Shashthi Dates 2026
Several important festivals fall on Shashthi. Skanda Shashthi, falling in the month of Kartika, is a major festival dedicated to Lord Murugan, celebrated with great fervour in Tamil Nadu. Chhath Puja, one of the most important festivals in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, is observed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and involves elaborate rituals dedicated to the Sun God.
All times shown in: Asia/Kolkata
| Date | Begins | Ends | Lunar Month | Paksha | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08-Jan-2026 | 08-Jan-2026 06:35 AM Thursday | 09-Jan-2026 07:06 AM Friday | Pausha | Krishna |
|
| 24-Jan-2026 | 24-Jan-2026 01:46 AM Saturday | 25-Jan-2026 12:40 AM Sunday | Magha | Shukla |
|
| 07-Feb-2026 | 07-Feb-2026 01:20 AM Saturday | 08-Feb-2026 02:55 AM Sunday | Magha | Krishna |
|
| 22-Feb-2026 | 22-Feb-2026 11:10 AM Sunday | 23-Feb-2026 09:10 AM Monday | Phalguna | Shukla |
|
| 08-Mar-2026 | 08-Mar-2026 09:12 PM Sunday | 09-Mar-2026 11:28 PM Monday | Phalguna | Krishna |
|
| 23-Mar-2026 | 23-Mar-2026 06:39 PM Monday | 24-Mar-2026 04:08 PM Tuesday | Chaitra | Shukla |
|
| 07-Apr-2026 | 07-Apr-2026 04:36 PM Tuesday | 08-Apr-2026 07:03 PM Wednesday | Chaitra | Krishna |
|
| 22-Apr-2026 | 22-Apr-2026 01:20 AM Wednesday | 22-Apr-2026 10:50 PM Wednesday | Vaishakha | Shukla |
|
| 07-May-2026 | 07-May-2026 10:15 AM Thursday | 08-May-2026 12:23 PM Friday | Vaishakha | Krishna |
|
| 21-May-2026 | 21-May-2026 08:27 AM Thursday | 22-May-2026 06:25 AM Friday | Jyeshtha | Shukla |
|
| 06-Jun-2026 | 06-Jun-2026 01:21 AM Saturday | 07-Jun-2026 02:42 AM Sunday | Jyeshtha | Krishna |
|
| 19-Jun-2026 | 19-Jun-2026 05:00 PM Friday | 20-Jun-2026 03:47 PM Saturday | Adhika Jyeshtha | Shukla |
|
| 05-Jul-2026 | 05-Jul-2026 01:32 PM Sunday | 06-Jul-2026 01:48 PM Monday | Adhika Jyeshtha | Krishna |
|
| 19-Jul-2026 | 19-Jul-2026 03:43 AM Sunday | 20-Jul-2026 03:30 AM Monday | Ashadha | Shukla |
|
| 03-Aug-2026 | 03-Aug-2026 10:55 PM Monday | 04-Aug-2026 10:04 PM Tuesday | Ashadha | Krishna |
|
| 17-Aug-2026 | 17-Aug-2026 05:00 PM Monday | 18-Aug-2026 05:51 PM Tuesday | Shravana | Shukla |
|
| 02-Sep-2026 | 02-Sep-2026 06:14 AM Wednesday | 03-Sep-2026 04:27 AM Thursday | Shravana | Krishna |
|
| 16-Sep-2026 | 16-Sep-2026 09:00 AM Wednesday | 17-Sep-2026 10:48 AM Thursday | Bhadrapada | Shukla |
|
| 01-Oct-2026 | 01-Oct-2026 12:36 PM Thursday | 02-Oct-2026 10:16 AM Friday | Bhadrapada | Krishna |
|
| 16-Oct-2026 | 16-Oct-2026 03:26 AM Friday | 17-Oct-2026 05:55 AM Saturday | Ashvina | Shukla |
|
| 30-Oct-2026 | 30-Oct-2026 07:26 PM Friday | 31-Oct-2026 04:58 PM Saturday | Ashvina | Krishna |
|
| 14-Nov-2026 | 14-Nov-2026 11:24 PM Saturday | 16-Nov-2026 02:02 AM Monday | Kartika | Shukla |
|
| 29-Nov-2026 | 29-Nov-2026 03:58 AM Sunday | 30-Nov-2026 01:47 AM Monday | Kartika | Krishna |
|
| 14-Dec-2026 | 14-Dec-2026 07:16 PM Monday | 15-Dec-2026 09:20 PM Tuesday | Margashirsha | Shukla |
|
| 28-Dec-2026 | 28-Dec-2026 02:59 PM Monday | 29-Dec-2026 01:26 PM Tuesday | Margashirsha | Krishna |
|
Shashthi – Significance, Festivals & Rituals
What is Shashthi?
Shashthi is the 6th lunar day (tithi) in the Hindu calendar, occurring twice every month — once in the Shukla Paksha and once in the Krishna Paksha. It is associated with Lord Kartikeya (Skanda/Murugan) and Goddess Shashthi, the divine protector of children.
What is Skanda Shashthi?
Skanda Shashthi is a six-day festival in the month of Kartika celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman. It is one of the most important festivals in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities worldwide. Devotees observe fasts, perform kavadi, and visit Murugan temples during this period.
What is Chhath Puja and why does it fall on Shashthi?
Chhath Puja is observed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and is dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashthi). It is one of the most important festivals in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Devotees stand in water and offer Arghya to the setting and rising sun over two consecutive days.
Who is Goddess Shashthi?
Goddess Shashthi is the divine protector of children in Hindu tradition. She is worshipped on the 6th day after childbirth (Shashthi) for the health and protection of newborns. She is particularly revered in Bengal, where Jamai Shashthi — a festival celebrating the son-in-law — is also observed on this tithi.
