The MP Calendar 2026 August (मध्य प्रदेश कैलेंडर 2026 अगस्त) is an essential planning guide for residents of Madhya Pradesh. Whether you are observing the Sawan Somvar Vratas at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple, preparing for Raksha Bandhan celebrations, flying the tricolor on Independence Day, or fasting on Kamika Ekadashi and Shravana Putrada Ekadashi, this guide covers every important date for the month.
In this article, we provide the complete Madhya Pradesh Calendar for August 2026, with every festival, bank holiday, public holiday, and vrat — verified from the official Hindu Panchang and government sources — organized in a clear day-by-day table with detailed explanations.
Important Note on Sawan 2026 in Madhya Pradesh: Sawan (Shravana month) starts on 30 July 2026 in North India, including Madhya Pradesh (following the Purnimanta calendar), and ends on 28 August 2026. The four Sawan Somvar (Monday) Vratas fall on 3, 10, 17, and 24 August 2026.
Madhya Pradesh Calendar August 2026 – Complete Festival & Holiday Table
The table below lists every confirmed festival, vrat, and holiday in the MP Calendar 2026 August, based on verified Panchang sources.
| Date | Day | Festival / Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 08 August 2026 | Saturday | 2nd Saturday – Bank Holiday |
| 09 August 2026 | Sunday | Kamika Ekadashi |
| 11 August 2026 | Tuesday | Sawan Shivratri / Masik Shivaratri |
| 12 August 2026 | Wednesday | Shravana Amavasya / Hariyali Amavasya |
| 15 August 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day / Hariyali Teej |
| 16 August 2026 | Sunday | Vinayaka Chaturthi (Durva Ganapati) |
| 17 August 2026 | Monday | Nag Panchami / Simha Sankranti / 3rd Sawan Somvar |
| 19 August 2026 | Wednesday | Tulsidas Jayanti |
| 22 August 2026 | Saturday | 4th Saturday – Bank Holiday |
| 23 August 2026 | Sunday | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi |
| 25 August 2026 | Tuesday | Pradosh Vrat (Shukla) |
| 26 August 2026 | Wednesday | Onam |
| 28 August 2026 | Friday | Raksha Bandhan / Shravana Purnima / Gayatri Jayanti / Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) |
| 31 August 2026 | Monday | Kajari Teej |
⚠️ Sawan Somvar Vrat Dates in MP 2026: 3 August (Sunday), 10 August (Monday), 17 August (Monday), 24 August (Monday). Shiva temples in Ujjain, Bhopal, and Indore hold special prayers on all four Mondays.
Major Festivals in MP Calendar 2026 August – Detailed Guide
1. Kamika Ekadashi – 9 August 2026 (Sunday)
Kamika Ekadashi is the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the Shravana month and is one of the most spiritually powerful Ekadashis of the year. Falling during the holy month of Sawan — when Lord Vishnu is traditionally in Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep) as part of Chaturmas — this Ekadashi is believed to deliver exceptional spiritual merit.
2. Sawan Shivratri / Masik Shivaratri – 11 August 2026 (Tuesday)
Sawan Shivratri is the monthly Shivratri (Masik Shivaratri) that falls during the sacred Shravana month — and it is one of the most important Shiva observances of the entire year. While Maha Shivaratri in February or March is the “great” Shivratri, the one that occurs in Sawan holds special significance because the entire month of Shravana is considered deeply auspicious for Lord Shiva worship.
3. Shravana Amavasya / Hariyali Amavasya – 12 August 2026 (Wednesday)
Shravana Amavasya (also called Hariyali Amavasya or Sawan Amavasya) is the new moon day of the Shravana month. In Madhya Pradesh and across North India, this day carries deep significance for ancestor worship (Pitru Tarpan). Families perform rituals to honor their departed ancestors near rivers, especially the Narmada and Shipra.
The name “Hariyali” (green/lush) refers to the verdant, rain-soaked landscape during this monsoon period, making it also a time to connect with nature. Tree planting and environmental activities are associated with this day in some communities.
4. Independence Day / Hariyali Teej – 15 August 2026 (Saturday)
15 August 2026 marks two very distinct but equally important celebrations:
India’s Independence Day – 80th Anniversary
Independence Day commemorates India’s independence from British rule on 15 August 1947. In 2026, the nation celebrates its 80th Independence Day — a milestone occasion. Across Madhya Pradesh, flag-hoisting ceremonies are held at government offices, schools, colleges, and public grounds. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh hoists the national flag at the state capital Bhopal, while local leaders do the same in every district.
Hariyali Teej
Hariyali Teej (also known as Shravana Teej or Chhoti Teej) falls on the 3rd day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) of the Shravana month. This is a festival primarily celebrated by married women in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and North India. Women pray to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands, swing on decorated jhulas (swings) hung from trees, wear green clothes and bangles, apply mehndi, and sing traditional folk songs.
5. Vinayaka Chaturthi (Durva Ganapati) – 16 August 2026 (Sunday)
Vinayaka Chaturthi (also known as Durva Ganapati Chaturthi) is observed on the 4th day of the Shukla Paksha each month as a day of Ganesha worship. In August, this falls on the auspicious Shravana Shukla Chaturthi. Devotees offer Durva grass (a sacred three-bladed grass especially dear to Ganesha) along with modaks (sweet dumplings) and red flowers. Prayers seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for the removal of obstacles and the fulfillment of wishes.
6. Nag Panchami / Simha Sankranti – 17 August 2026 (Monday)
17 August 2026 brings together two significant observances — and also marks the 3rd Sawan Somvar Vrat, making it an especially powerful day for Lord Shiva devotees.
Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is one of the oldest and most widely celebrated festivals in Madhya Pradesh. It falls on the 5th day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha of Shravana month. On this day, devotees worship snakes (Nagas) — which are revered as divine in Hindu tradition. Images or idols of snakes are worshipped with milk, flowers, turmeric, and sandalwood paste.
Simha Sankranti
Simha Sankranti marks the transit of the Sun from Cancer (Karka) to Leo (Simha). Solar transits (Sankrantis) are auspicious for charitable donations, holy dips, and ancestor rituals. Donating sesame seeds, jaggery, and coconuts on this day is considered especially meritorious.
7. Tulsidas Jayanti – 19 August 2026 (Wednesday)
Tulsidas Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas — the revered saint-poet who composed the immortal Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi retelling of the Ramayana that remains one of the most widely read and recited texts in North India. Tulsidas was born on Shravana Shukla Saptami.
8. Shravana Putrada Ekadashi – 23 August 2026 (Sunday)
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha of the Shravana month. The name “Putrada” literally means “bestower of a son” — and this Ekadashi is traditionally observed by couples seeking the blessing of a virtuous child. According to the Bhavishya Purana, King Mahijit — a virtuous but childless ruler — observed this Ekadashi on the advice of the sage Lomesh and was blessed with a brilliant son.
9. Pradosh Vrat (Shukla) – 25 August 2026 (Tuesday)
Pradosh Vrat on Shravana Shukla Trayodashi (the 13th day of the waxing moon) is a deeply sacred vrat dedicated to Lord Shiva. The puja is performed during the “pradosh kaal” — the 90-minute evening twilight window around sunset — when Lord Shiva is believed to be in a state of joyful dance (the Ananda Tandava) in the presence of all the gods and sages.
10. Onam – 26 August 2026 (Wednesday)
Onam is the grand harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated as the state’s biggest annual festival. It falls during the Nakshatra of Thiruonam in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which corresponds to around August-September. While Onam is not a public holiday in Madhya Pradesh, the large Keralite and South Indian communities in cities like Indore and Bhopal celebrate it with Pookalam (flower carpets), Onam Sadhya (traditional feast on banana leaves), boat race viewings, and cultural programmes.
11. Raksha Bandhan / Shravana Purnima / Gayatri Jayanti / Chandra Grahan – 28 August 2026 (Friday)
28 August 2026 is the most eventful single date in the entire MP Calendar 2026 August, with four major occasions converging:
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan (also known as Rakhi) is one of the most cherished festivals of Madhya Pradesh and all of North India. It falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Shravana month. Sisters tie a sacred thread (rakhi) around their brother’s wrist as a symbol of love and protection, and brothers pledge to protect and care for their sisters throughout life.
⚠️ Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) on Raksha Bandhan 2026
In 2026, Raksha Bandhan coincides with a Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) — an astronomically significant and spiritually cautioned event. During the eclipse (Grahan), it is traditionally advised to avoid performing auspicious rituals like tying the Rakhi. Rakhi should be tied either before the Grahan period begins or after it ends. Check the exact Grahan timings from your local Panchang for Madhya Pradesh before scheduling the Rakhi ceremony.
Shravana Purnima
The full moon of Shravana month marks the conclusion of the sacred Sawan period for North India (Purnimanta calendar). Devotees take holy dips in rivers, offer prayers, light diyas on riverbanks, and complete any pending Sawan vrat observances.
Gayatri Jayanti
Gayatri Jayanti celebrates the anniversary of the revelation of the Gayatri Mantra — one of the most sacred mantras in Hinduism, described in the Rigveda. The Gayatri Mantra is a prayer to the divine Sun (Savitur) for illumination of the mind and spirit. Special Gayatri Mantra chanting sessions and havans are organized at temples and ashrams across Madhya Pradesh.
12. Kajari Teej – 31 August 2026 (Monday)
Kajari Teej (also known as Badi Teej or Satudi Teej) is the third of the three Teej festivals, falling on the 3rd day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of Bhadrapada month — just after Shravana Purnima. It is celebrated especially in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Bank Holidays in Madhya Pradesh – August 2026
Here is the complete list of bank holidays in MP for August 2026, including weekly offs, scheduled Saturdays, and public holidays:
| Date | Day | Reason for Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 02 August 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
| 08 August 2026 | Saturday | 2nd Saturday |
| 09 August 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
| 15 August 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day (Public Holiday) |
| 16 August 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
| 22 August 2026 | Saturday | 4th Saturday |
| 23 August 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
| 28 August 2026 | Friday | Raksha Bandhan (Public Holiday) |
| 30 August 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
⚠️ Note: Bank holiday lists are subject to official circulars issued by the RBI and individual bank managements. Always verify with your local bank branch.
Public Holidays in Madhya Pradesh – August 2026
The following are the gazetted public holidays in Madhya Pradesh in August 2026:
- 15 August 2026 – Independence Day (National Holiday)
- 28 August 2026 – Raksha Bandhan (State/National Holiday)
Note: Schools in Madhya Pradesh may observe additional local holidays during this month. The MP School Education Department announces school-specific holiday calendars separately.
Sawan Somvar Vratas in Madhya Pradesh – August 2026
The four Sawan Somvar (Monday) Vratas are among the most important weekly observances for Shiva devotees in Madhya Pradesh. Millions of devotees across the state observe these fasts, visit Shiva temples, and perform Jalabhishek.
| Sawan Somvar | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Sawan Somvar | 3 August 2026 | Monday |
| 2nd Sawan Somvar | 10 August 2026 | Monday |
| 3rd Sawan Somvar | 17 August 2026 | Monday |
| 4th Sawan Somvar | 24 August 2026 | Monday |
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites during Sawan in all of India. Special Bhasma Aarti, midnight Rudrabhishek, and grand Shiva puja programmes are organized every Monday throughout Sawan 2026.
Complete Vrat Calendar – MP August 2026
| Date | Vrat / Fast Name |
|---|---|
| 09 August | Kamika Ekadashi |
| 10 August | Pradosh Vrat (Krishna) |
| 11 August | Sawan Shivratri / Masik Shivaratri |
| 12 August | Shravana Amavasya |
| 15 August | Hariyali Teej (Fast for Women) |
| 23 August | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi |
| 25 August | Pradosh Vrat (Shukla) |
| 28 August | Shravana Purnima / Raksha Bandhan |
Special Note: Chandra Grahan on Raksha Bandhan 2026
A Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) falls on 28 August 2026 — the same day as Raksha Bandhan. This is a rare and significant coincidence.
According to traditional Hindu belief and Panchang guidelines:
- Do not tie Rakhi during the Grahan period. Complete the Raksha Bandhan ritual either before the Grahan begins (Sparsh Kaal) or after the Grahan ends (Moksha Kaal).
- During a Grahan, pregnant women are traditionally advised to stay indoors and avoid cutting or doing heavy work.
- Donating food, clothing, and other items after a Grahan is considered especially meritorious.
- Exact timings of the 2026 Chandra Grahan for Madhya Pradesh (Ujjain/Indore) should be verified from your local Panchang closer to the date.
This is an important planning note for families in Madhya Pradesh observing Raksha Bandhan 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the public holidays in Madhya Pradesh in August 2026?
There are two gazetted public holidays in MP in August 2026: Independence Day (15 August) and Raksha Bandhan (28 August).
Q2. When is Raksha Bandhan in 2026 in Madhya Pradesh?
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on Friday, 28 August 2026. It coincides with Shravana Purnima and a Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse). Rakhi should be tied before or after the eclipse period.
Q3. When is Independence Day 2026 and which anniversary is it?
Independence Day 2026 falls on Saturday, 15 August 2026 and marks India’s 80th Independence Day. It is a national gazetted public holiday in Madhya Pradesh.
Q4. When is Nag Panchami in 2026 in Madhya Pradesh?
Nag Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 17 August 2026 (Shravana Shukla Panchami) in Madhya Pradesh.
Q5. When does Sawan start and end in 2026 in Madhya Pradesh?
In Madhya Pradesh (North India, Purnimanta calendar), Sawan starts on 30 July 2026 and ends on 28 August 2026. The Sawan Somvar Vratas fall on 3, 10, 17, and 24 August 2026.
Conclusion
The MP Calendar 2026 August is one of the richest months of the year — patriotic, spiritual, and culturally vibrant in equal measure. From the sacred Sawan Somvar Vratas at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar to the joyful threads of Raksha Bandhan, from the solemn flag-hoisting of Independence Day to the snake worship of Nag Panchami and the devotional depth of Kamika Ekadashi and Shravana Putrada Ekadashi, August 2026 offers something meaningful for every family in Madhya Pradesh.