Rajasthan's Festivals: Quick Answer
Rajasthan's religious calendar follows the Hindu panchang (Purnimanta months in common usage), so its festivals are fixed by tithi, not by English date. The best-loved are Gangaur (Chaitra Shukla Tritiya — 9 April 2027), Sheetala Ashtami/Basoda (Chaitra Krishna Ashtami — 30 March 2027), Akha Teej (Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya — 9 May 2027), Hariyali Teej (Shravana Shukla Tritiya — 4 August 2027), Kajli Teej (Bhadrapada Krishna Tritiya — 20 August 2027), Ramdevra fair (Bhadrapada Shukla Dwitiya to Ekadashi), Navratri-Dussehra, Diwali, and the Pushkar fair (Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Purnima — 20–24 November 2026).
| Festival | Tithi | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Navratri | Ashwin Shukla Pratipada | 11 Oct 2026 |
| Dussehra (Kota fair) | Ashwin Shukla Dashami | 20 Oct 2026 |
| Karwa Chauth | Kartik Krishna Chaturthi | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Diwali | Kartik Amavasya | 8 Nov 2026 |
| Pushkar fair | Kartik Shukla 11 – Purnima | 20–24 Nov 2026 |
| Makar Sankranti (kites) | Solar (Makara) | 15 Jan 2027 |
| Holi / Dhulandi | Phalguna Purnima / Chaitra Kr. 1 | 21–22 Mar 2027 |
| Sheetala Ashtami | Chaitra Krishna Ashtami | 30 Mar 2027 |
| Gangaur | Chaitra Shukla Tritiya | 9 Apr 2027 |
| Akha Teej | Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya | 9 May 2027 |
| Hariyali Teej | Shravana Shukla Tritiya | 4 Aug 2027 |
| Kajli Teej | Bhadrapada Krishna Tritiya | 20 Aug 2027 |
Why Tithi Matters
Because the Hindu month is lunar, these festivals move by 10–20 days each year against the English calendar. In 2026 an Adhik Jyeshtha month pushed the autumn festivals later; in 2027 they come about 10–11 days earlier.
Famous Fairs
Kota Dussehra Mela, Pushkar's Kartik fair, the Sheetala Mata fair at Chaksu (Jaipur), Ramdevra (Jaisalmer), Kaila Devi (Karauli) in Chaitra, Khatu Shyam ji's Phalguna fair (Sikar), and the Teej and Gangaur processions of Jaipur.
Folk Deities and the Panchang
Rajasthan's Panch Peer — Pabuji, Harbuji, Ramdevji, Gogaji and Mehaji Mangaliya — are honoured at fairs also fixed by tithi, mostly in Bhadrapada, after the monsoon sowing. Ramdevra (Jaisalmer) runs from Bhadrapada Shukla Dwitiya to Ekadashi, Goga Navami (Gogamedi, Hanumangarh) falls on Bhadrapada Krishna Navami, and Teja Dashami (Kharnal, Nagaur) on Bhadrapada Shukla Dashami.
Purnimanta Months
North India, including Rajasthan, uses Purnimanta months that begin after the full moon. So what Gujarat calls Ashwin Amavasya is Kartik Amavasya in Rajasthan — the date of Diwali is the same, only the month name differs.
Summary
Rajasthan's festivals follow the panchang — check the tithi each year and your city's timings.
