Last updated: June 2026. Dates computed for India (IST).
October 2026 is the heart of the Telugu festival season. Ashwayuja Masam (ఆశ్వయుజం) begins mid-month, bringing Devi Navaratri, Bathukamma (Telangana's flower festival), Durga Ashtami, and Vijaya Dashami (Dasara) — one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. The month closes with Atla Tadde, the Telugu vratam for marital wellbeing.
| Date | Festival / Observance |
|---|---|
| October 8 (Thu) | Pradosham & Masa Shivaratri — Krishna Trayodashi and Chaturdashi observances for Lord Shiva. |
| October 10 (Sat) | Mahalaya Amavasya & Bathukamma Begins — The most important day for ancestral tarpanam; Telangana\u2019s Bathukamma flower festival begins. |
| October 11 (Sun) | Devi Navaratri Begins — Nine nights of Goddess worship begin with Ashwayuja Shukla Padyami; Kalasha Sthapana in Telugu homes and temples. |
| October 19 (Mon) | Durga Ashtami — The eighth day of Navaratri — principal Durga puja day, weapons and tools worship begins. |
| October 20 (Tue) | Maha Navami — Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja; vehicles, books, and instruments are honoured. |
| October 21 (Wed) | Vijaya Dashami / Dasara — Victory of good over evil — Shami (Jammi) tree worship, Palapitta sighting, and new beginnings. See our Dasara 2026 guide. |
| October 23 (Fri) | Pradosham — Shukla Trayodashi evening Shiva worship. |
| October 28 (Wed) | Atla Tadde — Ashwayuja Krishna Tadiya — Telugu married women\u2019s vratam with moonrise atlu (dosa) offerings, praying for their husbands\u2019 long life. |
| October 29 (Thu) | Sankatahara Chaturthi — Monthly Ganesha vratam at moonrise. |
Bathukamma begins on Mahalaya Amavasya (October 10) and continues through the early days of Navaratri, with women arranging concentric flower stacks of gunuka, tangedu, and banthi blooms, singing traditional songs around them each evening. The festival's final grand day, Saddula Bathukamma, falls during Navaratri — regional practice varies, so confirm with your local community. Dasara is also the traditional day for Alai Balai greetings and new ventures across both Telugu states.
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