| Month | Date | Day | Festival Name | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14 | Tuesday | Makara Sankranti / Pongal | Harvest festival, Sun's transition to Capricorn |
| February | 26 | Wednesday | Maha Shivaratri | Great night of Lord Shiva |
| March | 22 | Saturday | Ugadi (Telugu New Year) | Beginning of new year, new beginnings |
| April | 1 | Tuesday | Sri Rama Navami | Birthday of Lord Rama |
| 13 | Sunday | Hanuman Jayanti | Birthday of Lord Hanuman | |
| August | 15 | Friday | Krishna Janmashtami | Birthday of Lord Krishna |
| 26 | Tuesday | Vinayaka Chavithi | Birthday of Lord Ganesha | |
| September | 24 | Wednesday | Dasara / Vijayadashami | Victory of good over evil |
| October | 3 | Friday | Dussehra | Victory celebration |
| 20 | Monday | Deepavali (Diwali) | Festival of lights | |
| November | 1 | Saturday | Karthika Masam Begins | Auspicious month for lighting lamps |
| December | 25 | Thursday | Christmas | Birth of Jesus Christ |
Monthly Ekadasi
Ekadasi is observed twice a month during Sukla Paksha (waxing moon) and Krishna Paksha (waning moon). It's a day of fasting and spiritual practices.
Purnima Days
Full moon days are considered highly auspicious in Telugu tradition. Each month's Purnima has special significance for worship and rituals.
Amavasya Days
New moon days are important for performing rituals for ancestors (Pitru Tarpana) and seeking blessings from departed souls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Telugu festivals based on the lunar calendar?
Telugu festivals are primarily based on the lunar calendar (Panchangam) because traditional Hindu astronomy follows the cycles of the moon. Each lunar month (Masam) is divided into two fortnights - Sukla Paksha (waxing moon) and Krishna Paksha (waning moon). Festivals are celebrated on specific Tithis (lunar days) which have spiritual and astrological significance. This lunar system ensures that festivals align with cosmic energies and astronomical events that have been observed for thousands of years.
How can I prepare for upcoming Telugu festivals?
To prepare for Telugu festivals, check the festival dates on this calendar page and plan ahead. Most festivals involve cleaning and decorating your home, preparing traditional foods and sweets, purchasing new clothes, and gathering puja items like flowers, incense, and oil lamps. For major festivals like Ugadi, Dasara, or Deepavali, planning 1-2 weeks in advance is recommended. You can also read about each festival's significance and rituals by clicking on the festival name in the table above.
What is the difference between Dasara and Dussehra?
Dasara and Dussehra refer to the same festival period but emphasize different aspects. Dasara (or Navaratri) focuses on the nine nights of worshipping Goddess Durga and her victory over the demon Mahishasura. Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is the tenth day that celebrates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. In Telugu tradition, both aspects are celebrated - the nine nights of Durga worship followed by the tenth day commemorating Rama's triumph. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Why do Telugu festival dates change every year?
Telugu festival dates change every year because they follow the lunar calendar (Panchangam), which is based on moon cycles rather than the solar Gregorian calendar. A lunar month is approximately 29.5 days, making the lunar year about 11 days shorter than the solar year. To keep festivals aligned with seasons, an extra month (Adhika Masam) is added approximately every 3 years. This is why festivals like Ugadi, Dasara, and Deepavali occur on different dates each year when viewed on the Gregorian calendar, but they always fall on the same Tithi in the lunar calendar.