Last updated: May 2026. This page is updated for the year 2026.
Overview of Telugu Festivals
Telugu festivals — తెలుగు పండుగలు — follow the lunisolar Hindu calendar and are determined by the positions of the Sun and Moon. Because festival dates are tied to specific Tithi (తిథి) and Nakshatra (నక్షత్రం) positions, dates and timings vary by geographic location due to differences in local sunrise and moonrise times.
The Telugu-speaking regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana celebrate a rich cycle of festivals throughout the year, from harvest celebrations in January to the festival of lights in autumn. Many Telugu families around the world continue these traditions wherever they live.
Important: Festival dates listed below are approximate and based on IST (Indian Standard Time). For your specific city, use our
city-specific Panchangam pages to calculate festival timings for your location.
Major Telugu Festivals by Season
January — Harvest & New Year Celebrations
- Bhogi — The first day of the Sankranti festival, when old belongings are discarded in a bonfire symbolizing renewal and the end of the old year.
- Makara Sankranti (మకర సంక్రాంతి) — The most important harvest festival in Telugu households, celebrated when the Sun enters Makara Rashi (Capricorn). Families fly kites, prepare Pongal, and exchange sesame-jaggery sweets.
- Kanuma — The third day of Sankranti, dedicated to honoring cattle and livestock for their role in agriculture.
February — March
- Maha Shivaratri (మహా శివరాత్రి) — The great night of Lord Shiva, observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in Magha or Phalguna month. Devotees fast and perform night-long vigil at Shiva temples.
March — April: Telugu New Year
- Ugadi (ఉగాది) — The Telugu and Kannada New Year, observed on Chaitra Shukla Padyami (the first day of the Chaitra month). Families prepare Ugadi Pachadi, a dish with six tastes symbolizing the varied experiences of life.
- Sri Rama Navami (శ్రీరామ నవమి) — Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama on the Navami Tithi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. Temples conduct special poojas and Kalyana Mahotsavams.
April — May
- Hanuman Jayanti — Commemorates the birth of Lord Hanuman, typically observed on Chaitra Pournami or Vaishakha Dashami depending on regional tradition.
- Akshaya Tritiya — Observed on Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya, considered one of the most auspicious days for starting new ventures and purchasing gold.
July — August: Shravan Observances
- Varalakshmi Vratam (వరలక్ష్మీ వ్రతం) — Performed by married women on the Friday preceding Shravana Pournami. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi for the well-being of their families.
- Raksha Bandhan — Celebrated on Shravana Pournami, honoring the bond between brothers and sisters.
August — September: Ganesh Celebrations
- Vinayaka Chavithi (వినాయక చవితి) — One of the grandest Telugu festivals, celebrated on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. Clay idols of Lord Ganesha are installed at homes and public pandals, worshipped for up to 11 days, then immersed in water.
September — October: Navaratri & Victory
- Bathukamma (బతుకమ్మ) — A floral festival unique to Telangana, celebrated for nine days leading up to Dasara. The final day, Saddula Bathukamma, typically falls around Ashwayuja Ashtami or Navami depending on regional tradition and calendar alignment. Women create elaborate flower stacks and perform group dances.
- Navaratri & Dasara / Vijayadashami (దసరా) — Nine nights of worship followed by Vijayadashami on Ashwayuja Shukla Dashami, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. A traditional day for beginning new studies (Vidyarambham).
October — November: Festival of Lights
- Deepavali / Diwali (దీపావళి) — The festival of lights. Telugu families celebrate Naraka Chaturdashi (Ashwayuja Krishna Chaturdashi) by waking before dawn for Abhyanga Snanam (oil bath) and bursting firecrackers to commemorate Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura. Lamps are lit on Ashwayuja Amavasya, which may fall on the same or next civil date depending on location.
- Karthika Pournami — The full moon of the Karthika month, when devotees light oil lamps at temples and along riverbanks. A particularly sacred day at Shiva and Vishnu temples.
Monthly Recurring Observances
- Ekadashi (ఏకాదశి) — Observed twice each lunar month on the 11th Tithi of both Shukla and Krishna Pakshas. Devotees fast and worship Lord Vishnu.
- Pradosham — Observed on the Trayodashi (13th Tithi) of both Pakshas, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Evening Shiva worship during the Pradosha Kalam is considered especially powerful.
- Pournami (పౌర్ణమి) — Full moon day, observed monthly with special poojas and fasting at temples.
- Amavasya (అమావాస్య) — New moon day, when Pitru Tarpana (ancestral offerings) are traditionally performed.
Calculate Festival Timings for Your City
Festival timings depend on your location because sunrise, moonrise, and Tithi boundaries differ by city. Use our Telugu Panchangam Daily calculator to find city-specific festival times. Popular city pages:
Learn more about the five elements of the Panchangam in our guide: What is Telugu Panchangam?