January 2026 festival list: Hindu fasts, vrat dates and major festivals
January 2026 marks the beginning of Magha month and includes major Hindu fasts and festivals like Mauni Amavasya, Makar Sankranti and Basant Panchami. Here’s the complete list with dates.
According to the Gregorian calendar, January is the first month of the year. The new year begins in January. This month sees several major fasts and festivals that hold special significance in Hinduism. Major festivals like Makar Sankranti, Lohri, and Basant Panchami fall in January. Additionally, Mauni Amavasya will also be celebrated in January.
The month of Magha also begins in January. The month of Magha holds special importance in Hinduism. Performing bathing, charity, worship, and fasting during Magha is believed to bring auspicious results. So, let's find out about the dates of the fasts and festivals in the first month of the new year, January.
January 2026 festival list
| Date | Festivals |
| January 1, 2026, Thursday |
Pradosh Vrat |
| January 3, 2026, Saturday | Paush Purnima |
| January 6, 2026, Tuesday |
Sakat Chauth |
| January 14, 2026, Wednesday |
Shattila Ekadashi |
| January 14, 2026, Wednesday |
Makar Sankranti, Pongal |
| January 16, Friday | Pradosh Vrat, Masik Shivratri |
| January 18, 2026, Sunday | Mauni Amavasya |
| January 23, 2026, Friday |
Basant Panchami |
| January 25, 2026, Sunday | Ratha Saptami |
| January 26, 2026, Monday |
Bhishma Ashtami |
| January 29, 2026, Sunday | Jaya Ekadash |
| January 30, Friday | Pradosh Vrat |
Mauni Amavasya 2026: Date and significance
Mauni Amavasya is also called Magha Amavasya. Bathing and giving charity in the Ganges or other holy rivers on this day is believed to free a person from all sins. Also, observing a fast and performing acts of charity on this day pleases the ancestors. With the blessings of the ancestors, all of a person's tasks are completed without obstacles.
There is also a tradition of observing a vow of silence on Mauni Amavasya. The Mauni Amavasya bath will be observed on January 18, 2026. It is worth noting that the Magh Mela is held every year in Prayagraj. During this time, a large number of devotees gather at the Sangam (confluence of rivers) for a holy dip on the day of Mauni Amavasya.
Basant Panchami 2026: Date and importance
Every year, the festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Magh month. This day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. According to religious beliefs, Goddess Saraswati was born on the fifth day of the bright half of the Magh month. Worshipping the Goddess of learning on Basant Panchami is believed to bestow intelligence and knowledge.
Those associated with the arts also receive immense success through the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. Basant Panchami will be celebrated on January 23, 2026.
(Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on religious beliefs and popular traditions. There is no scientific evidence to support it. India TV does not vouch for the accuracy of any of the information.)
Also read: Hindu festival calendar 2026: Month-wise dates for Holi, Diwali, Ekadashi and more