For most Marathi households, the year doesn’t really turn over on the 1st of January — it turns over the day the new Kalnirnay Calendar 2026 arrives home. Known just as widely as the Marathi Calendar 2026, this Panchang is what decides when the Ganpati idol comes in, when a family finalises a wedding date, and when someone in the house reminds everyone that today is Ekadashi.
This guide brings the entire 2026 Marathi Panchang together in one place — every major festival and public holiday, the full Ekadashi and vrat calendar, all the auspicious vivah muhurat dates, and a plain-language walkthrough of how to actually read a Panchang page. Whether you came here for the Kalnirnay Calendar 2026 to plan a wedding, or just want to know when Ganesh Chaturthi falls this year, it’s all below.
Marathi Calendar 2026 at a Glance
- Marathi New Year (Gudi Padwa): 19 March 2026
- Ganesh Chaturthi: 14 September 2026
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): 8 November 2026
- Chaturmas 2026: 25 July – 20 November
- Total Ekadashi dates: 24 (includes 2 Adhik Maas additions)
- Total Vivah Muhurat dates: 65
- Calendar system followed: Amanta (month ends on Amavasya)
Kalnirnay Marathi 2026 Calendar Free PDF Download
Get your digital copy of the Kalnirnay 2026 Marathi calendar in PDF format at no cost. A single downloadable file covering all twelve months of the year has been made accessible right here. Stay informed with fresh monthly updates delivered directly to you. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss out on upcoming releases and the latest versions.
What Is the Kalnirnay Marathi Calendar, Really?
“Kalnirnay” has more or less become the generic name for the Marathi Panchang itself — a bit like how “Xerox” came to mean photocopying. In continuous publication since the early 1970s, it’s the almanac taped to kitchen walls in Maharashtrian homes across India and the diaspora, condensing the entire Hindu lunisolar calendar into something a family can check in under a minute: today’s tithi, whether Rahu Kaal has started, and how many days remain until the next big festival.
What separates a Panchang from an ordinary Gregorian wall calendar is that it isn’t just counting days — it’s tracking where the Moon and Sun actually are. That’s the whole reason Diwali lands on a different English-calendar date every year but always falls on the same lunar point: the Amavasya (new moon) of Kartik month.
Panchang Terms, Explained Simply
If you’ve ever looked at a Kalnirnay page and felt lost among the small print along the top, here’s what each element is actually telling you.
| Term | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Tithi | The lunar “date” — one of 30 phases the Moon moves through relative to the Sun each month |
| Nakshatra | Which of the 27 star constellations the Moon is passing through that day |
| Yoga | A calculated combination of the Sun’s and Moon’s positions, used mainly for muhurat timing |
| Karana | Half of a tithi, used for finer timing of specific rituals |
| Rahu Kaal | A daily window considered unfavourable for starting new or important work |
| Amanta | The month-ending system followed across Maharashtra, where a month closes on Amavasya |
| Purnimanta | The system followed across most of North India, where a month closes on Purnima |
The Marathi Calendar 2026 follows the Amanta system — useful to know if you’re ever comparing a date against a North Indian Panchang and the month names don’t line up.
Marathi Calendar 2026: Month-by-Month Overview
Here’s how the Gregorian months of 2026 map onto the Marathi (Shaka) calendar:
| 2026 Month | Marathi Name | Shaka Month Transition |
|---|---|---|
| January | जानेवारी | Pausha → Magha |
| February | फेब्रुवारी | Magha → Phalguna |
| March | मार्च | Phalguna → Chaitra |
| April | एप्रिल | Chaitra → Vaishakha |
| May | मे | Vaishakha → Jyeshtha |
| June | जून | Jyeshtha → Ashadha |
| July | जुलै | Ashadha → Shravana |
| August | ऑगस्ट | Shravana → Bhadrapad |
| September | सप्टेंबर | Bhadrapad → Ashwin |
| October | ऑक्टोबर | Ashwin → Kartik |
| November | नोव्हेंबर | Kartik → Margashirsha |
| December | डिसेंबर | Margashirsha → Pausha |
Two things make 2026 slightly unusual on the Panchang. First, the Marathi New Year — Gudi Padwa — falls on 19 March 2026, opening Shaka Samvat 1948. Second, 2026 carries an Adhik Maas (an intercalary “leap month”), the calendar’s way of keeping the roughly 354-day lunar year in step with the 365-day solar year. That’s why, further down, the Ekadashi calendar shows two extra fasting days squeezed close together.
Full Festival & Public Holiday Calendar for 2026
Here’s the complete, season-by-season rundown of what’s on the Kalnirnay Calendar 2026.
January–February: Harvest Festivals and Maha Shivaratri
The year opens with Maharashtra’s harvest season — Makar Sankranti brings the familiar til-gul exchange (“तिळगुळ घ्या, गोड गोड बोला”), and February closes with Maha Shivaratri, the year’s single biggest night of Shiva worship, alongside the state holiday for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary.
| Date (2026) | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day (Public Holiday) |
| 3 January | Pausha Purnima Vrat |
| 6 January | Sakat Chauth (Sankashti Chaturthi) |
| 13 January | Bhogi |
| 14 January | Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Uttarayan |
| 23 January | Vasant Panchami / Saraswati Puja |
| 25 January | Ratha Saptami / Bhishma Ashtami |
| 26 January | Republic Day (National Holiday) |
| 1 February | Magha Purnima Vrat |
| 15 February | Maha Shivaratri |
| 19 February | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (Maharashtra State Holiday) |
March–April: Colour, New Year and Akshaya Tritiya
March brings Holi and its Maharashtra-specific extension, Ranga Panchami, before the Marathi New Year — Gudi Padwa — arrives on 19 March, simultaneously opening Shaka Samvat 1948 and Chaitra Navratri. April follows with Akshaya Tritiya, widely regarded as the single most auspicious date on the entire calendar for starting something new.
| Date (2026) | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 2 March | Holika Dahan |
| 3 March | Holi / Dhulivandan |
| 8 March | Ranga Panchami |
| 19 March | Gudi Padwa / Ugadi / Chaitra Navratri Begins (Marathi New Year) |
| 20 March | Cheti Chand |
| 26 March | Sri Rama Navami |
| 31 March | Mahavir Jayanti |
| 1 April | Hanuman Jayanti / Chaitra Purnima |
| 14 April | Mesha Sankranti / Baisakhi |
| 19 April | Akshaya Tritiya |
| 23 April | Ganga Saptami |
| 25 April | Sita Navami |
| 29 April | Narasimha Jayanti |
May–June: Vat Purnima Season and the Start of Adhik Maas
May and June stay quiet on the big-festival front — Narada Jayanti and Vrishabha Sankranti pass by with little fanfare — and are dominated instead by the two vrats married women observe for their husbands’ wellbeing: Vat Savitri in May and its Purnima counterpart in June. This window is also where 2026’s Adhik Maas sits, which is why the Ekadashi calendar further down shows two extra dates here.
| Date (2026) | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 1 May | Buddha Purnima / Vaishakha Purnima |
| 2 May | Narada Jayanti |
| 15 May | Vrishabha Sankranti |
| 16 May | Vat Savitri Vrat |
| 25 May | Ganga Dussehra |
| 15 June | Mithuna Sankranti |
| 29 June | Vat Purnima Vrat |
July–August: Rath Yatra and the Start of Chaturmas
25 July marks Devshayani Ekadashi — the day Lord Vishnu is said to enter his four-month yogic rest, opening Chaturmas (explained in detail below). Before that, Ashadha Amavasya, Karka Sankranti, and Puri’s famous Jagannath Rath Yatra all fall in mid-July, while August opens with Shravana Amavasya and closes with Nag Panchami and Raksha Bandhan.
| Date (2026) | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 14 July | Ashadha Amavasya |
| 16 July | Jagannath Rath Yatra |
| 16 July | Karka Sankranti |
| 29 July | Guru Purnima / Vyasa Purnima |
| 12 August | Shravana Amavasya |
| 15 August | Independence Day (National Holiday) |
| 17 August | Nag Panchami |
| 26 August | Onam / Thiruvonam |
| 28 August | Raksha Bandhan / Shravana Purnima |
September–October: Ganeshotsav and Navratri
This is the festive heart of the Marathi Calendar 2026. Ganesh Chaturthi on 14 September opens ten days of Ganeshotsav — arguably Maharashtra’s most-awaited celebration — closing with idol immersion on Anant Chaturdashi. October then brings Sharad Navratri and Dussehra.
| Date (2026) | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 4 September | Janmashtami |
| 14 September | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| 25 September | Anant Chaturdashi (Ganesh Visarjan) |
| 2 October | Gandhi Jayanti (National Holiday) |
| 11 October | Sharad Navratri Begins / Ghatasthapana |
| 19 October | Durga Ashtami |
| 20 October | Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra |
| 29 October | Karwa Chauth |
November–December: Diwali, Chhath and Year-End
Diwali falls on 8 November this year, with Chaturmas ending less than two weeks later on Devutthana Ekadashi (20 November) — exactly why the wedding season reopens in the second half of the month. December closes the year quietly with Dhanu Sankranti and Christmas.
| Date (2026) | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 8 November | Diwali / Lakshmi Puja / Narak Chaturdashi |
| 10 November | Govardhan Puja |
| 11 November | Bhai Dooj |
| 15 November | Chhath Puja |
| 24 November | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 30 November | Kartik Purnima |
| 16 December | Dhanu Sankranti |
| 23 December | Margashirsha Purnima Vrat |
| 25 December | Christmas (National Holiday) |
Ekadashi Calendar 2026 (Including the Adhik Maas Additions)
Ekadashi — the eleventh lunar day after both the new and full moon — is observed twice a month by fasting devotees, making it one of the most closely tracked dates on the entire Panchang. 2026 carries an Adhik Maas, the periodic “leap month” Hindu calendars add roughly every three years to keep the lunar year aligned with the solar one. That’s why Padmini and Parama Ekadashi sit unusually close together between late May and mid-June — both appear specifically because of the extra month.
| Date (2026) | Day | Ekadashi |
|---|---|---|
| 14 January | Wednesday | Shattila Ekadashi |
| 29 January | Thursday | Jaya (Bhami) Ekadashi |
| 13 February | Friday | Vijaya Ekadashi |
| 27 February | Friday | Amalaki Ekadashi |
| 15 March | Sunday | Papmochani Ekadashi |
| 29 March | Sunday | Kamada Ekadashi |
| 13 April | Monday | Varuthini Ekadashi |
| 27 April | Monday | Mohini Ekadashi |
| 13 May | Wednesday | Apara Ekadashi |
| 27 May | Wednesday | Padmini Ekadashi (Adhik Maas) |
| 11 June | Thursday | Parama Ekadashi (Adhik Maas) |
| 25 June | Thursday | Nirjala Ekadashi |
| 10 July | Friday | Yogini Ekadashi |
| 25 July | Saturday | Devshayani (Ashadhi) Ekadashi |
| 9 August | Sunday | Kamika Ekadashi |
| 23 August | Sunday | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi |
| 7 September | Monday | Aja Ekadashi |
| 22 September | Tuesday | Parivartini (Parsva) Ekadashi |
| 6 October | Tuesday | Indira Ekadashi |
| 22 October | Thursday | Papankusha Ekadashi |
| 5 November | Thursday | Rama Ekadashi |
| 20 November | Friday | Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi |
| 4 December | Friday | Utpanna Ekadashi |
| 20 December | Sunday | Mokshada Ekadashi |
One nuance worth knowing: some Vaishnav traditions (including ISKCON) observe certain Ekadashi a day after the date shown on a standard Amanta Panchang like Kalnirnay, which follows Smarta convention. If you follow a specific sampradaya, it’s worth cross-checking that tradition’s own calendar for the exact day.
Chaturmas 2026: Why Weddings Pause for Four Months
Between Devshayani Ekadashi (25 July) and Devutthana Ekadashi (20 November), tradition holds that Lord Vishnu withdraws into a four-month yogic rest — Chaturmas. Starting a marriage, a griha pravesh, or most other major life ceremonies is traditionally avoided during this window, which is exactly why the muhurat table below shows nothing for August, September, or October. Things pick back up the moment Vishnu is said to “wake” on Prabodhini Ekadashi in late November.
Vivah Muhurat 2026: Auspicious Marriage Dates
Choosing a wedding date in a Maharashtrian family usually starts with checking the Panchang for a day when tithi, nakshatra, and lagna all line up favourably — a shubh muhurat. Here’s the complete month-wise list for 2026:
| Month | Auspicious Dates | Count |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1, 7, 10, 15, 23, 24, 25, 26 | 8 |
| February | 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 | 13 |
| March | 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 | 8 |
| April | 15, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 | 8 |
| May | 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 | 8 |
| June | 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29 | 8 |
| July | 9, 10 | 2 |
| August | — | 0 (Chaturmas) |
| September | — | 0 (Chaturmas) |
| October | — | 0 (Chaturmas) |
| November | 14, 15, 19, 20, 26 | 5 |
| December | 2, 3, 9, 10, 11 | 5 |
That works out to 65 auspicious wedding days across 2026. February is the clear favourite with 13 dates — likely helped by sitting before the summer heat with no major fasting period in the way — while January, March, April, May, and June each spread out 8 dates. July narrows sharply to just two dates before Chaturmas closes the window until mid-November.
A word of caution: these are general dates from standard Panchang calculations. Individual horoscope matching — specifically Abhijit muhurat and Godhuli timing — can shift what’s ideal for a particular couple, so treat this list as a shortlist to bring to a family priest or professional astrologer rather than a final answer.
Sankashti Chaturthi & Pradosh Vrat: The Fasts That Repeat Every Month
Beyond the named festivals above, two vrats show up on the Panchang every single month, and it’s easy to lose track of them. Sankashti Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) each lunar month and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, with many households fasting until moonrise. Pradosh Vrat falls twice a month, just before both the new moon and the full moon, and is dedicated to Shiva.
Because both depend on the exact moment of moonrise or sunset — which shifts slightly by city — the precise date can occasionally differ by a day between regions or between Panchang publishers. For these two in particular, it’s worth checking the specific month’s Kalnirnay page (or app) closer to the date rather than relying on one fixed months in advance.
Getting the Most Out of Your Marathi Panchang
A few things that make the Kalnirnay Marathi Calendar noticeably more useful once you’ve lived with it for a year or two:
- Check Rahu Kaal daily, not just for big decisions. It shifts by weekday and applies to everyday tasks too — starting a journey, signing documents, even a job interview are commonly rescheduled around it.
- Remember timings are calculated for a reference city. Sunrise-, sunset-, and moonrise-dependent timings (Rahu Kaal, Pradosh Vrat) can be a few minutes off if you’re far from that point — rarely enough to matter, but worth knowing if you’re timing something precisely.
- For Ekadashi, check your own sampradaya’s convention — Smarta and Vaishnav observance can differ by a day, as noted above.
- Save the PDF before travelling. Since the entire point of a Panchang is knowing today’s tithi, an offline copy saves you from hunting for signal abroad or mid-journey.
- Cross-check muhurat dates against a personal horoscope before booking a venue. The dates listed here are calculated generally; horoscope matching can narrow the choice further, or occasionally rule a “general” date out.
Kalnirnay vs Other Marathi Panchangs
Kalnirnay isn’t the only name on the shelf — Mahalaxmi Panchang is another widely trusted option, and most families simply stick with whichever one their household has followed for generations. Both are built on the same Amanta system and the same underlying astronomical calculations, so festival and Ekadashi dates rarely differ between them. Where they tend to diverge is in presentation — page layout, the depth of city-specific timing tables, and whether a companion mobile app is offered alongside the printed edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Gudi Padwa in 2026? Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year, falls on Thursday, 19 March 2026, opening Chaitra month and Shaka Samvat 1948.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026? Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Monday, 14 September 2026. The ten-day Ganeshotsav concludes with Anant Chaturdashi (idol immersion) on 25 September.
When is Diwali in 2026? Diwali / Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Govardhan Puja follows on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
Which month has the most wedding dates in 2026? February, with 13 auspicious muhurat dates — the highest of any month in 2026.
Why are there no wedding dates between August and October 2026? These months fall within Chaturmas (25 July – 20 November 2026), the four-month period when Lord Vishnu is traditionally believed to be in yogic rest, during which major ceremonies are avoided.
What is Adhik Maas, and how does it affect the 2026 calendar? Adhik Maas is an intercalary “leap month” added periodically — roughly every three years — to keep the lunar calendar aligned with the solar year. In 2026 it falls between May and June, which is why Padmini and Parama Ekadashi appear close together in that window.
Are Kalnirnay’s festival dates the same across India? Tithi-based festivals like Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi generally fall on the same date nationwide, though local calculation differences occasionally shift a date by a day in some regions. National holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) are fixed and identical everywhere; state holidays like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti are Maharashtra-specific.
What’s the difference between Kalnirnay and Mahalaxmi Panchang? Both are respected, long-running Marathi Panchang brands built on the same Amanta system and the same core astronomical data. The difference is mostly publisher, layout, and which one a family has traditionally used.
Does Ekadashi always fall on the same day for everyone? Not necessarily. Some Vaishnav traditions, including ISKCON, sometimes observe Ekadashi a day later than a standard Smarta Panchang like Kalnirnay — worth checking if you follow a specific sampradaya.