October 2026 is a month that stirs the soul with the rhythmic beats of dandiya, the triumphant roar of Vijayadashami, and the tender devotion of Karwa Chauth. As the monsoon retreats and Sharad Ritu (autumn) sets in, the Marathi calendar ushers in the most awaited nine‑night festival of the Goddess — Sharad Navratri. This is followed by the grand victory celebration of Dussehra and, later in the month, the moon‑sighting fast of Karwa Chauth. To align your pujas and fasts with the flawless rhythm of the panchang, you need the Kalnirnay 2026 October (कालनिर्णय 2026 ऑक्टोबर) Marathi calendar.
On this page, you’ll find a complete and verified October 2026 Kalnirnay guide, a detailed festival table with ritual significance, and a direct link to download the high‑definition PDF for free. Every date has been extracted from the authentic Marathi Amanta panchang, guaranteeing that your Navratri ghatasthapana, Durga Ashtami puja, Dussehra shami pujan, and Karwa Chauth fast are observed with panchang‑perfect precision.
Why Kalnirnay Is the Marathi Panchang Par Excellence
Kalnirnay is the most cherished almanac in Maharashtra, trusted for its:
- Precision Tithi & Nakshatra Data: Exact start and end times of every lunar day.
- All Festivals & Holidays: National, religious, and regional Maharashtrian observances.
- Shubh Muhurat Tables: Auspicious windows for marriage, property, vehicle, and more.
- Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise: Vital for vrat rules.
The Kalnirnay October 2026 page encapsulates this wisdom in a beautifully designed, easy‑to‑read layout that you can print and display.
October 2026 at a Glance: Ashwin Amavasya, Sharad Navratri, Dussehra, and Karwa Chauth
October 2026 falls primarily in the Marathi month of Ashwin, and moves into Kartik by the end. The month opens with Sankashti Chaturthi and Gandhi Jayanti, then dives deep into the festive fervor:
- Ashwin Amavasya (10th October) – The dark moon before the brilliant Navratri, a day for ancestor worship.
- Sharad Navratri Begins (11th October) – Nine nights of Goddess Durga, marked by ghatasthapana and vibrant garba/dandiya.
- Durga Ashtami (19th October) – The most powerful day of Navratri, when Mahagauri is invoked.
- Vijayadashami / Dussehra (20th October) – Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, burning of effigies, and shami pujan.
- Karwa Chauth (29th October) – Married women fast for their husband’s long life, breaking it only after sighting the moon.
Every single date is panchang‑verified, ensuring you never miss a tithi or muhurat.
Download Kalnirnay 2026 October PDF (HD Quality)
Secure your Kalnirnay October 2026 Marathi calendar instantly. The HD PDF retains the original almanac’s colours, Devanagari script, and date‑box design, making it indistinguishable from the printed version. View it on any device or print it on A4 paper for your puja room or kitchen wall.
Complete List of Marathi Festivals & Important Days – October 2026
This is the definitive festival table for October 2026 as per the Kalnirnay Marathi calendar. Use it to plan your entire month.
| Date | Day | Festival (Marathi/English) | Significance & Key Ritual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.10.2026 | गुरुवार (Thursday) | संकष्टी चतुर्थी / Sankashti Chaturthi | Monthly Ganesha vrat for removing obstacles. Fast broken after night moonrise. |
| 02.10.2026 | शुक्रवार (Friday) | गांधी जयंती / Gandhi Jayanti | Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. National holiday; prayer meetings and tributes. |
| 08.10.2026 | गुरुवार (Thursday) | प्रदोष व्रत / मासिक शिवरात्रि / Pradosh Vrat / Masik Shivratri | Evening Shiva puja during the waning phase combined with monthly Shivratri. Double merit. |
| 10.10.2026 | शनिवार (Saturday) | आश्विन अमावस्या / Ashwin Amavasya | The new moon of Ashwin. One of the most important days for pitru tarpan and daan. |
| 11.10.2026 | रविवार (Sunday) | शरद नवरात्रि प्रारंभ / Sharad Navratri Begins | Ghatasthapana, the start of nine‑night Goddess worship. Install the kalash and sow grains. |
| 19.10.2026 | सोमवार (Monday) | दुर्गा अष्टमी / Durga Ashtami | The eighth day of Navratri. Mahagauri puja, Kanya pujan, and havan. Most powerful for Devi sadhana. |
| 20.10.2026 | मंगळवार (Tuesday) | विजयादशमी / दशहरा / Vijayadashami / Dussehra | Victory of Lord Rama. Ravan Dahan, shami pujan, and weapon worship. Also the day to start new learning (Vidyarambha). |
| 23.10.2026 | शुक्रवार (Friday) | प्रदोष व्रत (शुक्ल पक्ष) / Pradosh Vrat (Shukla Paksha) | Evening Shiva‑Parvati vrat during the bright fortnight. Brings prosperity and removes negativity. |
| 29.10.2026 | गुरुवार (Thursday) | करवा चौथ / Karwa Chauth | Married women observe a nirjala fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husband’s long life. The fast is broken after offering water to the moon. |
Note: All dates follow the Marathi Amanta panchang. The Sharad Navratri begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada and concludes with Vijayadashami on Ashwin Shukla Dashami.
Spotlight on October 2026’s Grandest Festivals
Sharad Navratri (11th to 20th October 2026) – Nine Nights of the Goddess
The most luminous festival of the autumn season, Sharad Navratri, commences on Sunday, 11th October 2026, with Ghatasthapana. Devotees set up the sacred kalash, sow wheat or barley (javaras), and invoke the nine forms of Durga over the next nine days. Each day has a designated colour and a specific goddess. The nights come alive with garba and dandiya raas in community halls. The Kalnirnay PDF provides the exact Ghatasthapana muhurat on 11th October, along with the pratipada tithi timing, so your kalash sthapana is done at the most auspicious moment.
Durga Ashtami (19th October 2026) – The Pinnacle of Devi Worship
On Monday, 19th October, the eighth day of Navratri is celebrated as Durga Ashtami. This is considered the most sacred day of the entire festival. Mahagauri puja is performed, and in many households, young girls (kanyas) are invited, fed a sumptuous meal, and given gifts — a ritual known as Kanya Pujan. The sandhi puja, occurring at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami tithis, is particularly powerful. The Kalnirnay calendar highlights this tithi conjunction, enabling you to perform the sandhi puja with complete precision.
Vijayadashami / Dussehra (20th October 2026) – The Triumph of Good over Evil
Sharad Navratri culminates on Tuesday, 20th October 2026, with Vijayadashami. This day marks Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, symbolising the eternal triumph of righteousness. Across India, towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are burnt in the evening. In Maharashtra, the day is also celebrated with Shami Pujan — the worship of the shami tree, whose leaves are exchanged as “gold” with the phrase “सोने घ्या, सोन्यासारखे राहा” (Take gold, live like gold). It’s also the most auspicious day to begin new ventures, buy vehicles, or initiate children into learning. The Kalnirnay PDF marks the Dashami tithi and the afternoon Aparahna time, which is the prime period for Dussehra rituals.
Ashwin Amavasya (10th October 2026) – Honouring the Ancestors
Just before the festive lights take over, 10th October offers a solemn and sacred window. Ashwin Amavasya is a powerful Mahalaya Amavasya, deeply associated with pitru paksha. Performing tarpan, feeding the poor, and offering daan on this day brings peace to the departed souls. The Kalnirnay PDF provides the exact Amavasya tithi ending time, ensuring your pitru karma is performed flawlessly before the Shukla Paksha of Navratri begins.
Karwa Chauth (29th October 2026) – The Moonlit Fast of Love
October ends on an intensely romantic and spiritual note with Karwa Chauth on Thursday, 29th October. Married women observe a strict waterless fast from sunrise until the moon rises at night. They dress in bridal red, listen to the Karwa Chauth katha, and wait for the moon. The fast is broken when the husband offers water and food, after the wife views the moon through a sieve and then her husband’s face. The Kalnirnay PDF provides the moonrise timing for this day, which is the single most critical piece of information for the vrat.
Why the Kalnirnay October 2026 PDF Is a Must‑Have This Festive Season
- Spot‑On Accuracy for Muhurat: The Ghatasthapana muhurat, Durga Ashtami sandhi puja time, Vijayadashami Aparahna, and Karwa Chauth moonrise — Kalnirnay gives you the exact timing for each, avoiding any panchang‑related ritual errors.
- Crisp HD Print: The PDF’s high resolution ensures that even the small tithi end‑time footnotes are clearly legible when printed. Tape it to your fridge or frame it in your puja room.
- Dual‑Language Readability: Marathi text for traditional reverence, English for quick comprehension. Every generation in your family can read and follow it without assistance.
- Free & Instant Access: No forms, no fees. A single click downloads your calendar, ready to guide you through the most festive month of the year.
How to Use the Kalnirnay Calendar for October 2026 Pujas and Fasts
- Sharad Navratri Ghatasthapana (11th October): Check the Shubh Muhurat section in the PDF. It lists the exact window for installing the kalash on Pratipada tithi, avoiding any inauspicious periods like Chaitra or Bhadra.
- Durga Ashtami Sandhi Puja (19th October): The calendar will show the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami — this is the sandhi moment. Perform the puja of Maa Chamunda exactly during this juncture.
- Vijayadashami Shami Pujan (20th October): Look for the Aparahna (afternoon) time in the date box. Worship the shami tree during this period and exchange its leaves.
- Karwa Chauth (29th October): The most vital detail is the moonrise time. Find it printed clearly in the October 29th box. The entire fast hinges on this moment; Kalnirnay ensures you have it accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When does Sharad Navratri 2026 begin according to the Marathi calendar?
Sharad Navratri begins on Sunday, 11th October 2026, with Ghatasthapana on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada. The Kalnirnay PDF provides the exact muhurat.
Q2. What is the date of Dussehra 2026?
Dussehra / Vijayadashami is on Tuesday, 20th October 2026. It is the tenth day of Sharad Navratri, marking Lord Rama’s victory.
Q3. Is Karwa Chauth on 29th October 2026?
Yes, Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, 29th October 2026. Married women fast for their husband’s long life and break the fast after moonrise.
Q4. Does the Kalnirnay October 2026 PDF include the Ghatasthapana timing?
Absolutely. The Shubh Muhurat table in the PDF specifies the auspicious time for Navratri Ghatasthapana on 11th October, along with any time to avoid.
Q5. Is the PDF free to download?
Yes. The download link on this page provides the HD quality Kalnirnay October 2026 calendar PDF completely free, with no registration needed.