A simple yearly plan for shakhas, satsangs, bhajan mandalis, school clubs and families. For each month of the Hindu calendar it lists the main festivals, birth anniversaries (jayantis) of great Indians, and a service or study idea. Exact dates change every year — always check the Panchang.
Chaitra (March–April)
- Varsha Pratipada — Hindu New Year (Gudi Padwa, Ugadi); Chaitra Navratri
- Ram Navami; Hanuman Jayanti on the full moon
- Seva idea: water stalls (pyau) for the summer
- Study: the Ramayana
Vaishakh (April–May)
- Akshaya Tritiya; Buddha Purnima
- Jayantis: Adi Shankaracharya, Basavanna
- Seva idea: feeding birds and animals in the heat
Jyeshtha (May–June)
- Ganga Dussehra; Hindu Samrajya Diwas (Jyeshtha Shukla Trayodashi); Vat Savitri
- International Yoga Day (21 June)
- Seva idea: tree planting before the rains
Ashadha (June–July)
- Rath Yatra; Devshayani Ekadashi; Guru Purnima
- Seva idea: honour teachers; help children with school supplies
Shravan (July–August)
- Nag Panchami; Raksha Bandhan; Janmashtami
- Independence Day (15 August); Tulsidas Jayanti
- Seva idea: rakhi for soldiers, police and sanitation workers
Bhadrapad (August–September)
- Ganesh Chaturthi; Anant Chaturdashi; Pitru Paksha begins
- Seva idea: eco-friendly Ganesh idols; clean-up after immersion
Ashwin (September–October)
- Sharad Navratri; Vijayadashami; Sharad Purnima
- Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
- Seva idea: route march and shastra puja; blood donation camps
Kartik (October–November)
- Diwali; Govardhan Puja; Bhai Dooj; Chhath; Kartik Purnima (Guru Nanak Jayanti)
- Seva idea: lamps and sweets for families in need
Margashirsha (November–December)
- Gita Jayanti; Vivah Panchami; Datta Jayanti
- Seva idea: Gita reading and recitation competitions
Paush (December–January)
- Makar Sankranti (about 14–15 January); Swami Vivekananda Jayanti — National Youth Day (12 January)
- Seva idea: blankets for the homeless in winter
Magh (January–February)
- Vasant Panchami; Republic Day (26 January); Ratha Saptami
- Jayantis: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January)
- Seva idea: books and stationery for school children
Phalguna (February–March)
- Mahashivratri; Holi
- Jayantis: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (19 February by the Gregorian date)
- Seva idea: water conservation before the summer
Frequently asked questions
Why do festival dates change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar (tithis), which shifts against the Gregorian calendar; check the Panchang for each year.
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Sources & copyright status
- Hindu calendar conventions and national days — not subject to copyright
- Historical facts: not subject to copyright.
- Commentary and translations on this page: original to The Hindu Book. © The Hindu Book, all rights reserved.
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