March 2026 festival calendar: The latter half of March 2026 is rising as a interval wealthy in non secular that means and vibrant cultural festivities throughout India. As the chilly of winter recedes, the nation is gearing up for an uncommon convergence of main celebrations, with the Hindu New Year and Eid ul-Fitr set to be noticed simply days aside. Also learn | Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri: What you should know
From the colourful Gudi flags in Maharashtra to the pachadi (versatile South Indian dish) within the south and the nationwide conclusion of Ramadan, right here is your information to the important thing dates and significance of the festivals coming this week (and past), as per Drikpanchang.com:
March 19: a triple celebration
The center of the month marks a serious astrological and cultural milestone. On Thursday, March 19, 2026, a number of areas will mark the beginning of the lunar new 12 months in accordance to the Hindu calendar.
⦿ Gudi Padwa: Primarily celebrated in Maharashtra and Goa, this festival marks the Marathi New Year. Households will hoist the standard Gudi (a embellished pole with a silk fabric and copper pot) to signify victory and thrust back evil.
⦿ Ugadi (Yugadi): Celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Ugadi marks the start of the Telugu and Kannada New Year. It is famously characterised by the Ugadi Pachadi, a dish combining six tastes — bitter, candy, bitter, salty, tangy, and spicy — to symbolise the assorted feelings of the approaching 12 months.
⦿ Chaitra Navratri (day 1): The nine-night festival devoted to Goddess Durga additionally commences on at the present time. The ghatsthapana (set up of the sacred pot) is scheduled for the morning of March 19, marking the beginning of a interval of fasting and prayer.
The 9 days of Chaitra Navratri
Following the beginning on March 19, the festival will proceed till Friday, March 27, 2026. The festival culminates on Rama Navami on March 27, a gazetted vacation throughout most of India. During the 9 days of Chaitra Navratri in 2026, devotees honour a unique manifestation of Goddess Durga every day, usually reflecting the particular vitality via a standard color.
The journey begins on March 19 with Maa Shailputri (yellow), adopted by Maa Brahmacharini (inexperienced) on the twentieth and Maa Chandraghanta (gray) on the twenty first. As the non secular vitality builds, the twenty second is devoted to Maa Kushmanda (orange), the twenty third to Maa Skandamata (white), and the twenty fourth to the fierce Maa Katyayani (crimson).
The remaining stretch of the festival options Maa Kalaratri (royal blue) on March 25, main into the excessive celebrations of Maa Mahagauri pink) for Ashtami on the twenty sixth, and at last concluding on March 27 with Maa Siddhidatri (purple) on Rama Navami. Wearing these colors and providing particular prayers every day is believed to align one’s life with the divine qualities of the Goddess, starting from peace and information to energy and prosperity.
Eid ul-Fitr: marking the top of Ramadan
This 12 months, the Islamic festival of Eid ul-Fitr is anticipated to be noticed on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in India. The precise date is topic to the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. If the moon is sighted on the night of March 20 (Chand Raat), Eid will probably be celebrated on March 21. Because the Islamic lunar calendar is 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Eid has moved into the mid-March window, creating a stupendous overlap with the Navratri festivities.
Key public holidays in March 2026
If you might be planning an extended weekend or a go to to your house, preserve these dates in thoughts:
⦿ March 19 (Thursday): Ugadi / Gudi Padwa (restricted/regional Holiday)
⦿ March 21 (Saturday): Eid ul-Fitr (gazetted vacation)
⦿ March 26 (Thursday): Rama Navami (Gazetted Holiday)
⦿ March 31 (Tuesday): Mahavir Jayanti (Gazetted Holiday)
Note to travellers: with a number of festivals falling in the identical week (March 19–21), anticipate greater demand for rail and air journey. It is suggested to guide tickets and plan your journey upfront.
