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India’s October 2026 Festival Calendar Brings Major Celebrations Together
India’s October 2026 calendar includes many important festivals.
Sharad Navratri begins on October 11 and lasts until October 20.
It honors Goddess Durga through prayers, fasting and celebrations.
Durga Puja will be observed mainly in West Bengal and eastern India from October 16 to 21.
Dussehra will be celebrated on October 20 in much of India.
It remembers Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and often includes Ramlila and effigy burning.
Mysore Dasara will take place in Karnataka on October 21.
Karwa Chauth will be observed on October 29, when married Hindu women traditionally fast and pray for their husbands’ well-being.
October 2026 features Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Mysore Dasara and Karwa Chauth.
Sharad Navratri runs from October 11 to 20, ending with Vijayadashami.
Durga Puja observances run from October 16 to 21, with regional dates differing from the broader Navratri calendar.
Dussehra is scheduled for October 20, while Mysore Dasara is listed for October 21.
Karwa Chauth falls on October 29 and traditionally includes fasting, prayers and evening moon sighting.
- Who
- People observing Hindu festivals across India, including communities in West Bengal, eastern India, Karnataka and North India.
- What
- A calendar of major October 2026 festivals, including Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Mysore Dasara and Karwa Chauth.
- Where
- Across India, with distinctive observances in West Bengal, eastern India, Karnataka and North India.
- When
- The celebrations span October 11 through October 29, 2026.
- Why
- To mark religious and cultural occasions through fasting, prayers, rituals, processions and other celebrations.
Broader Indian Calendar
Regional Bengal Calendar
Vijayadashami timing
Broader Indian Calendar
The broader Navratri calendar places Vijayadashami on October 20, 2026, across much of India.
Regional Bengal Calendar
The Bengal Durga Puja calendar places Vijayadashami on October 21, 2026.
Maha Navami timing
Broader Indian Calendar
The broader Navratri calendar lists Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on October 19.
Regional Bengal Calendar
The Bengal calendar lists Maha Navami on October 20.
Key facts
- Sharad Navratri
- October 11–20, 2026
- Durga Puja
- October 16–21, 2026
- Dussehra
- October 20, 2026
- Mysore Dasara
- October 21, 2026
- Karwa Chauth
- October 29, 2026
- Regional date difference
- The article lists Maha Navami on October 19 and Vijayadashami on October 20 for the broader Navratri calendar, but October 20 and 21 respectively in the Bengal Durga Puja calendar.
Sources
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