
The month of October is going to be extremely special and full of celebrations from both a religious and spiritual point of view. With the end of Pitru Paksha, the holy festivals of devotion and power will begin. In the Sanatan Dharm, the major festivals will be celebrated in this month, which include Shardiya Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra (Vijayadashami), and the most special fast of married women, Karva Chauth. To prepare in advance for the fasts and festivals in the month of October, here is the complete list of dates of all the major fasts and festivals of October 2026.
1 October: Shashthi Shraddha
2 October: Rohini fast, Saptami Shraddha
3 October: Jivitputrika fast, Mahalakshmi fast complete, Kalashtami, Ashtami Shraddha.
6 October: Indira Ekadashi
8 October: Pradosh Vrat, Monthly Shivratri
10 October: Sarvapitri Amavasya
11 October: Sharadiya Navratri starts, Ghatasthapana
16 October: Saraswati Avahan, Skanda Shashthi
17 October: Saraswati Puja, Tula Sankranti
19 October: Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, Sandhi Puja
20 October: Vijayadashami/Dussehra, Durga Visarjan
22 October: Papankusha Ekadashi
25 October: Sharad Purnima, Kojagari Puja
26 October: Ashwin Purnima, Valmiki Jayanti
27 October: Kartik month begins
29 October: Karva Chauth
The sacred festival of Shardiya Navratri begins on the Pratipada tithi of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashwin month. On this day, the Kalash will be installed during an auspicious time Muhurat, and Goddess Shailputri will be worshipped.
The eighth day of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Mahagauri. On this day, Kanya Pujan is performed in many households.
Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri. On this day, the Navratri fast is concluded, Havan and worship are performed, and young girls are offered a meal.
The festival of Dussehra, which symbolises the victory of righteousness over unrighteousness and good over evil, is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year. On this day, Lord Shri Ram won over Ravana, and Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura.
It is believed that on the night of Sharad Purnima, the moon shines with all its sixteen Kalas. Placing Kheer under the open sky and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this night holds special significance.
Kartik is considered the holiest month for devotion, ritual bathing, and charity. The month of Kartik begins on this day.
Karva Chauth is a festival of unwavering love cherished by married women and is celebrated on the Chaturthi tithi of the Krishna Paksha of the Ashwin-Kartik month. On this day, women observe a Nirjala fast for their husbands' longevity and good health, breaking it at night after offering Arghya to the moon.
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