Several festivals are lined up this week, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Chaitra Navratri and Gudi Padwa. As both Muslims and Hindus look forward to these auspicious holidays, preparations for this year’s celebrations are in full swing. This week’s celebrations begin with Gudi Padwa and Chaitra Navratri celebrations and end with Eid festivities over the weekend.
Gudi Padwa is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Pratipada – the first day of the first month of Chaitra, according to the Hindu Amanta and Purnimanta calendar.
- Pratipada tithi starts: March 19, 2026 at 06:52
- Pratipada tithi ends: March 20, 2026 at 04:52 AM
Eid-ul-Fitr month cited in India (predicted dates)
- Shawwal crescent on March 20 – 6:45 PM IST
The holiest month in the Islamic Hijri calendar – Ramadan – usually lasts 29 to 30 days, and the celebrations culminate in the Eid festivities. This time, the Eid celebrations will correspond to 1 Shawwal 1447 according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The date of Eid ul-Fitr celebration varies from region to region as it depends on the sighting of the moon.
Most of the Gulf countries celebrate the festival a day before the celebrations of India and other West Asian nations. In Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries, festival celebrations are likely to take place on Friday, March 20.
Moonlit night 2026
It is celebrated as “chand raat” on the day when the crescent moon of Shawwal is visible. This day marks the end of Ramada and is followed by Eid celebrations. Eid is most likely to be celebrated on March 21, but the exact date is determined by the sighting of the Shawwal crescent. There is still a possibility that Eid will fall on Friday, March 20 after the sighting of the moon.
Expected Eid date: Friday 20 March or Saturday 21 March 2026 (depending on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent)
Key rituals of Eid
Devotees begin their day by saying morning prayers (Salat al-Eid). On this day, they offer Zakat al-Fitr to the needy, wear new clothes, feast with family, share sweets, visit loved ones and exchange gifts, Eidi (token money) and greetings.
Gudi Padwa
Gudi Padwa also known as Marathi New Year or Samvatsara Padvo is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month which marks the beginning of Marathi Shaka Samvat 1948. The date of this festival is determined by the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar. It will be celebrated on March 19 this year.
Gudi Padwa rituals
On Gudi Padwa, devotees worship Gudi with garlands, flowers, Akshata, kumkum and haldi and perform yajna and hawan. The distribution of prasadam, cumin seeds and gram lentil marks the conclusion of the puja ceremony.
From making rangoli and decorating homes with decorative material and bamboo sticks, Gudi Padwa celebrations include preparing traditional Marathi recipes like Shrikhand, Puran Poli, Rice Chakli and Bhakarwadi. Enjoy these traditional delicacies with friends, relatives and family members.
Chaitra Navratri
The nine-day Chaitra Navratri festivities begin on the first day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar, which begins with the month of Chaitra. Chaitra Navratri celebrations culminate with the celebration of Rama Navami on the last day.
Chaitra Navratri Rituals
The customs and rituals of Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri are similar and begin with Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi.
