October 2026 is one of the most packed months for Hindu festivals - eight major festivals + several minor observances. For NRIs across USA, UK, Australia and Gulf, this month is when the entire Indian diaspora simultaneously celebrates - a magical connection to home.
This calendar covers dates, significance, and country/city-specific event pointers.
Dates follow standard 2026 panchang references. Verify exact tithi timings with your local temple or Drik Panchang.
October 2026 Complete Hindu Festival Calendar
| Date | Day | Festival | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct | Sun | Mahalaya Amavasya | Pitru Paksha ends, Devi Paksha begins |
| 11 Oct | Sun | Bathukamma Day 1 (Engili Poola) | Telangana floral festival begins |
| 12 Oct | Mon | Sharad Navratri Day 1 (Ghatasthapana) | Nine nights of Durga worship begin |
| 13 Oct | Tue | Navratri Day 2 (Brahmacharini) | Green colour, devotion + discipline |
| 14 Oct | Wed | Navratri Day 3 (Chandraghanta) | Grey colour, peace + courage |
| 15 Oct | Thu | Navratri Day 4 (Kushmanda) | Orange colour, health + radiance |
| 16 Oct | Fri | Navratri Day 5 (Skandamata) | White colour, motherhood + wisdom |
| 17 Oct | Sat | Navratri Day 6 (Katyayani) | Red colour, removal of obstacles |
| 17 Oct | Sat | Durga Puja Shashthi | Bengali Durga Puja begins |
| 18 Oct | Sun | Navratri Day 7 (Kaalratri) | Royal Blue colour, destruction of fear |
| 19 Oct | Mon | Maha Ashtami / Durga Ashtami | Pink colour, Durga's peak day |
| 19 Oct | Mon | Navratri Day 8 (Mahagauri) | Kanya Puja + Kumari Puja |
| 20 Oct | Tue | Maha Navami | Ninth day, Kumari Puja continues |
| 20 Oct | Tue | Ayudha Puja | Tools/vehicles/instruments worship |
| 20 Oct | Tue | Saraswati Puja / Vidyarambham | Goddess of Learning + child's first learning |
| 20 Oct | Tue | Saddula Bathukamma | Bathukamma grand finale |
| 20 Oct | Tue | Navratri Day 9 (Siddhidatri) | Purple colour, spiritual perfection |
| 21 Oct | Wed | VIJAYADASHAMI / DUSSEHRA | Victory of good over evil; Ravana Dahan |
| 24 Oct | Sat | Papankusha Ekadashi | Ekadashi vrat, sin-removal fast |
| 25 Oct | Sun | SHARAD PURNIMA / KOJAGARA | Full moon Lakshmi puja + kheer |
| 28 Oct | Wed | Karva Chauth Sankashti begins | Kartik Krishna Paksha starts |
| 29 Oct | Thu | Rambha Ekadashi (regional) | Kartik Ekadashi vrat |
November begins with Karwa Chauth (Nov 4) and Diwali festivities (Diwali Nov 8).
Three Pillar Events of October 2026
1. Sharad Navratri (Oct 12-20) + Bathukamma (Oct 11-20)
Nine nights of Devi worship. Bathukamma (Telangana) runs concurrent. See our Navratri 2026 Complete Guide and Bathukamma USA Guide.
2. Vijayadashami / Dussehra (Oct 21)
Victory day. Ravana Dahan in North; Vidyarambham in South. See our Dussehra 2026 Country-Wise Guide.
3. Sharad Purnima / Kojagara (Oct 25)
Full-moon Lakshmi puja + kheer under moonlight. See our Sharad Purnima 2026 NRI Guide.
USA - Where to Celebrate
- Temples: Sri Venkateswara Pittsburgh, Malibu Hindu Temple LA, Sri Meenakshi Pearland, Sri Ganesha Nashville, Sri Guruvayoorappan NJ, BAPS across USA
- Communities: Gujarati Samaj (garba), Bengali Puja Committees (NJ, Boston), Telangana Association (bathukamma), Tamil Sangam (Ayudha Puja + Saraswati Puja)
- Cities: NJ, NY, Dallas, Houston, Bay Area, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, Charlotte, LA
UK - Where to Celebrate
- Temples: BAPS Neasden, Bhaktivedanta Manor Watford, Sanatan Mandir Leicester, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
- Cities: London (Wembley + Southall + Leicester Melton Road), Birmingham Handsworth, Manchester Cheetham Hill, Bradford, Coventry
- Bengali community: multiple Durga Puja pandals in Greater London during Oct 17-21
Australia - Where to Celebrate
- Temples: Sri Venkateswara Helensburgh (Sydney), Sri Vakratunda Melbourne, BAPS Melbourne
- Cities: Sydney (Parramatta + Blacktown), Melbourne (Box Hill), Brisbane (Bald Hills), Perth, Adelaide
- Australian Telangana State Association hosts Sydney Bathukamma; TAQ hosts Brisbane events
Planning Tips for NRI Families
- PTO planning: Request Wed Oct 21 (Dussehra) off; Half-day Mon Oct 19 (Ashtami) helpful
- School absence: Provide religious observance letter for children on Oct 21 (Dussehra) - major schools honour
- Meal prep: Vrat food (sabudana, kuttu, samak rice) - stock 2 weeks in advance
- Traditional dress: chaniya choli for garba, sari for puja days; order 3-4 weeks ahead from Indian stores
- Community bookings: garba passes + Durga Puja pandal food coupons - book early
- Video-call scheduling: factor time zones for family calls with India during aarti times
- Travel: Diwali (Nov 8) is 18 days after Dussehra - some NRIs plan combined India trip
Day-by-Day Guide (Practical NRI Approach)
Week 1 (Oct 11-17)
- Sun Oct 11: Bathukamma begins (Telangana families); Mahalaya prayers
- Mon Oct 12: Ghatasthapana at home; barley seeds sown
- Daily aarti + colour observance
Week 2 (Oct 18-21) - Peak Week
- Sat Oct 18: Kanya Puja preparation; buy prasad + kanya gifts
- Sun Oct 19: Kanya Puja + Durga Ashtami puja
- Mon Oct 20 morning: Ayudha Puja on laptop/car; Saraswati Puja for children's books
- Mon Oct 20 evening: Saddula Bathukamma
- Tue Oct 21: Vijayadashami / Dussehra - family celebration; Ravan Dahan in community events
Week 3 (Oct 22-28)
- Sat Oct 24: Papankusha Ekadashi vrat
- Sun Oct 25: Sharad Purnima kheer + moon viewing + Lakshmi puja
- Begin Diwali cleaning + shopping for Nov 8
FAQ
Which are the biggest Hindu festivals in October 2026?
Navratri (Oct 12-20), Dussehra (Oct 21), Sharad Purnima (Oct 25). Bathukamma runs concurrent with Navratri (Oct 11-20).
Do I need to take multiple days off work?
Recommended: half-day off Mon Oct 19 (Ashtami evening), full day Wed Oct 21 (Dussehra). Full 9 days off is uncommon in the West.
Can children take October festivals off from school?
Yes with a religious observance letter. Dussehra (Oct 21) is the most commonly excused day. Some schools honour Ashtami/Navami too.
Are Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja the same?
Both fall on Tuesday Oct 20 but honour different aspects. Ayudha = tools/weapons/vehicles worship. Saraswati = Goddess of Learning worship. Often celebrated together.
What is Sharad Purnima's connection to Lakshmi?
Goddess Lakshmi descends on Sharad Purnima night to bless those keeping vigil (Kojagara vrat). Wealth + prosperity theme.
Related NRI Globe Coverage
- Ashwayuja Masam 2026 NRI Pillar Guide
- Navratri 2026 Complete Guide
- Dussehra 2026 Country-Wise
- Bathukamma USA 2026 Guide
- Ayudha Puja 2026 NRI Guide
- Sharad Purnima 2026 NRI Guide
- Karwa Chauth 2026 (Nov 8)
- Diwali 2026 (Nov 8)
Wishing every NRI family a blessed festival October 2026!
Disclaimer: Dates and tithi timings follow standard panchang references. Verify with your local temple or panchang app for exact observance times.
More NRI Globe Coverage For You
- Ashwayuja Masam 2026 NRI Pillar Guide - USA, UK & Australia Hindu Festival Calendar (Navratri, Dussehra, Bathukamma, Sharad Purnima, Ayudha Puja, Saraswati Puja)
- Sharad Purnima 2026 NRI Guide (Oct 25) - Kojagara Vrat, Lakshmi Puja, Full Moon Traditions, Milk Kheer for USA/UK/Australia
- Dussehra & Navratri 2026 Complete NRI Guide — 9-Day Durga Puja + Vijayadashami in USA/UK/CA/AUS/EU
- Navratri 2026 - Nine Nights NRI Complete Guide (Oct 12-20): Nine Forms of Durga, Garba, Vrat Food, Daily Colors, USA/UK/Canada/Australia
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 Country-Wise NRI Celebrations — USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, Germany, Netherlands and More
- Dussehra & Navratri 2026 in New Jersey + NYC — Biggest USA Garba Events & Durga Puja Guide
- Ayudha Puja 2026 NRI Complete Guide (Oct 20) - Tools/Vehicle/Instrument Worship, Saraswati Puja, Vidyarambham, Workplace Traditions for USA/UK/Australia
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