Plan Your Pilgrimage Right
Festival Calendar & Seasonal Yatra Reminders
Key dates for Holi, Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Govardhan Puja, Mahashivratri, Diwali and more — so you can plan your Braj, Varanasi and Ayodhya pilgrimage with confidence.
Why a Festival Calendar Matters
About This Calendar
Hindu festivals follow a lunisolar calendar, so their Gregorian dates shift every year. A darshan trip planned around Janmashtami, Radhashtami or Diwali looks very different from a quiet weekday visit — crowds, temple timings, hotel rates and even VIP darshan availability all change.
This calendar brings together the major festival dates relevant to a Braj, Varanasi and Ayodhya pilgrimage in one place, along with practical reminders — when to book, what to expect, and how far ahead to plan — so your yatra goes smoothly whether you’re chasing the color and energy of a festival or the calm of an ordinary day.
Plan Ahead
Festival Season vs. Off-Season Travel
Festival Season
Vibrant, But Crowded
- Holi, Janmashtami and Diwali bring the largest crowds and the most vivid celebrations.
- Hotels and taxis should be booked 4-8 weeks in advance during these periods.
- Some temples pause VIP/Sugam darshan entirely during key rituals — plan buffer time.
- Prices for stays and transport typically rise during peak festival dates.
Off-Season
Calm, Unhurried Darshan
- October to March (outside festival weeks) offers pleasant weather and thinner crowds.
- Weekday visits are generally quieter than weekends even off-season.
- Easier to get VIP darshan slots and flexible hotel bookings.
- Best time for a slow, reflective pilgrimage rather than a festive one.
2026 Key Dates
Major Festivals for Pilgrims
Holi & Lathmar Holi
Holika Dahan and Holi, with the famous week-long Lathmar Holi celebrations at Barsana and Nandgaon around the same period.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna’s birth anniversary, celebrated with midnight worship across Mathura, Vrindavan and Krishna temples worldwide.
Radha Ashtami
Radha Rani’s appearance day, celebrated with special grandeur at the Shriji Temple in Barsana, her birthplace.
Diwali & Govardhan Puja
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) followed by Govardhan Puja/Annakut the next day, a major Braj festival with the Govardhan Parikrama.
Quick Reference
2026 Pilgrimage Festival Calendar
| Date (2026) | Festival | Best Experienced At |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 15 | Mahashivratri | Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi |
| Mar 3-4 | Holika Dahan & Holi | Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Nandgaon |
| Mar 19 | Chaitra Navratri / Hindu New Year begins | Braj temples, Ayodhya |
| Sep 4 | Krishna Janmashtami | Krishna Janmabhoomi & Banke Bihari, Mathura-Vrindavan |
| Sep 19 | Radha Ashtami | Shriji Temple, Barsana |
| Oct 8 | Sharad Purnima | Braj temples, ghats of Varanasi |
| Oct 11 | Sharad Navratri begins | Devi temples across Braj & Varanasi |
| Oct 20 | Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | Ayodhya, Ram Janmabhoomi |
| Nov 6 | Dhanteras | Mathura, Vrindavan, Varanasi |
| Nov 8 | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Ayodhya (Saryu Aarti), Varanasi (Ganga Aarti) |
| Nov 9 | Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Govardhan Hill & Parikrama, Braj |
| Dec 4 | Kartik Purnima / Dev Diwali | Ghats of Varanasi (lakhs of diyas lit) |
Festival dates follow the Hindu lunisolar Panchang and can shift slightly by region and local sunrise timings. Please confirm exact dates and puja muhurat closer to your travel dates before finalising bookings.
By Destination
Festivals by Destination
How to Use This Page
Planning Your Yatra Around Festivals
Check the Dates
Look up the festival closest to your preferred travel window in the calendar above.
Note Peak Days
Identify whether you’re travelling during a peak festival day or the quieter days around it.
Book Early
Reserve hotels, taxis and darshan slots well in advance for major festivals like Holi, Janmashtami and Diwali.
Coordinate Darshan
Confirm temple timings and any darshan pauses around aarti or rituals for your specific travel date.
Don’t Miss These
Seasonal Yatra Reminders
60 Days Before
Book hotels and transport for major festival dates
30 Days Before
Confirm VIP/Sugam darshan slot planning where applicable
7 Days Before
Reconfirm temple timings, aarti schedules and weather
Day Of
Arrive early, carry ID proof, and keep buffer time around rituals
Booking Advisory
Peak Season Stay Planning
Accommodation fills up fastest around Holi, Janmashtami and Diwali — here’s how we help you plan around it.
Early Bird Budget Stays
Lock in affordable dharamshalas and budget rooms before festival rush pricing kicks in.
Deluxe Festival Packages
Comfortable rooms close to key temples, bundled with festival-day transport.
Premium Off-Season Stays
Higher-comfort properties at better rates during the quieter months.
Special Assistance
Festival Darshan Assistance
We help you navigate the crowds and logistics so festival days remain about devotion, not stress.
Peak-Day Slot & Route Planning
Priority Hotel Blocking for Festival Dates
Festival-Day Transport with Local Guides
Please note: Official temple darshan tickets (including VIP/Sugam darshan) are issued only through each temple trust’s own booking system. We assist with planning, logistics and guided coordination around your darshan — not the issuance of official temple tickets themselves.
Traveller Experiences
Customer Reviews
“They reminded us well ahead of Janmashtami so we booked our hotel in time. The city was packed but our stay was sorted.”
“Went for Lathmar Holi in Barsana on their recommendation. Chaotic but beautiful, and they had everything planned around it.”
“We preferred a quiet trip, so they suggested visiting outside festival dates. Best decision — such a peaceful darshan.”
Common Questions
Festival Calendar FAQ
Most Hindu festivals follow a lunisolar calendar based on tithis (lunar days), so their Gregorian calendar dates shift each year. Always confirm exact dates and timings against a current-year Panchang closer to your travel date.
Holi week (including Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon) and Janmashtami in Vrindavan and Mathura are typically the busiest periods, with very high footfall and advance hotel bookings recommended.
Yes. During major festivals, official darshan slots fill up quickly and some temples suspend VIP or Sugam darshan entirely during key rituals. Booking accommodation and coordinating your darshan plan well ahead of the festival date is strongly recommended.
Yes, you can sign up below to receive seasonal reminders ahead of major festivals so you have enough time to plan travel, accommodation and darshan arrangements.
Stay Ahead
Get Seasonal Yatra Reminders
Why Sign Up?
- Advance notice before major festival dates and peak crowds
- Timely hotel and transport booking recommendations
- Guidance on which festivals suit your travel style
- 24×7 support throughout your trip
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