Vedic Calendar

Festivals in November 2026

1. 6Nov
   Dhanteras

   Friday · Krishna Trayodashi

   Dhanteras opens the five-day Diwali season — on the thirteenth day of Kartik Krishna Paksha, Dhanvantari (the divine physician) emerged from the ocean with the pot of amrit. Homes are cleaned, lamps are lit, and the day is observed with gratitude for health and the prosperity of the household.

2. 8Nov
   Diwali

   Sunday · Krishna Amavasya

   Diwali, the festival of lights, marks the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Homes are lit with diyas to welcome Goddess Lakshmi — a day for cleaning, lighting lamps, and quiet gratitude.

3. 10Nov
   Govardhan Puja

   Tuesday · Shukla Pratipada

   Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, commemorates Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill on his little finger to shelter the people of Vrindavan from Indra's wrath. It is a day of gratitude for nature's nourishment — annakut offerings of 56 dishes (chappan bhog) are prepared and shared in the spirit of abundance.

4. 11Nov
   Bhai Dooj

   Wednesday · Shukla Dwitiya

   Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters — sisters apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, while brothers give gifts and pledges of care. Rooted in the reunion of Yama and his sister Yamuna, it is a day of sibling warmth and togetherness.

5. 15Nov
   Chhath Puja

   Sunday · Shukla Shashthi

   Chhath Puja is a four-day festival honouring the Sun god (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya — observed with great devotion in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP. Devotees fast rigorously, stand in river water at both sunset and sunrise, and offer arghya (water offerings) as thanksgiving for life, health, and harvest.

6. 21Nov
   Tulsi Vivah

   Saturday · Shukla Dwadashi

   Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil) to Lord Vishnu — traditionally observed on Ekadashi or Dwadashi in Kartik. It marks the end of the monsoon chaturmas and the reopening of the auspicious wedding season; households celebrate with flowers, diyas, and festive songs.

7. 24Nov
   Kartik Purnima

   Tuesday · Shukla Purnima

   Kartik Purnima — the full moon of Kartik — is among the most sacred nights in the Vedic calendar, coinciding with Dev Diwali (the gods' own festival of lights) and the anniversary of Guru Nanak Jayanti in Sikhism. A holy dip in a river or sacred water body at this time is considered deeply purifying.