The Vrats & Festivals of the Month of October 2025

Vrats & Festivals, celebrated in the month of October 2025

By Intimate Viewpoint

October is one of the most vibrant months in the Hindu calendar, filled with a tapestry of vrats (fasts) and festivals that are observed across different regions of India. These observances are rooted in astrology, local traditions, mythological events, and seasonal cycles. Below is a guide to some of the major fasts and festivals of October (2025), along with their dates and significance. (Note: Some dates are based on the lunar (Hindu) calendar and may vary slightly by region.)

Suggest to read:

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Major Festivals & Fasts in October 2025

Here are some of the important festivals and vrats observed in October 2025 in India:

Date (2025) Festival / Vrat Significance / Rituals

October 1 (Wednesday) Maha Navami Ninth day of Navratri — worship of Goddess Durga in her Navami form. 

October 2 (Thursday) Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra Marks the culmination of Navratri and the victory of good (Rama, or Durga) over evil (Ravana / Mahishasura). 

October 3 (Friday) Papankusha Ekadashi

October 4 (Saturday) Pradosh Vrat

October 6 (Monday) Sharad Purnima / Lakshmi Puja (in Bengal / eastern India) A full moon festival; in certain regions, special puja or fast is observed. 

October 7 (Tuesday) Valmiki Jayanti and Meerabai Jayanti  

Meerabai Jayanti celebrates the birth of the great devotee of Lord Krishna. Her bhajans and unwavering devotion inspire generations towards spirituality.

Valmiki Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, the Adikavi. He is revered as the author of the epic Ramayana, a guide to dharma and virtue.

October 9 (Thursday) Karwa Chauth Married women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life and well-being of their husbands. 

October 11 (Saturday) Rohini Vrat Observed by some devotees tied to tithi and nakshatra (lunar day / star) — custom varies regionally. 

October 13 (Monday) Kalashtami A day in the lunar cycle (Ashtami tithi) dedicated to Lord Krishna or Vishnu, with fasting or partial fasting by many Vaishnavas. 

October 14 (Tuesday) Ahoi Ashtami A fast observed by mothers (especially in North India) for the welfare of their children; the vrata is broken after moonrise and certain pujas are done. 

October 18 (Saturday) Dhanteras 

Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. It is celebrated by worshipping Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. People buy gold, silver, or utensils as it is considered very auspicious. Homes are decorated with diyas, rangolis, and lights on this day. Dhanteras symbolizes wealth, health, and prosperity in life.

October 20 (Monday) Naraka Chaturdashi

October 21 (Tuesday) Diwali / Deepavali, the festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness; homes are lit with lamps (diyas), Lakshmi Puja is done, gifts are exchanged. 

October 22 (Wednesday) Govardhan Puja Also known as Annakut in some places, worship of Govardhan Hill and offering of food. 

October 23 (Thursday) Bhai Dooj Festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters; sisters perform aarti and pray for brothers’ well-being. 

October 26 (Sunday) Surya Sashthi / Chhat Puja In parts of northern India (especially Bihar / Uttar Pradesh), worship of Sun God (Surya) at sunrise and sunset with fasts. 

Note: Many “vrats” (fasts) in the Hindu calendar are tied to particular tithis, nakshatras, or lunar days (e.g. Ekadashi, Pradosha) and recur every lunar month. The above list highlights major ones in October that many observe.