Gujarati culture.

Auspicious Days and Spiritual Practices
The Gujarati calendar also highlights important spiritual observances such as Maha Shivratri, Akshaya Tritiya, and Sharad Purnima. These days are considered favorable for new beginnings, religious rituals, and personal reflection. Periods like Chaturmas encourage restraint, devotion, and ethical living, reinforcing spiritual discipline. Despite evolving lifestyles, the Gujarati Calendar 2026 continues to influence major life decisions, including marriage dates, business inaugurations, and religious ceremonies. With the widespread availability of digital panchangs and mobile applications, traditional timekeeping has adapted effectively to modern needs, ensuring continued relevance among younger generations and the global Gujarati diaspora.

Conclusion
The Gujarati Calendar 2026 is far more than a chronological system, it is a living framework that sustains Gujarat’s cultural values, spiritual beliefs, and social traditions. Through festivals such as Bestu Varas, Navratri, Diwali, and Uttarayan, it preserves heritage while embracing modern life. Deeply rooted in faith, community, and seasonal rhythms, the Gujarati calendar continues to guide Gujarati society with continuity, clarity, and enduring cultural pride.

We hope this detailed guide from Starzspeak helps you navigate the auspicious year of 2026. Thank you for reading! Feel free to share this valuable resource with your family and friends.