Upcoming
Festival calendar
Plan your pujan around the festivals of Mahakal Nagari. Ujjain’s special days are highlighted.
November 2026
- 20NovTentativeDev Uthani EkadashiKartika Shukla EkadashiThe Ekadashi on which Lord Vishnu is believed to awaken from his four-month yoga nidra, ending Chaturmas. It opens the season for weddings and auspicious beginnings, and is observed with fasting and the Tulsi Vivah ceremony.in 9 days
- 23NovUjjain specialTentativeVaikuntha ChaturdashiKartika Shukla ChaturdashiThe Chaturdashi at midnight when Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together. In Ujjain it is famous for Hari-Har Milan, the midnight procession in which Mahakal goes to Gopal Mandir to meet Shri Hari, and exchange of sacred offerings.in 12 days
- 24NovTentativeKartik PurnimaKartika PurnimaA deeply auspicious full moon, when devotees bathe in holy rivers at dawn, light lamps (deepdaan) and give charity. It is associated with Dev Deepawali and with the lunar month considered most suited to worship and restraint.in 13 days
December 2026
January 2027
February 2027
March 2027
- 6MarUjjain specialMajorTentativeMaha ShivratriPhalguna Krishna ChaturdashiThe great night of Lord Shiva, observed with fasting, night-long jagran and abhishek. In Ujjain it is the climax of the Shiv Navratri celebrations at Mahakaleshwar, and devotees everywhere remember Mahakal with Rudrabhishek.in 115 days
- 22MarMajorTentativeHoliPhalguna Purnima (Holika Dahan)The festival of colours, preceded by Holika Dahan on Phalguna Purnima. It celebrates the victory of devotion over arrogance, as in the story of Prahlad, and is a time to mend relationships and let go of old grievances.in 131 days· until 23 Mar 2027
April 2027
- 7AprMajorTentativeChaitra NavratriChaitra Shukla Pratipada to NavamiNine days of worship of Maa Durga that begin the Hindu new year. Devotees fast, read the Durga Saptashati, and call on the nine forms of the Devi, ending on Ram Navami. In Ujjain, Maa Harsiddhi is remembered with special devotion.in 147 days· until 15 Apr 2027
- 15AprTentativeRam NavamiChaitra Shukla NavamiThe birth anniversary of Shri Ram, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami. Devotees fast, read the Ramcharitmanas or Sundarkand, and welcome the infant Lord with bhajan, aarti and prasad shared in the family.in 155 days
- 20AprTentativeHanuman JayantiChaitra PurnimaThe birth anniversary of Shri Hanuman, observed at sunrise on Chaitra Purnima. Devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa, offer sindoor and chola, and remember Hanuman as the embodiment of strength, humility and selfless devotion.in 160 days
May 2027
July 2027
August 2027
- 6AugUjjain specialTentativeNag PanchamiShravana Shukla PanchamiThe day of reverence for Nag Devta, observed on Shravana Shukla Panchami. In Ujjain it is especially known because the Nagchandreshwar temple at Mahakaleshwar is opened for darshan only once a year, on this day.in 268 days
- 17AugTentativeRaksha BandhanShravana PurnimaThe festival of the sacred bond between brothers and sisters, observed on Shravana Purnima. Sisters tie a rakhi and pray for their brothers, who promise care in return. It is performed in the aparahna, avoiding the inauspicious Bhadra period.in 279 days
- 24AugMajorTentativeKrishna JanmashtamiBhadrapada Krishna AshtamiThe birth of Shri Krishna at midnight on Krishna Ashtami, observed with fasting, bhajan and a midnight celebration. Ujjain has a lasting connection with Krishna, who studied at Sandipani Ashram according to the Puranas.in 286 days
September 2027
- 4SeptMajorTentativeGanesh ChaturthiBhadrapada Shukla ChaturthiA ten-day festival in honour of Shri Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. Families install a clay murti, offer modak and durva, and take leave of him with visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi, praying for wisdom and a smooth path ahead.in 297 days· until 13 Sept 2027
- 16SeptUjjain specialMajorTentativePitru PakshaAshwin Krishna Pratipada to Sarva Pitru AmavasyaThe fortnight of remembering ancestors, from Ashwin Krishna Pratipada to Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Families offer tarpan, pind daan and shraddh. Siddhavat on the Kshipra in Ujjain is among the traditional places for pitru karma.in 309 days· until 30 Sept 2027
- 30SeptMajorTentativeSharad NavratriAshwin Shukla Pratipada to NavamiNine nights of worship of the Divine Mother, from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami. It is the most widely observed Navratri, with fasting, Durga Saptashati path, garba and kanya pujan, leading to Vijayadashami.in 323 days· until 8 Oct 2027
October 2027
- 9OctTentativeDussehraAshwin Shukla DashamiVijayadashami, celebrated on Ashwin Shukla Dashami in the afternoon, marks the victory of dharma over adharma, remembered through Ram over Ravana and the Devi over Mahishasura. Shastra pujan and Aparajita pujan are common.in 332 days
- 27OctTentativeDhanterasKartika Krishna TrayodashiThe first day of the Diwali festival, observed at pradosh on Kartika Krishna Trayodashi. Devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari for health and Kubera and Maa Lakshmi for prosperity, and light a diya for Yama Deepdaan in the evening.in 350 days
- 29OctMajorTentativeDiwaliKartika AmavasyaThe festival of lights, observed on the Amavasya evening of Kartika at pradosh. Families light diyas, perform Lakshmi-Ganesh pujan and welcome prosperity with gratitude, in remembrance of Shri Ram returning to Ayodhya.in 352 days
November 2027
- 10NovTentativeDev Uthani EkadashiKartika Shukla EkadashiThe Ekadashi on which Lord Vishnu is believed to awaken from his four-month yoga nidra, ending Chaturmas. It opens the season for weddings and auspicious beginnings, and is observed with fasting and the Tulsi Vivah ceremony.in 364 days
- 12NovUjjain specialTentativeVaikuntha ChaturdashiKartika Shukla ChaturdashiThe Chaturdashi at midnight when Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together. In Ujjain it is famous for Hari-Har Milan, the midnight procession in which Mahakal goes to Gopal Mandir to meet Shri Hari, and exchange of sacred offerings.in 366 days
- 14NovTentativeKartik PurnimaKartika PurnimaA deeply auspicious full moon, when devotees bathe in holy rivers at dawn, light lamps (deepdaan) and give charity. It is associated with Dev Deepawali and with the lunar month considered most suited to worship and restraint.in 368 days
- 21NovUjjain specialTentativeKaal Bhairav AshtamiMargashirsha Krishna AshtamiThe day of Kaal Bhairav, the fierce and protective form of Shiva, observed on Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami. Ujjain is known for its ancient Kaal Bhairav temple, regarded as the guardian of the city, where large gatherings come for darshan.in 375 days
January 2028
February 2028
- 1FebTentativeBasant PanchamiMagha Shukla PanchamiThe festival of spring and learning, dedicated to Maa Saraswati. Devotees wear yellow, place books and instruments before the Devi, and children often begin their first lessons on this day with a simple blessing.in 447 days
- 23FebUjjain specialMajorTentativeMaha ShivratriPhalguna Krishna ChaturdashiThe great night of Lord Shiva, observed with fasting, night-long jagran and abhishek. In Ujjain it is the climax of the Shiv Navratri celebrations at Mahakaleshwar, and devotees everywhere remember Mahakal with Rudrabhishek.in 469 days
March 2028
- 10MarMajorTentativeHoliPhalguna Purnima (Holika Dahan)The festival of colours, preceded by Holika Dahan on Phalguna Purnima. It celebrates the victory of devotion over arrogance, as in the story of Prahlad, and is a time to mend relationships and let go of old grievances.in 485 days· until 11 Mar 2028
- 27MarMajorTentativeChaitra NavratriChaitra Shukla Pratipada to NavamiNine days of worship of Maa Durga that begin the Hindu new year. Devotees fast, read the Durga Saptashati, and call on the nine forms of the Devi, ending on Ram Navami. In Ujjain, Maa Harsiddhi is remembered with special devotion.in 502 days· until 4 Apr 2028
April 2028
- 3AprTentativeRam NavamiChaitra Shukla NavamiThe birth anniversary of Shri Ram, observed at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami. Devotees fast, read the Ramcharitmanas or Sundarkand, and welcome the infant Lord with bhajan, aarti and prasad shared in the family.in 509 days
- 9AprTentativeHanuman JayantiChaitra PurnimaThe birth anniversary of Shri Hanuman, observed at sunrise on Chaitra Purnima. Devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa, offer sindoor and chola, and remember Hanuman as the embodiment of strength, humility and selfless devotion.in 515 days
- 27AprTentativeAkshaya TritiyaVaishakha Shukla TritiyaA day considered auspicious for any good beginning, charity and remembering ancestors. The word akshaya means that which does not diminish, so devotees offer daan, begin new work, and perform Lakshmi and Vishnu pujan.in 533 days
July 2028
- 6JulTentativeGuru PurnimaAshadha PurnimaThe full moon of Ashadha, when devotees honour their gurus and teachers with gratitude. It is also remembered as the day of Maharshi Ved Vyasa, who compiled the Vedas. A day to offer pranam, seva and a fresh resolve to learn.in 603 days
- 26JulUjjain specialTentativeNag PanchamiShravana Shukla PanchamiThe day of reverence for Nag Devta, observed on Shravana Shukla Panchami. In Ujjain it is especially known because the Nagchandreshwar temple at Mahakaleshwar is opened for darshan only once a year, on this day.in 623 days
August 2028
- 5AugTentativeRaksha BandhanShravana PurnimaThe festival of the sacred bond between brothers and sisters, observed on Shravana Purnima. Sisters tie a rakhi and pray for their brothers, who promise care in return. It is performed in the aparahna, avoiding the inauspicious Bhadra period.in 633 days
- 13AugMajorTentativeKrishna JanmashtamiBhadrapada Krishna AshtamiThe birth of Shri Krishna at midnight on Krishna Ashtami, observed with fasting, bhajan and a midnight celebration. Ujjain has a lasting connection with Krishna, who studied at Sandipani Ashram according to the Puranas.in 641 days
- 23AugMajorTentativeGanesh ChaturthiBhadrapada Shukla ChaturthiA ten-day festival in honour of Shri Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. Families install a clay murti, offer modak and durva, and take leave of him with visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi, praying for wisdom and a smooth path ahead.in 651 days· until 1 Sept 2028
September 2028
- 4SeptUjjain specialMajorTentativePitru PakshaAshwin Krishna Pratipada to Sarva Pitru AmavasyaThe fortnight of remembering ancestors, from Ashwin Krishna Pratipada to Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Families offer tarpan, pind daan and shraddh. Siddhavat on the Kshipra in Ujjain is among the traditional places for pitru karma.in 663 days· until 18 Sept 2028
- 19SeptMajorTentativeSharad NavratriAshwin Shukla Pratipada to NavamiNine nights of worship of the Divine Mother, from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami. It is the most widely observed Navratri, with fasting, Durga Saptashati path, garba and kanya pujan, leading to Vijayadashami.in 678 days· until 27 Sept 2028
- 27SeptTentativeDussehraAshwin Shukla DashamiVijayadashami, celebrated on Ashwin Shukla Dashami in the afternoon, marks the victory of dharma over adharma, remembered through Ram over Ravana and the Devi over Mahishasura. Shastra pujan and Aparajita pujan are common.in 686 days
October 2028
- 15OctTentativeDhanterasKartika Krishna TrayodashiThe first day of the Diwali festival, observed at pradosh on Kartika Krishna Trayodashi. Devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari for health and Kubera and Maa Lakshmi for prosperity, and light a diya for Yama Deepdaan in the evening.in 704 days
- 17OctMajorTentativeDiwaliKartika AmavasyaThe festival of lights, observed on the Amavasya evening of Kartika at pradosh. Families light diyas, perform Lakshmi-Ganesh pujan and welcome prosperity with gratitude, in remembrance of Shri Ram returning to Ayodhya.in 706 days
- 28OctTentativeDev Uthani EkadashiKartika Shukla EkadashiThe Ekadashi on which Lord Vishnu is believed to awaken from his four-month yoga nidra, ending Chaturmas. It opens the season for weddings and auspicious beginnings, and is observed with fasting and the Tulsi Vivah ceremony.in 717 days
- 31OctUjjain specialTentativeVaikuntha ChaturdashiKartika Shukla ChaturdashiThe Chaturdashi at midnight when Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together. In Ujjain it is famous for Hari-Har Milan, the midnight procession in which Mahakal goes to Gopal Mandir to meet Shri Hari, and exchange of sacred offerings.in 720 days
November 2028
- 2NovTentativeKartik PurnimaKartika PurnimaA deeply auspicious full moon, when devotees bathe in holy rivers at dawn, light lamps (deepdaan) and give charity. It is associated with Dev Deepawali and with the lunar month considered most suited to worship and restraint.in 722 days
- 10NovUjjain specialTentativeKaal Bhairav AshtamiMargashirsha Krishna AshtamiThe day of Kaal Bhairav, the fierce and protective form of Shiva, observed on Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami. Ujjain is known for its ancient Kaal Bhairav temple, regarded as the guardian of the city, where large gatherings come for darshan.in 730 days