Festivals and Important Days in October 2026: Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Karva Chauth and the Bank Holidays

October 2026 is one of the busiest months in the Indian calendar, and the searches show it: "Navratri 2026 dates", "Dussehra 2026" and "Karva Chauth 2026 date" all rise at the start of the month as people plan leave, travel and shopping. This is the full list, in date order, with a note on which days are holidays. Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar, so always confirm puja timings with a local panchang.

The month at a glance

• Friday 2 October: Gandhi Jayanti. National holiday. Banks, markets and government offices closed; dry day in most states.
• Saturday 10 October: Mahalaya Amavasya, the last day of Pitru Paksha, when families offer tarpan to ancestors. Not a public holiday.
• Sunday 11 October: Sharad Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana. The nine nights run to 19 October.
• Friday 16 October: Durga Puja's main days begin with Maha Shashthi in West Bengal and the east, followed by Saptami, Ashtami and Navami.
• Monday 19 October: Maha Navami, the ninth night of Navratri.
• Tuesday 20 October: Dussehra / Vijayadashami. Public holiday in most states; also Durga Visarjan.
• Monday 26 October: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. Holiday in several northern states.
• Thursday 29 October: Karva Chauth. Not a public holiday, but a major observance in North India.
• Looking ahead: Dhanteras and Diwali fall in early November, with Diwali on Sunday 8 November 2026.

Navratri, 11 to 19 October

Sharad Navratri honours nine forms of the goddess Durga over nine nights. In Gujarat and Maharashtra the evenings are given over to garba and dandiya; in the north many people fast and perform kanya puja on Ashtami or Navami; in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka homes set up golu displays of dolls. Each day has an associated colour, and "Navratri colours 2026" is a search that peaks on the first morning. The dates above follow the most widely published 2026 calendars; a few calendars list the start as 12 October because of when the pratipada tithi begins, so check your own.

Durga Puja, 16 to 20 October

In West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura and Bengali communities everywhere, the last five days of Navratri are Durga Puja. Pandal hopping in Kolkata begins in earnest from Shashthi on 16 October, the biggest crowds come on Ashtami and Navami, and the idols are immersed on Dashami, 20 October. West Bengal typically declares several consecutive public holidays for the festival; banks in the state usually close from Saptami to Dashami.

Dussehra, 20 October

Vijayadashami marks Rama's victory over Ravana and Durga's victory over Mahishasura. Ravan Dahan effigies are burnt across North India, Mysuru holds its famous Dasara procession, and in many homes it is the day for Ayudha Puja or Saraswati Puja, when tools, vehicles and books are cleaned and blessed. Dussehra is a gazetted holiday for central government offices and a bank holiday in most states. It is also the date many central government employees are watching for the dearness allowance announcement.

Karva Chauth, 29 October

Observed mainly in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Karva Chauth is a day-long fast kept by married women, broken after sighting the moon through a sieve. The moonrise time varies by city and is usually between 8:00 and 8:30 PM; local newspapers and panchang apps publish it on the day. It is not a public holiday.

Bank holidays in October 2026

Gandhi Jayanti (2 October) and Dussehra (20 October) are bank holidays across most of India. Several states add Durga Puja days (16 to 19 October) and Valmiki Jayanti (26 October). The Reserve Bank publishes a state-wise list; check your state's list before planning cheque deposits or branch visits, and remember that UPI and net banking work on holidays.

Planning tips

• Book trains for Durga Puja and Dussehra travel now. Tatkal windows fill within minutes for Kolkata-bound trains in the week before Puja.
• If you are buying electronics or a vehicle, the Navratri to Dussehra window is when most festive discounts start, and they usually run through Diwali.
• Shop for Karva Chauth and Diwali gifts before the last week of October, when delivery times stretch.

Frequently asked questions

When does Navratri 2026 start and end?

Most calendars give Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October 2026, with Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October. A few list the start as 12 October based on tithi timing.

What is the date of Dussehra in 2026?

Tuesday 20 October 2026.

When is Karva Chauth in 2026?

Thursday 29 October 2026.

When is Diwali in 2026?

Sunday 8 November 2026.

Which October 2026 days are bank holidays?

Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October and Dussehra on 20 October almost everywhere, plus Durga Puja days and Valmiki Jayanti in some states.