April 2026 Festivals: Important Dates to Know

April 2026 brings the end of spring and the warm start of summer. During these weeks, farmers harvest their crops and people across India celebrate the solar new year. You will also find many special fasting days in April to clear your mind and seek divine blessings. We created this complete calendar to help you track every single important event. You can check the specific dates below and learn the exact rituals so you can plan your daily prayers easily.

Why April is a Busy Month for Hindu Festivals

The Hindu calendar officially changes from the Chaitra month to the Vaishakha month in April. This time of year connects deeply with farming. Farmers cut their fully grown crops and pray for good weather. The sun also changes its position in the sky. It moves into the zodiac sign of Aries on April 14. This specific sun movement signals the start of a brand new solar year. That is why so many different states have their New Year celebrations right in the middle of the month.

Top 10 Major Festivals in April 2026

Millions of people observe these ten specific dates. Mark them on your calendar so you do not miss them.

• Chaitra Purnima on April 1: The full moon day of the Chaitra month is very lucky. People observe a strict fast and give food to the needy to gain spiritual merit.
• Panguni Uthiram on April 1: This is a major Tamil festival honouring the divine marriages of different gods. Devotees visit temples and carry offerings to Lord Murugan to seek happiness in their own marriages.
• Hanuman Jayanti on April 2: People celebrate the exact birth day of Lord Hanuman. Praying to him on this day gives you immense physical courage and removes hidden fears from your mind.
• Varuthini Ekadashi on April 13: This is a powerful day to fast and pray to Lord Vishnu. Keeping this fast protects you from bad luck and erases the results of past mistakes.
• Baisakhi on April 14: This is a massive harvest event and the official Sikh New Year. Farmers thank the gods for their crops and families gather at Gurdwaras to pray together.
• Tamil New Year on April 14: People in Tamil Nadu call this day Puthandu. Families clean their homes, wear new clothes, and visit temples to ask for a successful year ahead.
• Vishu on April 15: Families in Kerala celebrate their traditional new year with a special morning ritual. They look at a tray of lucky items called the Vishukani to attract wealth.
• Bengali New Year on April 15: This day is called Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal. Business owners open brand new accounting books and families share traditional sweets with their neighbours.
• Akshaya Tritiya on April 19: Any good deed you do today brings endless results. Buying gold, starting a business, or giving to charity on this day guarantees permanent good luck.
• Mohini Ekadashi on April 27: This sacred fast honours Lord Vishnu in his beautiful female form. Fasting today helps you control your anger and brings deep mental peace to your life.

The Solar New Year Begins in April

The middle of the month brings feasts and community gatherings. The sun entering the Aries sign is called Mesha Sankranti. People use this day to start fresh.

North India Celebrations

April 14 is Baisakhi in Punjab. Farmers thank the gods for a successful harvest. Families visit Gurdwaras to pray. They sing religious songs together and share big meals with their neighbours.

South India Traditions

Tamil Nadu celebrates Puthandu on April 14. People clean their houses and draw colourful kolam patterns outside their doors. Kerala celebrates Vishu the next day on April 15. Families prepare a special tray of lucky items called the Vishukani. Everyone wakes up early to look at this tray. Seeing these items first thing in the morning brings wealth for the rest of the year.

East India Customs

West Bengal celebrates Poila Boishakh on April 15. People wear brand new clothes and eat traditional sweets. Shop owners close their old accounts and start new ones. Friends and family members greet each other with hopes for a wealthy year.

Important Fasting Days in April 

Fasting helps you control your mind and cleanse your body. April gives you several chances to observe strict fasts, which allows you to invite divine blessings into your life. 

Days Dedicated to Lord Vishnu

You can worship Lord Vishnu best on Ekadashi. This event happens twice every month.

• Varuthini Ekadashi on April 13: Keeping a fast today stops bad luck. It protects you from the results of bad choices made in the past.
• Mohini Ekadashi on April 27: Lord Vishnu took the form of a beautiful woman named Mohini to trick evil demons. Fasting on this day brings deep mental peace and stops greed.

Days Dedicated to Lord Shiva

Followers of Lord Shiva have three big fasting days this month. You can observe the Budha Pradosh Vrat on April 15. You can also fast for Masik Shivaratri on the same day. The Bhauma Pradosh Vrat falls on April 28. Praying to Lord Shiva during the evening on these days removes fear.

Jayantis of Gods and Saints in April

A Jayanti marks the day a god or a famous saint was born. You will find several of these events in April 2026.

Hanuman Jayanti on April 2: Praying to Lord Hanuman today gives you physical strength and removes bad energy from your house.

Parashurama Jayanti on April 19: Lord Vishnu took his sixth form to stop cruel kings from hurting innocent people. We celebrate his birth on this day.

Narasimha Jayanti on April 30: Lord Vishnu took the form of a half-lion, half-human to protect a young boy named Prahlad. This day honours his fierce protection.

What to Do on Akshaya Tritiya

April 19 is a very special day. Akshaya means something that never ends. Any good action you do on this day brings permanent results. Many people buy gold jewellery or silver coins. Buying precious metals on this day ensures your wealth keeps growing. Giving food or clothes to the needy on Akshaya Tritiya is just as powerful. Starting a new job or opening a new bank account today is also a very good idea.

Complete April 2026 Festival Calendar

Here is the full list of every single auspicious event happening this month.

Early April Events

April 1: Chaitra Purnima, Panguni Uthiram, Swarochisha Manvadi, Annual Anvadhan

April 2: Hanuman Jayanti, Annual Ishti, Chaitra Navapada Oli Ends

April 3: Vaisakha month begins in North India

April 5: Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi

April 9: Masik Krishna Janmashtami

April 10: Kalashtami

Mid April Events

April 13: Varuthini Ekadashi, Vallabhacharya Jayanti

April 14: Baisakhi, Mesha Sankranti, Tamil New Year, Ambedkar Jayanti, Krishna Vamana Dwadashi

April 15: Vishu, Bengali New Year, Bohag Bihu, Budha Pradosh Vrat, Masik Shivaratri, Kubjika Jayanti

April 17: Vaishakha Amavasya, Annual Darsha Amavasya, Annual Anvadhan

April 18: Annual Ishti, Chandra Darshana

April 19: Akshaya Tritiya, Parashurama Jayanti, Masik Karthigai, Varshitapa Parana, Treta Yuga Diwas

April 20: Vinayaka Chaturthi, Rohini Vrat, Matangi Jayanti

Late April Events

April 21: Shankaracharya Jayanti, Surdas Jayanti

April 22: Skanda Sashti, Ramanuja Jayanthi

April 23: Ganga Saptami

April 24: Masik Durgashtami, Bagalamukhi Jayanti

April 25: Sita Navami

April 26: Mahavira Swami Kevalagyan

April 27: Mohini Ekadashi, Thrissur Pooram, Siddhilakshmi Jayanti

April 28: Bhauma Pradosh Vrat, Parashuram Dwadashi

April 30: Narasimha Jayanti, Chhinnamasta Jayanti, Buddha Purnima Eve

How to Observe April Fasts Properly 

You must follow strict rules if you plan to keep a fast. The food you put in your body changes your spiritual focus. You should only eat Satvik food. This means you can eat fresh fruits. You can drink milk and eat plain nuts. You must avoid all grains like rice and wheat. Do not eat onions or garlic. Keep your house clean. Do not argue with your family members. 

April 2026 Festivals FAQs

1. What are the biggest Hindu festivals in April 2026?

The most important events include Hanuman Jayanti on April 2 and Akshaya Tritiya on April 19. The middle of the month brings many regional New Year celebrations on April 14 and 15.

2. When is Hanuman Jayanti this year?

The festival happens on Thursday, April 2, 2026. This date matches the Chaitra full moon.

3. How many Ekadashi fasts happen in April 2026?

You will find two Ekadashi days this month. Varuthini Ekadashi happens on April 13. Mohini Ekadashi happens on April 27.

4. When do we celebrate the Solar New Year?

The solar New Year falls on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This day is called Mesha Sankranti. It marks the sun entering the sign of Aries.

5. When is Akshaya Tritiya in 2026?

The date is Sunday, April 19, 2026. People consider this one of the best days of the year to buy gold or start a new business.

Ask Agastyaa which April festival matters most for your chart and spiritual path