Festival calendar in Varanasi, January 2026 · kundlit
Festival calendar in Varanasi, January 2026
Every Vedic festival, ekadashi, purnima, amavasya and sankranti for this month — computed live from the panchanga engine, tiered by rarity, citation-backed. 80 events: 0 major, 33 medium, 47 recurring.
Muhurta Chintamani — Nakshatra-prakarana (tyajya nakshatra and yoga), verse 34 (Pyarelal Mishra Hindi ed., lines 983-1007) — 'विष्कम्भवज्रवटिकात्रयमेव वर्ज्यम्'Vishkambha (with vajra) — first three vatikas (ghatikas) explicitly forbidden in shubha-karma; the yoga's name literally means 'obstruction'.
Muhurta Chintamani — Shubhashubha-prakarana, tyajya yoga section, verse 35Shula yoga's first 5 ghatikas explicitly enjoined for rejection in all karmas — especially travel.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, jataka-yoga-phala section, verses 195-196Shula-yoga jataka described as shura-vira but adhana (without wealth) — reinforces 'painful obstacles' theme.
Muhurta Chintamani — Shubhashubha-prakaranam (tyajya nakshatra-yoga section), verses 34-35'Parigha-rdhaṁ pancha shule shaṭ cha ganda-atigandayoh, vyaghate nava-naadyash cha varjyaah sarveshu karmasu.' Ganda and Atiganda yogas explicitly listed with 6 nadis to be avoided in all auspicious works.
Sun enters Makara (Capricorn), marking Uttarayana -- the northward journey of the sun. Most auspicious Sankranti. Dana, snana in sacred rivers, and tila-gur offerings are prescribed. Ganga snan on this day destroys all sins.
Sankranti Snana & Dana·
Makar Sankranti Surya Puja·
Makar Sankranti Surya Puja·
Thu · Jan 15
Sankranti
संक्रान्ति
Medium06:46 – 17:28sankrantisuryasnanadana
Sun enters a new rashi (solar ingress). All Sankrantis are considered punya kala. Sacred bath, surya arghya, tila dana, and charity are prescribed. The punya kala extends 16 ghatikas (~6.5 hours) before and after the exact transition moment.
Sankranti Snana & Dana·
Makar Sankranti Surya Puja·
Mesha Sankranti Vishnu Puja·
Thu · Jan 15
Dwadashi
द्वादशी
Recurring17:53 – 20:17dwadashivishnuparana
Parana (breaking Ekadashi fast) and Vishnu worship
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, karana-prakarana, verse 124Enumerates Shakuni, Naga, Chatushpada, Kimstughna as the four sthira (fixed) karanas of the lunar month.
Phaladeepika — Upagraha-prakarana (calculation of dhuma, vyatipata, parivesha, indrachapa, ketu), verse 5 (formula for vyatipata from solar position; Hindi-Alt ed., around lines 22701-22750)
Magha Shukla Panchami -- dedicated to Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, music, and the arts. Yellow garments are worn to greet the onset of spring (vasanta). The day is auspicious for vidyarambha (initiation into letters) for young children and for the worship of books and musical instruments. The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes Sarasvati's manifestation on this tithi.
Muhurta Chintamani — Shubhashubha-prakarana, Shunyatithi-chakra, verse 10Masa-wise shunya tithis enumerated; 4/9/14 (Rikta tithis) fall in the shunya set and Tuesday compounds the void.
Muhurta Chintamani — Nakshatra-prakarana (tyajya nakshatra and yoga), verse 34 (Pyarelal Mishra Hindi ed., lines 983-1007) — 'विष्कम्भवज्रवटिकात्रयमेव वर्ज्यम्'Vishkambha (with vajra) — first three vatikas (ghatikas) explicitly forbidden in shubha-karma; the yoga's name literally means 'obstruction'.
Muhurta Chintamani — Samskara-prakarana (Pradosha-lakshana), verse 55 (Pyarelal Mishra Hindi ed., lines 3616-3650) — 'अर्कतर्कत्रितिथिषु प्रदोषः स्यात्'Defines pradosha-kala as the half-prahar around sunset on Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Pratipad and other listed tithis.
Skanda Purana — Pradosha-vrata-mahatmya (Chandrasena and Shrikara legend), section on Pradosha-shivapujana (Sankshipta ed., lines 88951-89000)Anjananandana Hanuman teaches the gopa Shrikara the discipline of Pradosha Shiva worship.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Purnima-vrata-prakarana, opening section (masa-wise Purnima vratas)Sanatana-narada vada on Purnima vratas through the year.
Matsya Purana — Parva-sandhi and Purnima-tithi prakarana, section on pakshanta-sandhi and pournamasika
Brahma listed at position 25 of the Anandadi yogas; each yoga is said to give 'svanama-sadrsha phala', so Brahma yoga gives creative / spiritual / Brahma-loka phala.
Shiva Purana — Kotirudra-samhita, Tandi Sahasranama prelude, verses 47-48Tandi (a brahma-yogi) is named as the composer of the Shiva Sahasranama in brahma-yoga — establishes the spiritual-creative significance of the yoga.
Names all 11 karanas with their phala — Bava (chara, first) is the auspicious chara-karana for new beginnings; karanas grouped as 'phaladah svanama' (effects per their names).
BPHS — Panchanga-sadhana / Karana-prakarana, standard BPHS section on the 11 karanas (Bava-Balava-Kaulava ... Naga-Kimstughna)BPHS lists the chara-karanas (Bava through Vishti) as repeated 8 times across the 30 tithi-halves; Bava is the first and most auspicious.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Jyotish-prakarana (ninda-yoga enumeration), ninda-yoga section (Sankshipta ed., lines 41901-41950) — 'वैधृति और व्यतीपात ये दोनों महापात हैं, इन दोनोंको शुभ कार्योमें सदा त्याग देना चाहिये'Classes vaidhriti+vyatipata as the two great mahapatas; recommends pitru-karma instead during these.
Verses 28-29 enumerate the full vara-nakshatra table (Sun: Hasta/Mula/Uttaraphalguni/Uttarashadha/Uttarabhadrapada/Pushya/Ashvini; Moon: Shravana/Rohini/Mrigashira/Pushya/Anuradha; Mars: Ashvini/Uttarabhadrapada/Krittika/Ashlesha; etc.) -- matches our table exactly.
, verses 212-3, 213-4 (Sankshipta ed., lines 41901-41950) — Vishkambha listed as first of 27 yogas; later ninda-yoga group enumerates vishkambha among tyajya-portions
Vishkambha is the 1st nitya-yoga (svami: Yama); first 3 ghatikas to be avoided in all auspicious work.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Dvitiya-vrata section (Ashunyashayana-vrata), month-wise Dvitiya-vrata (Sankshipta ed., lines 65701-65750) — 'अशुन्यशयन ... चन्द्रमाके लिये अर्घ्यदान'Shravana-Krishna Dvitiya = Ashunyashayana-vrata to Vishnu-Lakshmi with chandra-arghya; Kartika-shukla Dvitiya = Yamadvitiya.
Matsya Purana — Surya-vamsha-varnana (origin of Vishti/Bhadra), Vishti as Chhaya's daughter (Gita Press ed., around lines 5851-5900)Vishti (Bhadra) — bhayankara-rupavali tritiya kanya — is established as kala-karana-svarupa, the personification of the inauspicious karana.
Phaladeepika — Santanachinta-prakarana (use of Vishti-karana in muhurta), verse 15 (Hindi-Alt ed., around lines 9801-9850)Phaladeepika explicitly names Vishti-karana as varjya for shubha-karya and for santana-prashna; classical avoidance rule.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Karana-jnana-vidhi (11 karanas including Vishti), around verses 124-125 (sankshipta ed., around lines 34051-34100)Lists the 7 chara + 4 sthira karanas including Vishti (#7) — formula to determine karana from tithi-number.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Chaturthi-vrata section, Sankashta-vrata description (Sankshipta ed., lines 66301-66400) — 'माघ कृष्णा चतुर्थीको संकष्टव्रत बतलाया जाता है'Names Magha-krishna Chaturthi 'Sankashta-vrata'; prescribes upavasa, moonrise arghya to Ganesha/Chandra, gives the arghya mantra and phala.
Skanda Purana — Ganesha-Chaturthi-vrata-mahatmya, Chaturthi-vrata enumeration (Sankshipta ed., Sankashta-chaturthi reference) — moonrise-worship prescriptionAligns with the krishna-paksha chaturthi observance for relief from sankata (calamity).
Bhavishya Purana — Uttara-parva, Chaturthi-vrata-kalpa (Angaraka-chaturthi-vrata-varnana), Chaturthi-vrata chapter (DLI Hindi ed., around lines 70101-70150)Krishna-Yudhishthira samvada on Chaturthi vrata including Angaraka Chaturthi.
Manasa-pancami (Naga-panchami) enjoined for monthly or festival worship — establishes Panchami-Naga link.
Names all 11 karanas with their phala — Bava (chara, first) is the auspicious chara-karana for new beginnings; karanas grouped as 'phaladah svanama' (effects per their names).
BPHS — Panchanga-sadhana / Karana-prakarana, standard BPHS section on the 11 karanas (Bava-Balava-Kaulava ... Naga-Kimstughna)BPHS lists the chara-karanas (Bava through Vishti) as repeated 8 times across the 30 tithi-halves; Bava is the first and most auspicious.
Narada Purana
— Purvabhaga, Ashtami-vrata enumeration
, Month-wise Ashtami vratas (sankshipta ed., around lines 67901-67950)
Devi Bhagavata — Skandha 3, Navaratri-vidhi (importance of Ashtami), Ashtami pujan prescription (Vol. 1 Gita Press ed., around lines 45751-45800)If unable to do full nine-day Navaratri, Ashtami tithi must be observed; references Daksha-yajna context.
Verses 28-29 enumerate the full vara-nakshatra table (Sun: Hasta/Mula/Uttaraphalguni/Uttarashadha/Uttarabhadrapada/Pushya/Ashvini; Moon: Shravana/Rohini/Mrigashira/Pushya/Anuradha; Mars: Ashvini/Uttarabhadrapada/Krittika/Ashlesha; etc.) -- matches our table exactly.
Matsya Purana — Surya-vamsha-varnana (origin of Vishti/Bhadra), Vishti as Chhaya's daughter (Gita Press ed., around lines 5851-5900)Vishti (Bhadra) — bhayankara-rupavali tritiya kanya — is established as kala-karana-svarupa, the personification of the inauspicious karana.
Phaladeepika — Santanachinta-prakarana (use of Vishti-karana in muhurta), verse 15 (Hindi-Alt ed., around lines 9801-9850)Phaladeepika explicitly names Vishti-karana as varjya for shubha-karya and for santana-prashna; classical avoidance rule.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Karana-jnana-vidhi (11 karanas including Vishti), around verses 124-125 (sankshipta ed., around lines 34051-34100)Lists the 7 chara + 4 sthira karanas including Vishti (#7) — formula to determine karana from tithi-number.
Specifies the first 9 ghatikas of Ganda yoga as completely avoidable.
The 7-vara amrita-siddhi mapping is given as part of the wider Anandadi-27 yoga corpus and the sarvartha-siddhi enumeration.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Pratham Pada (yoga-prakarana), verses 242-244 (sarvartha-siddhi-yoga -- same vara-nakshatra pairs)
Sources (2)
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Ekadashi-vrata section, Ekadashi-vrata-mahatmya (sankshipta ed., text around lines 14901-14950)Detailed rules on dashami-viddha vs dvadashi-viddha Ekadashi, fasting and parana.
Brahma Vaivarta Purana — Krishna-janma-khanda, Ekadashi-vrata prescription, Ekadashi-upavasa section (sankshipta ed., text around lines 71651-71700)All Vaishnavas, yatis, widows, brahmacharis are to fast on every Ekadashi.
'Yadi dvitiya din dvadashi hai to pehle din ki dashami-viddha ekadashi bhi niṣiddha hi hai (isliye aisi paristhiti mein dvadashi ko vrata karna chahiye).'
Muhurta Chintamani — Samskara-prakarana (Pradosha-lakshana), verse 55 (Pyarelal Mishra Hindi ed., lines 3616-3650) — 'अर्कतर्कत्रितिथिषु प्रदोषः स्यात्'Defines pradosha-kala as the half-prahar around sunset on Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Pratipad and other listed tithis.
Skanda Purana — Pradosha-vrata-mahatmya (Chandrasena and Shrikara legend), section on Pradosha-shivapujana (Sankshipta ed., lines 88951-89000)Anjananandana Hanuman teaches the gopa Shrikara the discipline of Pradosha Shiva worship.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga (karana-svami and shubhashubha), verses ~255-257 (Surya stands in Shakuni-Kolava-Kimstughna karanas -- standing-Surya yields disturbance; inauspicious for most works)
Muhurta Chintamani — Samvatsara-prakarana, Sun-avastha on Sankranti, verse 13Sun in Kimstughna karana described as 'urdhva' (upright, sama) — 'sama: shreshtha ihardhavarshane', i.e. neutral-to-mildly auspicious.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Dvitiya-vrata section (Ashunyashayana-vrata), month-wise Dvitiya-vrata (Sankshipta ed., lines 65701-65750) — 'अशुन्यशयन ... चन्द्रमाके लिये अर्घ्यदान'Shravana-Krishna Dvitiya = Ashunyashayana-vrata to Vishnu-Lakshmi with chandra-arghya; Kartika-shukla Dvitiya = Yamadvitiya.
Vyatipata = (Sun + 4r 13°20') subtracted from 12 rashis — defined as 'a-prakasha-graha' (invisible graha).
Parashara Smriti — Madhaviya-vritti, Dana-kala-nirupana, Section on vyatipata as inauspicious yoga / sankrama (Islampurkar 1894 ed., around lines 40233-40259)Mahavyatipata defined; cited alongside ayana and vishuva as auspicious-dana times despite the yoga itself being inauspicious for new beginnings.
Bhavishya Purana — Uttara-parva, Chaturthi-vrata-kalpa (Angaraka-chaturthi-vrata-varnana), Chaturthi-vrata chapter (DLI Hindi ed., around lines 70101-70150)Krishna-Yudhishthira samvada on Chaturthi vrata including Angaraka Chaturthi.
, Vasant-Panchami section (Magha Shukla Panchami Keshava/Krishna puja with amra-pallava and mantra 'Jaya Krishna')
Hindupedia — Festivals/Vasant-Panchami, opening section (modern Sarasvati Puja convention; vidyarambha for children; yellow vastra; pustaka/vadya pujan)Puranic corpus anchors Vishnu/Keshava puja on Magha Shukla Panchami; the Sarasvati-puja overlay is a later Bengal tradition documented in Hindupedia.
Manasa-pancami (Naga-panchami) enjoined for monthly or festival worship — establishes Panchami-Naga link.
Names all 11 karanas with their phala — Bava (chara, first) is the auspicious chara-karana for new beginnings; karanas grouped as 'phaladah svanama' (effects per their names).
BPHS — Panchanga-sadhana / Karana-prakarana, standard BPHS section on the 11 karanas (Bava-Balava-Kaulava ... Naga-Kimstughna)BPHS lists the chara-karanas (Bava through Vishti) as repeated 8 times across the 30 tithi-halves; Bava is the first and most auspicious.
'Yam, Vishvedeva, Chandra, Brahma, Guru, Chandra, Indra, Jala, Sarpa, Agni, Surya, Bhumi, Rudra, Brahma, Varuna, Ganesha, Rudra, Kubera, Vishvakarma, Mitra...' -- Rudra is named twice (yoga 13 Vyaghata and yoga 20 Shiva); the Shiva-Yoga at index 20 derives its name from this lordship.
Both adhyayas prescribe Saptami-tithi as the supreme day for Surya worship using the twelve-name list (Bhanu/Arka/Ravi/Brahma/Surya/Shakra/Hari/Shiva/Shriman/Vibhavasu/Tvashta/Varuna).
Bhavishya Purana — Brahma Parva, Saptami-kalpa (Akshyanga Saptami adhyaya 111), opening versesBhavishya Purana's Saptami-kalpa is the standard nibandha source for Bhanu/Ravi-Saptami; Sunday + Saptami amplifies it.
Lists 28 anandadi yogas: 'siddhi' named explicitly as one yielding karya-siddhi by its own name (siddha-yoga is the 21st nitya-yoga).
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Anandadi-yoga section, Anandadi 28-yoga list (sankshipta ed., around lines 42101-42150)Siddhi yoga #19 in Anandadi enumeration; 'svanama-phaladayaka' — gives fruit per its name.
, verse 57 (Pyarelal Mishra Hindi ed., lines 2174-2196) — Sadhya not in the tyajya-list 'व्यतिपातवैधृति... परिघव्यावातगण्डयोग ... विष्टि ...'
Sadhya is conspicuously absent from the canonical 6-ninda-yoga list (vyatipata, vaidhriti, parigha, vyaghata, ganda, vajra), placing it among shubha-yogas — 'achievable goals' interpretation follows the literal 'sadhya' (to be accomplished).
Narada Purana
— Purvabhaga, Ashtami-vrata enumeration
, Month-wise Ashtami vratas (sankshipta ed., around lines 67901-67950)
Devi Bhagavata — Skandha 3, Navaratri-vidhi (importance of Ashtami), Ashtami pujan prescription (Vol. 1 Gita Press ed., around lines 45751-45800)If unable to do full nine-day Navaratri, Ashtami tithi must be observed; references Daksha-yajna context.
Matsya Purana — Surya-vamsha-varnana (origin of Vishti/Bhadra), Vishti as Chhaya's daughter (Gita Press ed., around lines 5851-5900)Vishti (Bhadra) — bhayankara-rupavali tritiya kanya — is established as kala-karana-svarupa, the personification of the inauspicious karana.
Phaladeepika — Santanachinta-prakarana (use of Vishti-karana in muhurta), verse 15 (Hindi-Alt ed., around lines 9801-9850)Phaladeepika explicitly names Vishti-karana as varjya for shubha-karya and for santana-prashna; classical avoidance rule.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Karana-jnana-vidhi (11 karanas including Vishti), around verses 124-125 (sankshipta ed., around lines 34051-34100)Lists the 7 chara + 4 sthira karanas including Vishti (#7) — formula to determine karana from tithi-number.
Twelve-month Navami-vrata catalogue — every Navami is sacred to Durga/Chandika/Kumari in some form.
Devi Bhagavata — Tritiya-skandha (Sharad/Vasanta Navaratri narrative), Tritiya-skandha, Sudarshana-Subahu Navaratri narrative (Gita Press Vol.1, around lines 44951-45000) — 'नवरात्रेषु सर्वेषु ... अर्चनं हवनं यागं देव्या'Each Navami caps the Navaratri sequence; the day is fixed for Devi-arcana, havana, yaga.
Brahma listed at position 25 of the Anandadi yogas; each yoga is said to give 'svanama-sadrsha phala', so Brahma yoga gives creative / spiritual / Brahma-loka phala.
Shiva Purana — Kotirudra-samhita, Tandi Sahasranama prelude, verses 47-48Tandi (a brahma-yogi) is named as the composer of the Shiva Sahasranama in brahma-yoga — establishes the spiritual-creative significance of the yoga.
Narada Purana — Uttarabhaga, Ekadashi-vrata-mahatmya (Rukmangada-Mohini samvada), Rukmangada vrata-pratijna (Sankshipta ed., lines 76451-76550) — 'एकादशीके दिन भोजन कैसे करूँगा ... मधुसूदनके पुण्यमय दिवस एकादशीको अन्नका सेवन नहीं करूँगा'King Rukmangada's vow never to take food on Ekadashi establishes the canonical fasting rule; Thursday (Guru/Vishnu's vara) intensifies the merit.
Brahma Vaivarta Purana — Krishna-janma-khanda (Ekadashi-vrata prescription), Dharmaraja-Vasundhara samvada (Gita Press ed., lines 27701-27750) — Vishnu-bhakti centrality of EkadashiIdentifies Vishnu-seva as the supreme dharma; Ekadashi to Thursday (Vishnu/Guru) doubly auspicious for the vrata.
Indra is named among the 27 nitya-yogas; classical muhurta treats Indra-yoga as auspicious for leadership and power karyas.
Sources (2)
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Ekadashi-vrata section, Ekadashi-vrata-mahatmya (sankshipta ed., text around lines 14901-14950)Detailed rules on dashami-viddha vs dvadashi-viddha Ekadashi, fasting and parana.
Brahma Vaivarta Purana — Krishna-janma-khanda, Ekadashi-vrata prescription, Ekadashi-upavasa section (sankshipta ed., text around lines 71651-71700)All Vaishnavas, yatis, widows, brahmacharis are to fast on every Ekadashi.
Matsya Purana — Surya-vamsha-varnana (origin of Vishti/Bhadra), Vishti as Chhaya's daughter (Gita Press ed., around lines 5851-5900)Vishti (Bhadra) — bhayankara-rupavali tritiya kanya — is established as kala-karana-svarupa, the personification of the inauspicious karana.
Phaladeepika — Santanachinta-prakarana (use of Vishti-karana in muhurta), verse 15 (Hindi-Alt ed., around lines 9801-9850)Phaladeepika explicitly names Vishti-karana as varjya for shubha-karya and for santana-prashna; classical avoidance rule.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Karana-jnana-vidhi (11 karanas including Vishti), around verses 124-125 (sankshipta ed., around lines 34051-34100)Lists the 7 chara + 4 sthira karanas including Vishti (#7) — formula to determine karana from tithi-number.
Narada Purana — Purvabhaga, Jyotish-prakarana (ninda-yoga enumeration), ninda-yoga section (Sankshipta ed., lines 41901-41950) — 'वैधृति और व्यतीपात ये दोनों महापात हैं, इन दोनोंको शुभ कार्योमें सदा त्याग देना चाहिये'Classes vaidhriti+vyatipata as the two great mahapatas; recommends pitru-karma instead during these.
'Yadi dvitiya din dvadashi hai to pehle din ki dashami-viddha ekadashi bhi niṣiddha hi hai (isliye aisi paristhiti mein dvadashi ko vrata karna chahiye).'
Skanda Purana — Maheshwara Khanda (gopa-balaka pradosha narrative), around shloka cluster cited at p.~889 of Gita Press Sankshipt edition (shanivara-pradosha worship)
, verses 212-3, 213-4 (Sankshipta ed., lines 41901-41950) — Vishkambha listed as first of 27 yogas; later ninda-yoga group enumerates vishkambha among tyajya-portions
Vishkambha is the 1st nitya-yoga (svami: Yama); first 3 ghatikas to be avoided in all auspicious work.
Muhurta Chintamani — Samskara-prakarana (Pradosha-lakshana), verse 55 (Pyarelal Mishra Hindi ed., lines 3616-3650) — 'अर्कतर्कत्रितिथिषु प्रदोषः स्यात्'Defines pradosha-kala as the half-prahar around sunset on Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Pratipad and other listed tithis.
Skanda Purana — Pradosha-vrata-mahatmya (Chandrasena and Shrikara legend), section on Pradosha-shivapujana (Sankshipta ed., lines 88951-89000)Anjananandana Hanuman teaches the gopa Shrikara the discipline of Pradosha Shiva worship.
