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Why are Hindu fasts and festivals now falling on two days? An astrologer from Central Sanskrit University, Jammu, explains the reason and the simplest way to find the correct date
The confusion arises because every fast and festival is determined by specific ‘tithis’ (lunar dates), ‘nakshatras’ (constellations), and ‘muhurats’ (precise, auspicious timings). (AI Generated)
As festive preparations gather pace across the country, many families are once again confronted with a familiar question: on which day should the festival actually be observed? In recent years, several Hindu festivals and fasts have been observed on different dates in various parts of India, leading to widespread confusion. Holi is a notable example, celebrated on March 3 in some regions and on March 4 in others, effectively dividing the country’s celebrations.
What lies behind this growing divergence in festival dates, and why has it become more noticeable in recent times?
Why Do Festival Dates Differ?
The confusion arises because every fast and festival is determined by specific tithis (lunar dates), nakshatras (constellations), and muhurats (precise, auspicious timings). At times, the required nakshatra or auspicious period is not available on a particular calendar date. Factors such as Bhadra, as well as lunar or solar eclipses, can further complicate the calculation of dates.
According to Dr Mrityunjay Tiwari, an astrologer at Central Sanskrit University, Jammu, the dates of Hindu festivals and fasts are primarily determined based on local sunrise and sunset timings.
Role Of Sunrise And Sunset
India spans a vast geographical range, from Jammu to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. Because of this wide expanse, sunrise and sunset timings can differ by as much as two and a half hours across the country. For instance, sunrise occurs earlier in Arunachal Pradesh, and consequently sunset is also earlier there. In contrast, in places such as Gujarat or Mumbai, sunrise takes place later, and sunset is correspondingly delayed.
If someone in Delhi determines the date of a fast based on Delhi’s sunrise and sunset, the same date cannot automatically apply to Varanasi, Patna, or Mumbai, as their sunrise and sunset timings differ. This geographical variation is one of the principal reasons why the same festival or fast may fall on two different days in different parts of India.
Impact Of Social Media And The Internet
Dr Tiwari also notes that the growth of social media and the internet has added to the confusion. In earlier times, local priests would announce festival dates according to the local calendar (panchang), based on the sunrise and sunset of that particular region.
Today, however, an astrologer in Mumbai may refer to a Varanasi-based calendar, which calculates dates according to Varanasi’s sunrise and sunset timings rather than Mumbai’s. As a result, applying a single uniform date across the entire country becomes difficult.
How To Determine The Correct Date
Dr Tiwari advises that individuals should consult their local calendar to ascertain the correct date for observing a fast or festival. The first step is to check the panchang for your specific area and note the relevant tithi along with the local sunrise and sunset timings.
A general rule is that a fast should be observed on the day when sunrise falls within the relevant tithi.
Example: Holika Dahan And Holi
Holika Dahan is performed after sunset on the full moon (Purnima) of the month of Phalguna, provided that Bhadra is not present. Holi is celebrated on the first day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Chaitra.
To determine the correct date for Holika Dahan:
- Check your local calendar for the full moon date in Phalguna.
- Ensure that Bhadra is not prevailing during the time of the ritual.
- Perform Holika Dahan after sunset on the Bhadra-free full moon.
- Thereafter, identify when sunrise falls on the first day of Chaitra’s dark fortnight, and celebrate Holi on that day.
Example: Amalaki Ekadashi In Delhi
Amalaki Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Phalguna.
In Delhi:
- The Ekadashi tithi begins on February 27 at 12:33 pm and ends at 10:32 pm.
- Sunrise occurs at 6:48 am and sunset at 6:19 pm on February 27.
Since the Ekadashi tithi prevails at sunrise on February 27, Amalaki Ekadashi is observed on that date in Delhi.
Example: Phalguna Full Moon In Delhi
For the full moon (Purnima) of Phalguna in Delhi:
- The tithi begins on March 2 at 5:55 pm and ends on March 3 at 5:07 pm.
- Sunrise takes place at 6:44 am and sunset at 6:22 pm on March 3.
As the full moon tithi is present at sunrise on March 3, the Phalguna Purnima is observed on March 3 in Delhi.
In essence, the variation in local sunrise and sunset timings across India, combined with specific astronomical and astrological conditions, explains why the same Hindu festival or fast may be observed on different days in different regions.
February 24, 2026, 09:20 IST