The MP Calendar 2026 September (मध्य प्रदेश कैलेंडर 2026 सितम्बर) is an essential guide for residents of Madhya Pradesh to plan this festival-rich month. Whether you are fasting on Aja Ekadashi, preparing Ganesh Chaturthi decorations, attending your child’s Teacher’s Day school event, worshipping Goddess Parvati on Hartalika Teej, or observing the Anant Chaturdashi fast before Ganesh Visarjan — every important date is covered here in detail.
This article provides the complete Madhya Pradesh Calendar for September 2026 — verified festival dates, bank holidays, public holidays, vrats, and FAQ — everything you need for a well-planned and spiritually fulfilling September.
Madhya Pradesh Calendar September 2026 – Complete Festival & Holiday Table
The table below lists every confirmed festival, vrat, and holiday in the MP Calendar 2026 September, organized date by date.
| Date | Day | Festival / Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 04 September 2026 | Friday | Janmashtami |
| 05 September 2026 | Saturday | Teacher’s Day |
| 08 September 2026 | Tuesday | Aja Ekadashi |
| 09 September 2026 | Wednesday | Pradosh Vrat (Krishna) |
| 12 September 2026 | Saturday | 2nd Saturday – Bank Holiday |
| 13 September 2026 | Sunday | Hartalika Teej |
| 14 September 2026 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi / Hindi Diwas |
| 15 September 2026 | Tuesday | Rishi Panchami |
| 17 September 2026 | Thursday | Vishwakarma Puja / Kanya Sankranti |
| 20 September 2026 | Sunday | Radha Ashtami |
| 23 September 2026 | Wednesday | Parivartini Ekadashi |
| 24 September 2026 | Thursday | Pradosh Vrat (Shukla) |
| 25 September 2026 | Friday | Anant Chaturdashi / Ganesh Visarjan |
| 26 September 2026 | Saturday | Pitru Paksha Starts (Purnima Shraddha) / 4th Saturday – Bank Holiday |
📌 Note: Tithi-based festival dates may vary by one day depending on the local Panchang. The dates above are based on the Madhya Pradesh (Ujjain-region) calendar for 2026. Always verify specific muhurat timings with your local Pandit or Panchang.
Major Festivals in MP Calendar 2026 September – Detailed Guide
1. Janmashtami – 4 September 2026 (Friday)
Janmashtami — the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu — is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated festivals across Madhya Pradesh. It falls on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha of the Bhadrapada month.
Janmashtami 2026 Date in MP: Friday, 4 September 2026 The midnight puja (Nishita Kaal) for Janmashtami will be performed after 12:00 AM on the night of 4–5 September. Check your local Panchang for the exact Nishita Kaal timing in your city.
2. Teacher’s Day – 5 September 2026 (Saturday)
Teacher’s Day is celebrated every year on 5 September to honor the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan — a philosopher, statesman, and the second President of India, who believed that teachers are the backbone of a civilized society. When his students wanted to celebrate his birthday, he requested that the day be observed as Teacher’s Day instead.
3. Aja Ekadashi – 8 September 2026 (Tuesday)
Aja Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the Bhadrapada month. The name “Aja” comes from Sanskrit meaning “unborn” — one of the names of Lord Vishnu, signifying his eternal and transcendent nature. This Ekadashi is also referred to as Annada Ekadashi in some traditions.
4. Pradosh Vrat (Krishna) – 9 September 2026 (Wednesday)
Pradosh Vrat of the Krishna Paksha falls on the 13th day (Trayodashi) of the waning moon of Bhadrapada month. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped during the evening twilight (Pradosh Kaal) with special abhishek, offerings of Belpatra, flowers, and milk. Devotees fast from morning and perform puja in the 90-minute golden window around sunset.
5. 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday – 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
The 2nd Saturday of September 2026 falls on 12 September. All banks across Madhya Pradesh — governed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directives — remain closed on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month. Plan your banking needs on Friday, 11 September or Monday, 14 September instead.
6. Hartalika Teej – 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
Hartalika Teej is one of the most important festivals for women in Madhya Pradesh and across North and Central India. It is celebrated on the 3rd day (Tritiya) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) of the Bhadrapada month — one day before Ganesh Chaturthi.
The name “Hartalika” comes from two Sanskrit words — “Harit” (to abduct/take away) and “Aalika” (female friend). According to the legend, Goddess Parvati’s friends helped her escape into the forest to avoid a proposed marriage to Vishnu, allowing her to continue her penance for Lord Shiva. Moved by her devotion, Shiva accepted her as his consort.
7. Ganesh Chaturthi / Hindi Diwas – 14 September 2026 (Monday)
14 September 2026 marks two nationally significant celebrations:
Ganesh Chaturthi – Ganeshotsav Begins
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the grandest festivals in India — celebrated on the 4th day (Chaturthi) of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. It marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is worshipped as the remover of obstacles, the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and prosperity. The festival lasts 10 days, concluding on Anant Chaturdashi (25 September 2026).
Hindi Diwas
Hindi Diwas is celebrated every year on 14 September to commemorate the day in 1949 when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi written in the Devanagari script as one of the official languages of the Republic of India. Madhya Pradesh — as a state where Hindi is the primary language — observes Hindi Diwas with essay competitions, poetry readings, seminars, and cultural programmes in schools, colleges, and government offices.
For a state where Hindi literature has produced luminaries like Mahadevi Varma and Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Hindi Diwas holds special cultural significance. The day is widely celebrated in Bhopal’s government institutions and across Madhya Pradesh’s educational bodies.
8. Rishi Panchami – 15 September 2026 (Tuesday)
Rishi Panchami falls on the 5th day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month — one day after Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a day dedicated to the Sapta Rishis (Seven Sages) — Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadwaja, Vishwamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Vashishtha — who are revered as the founders of Vedic knowledge and civilization.
9. Vishwakarma Puja / Kanya Sankranti – 17 September 2026 (Thursday)
17 September 2026 combines two important observances:
Vishwakarma Puja
Vishwakarma Puja celebrates Lord Vishwakarma — the divine architect and craftsman of the gods, believed to have built the celestial city of Dwarka, the Pushpak Vimana (flying chariot), and the weapons of the gods. He is considered the deity of all artisans, engineers, craftsmen, and factory workers.
Kanya Sankranti (Virgo Sankranti)
Kanya Sankranti marks the transit of the Sun from Leo (Simha) to Virgo (Kanya) rashi. Solar transits are considered sacred times in Hindu tradition, ideal for holy river bathing, charity (daan), ancestor rituals, and temple visits. Offering sesame, jaggery, and cotton on Kanya Sankranti is considered meritorious.
10. Radha Ashtami – 20 September 2026 (Sunday)
Radha Ashtami celebrates the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha — the eternal consort of Lord Krishna and the embodiment of divine love, devotion, and surrender. It falls on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month.
Radha is considered the highest devotee of Lord Krishna, and her love for Krishna is seen as the purest expression of Bhakti (devotion). On Radha Ashtami, temples across Madhya Pradesh — especially those dedicated to Radha-Krishna in Ujjain, Orchha, and Vrindavan-connected communities — hold special abhishek of Radha’s idol, decoration with flowers and ornaments, devotional singing, and recitation of Radha Chalisa and Radha-Krishna bhajans.
Devotees observe fasts and stay awake through the night in devotional singing, mirroring the celebrations of Janmashtami two weeks earlier.
Radha Ashtami 2026 Date in MP: Sunday, 20 September 2026
11. Parivartini Ekadashi – 23 September 2026 (Wednesday)
Parivartini Ekadashi (also known as Padma Ekadashi or Parsva Ekadashi) falls on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. The name “Parivartini” means “turning” or “changing sides” — according to Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu (who is in Yoga Nidra/cosmic sleep during Chaturmas) turns from his left side to his right side on this Ekadashi, a sign that the end of Chaturmas is approaching.
This Ekadashi is especially significant in the Vaishnava tradition. Devotees worship Lord Trivikrama (the form Vishnu assumed during the Vamana-Bali story) on this day. Observing Parivartini Ekadashi is believed to wash away sins equal to those of killing a Brahmin or breaking one’s sacred vows. Fasting, overnight vigil, and Vishnu puja are the central observances.
Parivartini Ekadashi 2026 Date in MP: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
12. Pradosh Vrat (Shukla) – 24 September 2026 (Thursday)
Shukla Paksha Pradosh Vrat falls on the 13th day (Trayodashi) of the waxing moon of Bhadrapada month. This Pradosh Vrat holds added significance as it occurs during the Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha — the same fortnight as Ganeshotsav and Anant Chaturdashi — making the evening’s Shiva puja part of an intensely spiritually charged week.
Devotees fast from sunrise, visit Shiva temples in the evening, perform Shivalinga abhishek with water, milk, and honey, and pray for the blessings of health, prosperity, and family harmony. In Ujjain and Omkareshwar — two of the 12 Jyotirlinga sites located in Madhya Pradesh — Pradosh Vrat draws significant crowds of pilgrims.
13. Anant Chaturdashi / Ganesh Visarjan – 25 September 2026 (Friday)
25 September 2026 is the most emotionally and visually spectacular day of the month — the 10th and final day of Ganeshotsav, culminating in the magnificent Ganesh Visarjan (immersion of Ganesha idols).
Anant Chaturdashi
Anant Chaturdashi falls on the 14th day of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. It is the day of Lord Vishnu in his Ananta (eternal/infinite) form — celebrated by tying the Anant (a sacred 14-knotted thread) on the right wrist for men and left wrist for women. The thread symbolizes the eternal protection of Lord Vishnu.
Devotees observe a fast, worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves and yellow flowers, and listen to the Anant Chaturdashi Vrat Katha. It is also the day the Kaurava-Pandava war began according to Mahabharata tradition, and observing the fast is said to restore lost wealth and fortune.
Ganesh Visarjan – Bidding Farewell to Bappa
Ganesh Visarjan is the emotional culmination of the 10-day Ganeshotsav. Lakhs of devotees in Indore, Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, and every city and village of Madhya Pradesh carry their Ganesha idols in grand processions — dancing, singing “Ganpati Bappa Morya! Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa!” (Ganesha, come back soon next year!) — before immersing the idols in water bodies.
The Ganesh Visarjan processions in Indore and Bhopal are among the largest in Central India, with thousands of Ganesha idols from homes, mohallas, and large community pandals being immersed in designated water bodies amid celebrations that last through the night. The rivers Kshipra and Narmada in Madhya Pradesh serve as key visarjan sites.
Anant Chaturdashi / Ganesh Visarjan 2026 Date in MP: Friday, 25 September 2026
14. Pitru Paksha Starts (Purnima Shraddha) / 4th Saturday Bank Holiday – 26 September 2026 (Saturday)
26 September 2026 marks the beginning of one of the most spiritually significant fortnights of the Hindu calendar — Pitru Paksha (the fortnight of ancestors), also known as Shraadh Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha. On this day, banks are also closed as it is the 4th Saturday of September.
Pitru Paksha – The Fortnight of Ancestor Worship
Pitru Paksha is a 16-day lunar period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to honoring and performing rituals for deceased ancestors (Pitrus). It begins on the Bhadrapada Purnima (full moon) with Purnima Shraddha — for those whose ancestors died on a Purnima tithi — and ends on Sarvapitri Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya) in October 2026, when Shraddha is performed for all ancestors regardless of their death tithi.
During Pitru Paksha, Hindus in Madhya Pradesh perform:
- Shraddha rituals — offerings of food (Pind Daan), water (Tarpan), and prayers for the peace and liberation of departed ancestors
- Pind Daan — especially at sacred sites like the banks of the Narmada river in Omkareshwar and Maheshwar (MP)
- Brahmin Bhojan — feeding Brahmins as a means of offering nourishment symbolically to ancestors
- Daan (charity) — donating food, clothing, and items to the needy in the name of ancestors
In Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar on the banks of the sacred Narmada river are major pilgrimage destinations during Pitru Paksha, with thousands of families coming to perform Pind Daan and Tarpan.
📌 Pitru Paksha 2026 Key Dates:
- Starts: 26 September 2026 (Purnima Shraddha)
- Sarvapitri Amavasya (End): 10 October 2026
Bank Holidays in Madhya Pradesh – September 2026
Here is the complete list of bank holidays in MP for September 2026:
| Date | Day | Reason for Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 04 September 2026 | Friday | Janmashtami (Public Holiday) |
| 06 September 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
| 12 September 2026 | Saturday | 2nd Saturday |
| 13 September 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
| 20 September 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
| 26 September 2026 | Saturday | 4th Saturday + Bhadrapada Purnima |
| 27 September 2026 | Sunday | Weekly Off |
⚠️ Note: Bank holiday schedules are subject to RBI circulars and individual bank notifications. Always verify with your local branch.
Public Holidays in Madhya Pradesh – September 2026
The following are the gazetted public holidays in Madhya Pradesh during September 2026:
- 4 September 2026 – Janmashtami (gazetted holiday in MP)
Note: Ganesh Chaturthi (14 September) is a public holiday in some states but may be observed as an optional/restricted holiday in Madhya Pradesh government offices. Schools and private institutions may declare their own holiday. Check with your institution or employer for confirmation.
Complete Vrat Calendar – MP September 2026
| Date | Vrat / Fast Name |
|---|---|
| 08 September | Aja Ekadashi |
| 09 September | Pradosh Vrat (Krishna) |
| 09 September | Masik Shivaratri (Krishna Chaturdashi) |
| 11 September | Bhadrapada Amavasya |
| 13 September | Hartalika Teej (Nirjala Vrat) |
| 15 September | Rishi Panchami |
| 20 September | Radha Ashtami |
| 23 September | Parivartini Ekadashi |
| 24 September | Pradosh Vrat (Shukla) |
| 25 September | Anant Chaturdashi Vrat |
| 26 September | Purnima Shraddha (Pitru Paksha begins) |
10-Day Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Schedule in Madhya Pradesh
For those celebrating Ganeshotsav, here is the complete 10-day schedule:
| Day | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 14 September (Mon) | Ganesh Chaturthi – Ganesh Sthapana (Installation) |
| Day 2 | 15 September (Tue) | Rishi Panchami |
| Day 3 | 16 September (Wed) | Ganesh Puja – Day 3 |
| Day 4 | 17 September (Thu) | Vishwakarma Puja / Kanya Sankranti |
| Day 5 | 18 September (Fri) | Ganesh Puja – Day 5 |
| Day 6 | 19 September (Sat) | Ganesh Puja – Day 6 |
| Day 7 | 20 September (Sun) | Radha Ashtami |
| Day 8 | 21 September (Mon) | Ganesh Puja – Day 8 |
| Day 9 | 22 September (Tue) | Ganesh Puja – Day 9 |
| Day 10 | 25 September (Fri) | Anant Chaturdashi – Ganesh Visarjan |
Special Focus: Pitru Paksha 2026 in Madhya Pradesh
Pitru Paksha is not just a ritual — it is a profound expression of gratitude and love toward those who came before us. In Madhya Pradesh, the practice of ancestor worship during Pitru Paksha is deeply rooted in culture, particularly along the banks of the sacred Narmada river.
Important Shraddha Tithi Dates (September–October 2026):
- 26 September – Purnima Shraddha (for those who passed on Purnima)
- 27 September – Pratipada Shraddha
- 28 September – Dwitiya Shraddha
- 29 September – Tritiya Shraddha
- 30 September – Chaturthi Shraddha
- (Continues into October, ending with Sarvapitri Amavasya on 10 October 2026)
Best Pilgrimage Sites for Pind Daan in MP During Pitru Paksha:
- Omkareshwar (Khandwa district) — on the holy Narmada river, one of the most sacred sites in MP for Pind Daan
- Maheshwar (Khargone district) — on the banks of the Narmada, associated with Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar
- Ujjain — the banks of the Kshipra river, especially near Siddhavat, the ancient Peepal tree associated with ancestor rituals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – MP Calendar 2026 September
Q1. What are the public holidays in Madhya Pradesh in September 2026? The main gazetted public holiday in MP in September 2026 is Janmashtami on 4 September 2026. Ganesh Chaturthi (14 September) may be observed as an optional holiday depending on your institution or employer.
Q2. When is Janmashtami in 2026 in Madhya Pradesh? Janmashtami 2026 falls on Friday, 4 September 2026. The Nishita Kaal (midnight puja) falls on the night of 4–5 September. It is a gazetted public holiday in Madhya Pradesh.
Q3. When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026 and when is Ganesh Visarjan? Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, 14 September 2026. The 10-day festival ends with Ganesh Visarjan on Friday, 25 September 2026 (Anant Chaturdashi).
Q4. When is Hartalika Teej in 2026 in Madhya Pradesh? Hartalika Teej 2026 falls on Sunday, 13 September 2026 — one day before Ganesh Chaturthi. Women observe a nirjala (waterless) fast on this day for the wellbeing of their husbands.
Q5. When does Pitru Paksha start in 2026? Pitru Paksha 2026 starts on Saturday, 26 September 2026 (Purnima Shraddha / Bhadrapada Purnima) and ends on Sarvapitri Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya) on 10 October 2026.