All Festivals

Pradosham

2026-07-26

Pradosham is an auspicious bimonthly Hindu observance dedicated to Lord Shiva, falling on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) of both the waxing and waning moon. The most sacred time to worship is the twilight window—1.5 hours before and after sunset—when it is believed Shiva dissolves negative karma and fulfills devotees' wishes

Pournami

Shree Guru Pournima

2026-07-28

These festivals are celebrated with great passion, verve and he artfulness. There is a programme of puja, music (bhajan) public parayana (reading of scriptures and devotional texts) and exuberant processions with the palanquin and the Rath (Chariot). The Samadhi Mandir remains open all night during one of these days with Dwarkamai being open the previous night and there are all night bhajan and qawali sessions at various locations in the village.

Ekadashi

2026-07-25

Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of both the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) moon phases in the Hindu calendar. Occurring twice a month, it is widely observed by Vaishnavas and other Hindus as a highly auspicious day dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu

Pooja

Mandala pooja

2026-07-23

Mandala pooja begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. This is a period of 41 days for the pilgrimage to the shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. Most of the devotees who go to Sabarimala also visit Guruvayur.

Festival

Theppotsav

2026-08-12

In addition to the Chithirai Festival, the Float Festival stands out as a significant celebration at the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, among the most prominent places to visit in Madurai. Initiated by King Thirumalai Nayak, the ruler of Madurai, in the 17th century, this festival occurs on the full moon night of the Tamil month of Thai, which typically spans from mid-January to mid-February.

Festival

Aavani Festival

2026-08-11

The Aavani Festival is observed for 18 days at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple during the month of August, commemorating the coronation of Lord Sundareswar. The initial six days of the celebration are dedicated to Arulmighu Chandrasekarar, while the subsequent twelve days focus on the Panchamoorthies, who are paraded through the Aavani Moola streets in Madurai, among the top places to visit near Chennai.

Festival

Festival of Cradle

2026-07-20

The Oonjal Festival is a renowned celebration that takes place over ten days in June at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites near Chennai. Throughout this festival, the deities Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are paraded to a mirror chamber in an elaborate procession, where they are seated in a gently swaying swing for the duration of nine days.

Festival

Makaravilakku

2026-08-22

Makara Sankrama night witnesses the celestial phenomenon of the rise of the star Makara in the sky, and the Makarajyothi becomes visible at Ponnambalamedu. In the evening, after the Makaravilakku and subsequent lamp worship, the grand procession begins. This festival spans from the first to the fifth of Makaram (mid-January).

Pooja

Sabarimala Niraputhari

2026-07-31

Niraputhari, a symbol of prosperity and agricultural abundance, is celebrated by Malayalees by hanging small sheaves of rice grains in their homes. This ritual is also one of the important ceremonies at Sabarimala. Traditionally, the Travancore royal family also observes Niraputhari Day.

Pournami

Poornima

2026-06-29

Purnima refers to the full moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar. Occurring once a month, it marks the end of the waxing phase and is considered highly auspicious for fasting, meditation, and performing rituals like the Satyanarayana Puja. Several prominent, specific Hindu festivals are celebrated on this day.

Pradosham

2026-06-16

Pradosham is a bimonthly Hindu observance dedicated to Lord Shiva, occurring on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) of both the waxing and waning moon phases. The auspicious 3-hour window—1.5 hours before and after sunset—is considered the ideal time to dissolve bad karma and seek blessings.

Festival

Ratha Yatra

2026-07-16

The grand annual festival of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The deities are taken in three magnificent wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. Millions of devotees from around the world participate by pulling the chariots.

Festival

Snana Purnima

2026-07-29

Held on the full moon day of the month of Jyeshtha. The deities are ceremonially bathed with 108 pots of sacred water. After the ritual, they remain away from public view for about 15 days.

Festival

Anavasara

2026-06-19

The period following Snana Purnima. The deities are believed to be recovering from illness after the ceremonial bath. During this time, public darshan inside the temple is not available.

Festival

Nabakalebara

2026-07-24

A rare and highly sacred ceremony held every 12 or 19 years, depending on the lunar calendar. The wooden idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshana are ceremonially replaced with newly carved idols.

Festival

Gundicha Yatra

2026-07-31

The deities stay at the Gundicha Temple for about seven days after the Ratha Yatra.

Festival

Bahuda Yatra

2026-08-23

The return journey of the three chariots from Gundicha Temple back to the Jagannath Temple.

Festival

Suna Besa

2026-07-30

Celebrated after Bahuda Yatra. The deities are adorned with magnificent gold ornaments and weapons, attracting huge crowds.

Festival

Niladri Bije

2026-08-17

Marks the ceremonial return of Lord Jagannath and the other deities to the sanctum of the temple. It concludes the annual Ratha Yatra festivities.

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Chandan Yatra

2026-09-16

A 42-day festival celebrated during the summer. The deities enjoy ceremonial boat rides and sandalwood paste is applied as part of the rituals.

Festival

Makara Sankranti

2027-01-14

A harvest festival celebrated with special worship and offerings to Lord Jagannath. These festivals showcase the rich spiritual traditions of Jagannath Temple and draw millions of pilgrims and visitors to Puri every year.

Festival

Poochorithal Festival

2026-02-10

Begins on the last Sunday of Masi and continues for about 28 days. Devotees offer huge quantities of flowers to Goddess Mariamman. During this period, the Goddess observes the Pachai Pattini Viratham, and only liquid offerings such as buttermilk and tender coconut are offered.

Festival

Chithirai Brahmotsavam

2026-04-23

Celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April–May). The festival lasts for about 13 days. The highlight is the Ther (Temple Chariot) Festival, when devotees pull the beautifully decorated temple car through the streets of Samayapuram.

Festival

Vaikasi Panchaprakaram

2026-05-20

Celebrated during Vaikasi (May–June). The Goddess is taken in procession through the temple's five prakarams (enclosures) with special rituals and cultural programs.

Festival