Looking for the Tamil Calendar October 2026 (தமிழ் நாட்காட்டி 2026 அக்டோபர்)? This page lists every important Ekadashi, Pradosham, Amavasai, Pournami and festival date for the month, checked against current Panchangam sources rather than copied from an old calendar. October 2026 is an especially busy month on the Tamil calendar, with Navaratri, Golu, Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashami all falling within a few weeks, so a clear day-by-day table is genuinely useful for planning your poojas and muhurtham. You will find the full table below, a short explanation of each date, and a free calendar download at the end.
What Is the Tamil Calendar?
The Tamil Calendar, also called Tamil Panchangam, is a traditional almanac followed by Tamil households to track lunar days (tithi), nakshatra, Rahu Kalam, Pradosham, Ekadashi and Tamil solar months such as Purattasi and Aippasi. Popular printed versions like the GRT Calendar and Nitra Calendar are found in many Tamil homes and shops, alongside temple-published Panchangams. Even though the Tamil calendar uses its own month names and solar year structure, the tithi-based festival dates such as Ekadashi, Pradosham and Navaratri fall on the same days across India, since they are calculated from the same lunar cycle.
Most Tamil calendar apps and printed almanacs also show daily details such as Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam and Gowri Nalla Neram, which many households check before starting a journey, a purchase or an important task. These daily timings change every day and are specific to your city, so this article focuses on the bigger monthly and festival dates that stay the same for everyone in Tamil Nadu and beyond.
Tamil Calendar October 2026 – Festival and Muhurtham Table
| Date | Day | Festival / Event |
|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2026 | Tuesday | Ekadashi (Indira Ekadashi) |
| October 8, 2026 | Thursday | Pradosham |
| October 10, 2026 | Saturday | Amavasai (New Moon – Tarpanam Day) |
| October 11, 2026 | Sunday | Navaratri Begins (Golu Festival Start) |
| October 18, 2026 | Sunday | Aippasi Month Begins (Masapirappu) |
| October 19, 2026 | Monday | Saraswati Pooja / Ayudha Pooja |
| October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | Vijayadashami (Dussehra) |
| October 22, 2026 | Thursday | Ekadashi (Papankusha Ekadashi) |
| October 23, 2026 | Friday | Pradosham |
| October 25, 2026 | Sunday | Pournami (Full Moon) |
Tithi timings can shift by a few hours from city to city, so if you need an exact muhurtham for a wedding, housewarming or business opening, always confirm the timing with your family priest or a local Panchangam rather than relying only on the date. The sections below explain each entry in the table.
Download the Tamil Calendar October 2026 PDF
If you would like to keep this month’s dates handy, you can download the Tamil Calendar October 2026 PDF or the HD image version using the download button on this page. The file is completely free, print-friendly, and easy to share with family on WhatsApp. It includes every date from the table above, so you will not need to search separately for Ekadashi, Pradosham or Navaratri timings during the month. Save it to your phone, or print a copy to keep near your pooja room for quick reference all through October.
Ekadashi – October 6 and October 22, 2026
October 2026 has two Ekadashi fasting days, as every Tamil month does. The first, Indira Ekadashi, falls on Tuesday, October 6, and is dedicated to the liberation of ancestors, making it especially significant during the Pitru Paksha period. The second, Papankusha Ekadashi, falls on Thursday, October 22, and is dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, a form of Vishnu, believed to remove accumulated sins for those who fast with devotion. Devotees typically avoid rice and grains on the day before Ekadashi, keep a full or partial fast on Ekadashi itself, and break the fast the next morning during the Dwadashi Parana window, once the eleventh tithi has ended.
Pradosham – October 8 and October 23, 2026
Pradosham falls on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of both the waxing and waning moon phases, twice every month, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This month, Pradosham falls on Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 23. Devotees fast through the day and worship Lord Shiva during the twilight hour, just before and after sunset, which is considered his most joyful time. Depending on which day of the week a Pradosham falls, it also takes a special name: a Pradosham on a Monday is called Soma Pradosham, on a Tuesday it is Bhauma Pradosham, and on a Saturday it becomes Shani Pradosham, each carrying slightly different significance for devotees seeking specific blessings.
Amavasai – October 10, 2026
This new moon day is an important Tarpanam day, when families perform rituals to honour their ancestors. It also marks the end of the Mahalaya Paksha, the fortnight leading up to Navaratri. Many temples see large crowds on this day as devotees perform Tarpanam before the start of the festive season.
Navaratri and Golu – October 11 to 19, 2026
Navaratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11, with Kalash Sthapana, and continues for nine nights of worship dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In Tamil homes, this is also the season for Golu, the traditional display of dolls and figurines arranged on odd-numbered steps, which families and neighbours visit throughout the festival. Golu displays are usually kept up until Vijayadashami, with many households inviting friends for Kolu Kolu songs, sundal and small gifts each evening. October also follows straight on from Purattasi, the Tamil month associated with Saturday fasting for Lord Vishnu, so many devotees move directly from a month of Saturday vrats into the Navaratri fasting season with barely a break.
Saraswati Pooja and Ayudha Pooja – October 19, 2026
On Maha Navami, the ninth day of Navaratri, Tamil households observe Saraswati Pooja and Ayudha Pooja together. Books, musical instruments, tools and vehicles are cleaned and placed before Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Durga as a mark of respect for knowledge and the instruments that support daily work and livelihood. It is common for students to keep their books aside on this day and only resume studies the next morning, after Vidyarambham rituals.
Vijayadashami – October 20, 2026
Vijayadashami, the tenth and final day of Navaratri, falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and marks the victory of good over evil, commemorating both Lord Rama’s defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga’s defeat of the buffalo demon Mahishasura. In Tamil Nadu, this day is considered especially auspicious for Vidyarambham, the ceremony of initiating young children into learning their first letters, along with other new beginnings such as starting a business or moving into a new home. Many parents specifically wait for this date each year to begin a child’s formal education, writing the first letters on a plate of rice with the child’s finger under a teacher’s or elder’s guidance. Golu dolls are traditionally put away on this day or the following morning, ending the nine-night display.
Pournami – October 25, 2026
The full moon day this month, Sunday, October 25, is Sharad Pournami, one of the most spiritually significant full moons of the year. Many devotees observe a fast and offer prayers under the moonlight, believing this particular full moon carries added blessings for health and prosperity.
Aippasi Month and Good Muhurtham Days
The Tamil month of Aippasi begins on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and runs into mid-November. Aippasi is traditionally considered a good month for auspicious events such as weddings, housewarmings and starting a new business, though the exact suba muhurtham (auspicious time) for any specific date depends on the nakshatra, tithi and the individual horoscopes involved. Families planning a wedding or Griha Pravesham often shortlist two or three candidate dates from their community priest and then narrow them down based on the couple’s or family’s birth stars. If you are planning such an event in Aippasi 2026, it is best to consult a family priest or a detailed Panchangam for your city rather than picking a date from a general list.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Navaratri start in October 2026? Navaratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with Kalash Sthapana.
When is Vijayadashami in 2026? Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the tenth day of Navaratri.
What are the Ekadashi dates in October 2026? There are two Ekadashi fasting days this month: October 6 (Indira Ekadashi) and October 22 (Papankusha Ekadashi).
When does the Aippasi month begin in 2026? Aippasi Masam 2026 begins on Sunday, October 18, and continues until mid-November.
Is Skanda Sashti in October 2026? No. Skanda Sashti falls later this year, from November 10 to 15, 2026, with Soorasamharam on November 15.
What is the significance of Ayudha Pooja? Ayudha Pooja, observed on Maha Navami, is when tools, vehicles, books and instruments are worshipped as a mark of gratitude for the means of daily work and learning.
When is Pournami (full moon) in October 2026? Pournami falls on Sunday, October 25, 2026, which is also observed as Sharad Pournami, a spiritually significant full moon.
Is October 2026 a good month for weddings in Tamil Nadu? Aippasi, which begins October 18, 2026, is generally considered a favourable month for weddings and housewarmings, though the exact muhurtham should always be confirmed with a family priest based on the couple’s horoscope.
Conclusion
Tamil Calendar October 2026 is packed with important dates, from two Ekadashi fasts and two Pradosham days to the nine nights of Navaratri, Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashami, followed by the start of Aippasi month and the Pournami full moon. Use the table above to plan your poojas, Golu gatherings and muhurtham dates with confidence, and download the free PDF or HD image for quick reference through the month. Check back for the Tamil Calendar for November 2026, which covers Deepavali and Skanda Sashti.