The Hindu Calendar 2026 is the lunar-solar calendar used in India and by Hindu communities worldwide. It is called a Panchang or Panchangam and shows tithi (lunar days), nakshatra (star positions), yoga, karan, festivals, fasts (vrats), and muhurat (auspicious timings). It helps people plan religious activities, weddings, and cultural events based on traditional Hindu timekeeping. Hindu calendars often start with the month of Chaitra and include a mix of lunar and solar dates.
A Hindu Panchang differs from the Gregorian calendar (January to December) because it bases days on phases of the moon. Each lunar month is divided into two halves: Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and Krishna Paksha (waning moon). Each day within these halves is called a tithi. These tithis are the basis for deciding festivals like Ekadashi, Purnima, Amavasya, and many more.
In 2026, the Panchang and festival dates help devotees observe fasts, plan pilgrimages, and celebrate major celebrations like Basant Panchami, Maha Shivratri, Holi, and others. You can download full year calendars in PDF form from several Hindu calendar websites.
Hindu Calendar 2026 Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Calendar Name | Hindu Calendar / Panchang 2026 |
| Calendar Type | Lunar-Solar Traditional Hindu Almanac |
| Months Covered | Chaitra to Phalguna (12 lunar months) |
| Tithi | Dates of lunar days through the year |
| Festivals Listed | Major Hindu festivals 2026 |
| Muhurat | Auspicious timings for rituals |
| Panchang Elements | Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karan |
| PDF Availability | Yes, 2026 PDF calendars available online |
| Daily Panchang | Shows sunrise, moonrise, etc. |
| App & Online | Panchang apps available for daily details |
This table gives a quick look at what the Hindu Calendar 2026 includes and where you can find it.
What Is Tithi and How 2026 Calendar Shows It
A tithi in the Hindu calendar is a lunar day. It marks the time the moon takes to move 12 degrees away from the sun in the sky. Each lunar month has 30 tithis, split into two halves: Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and Krishna Paksha (waning moon). These tithis are the backbone of the Hindu Panchang and are used to fix festival days, holy observances, and fasts.
In 2026, the Hindu calendar lists all the tithis from Chaitra to Phalguna. For example, Basant Panchami is celebrated on the Panchami tithi of Shukla Paksha in Magh month, which falls on January 23, 2026.
The calendar shows exact dates and often additional details like start and end times of tithis for daily planning. Devotees use these tithis to decide when to observe fasts like Ekadashi or perform special pujas on tithis such as Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon).
A correct understanding of tithi helps in observing religious duties on the right day and at the right time.
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Major Festivals in Hindu Calendar 2026
The Hindu Calendar 2026 includes festivals celebrated throughout the year. These festivals are based on tithi and lunar positions, not only calendar dates. Important festivals falling in 2026 include:
- Makar Sankranti – January 14, marking the sun’s move into Capricorn.
- Basant Panchami – January 23, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
- Maha Shivratri – February 16 (important Shiva festival).
- Holi – A major spring festival (dates vary by tithi).
- Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and others across the year.
Festivals are not only dates on the calendar; they are tied to rituals, fasting days, mythological events, and seasonal changes. For example, Magh Purnima is considered good for planetary peace and special prayers.
A complete Hindu calendar lists these festival dates month by month and is used to plan pujas and family events ahead of time.
Understanding Panchang: What It Shows
A Panchang is the detailed Hindu almanac used to know daily heavenly positions and auspicious timings. It includes five important elements:
- Tithi – Lunar day.
- Nakshatra – Moon’s position relative to stars.
- Yoga – Combined angle between sun and moon.
- Karan – Half of a tithi.
- Vara (weekday) – Sun-based day name.
These elements help calculate auspicious times for puja, weddings, naming ceremonies, and other important life events. Panchang also gives daily sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and Rahu Kalam (inauspicious period).
Apps and online Panchangs allow daily access to these details for any city. They help users check for muhurat before starting any major work or ritual.
Understanding Panchang makes the Hindu Calendar a practical tool, not just a list of months and festivals.
How to Download the Hindu Calendar 2026 PDF
If you want a Hindu Calendar 2026 PDF, several online portals offer free downloads. Most include:
- Monthly details with tithis.
- Festival and fasting dates.
- Display of lunar phases.
- Panchang elements for each day.
Websites like calendarhindu.com provide free PDF versions for the year 2026 you can save and print. Drik Panchang also offers downloadable PDFs where you can choose your city to get accurate timings.
There are also Hindi calendars like Thakur Prasad Calendar 2026 PDF that include tithi, vrats, festivals, and muhurat details.
Downloading the calendar in PDF helps you plan religious events ahead of time and refer to important dates easily.
Muhurat and Auspicious Timings
A muhurat is an auspicious time in the Panchang suitable for starting rituals, ceremonies, marriages, and new beginnings. The Hindu Calendar lists muhurat based on the positions of the sun, moon, and stars.
Muhurat depends on various Panchang elements like tithi, nakshatra, yoga, and vara. Auspicious muhurat times for events are often used to start:
- Weddings
- Griha Pravesh (housewarming)
- Business openings
- Puja and Yagna
Daily Panchangs and apps show specific muhurat time for a chosen city. This helps devotees select the best time for their important personal and social events.
A correct muhurat brings peace and harmony according to tradition, and the Panchang helps identify it each day.
Monthly Structure of Hindu Calendar 2026
The Hindu Year 2026 is divided into 12 lunar months, starting with Chaitra and ending with Phalguna. Each month has two pakshas (fortnights):
- Shukla Paksha – waxing moon (new to full).
- **Krishna Paksha – waning moon (full to new).
The months in the Hindu calendar are:
- Chaitra
- Vaishakh
- Jyeshtha
- Ashadha
- Shravana
- Bhadrapada
- Ashwin
- Kartika
- Agrahayana
- Pausha
- Magha
- Phalguna
Each month’s tithi and festivals are listed in the calendar. For example, Magha has Basant Panchami and special fasts like Jaya Ekadashi.
Using the Calendar for Religious Observances
The Hindu Calendar 2026 guides religious observances such as:
- Fasts (vrats): Ekadashi, Sankashti, etc.
- Purnima & Amavasya: Full moon and new moon days.
- Special Puja Days: Basant Panchami, Maha Shivratri.
- Planetary Rituals: Navagraha Shanti.
Devotees often check the calendar for the exact tithi and muhurat before arranging a fast, yagna, or major puja. This helps them observe traditions according to scripture. Using Panchang ensures activities are done at spiritually aligned times.
Daily Panchang: What It Shows
A daily Panchang for 2026 displays:
- Tithi Start & End Time
- Nakshatra
- Yoga & Karan
- Sunrise & Sunset
- Moonrise & Moonset
- Rahukalam & Yamaganda (periods to avoid major work)
These details help individuals choose the best time for prayer, travel, or social ceremonies each day. Apps and online calculators let you view this information city-wise.
Daily Panchang helps connect spiritual life with everyday decisions.
Digital and Mobile Panchang Options
You can access the Hindu Calendar 2026 Panchang on mobile apps. Several apps provide full details including tithi, festivals, Nakshatra, muhurat, and daily auspicious hours.
Features of such apps include:
- Offline calendar
- Festival list
- Shubh Muhurat notifications
- Panchang details for every day
Digital calendars make planning religious events easier and help you stay connected to important Hindu dates throughout the year.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Where can I download Hindu Calendar 2026 PDF?
You can download free 2026 PDFs from sites like calendarhindu.com and Drik Panchang.
Q2. What is tithi?
Tithi is a lunar day used in the Hindu calendar to fix festivals and rituals.
Q3. How many months are there in the Hindu calendar?
There are 12 lunar months from Chaitra to Phalguna.
Q4. What is Panchang used for?
Panchang shows tithi, nakshatra, muhurat, and more to plan religious activities and auspicious events.
Q5. Can I use a mobile app for Hindu Calendar 2026?
Yes. Apps available provide daily Panchang, festivals, and muhurat details.
Q6. When is Basant Panchami in 2026?
Basant Panchami falls on January 23, 2026 in the Hindu Calendar.