September 2026 has several major Hindu religious holidays, with Krishna Janmashtami on September 4, Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14, and the start of Pitru Paksha on September 27 being the most widely observed.
Major festivals in September 2026
Krishna Janmashtami (September 4) celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna and is one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year. Devotees observe fasting, sing bhajans, and perform midnight puja to mark Krishna's birth. In Maharashtra and some other regions, the following day (September 5) features Dahi Handi celebrations where teams form human pyramids to break suspended pots of curd.
Ganesh Chaturthi (September 14) honors Lord Ganesha with the installation of clay idols in homes and public pandals. The festival runs for ten days, culminating in Ganesh Visarjan (immersion of idols) on September 25, which coincides with Anant Chaturdashi.
Hartalika Teej also falls on September 14 in 2026, a festival primarily observed by married women who fast and pray for their husbands' longevity and well-being.
Other significant observances
The month includes several other important religious days:
- Aja Ekadashi (September 7) - a fasting day dedicated to Lord Vishnu
- Rishi Panchami (September 15) - honors ancient sages and is observed mainly by women
- Radha Ashtami (September 19) - celebrates the birth of Goddess Radha
- Vishwakarma Puja (September 17) - worshipped by artisans, engineers, and workers
- Pitru Paksha begins September 27 - a 15-day period dedicated to honoring ancestors through shraddha rituals
Regional variations
Dates can vary slightly depending on regional calendars and local customs. For instance, some communities observe Ganesh Chaturthi a day earlier or later based on their tithi calculations. In Kerala, the main day of Onam (Thiruvonam) falls on September 5, 2026, marking the culmination of the ten- day harvest festival.
Navratri dates also show regional differences - some sources list Sharadiya Navratri beginning September 20, while others indicate September 22, reflecting variations in how different traditions calculate the lunar calendar.