Shashthi Dates 2026
Several important festivals fall on Shashthi. Skanda Shashthi, falling in the month of Kartika, is a major festival dedicated to Lord Murugan, celebrated with great fervour in Tamil Nadu. Chhath Puja, one of the most important festivals in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, is observed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and involves elaborate rituals dedicated to the Sun God.
All times shown in: Asia/Kolkata
| Date | Name | Begins / Ends | Lunar Month | Paksha | Moon Phase | Moon Position | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Jan 2026 | — |
Begins: 08-Jan-2026 06:35 AM Thursday
Ends: 09-Jan-2026 07:06 AM Friday
|
Pausha | Krishna |
|
Leo 23.5°
Purva Phalguni (Pada 4)
|
|
| 24 Jan 2026 | — |
Begins: 24-Jan-2026 01:46 AM Saturday
Ends: 25-Jan-2026 12:40 AM Sunday
|
Magha | Shukla |
|
Pisces 9.6°
Uttara Bhadrapada (Pada 2)
|
|
| 07 Feb 2026 | — |
Begins: 07-Feb-2026 01:20 AM Saturday
Ends: 08-Feb-2026 02:55 AM Sunday
|
Magha | Krishna |
|
Virgo 23.8°
Chitra (Pada 1)
|
|
| 23 Feb 2026 | — |
Begins: 22-Feb-2026 11:10 AM Sunday
Ends: 23-Feb-2026 09:10 AM Monday
|
Phalguna | Shukla |
|
Aries 9.4°
Ashwini (Pada 3)
|
|
| 09 Mar 2026 | — |
Begins: 08-Mar-2026 09:12 PM Sunday
Ends: 09-Mar-2026 11:28 PM Monday
|
Phalguna | Krishna |
|
Libra 23.8°
Vishakha (Pada 2)
|
|
| 24 Mar 2026 | — |
Begins: 23-Mar-2026 06:39 PM Monday
Ends: 24-Mar-2026 04:08 PM Tuesday
|
Chaitra | Shukla |
|
Taurus 8.7°
Krittika (Pada 4)
|
|
| 08 Apr 2026 | — |
Begins: 07-Apr-2026 04:36 PM Tuesday
Ends: 08-Apr-2026 07:03 PM Wednesday
|
Chaitra | Krishna |
|
Scorpio 23.4°
Jyeshtha (Pada 3)
|
|
| 22 Apr 2026 | — |
Begins: 22-Apr-2026 01:20 AM Wednesday
Ends: 22-Apr-2026 10:50 PM Wednesday
|
Vaisakha | Shukla |
|
Gemini 7.5°
Ardra (Pada 1)
|
|
| 08 May 2026 | — |
Begins: 07-May-2026 10:15 AM Thursday
Ends: 08-May-2026 12:23 PM Friday
|
Vaisakha | Krishna |
|
Sagittarius 22.4°
Purva Ashadha (Pada 3)
|
|
| 22 May 2026 | — |
Begins: 21-May-2026 08:27 AM Thursday
Ends: 22-May-2026 06:25 AM Friday
|
Adhika Jyeshtha | Shukla |
|
Cancer 5.8°
Pushya (Pada 1)
|
|
| 06 Jun 2026 | — |
Begins: 06-Jun-2026 01:21 AM Saturday
Ends: 07-Jun-2026 02:42 AM Sunday
|
Adhika Jyeshtha | Krishna |
|
Capricorn 20.9°
Shravana (Pada 4)
|
|
| 20 Jun 2026 | — |
Begins: 19-Jun-2026 05:00 PM Friday
Ends: 20-Jun-2026 03:47 PM Saturday
|
Jyeshtha | Shukla |
|
Leo 4.0°
Magha (Pada 2)
|
|
| 06 Jul 2026 | — |
Begins: 05-Jul-2026 01:32 PM Sunday
Ends: 06-Jul-2026 01:48 PM Monday
|
Jyeshtha | Krishna |
|
Aquarius 19.1°
Shatabhisha (Pada 4)
|
|
| 19 Jul 2026 | — |
Begins: 19-Jul-2026 03:43 AM Sunday
Ends: 20-Jul-2026 03:30 AM Monday
|
Ashadha | Shukla |
|
Virgo 2.1°
Uttara Phalguni (Pada 2)
|
|
| 04 Aug 2026 | — |
Begins: 03-Aug-2026 10:55 PM Monday
Ends: 04-Aug-2026 10:04 PM Tuesday
|
Ashadha | Krishna |
|
Pisces 17.1°
Revati (Pada 1)
|
|
| 18 Aug 2026 | — |
Begins: 17-Aug-2026 05:00 PM Monday
Ends: 18-Aug-2026 05:51 PM Tuesday
|
Shravana | Shukla |
|
Libra 0.3°
Chitra (Pada 3)
|
|
| 02 Sep 2026 | — |
Begins: 02-Sep-2026 06:14 AM Wednesday
Ends: 03-Sep-2026 04:27 AM Thursday
|
Shravana | Krishna |
|
Aries 15.3°
Bharani (Pada 1)
|
|
| 17 Sep 2026 | — |
Begins: 16-Sep-2026 09:00 AM Wednesday
Ends: 17-Sep-2026 10:48 AM Thursday
|
Bhadrapada | Shukla |
|
Libra 29.1°
Vishakha (Pada 3)
|
|
| 02 Oct 2026 | — |
Begins: 01-Oct-2026 12:36 PM Thursday
Ends: 02-Oct-2026 10:16 AM Friday
|
Bhadrapada | Krishna |
|
Taurus 13.9°
Rohini (Pada 2)
|
|
| 16 Oct 2026 | Saraswati Pujan (Saraswati Avahan) |
Begins: 16-Oct-2026 03:26 AM Friday
Ends: 17-Oct-2026 05:55 AM Saturday
|
Ashvina | Shukla |
|
Scorpio 28.3°
Jyeshtha (Pada 4)
|
|
| 31 Oct 2026 | — |
Begins: 30-Oct-2026 07:26 PM Friday
Ends: 31-Oct-2026 04:58 PM Saturday
|
Ashvina | Krishna |
|
Gemini 12.9°
Ardra (Pada 2)
|
|
| 15 Nov 2026 | Chhath Puja |
Begins: 14-Nov-2026 11:24 PM Saturday
Ends: 16-Nov-2026 02:02 AM Monday
|
Kartika | Shukla |
|
Sagittarius 28.1°
Uttara Ashadha (Pada 1)
|
|
| 29 Nov 2026 | — |
Begins: 29-Nov-2026 03:58 AM Sunday
Ends: 30-Nov-2026 01:47 AM Monday
|
Kartika | Krishna |
|
Cancer 12.4°
Pushya (Pada 3)
|
|
| 15 Dec 2026 | — |
Begins: 14-Dec-2026 07:16 PM Monday
Ends: 15-Dec-2026 09:20 PM Tuesday
|
Margashirsha | Shukla |
|
Capricorn 28.3°
Dhanishta (Pada 2)
|
|
| 29 Dec 2026 | — |
Begins: 28-Dec-2026 02:59 PM Monday
Ends: 29-Dec-2026 01:26 PM Tuesday
|
Margashirsha | Krishna |
|
Leo 12.4°
Magha (Pada 4)
|
|
Shashthi – Significance, Festivals & Rituals
What is Shashthi?
Shashthi is the 6th lunar day (tithi) in the Hindu calendar, occurring twice every month — once in the Shukla Paksha and once in the Krishna Paksha. It is associated with Lord Kartikeya (Skanda/Murugan) and Goddess Shashthi, the divine protector of children.
What is Skanda Shashthi?
Skanda Shashthi is a six-day festival in the month of Kartika celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman. It is one of the most important festivals in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities worldwide. Devotees observe fasts, perform kavadi, and visit Murugan temples during this period.
What is Chhath Puja and why does it fall on Shashthi?
Chhath Puja is observed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and is dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashthi). It is one of the most important festivals in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Devotees stand in water and offer Arghya to the setting and rising sun over two consecutive days.
Who is Goddess Shashthi?
Goddess Shashthi is the divine protector of children in Hindu tradition. She is worshipped on the 6th day after childbirth (Shashthi) for the health and protection of newborns. She is particularly revered in Bengal, where Jamai Shashthi — a festival celebrating the son-in-law — is also observed on this tithi.