Festivals and vrats in Madurai

November 2026

1. 24Tue
   Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima

   Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji; Dev Deepawali in Varanasi.

2. 24Tue
   Karthigai Deepam

   The festival of lamps, on the Krittika star in Karthigai month.

December 2026

1. 20Sun
   Gita Jayanti

   The day the Bhagavad Gita was spoken.

2. 20Sun
   Vaikunta Ekadashi

   The gates of Vaikuntha open; the holiest Ekadashi of the year in the South.

3. 24Thu
   Arudra Darshan (Thiruvathirai)

   Lord Nataraja’s cosmic dance, celebrated on the Ardra star in Margazhi.

January 2027

1. 7Thu
   Hanumath Jayanthi

   Birth of Lord Hanuman, observed in Margazhi in Tamil Nadu.

2. 14Thu
   Bhogi

   The day before Sankranti: old things go into the bonfire and new ones are welcomed.

3. 15Fri
   Thai Pongal

   The Sun enters Makara: harvest thanksgiving as Pongal, Sankranti, Uttarayan, Bihu and Maghi.

4. 16Sat
   Mattu Pongal

   Thanks to the cattle who share the farmer’s work.

5. 17Sun
   Kaanum Pongal

   A day for visiting family and outings.

6. 23Sat
   Thaipusam

   Lord Murugan receives the Vel; devotees carry kavadi.

February 2027

1. 11Thu
   Vasant Panchami

   Worship of Goddess Saraswati and the coming of spring.

March 2027

1. 6Sat
   Maha Shivaratri

   The great night of Lord Shiva, kept with fasting and vigil.

2. 22Mon
   Panguni Uthiram

   The day of divine weddings, sacred to Lord Murugan and Ayyappa.

April 2027

1. 14Wed
   Puthandu (Tamil New Year)

   The Sun enters Mesha: Puthandu, Vishu, Baisakhi, Pohela Boishakh and Bihu.

2. 15Thu
   Ram Navami

   Birth of Lord Rama, celebrated at midday.

3. 18Sun
   Mahavir Jayanti

   Birth of Bhagavan Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara.

May 2027

1. 9Sun
   Akshaya Tritiya

   A day of lasting blessings, for new beginnings, charity and gratitude.

2. 20Thu
   Buddha Purnima

   Birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.

July 2027

1. 18Sun
   Guru Purnima

   A day to honour teachers and the Guru.

August 2027

1. 2Mon
   Aadi Amavasai

   The most important day of the year for offerings to the ancestors.

2. 3Tue
   Aadi Perukku

   The 18th day of Aadi, giving thanks to the rivers and water.

3. 13Fri
   Varalakshmi Vratam

   Married women pray to Goddess Lakshmi for the family’s wellbeing.

4. 17Tue
   Avani Avittam (Upakarma)

   Sisters tie rakhi on their brothers’ wrists; in the South, the sacred thread is renewed (Upakarma).

5. 24Tue
   Gokulashtami

   Birth of Lord Krishna, celebrated at midnight. Some traditions (such as ISKCON) may observe it a day later.

September 2027

1. 4Sat
   Vinayaka Chaturthi

   Birth of Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles.

2. 16Thu
   Pitru Paksha begins

   Fortnight of remembering and honouring the ancestors.

3. 29Wed
   Mahalaya Amavasai

   The last day of Pitru Paksha, for ancestor offerings; in Bengal, the Goddess is invoked at dawn.

4. 30Thu
   Navaratri begins (Golu)

   Nine nights honouring Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

October 2027

1. 7Thu
   Durga Ashtami

   The eighth day of Navratri, honouring Goddess Durga.

2. 9Sat
   Saraswati Puja / Ayudha Puja

   The ninth day of Navratri; Saraswati and Ayudha Puja in the South.

3. 9Sat
   Vijayadashami

   Victory of good over evil, an auspicious day to begin learning.

4. 28Thu
   Deepavali

   Deepavali in South India, with an early oil bath; Choti Diwali in the North.

5. 29Fri
   Lakshmi Kubera Puja

   The festival of lights and Lakshmi Puja; Kali Puja in Bengal.

November 2027

1. 14Sun
   Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima

   Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji; Dev Deepawali in Varanasi.