Festival Calendar

The temple's 2026 festivals — lunar dates, all approximate

In short

The temple's 2026 festivals, in date order: Makar Sankranti (14 Jan), Chaitra Navratri (~19–27 Mar), the Chaitra Yatra (~24–25 Mar), Chaitra Purnima (~1 Apr), Sharad Navratri (~11–20 Oct) and Diwali (~Oct/Nov). Every date except Makar Sankranti follows the Hindu lunar calendar, so all the Gregorian dates here are approximate and must be confirmed with the temple. Dates do not repeat year to year — re-verify each year.

Sahyadri hills around Karla
Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar.

This calendar lists the major observances at Ekvira Devi Temple for 2026 only. Statuses (upcoming or past) are shown relative to 25 June 2026. For the stories behind the biggest occasions, see the Chaitra Yatra and Navratri guides.

Read this first. Hindu festival dates are set by a lunar-solar calendar (the panchang), so they fall on a different Western date every year. The 2026 dates below are approximate and apply to 2026 only — they do not carry forward to future years. Always confirm the current year's dates with the temple before planning around them. We last reviewed these against panchang sources on 25 June 2026 and re-check them each year. Source: data/festivals.json; panchang and dated news. The one exception is Makar Sankranti, which follows the solar calendar and is usually fixed to 14 January.

Makar Sankranti Past

The mid-winter harvest festival, marking the sun's northward turn. Unusually among major Hindu festivals it follows the solar calendar, so it is typically fixed to 14 January. Devotees observe it at the shrine.

Approximate — confirm with the temple. Date applies to 2026.

Chaitra Navratri Past

The spring nine nights of the Goddess, in the lunar month of Chaitra, leading into the temple's main yatra. Significant footfall at the shrine. See the Navratri guide.

Approximate (lunar) — confirm with the temple. Changes yearly.

Chaitra Yatra (Chaitra Palkhi) Past

The temple's principal annual fair, around Chaitra Shuddha Saptami, centred on the palkhi procession with strong Agri–Koli participation. Expect very large crowds and heavy traffic. See the Chaitra Yatra guide.

Approximate (lunar) — confirm with the temple. Changes yearly.

Chaitra Purnima Past

The full moon of Chaitra, marked by a jatra (fair) and large gatherings of devotees, about a week after the main yatra.

Approximate (lunar) — confirm with the temple. Changes yearly.

Sharad Navratri Upcoming

The autumn nine nights of the Goddess, in the lunar month of Ashwin, culminating in Vijayadashami (around 20 Oct). The busier of the two Navratris, with heavy footfall and travel delays. See the Navratri guide.

Approximate (lunar) — confirm with the temple. Changes yearly.

Diwali Upcoming

The festival of lamps in autumn, when the hill and shrine take on a festive air. The exact dates shift each year with the lunar calendar and we are not fixing a precise window here.

Approximate (lunar) — confirm the exact dates with the temple. Changes yearly.

Sahyadri hills around Karla
Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar.

How to use this calendar

Use it as a planning starting point, not a final word. Because the dates are lunar, the single most important step before any festival trip is to confirm the current year's dates and any special programme directly with the temple. If you are travelling to a major occasion, also check the season's travel and safety advisories for the Lonavala–Maval area, and read Best Time & Weather to see how the festivals sit against the seasons.