December Festivals 2026

The major Hindu festivals in December 2024 include Navratri (December 3-11), Durga Puja (December9-14), Karwa Chauth (December 18), Dhanteras (December 31), and the preparations for Diwali which begins in late December and is celebrated on December 1.

Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine forms. It signifies the victory of good over evil, with each day focused on a different form of the goddess. Navratri is a time for fasting, prayers, and cultural events like Garba and Dandiya dances.

Durga Puja is celebrated with grand festivities, especially in West Bengal. It includes the setting up of elaborately decorated pandals, the worship of large clay idols of Goddess Durga, cultural performances, and community gatherings. The festival ends with the immersion of the idols in water, symbolizing the goddess's departure.

Karwa Chauth is a fasting ritual observed by married Hindu women for the long life and prosperity of their husbands. Women fast from sunrise to moonrise, and after sighting the moon, they break their fast with the help of their husbands, following prayers and rituals.

Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali festival and is considered auspicious for purchasing valuable items like gold, silver, and household goods. It is a day dedicated to worshipping Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda, and seeking blessings for health and prosperity.