2021 HINDU CALENDAR
Click on the name of the festival to find out more.
| Name of Festival | Date |
| Makarsankranti | 14 Jan |
| Thai Pongal | 14 Jan |
| Thai Poosam Kavady | 28 Jan |
| Vasanth Panchami | 16 Feb |
| Masi Magham | 27 Feb |
| Maha Shivaratri | 11 March |
| Holika Dahan | 28 March |
| Panguni Uthiram | 28 March |
| Hindi New Year | 12 April |
| Ramayana Week | 12 April – 20 April |
| Ugadhi Telugu New Year | 13 April |
| Tamil New Year | 14 April |
| Sri Ram Naumee | 21 April |
| Hanuman Jayanti | 26 April |
| Chitra Paruvam | 26 April |
| Thirunavukarasar Guru Pooja | 5 May |
| Vaikasi Visakam | 25 May |
| Thirugnana Sambathar Guru Pooja | 28 May |
| Nirjala Ekadashi | 21 June |
| Thiru Manikavasagar Guru Pooja | 13 July |
| Aani Uthiram (Siva Pooja) | 15 July |
| Guru Purnima | 23 July |
| Naag Panchami | 13 Aug |
| Thiru Sundaramoorithi Guru Pooja | 14 Aug |
| Shitla Satam | 14 Aug |
| Nori Nem | 16 Aug |
| Varaluxmi Vratam | 20 Aug |
| Name of Festival | Date |
| Raksha Bandhan | 22 Aug |
| Gita Week | 23 Aug – 29 Aug |
| Krishna Ashtami | 30 Aug |
| Maha Ganesh Chaturthi | 10 Sep |
| Venkateshwara Vratham | 17 Sep |
| Purattasi | 17 Sep to 17 Oct |
| Pitra Paksha | 21 Sep to 06 Oct |
| Mahalaya Paksham | 21 Sep to 06 Oct |
| Navaratri | 07 Oct to 14 Oct |
| Sri Saraswathi Pooja (North) | 12 Oct |
| Sri Durga Ashtami | 13 Oct |
| Sri Saraswathi Pooja (South) | 14 Oct |
| Sri Durga Naumee | 14 Oct |
| Vijay Dashmi | 15 Oct |
| Anna Abhishekam | 20 Oct |
| Dhan Trayodashi | 02 Nov |
| Narak Chaturdashi | 03 Nov |
| Deepavali / Luxmi Pooja (North & South) | 04 Nov |
| Kethara Gowri Nombu | 04 Nov |
| Gujarati New Year | 05 Nov |
| Annakuta Govardhan Pooja | 05 Nov |
| Skanda Shashti | 09 Nov |
| Prabhodhini Ekadasi/Tulsi Vivaha | 14 Nov |
| Kartik Purnima | 19 Nov |
| Kaarthigai Deepam | 19 Nov |
| Gita Jayanti | 14 Dec |
| Arudra Dharisanam | 20 Dec |
2021 ECLIPSE DATES
Solar and lunar eclipse are said to have a significant astrological impact. Since eclipse may result in emotional changes in human beings it is recommended that they practice meditation and deep breathing. This may result in the day going by easily. Read more.
| 26 May – Lunar Total Eclipse (NOT visible from SA) |
| 10 June – Annual Solar Eclipse (NOT visible from SA) |
| 19 Nov – Partial Lunar Eclipse (NOT visible from SA) |
| 04 Dec – Solar Eclipse 09:00am-10:06am (Partially visible from SA) |
2021 EKADASHI DATES
Eka means “one” (1) and dasha means “ten” (10). Ekadashi is therefore a time for the devotee to transform his/her actions of the ten senses and the mind towards God. Ekadashi is a time to control the ten senses and the mind by not allowing lust, anger, etc. Read more.
| Jan 09 & 24 | July 05 & 20 |
| Feb 07 & 23 | Aug 04 & 18 |
| Mar 09 & 24 | Sep 02 & 17 |
| Apr 07 & 23 | Oct 02 & 16 |
| May 07 & 22 | Nov 01, 14 & 30 |
| Jun 05 & 21 | Dec 14 & 30 |
2021 PANCHAK DATES
Panchak Nakshatra are specific to death. The Panchak Nakshatra are Shathabish, Dhanishta, Purvabhaadrapad, Uttarabhaadrapad and Rewathi. A Panchak Shanthi Pooja has to be performed on the day of the funeral and on the 12/13th day. Some believe that the time of cremation is used to determine whether to do this Panchak Shanthi, others believe it should be done either if death or of cremation occurred during Panchak. Read more.
| 15 to 20 January Comm. 13:36 ends 09:07 |
25 to 30 July Comm. 19:18 ends 10:33 |
| 11 to 16 February Comm. 22:41 ends 17:27 |
22 to 26 August Comm. 04:27 ends 18:59 |
| 11 to 16 March Comm. 05:51 ends 01:14 |
18 to 23 September Comm. 11:56 ends 03:14 |
| 07 to 12 April Comm. 11:30 ends 08:00 |
15 to 20 October Comm. 17:46 ends 10:32 |
| 04 to 09 May Comm. 17:14 ends 13:59 |
11 to 16 November Comm. 23:22 ends 16:45 |
| 01 to 05 June Comm. 00:29 ends 19:58 |
09 to 13 December Comm. 06:40 ends 22:35 |
| 28 June to 03 July Comm. 09:30 ends 02:44 |
2021 PURNIMA DATES
| 28 Jan 2021 | 23 Jul 2021 |
| 27 Feb 2021 | 22 Aug 2021 |
| 28 Mar 2021 | 20 Sep 2021 |
| 26 Apr 2021 | 20 Oct 2021 |
| 26 May 2021 | 19 Nov 2021 |
| 24 Jun 2021 | 18 Dec 2021 |
2021 AUSPICIOUS HINDU MARRIAGE DATES
| Jan | Sat 2 |
Sun 3 |
Sat 9 |
Sun 10 |
Sat 16 |
Sun 17 |
Sat 23 |
Sun 24 |
Sat 30 |
Sun 31 |
| Feb | Sun 7 |
Sat 13 |
Sun 14 |
Sat 20 |
Sun 21 |
Sat 27 |
Sun 28 |
– | – | – |
| Mar | Sat 6 |
Sun 7 |
Sat 13 |
Sun 14 |
Sat 20 |
Sun 21 |
Sat 27 |
– | – | – |
| Apr | Sat 3 |
Sun 4 |
Sat 10 |
Sun 11 |
Sat 24 |
Sun 25 |
– | – | – | – |
| May | Sat 1 |
Sun 2 |
Sat 8 |
Sun 9 |
Sat 15 |
Sun 16 |
Sat 22 |
Sun 23 |
Sat 29 |
Sun 30 |
| Jun | Sat 5 |
Sun 6 |
Sun 13 |
Sat 19 |
Sun 20 |
Sat 26 |
Sun 27 |
– | – | – |
| Jul | Sat 3 |
Sun 4 |
Sat 10 |
Sun 11 |
Sat 17 |
Sun 18 |
Sat 24 |
Sun 25 |
Sat 31 |
– |
| Aug | Sun 1 |
Sat 7 |
Sun 8 |
Sat 14 |
Sun 15 |
Sat 21 |
– | – | – | – |
| Sep | Sat 4 |
Sun 5 |
Sat 11 |
Sun 12 |
Sat 18 |
Sun 19 |
– | – | – | – |
| Oct | Sat 16 |
Sun 17 |
Sat 23 |
Sun 24 |
Sat 30 |
Sun 31 |
– | – | – | – |
| Nov | Sat 6 |
Sun 7 |
Sat 13 |
Sat 20 |
Sun 21 |
Sat 27 |
Sun 28 |
– | – | – |
| Dec | Sat 4 |
Sun 5 |
Sat 11 |
Sun 12 |
Sat 18 |
Sun 19 |
Sat 25 |
Sun 26 |
– | – |
Kindly consult your Pundit for further information.
The SAHMS presents an AMENDED FESTIVAL CALENDAR for 2021.
These amendments were made after wider consultation with Hindu Priests from various organisations/linguistic representations. The AMENDED FESTIVAL dates for 2021 have been approved by: Pundit L R Maharajh, Pundit U C Maharaj, Pundit Joy Khemraz, Pundit Amichand Maraj, Pundit Rishi Maharajh, Pundit Narottam Das, Pundit Jaydev Shukla, Pundit Kirit Acharya, Pundit Gopal Vyas, The Devasthanam Foundation of South Africa, The Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa, The Gurumars, Guru Uma Sankaran, The Muruga Bhakthi Foundation and The Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of SA.
The Hindu Public is called upon to use these amended festival dates for 2021.
In releasing these dates, we wish to offer the following clarification:
1. The Ekadashi dates provided are the Smartha dates. While in most months, the Smartha and Vaishnava Ekadashi dates coincide, in some months, they are different. The months in which the Smartha and Ekadashi dates differ are:
March 24 (25*) May 22 (23*) September 16 (17*)
The dates marked with * are Vaishnava Ekadashi dates.
2. Hanuman Jayanti: In South Africa, Purnima thithi begins at 09:14 am on 26 April and ends at 05:31 am on 27 April. This means that Purnima is kshay thithi – it is not reckoning at sunrise on either day (26 or 27). In such a case, Hanuman Jayanti is to be celebrated on 26 April. Note should be made that India may celebrate Hanuman Jayanti on 27 April.
3. Guru Purnima: In South Africa, Purnima thithi begins at 07:13 am on 23 July and ends at 04:36 am on 24 July. This means that Purnima is kshay thithi – it is not reckoning at sunrise on either day (23 or 24). In such a case, Guru Purnima is to be celebrated on 23 July. Note should be made that India may celebrate Guru Purnima on 24 July.
4. Navaratri: Navaratri is from 7 October to 14 October. These are EIGHT (8) SOLAR DAYS, but NINE LUNAR DAYS (THITHI):
7 October Pratipada (first thithi)
8 October Dwitiya (second thithi)
9 October Tritiya & Chaturti (third & fourth thithi)
10 October Panchami (fifth thithi)
11 October Shashti (sixth thithi)
12 October Saptami (seventh thithi)
13 October Ashtami (eighth thithi)
14 October Naumi (ninth thithi)
Vijay Dashmi is on 15 October
5. The Diwali date for North and South is 4 November.
All enquiries in respect of 2021 dates should be directed to lokeshmaharajh@gmail.com or sahms@worldonline.co.za
