Welcome to the complete guide for the Odia Calendar 2026 October. If you are searching for the Kohinoor Odia Calendar 2026 October to track the most anticipated festival of the year—Durga Puja and Vijaya Dashami—you have come to the right place. We provide a direct download link for the October 2026 Odia Calendar PDF, along with a comprehensive list of festivals, fasts, and government holidays.
This guide covers the traditional Odia month of Aswina and the beginning of the holiest month, Kartika, as per the authentic Kohinoor Panji. October 2026 is the peak of the festive season, featuring Mahalaya, the nine nights of Navaratri, the immersion of Goddess Durga, and the radiant full moon of Kumar Purnima.
Odia Calendar 2026 October: The Victory of Good Over Evil
October 2026 is the most spiritually charged month in the Odia calendar. It begins with Mahalaya, signaling the descent of the Goddess, and culminates in the celebration of Vijaya Dashami, symbolizing the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana and Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. The air fills with the sound of dhak (drums) and the scent of incense as the state worships the divine feminine.
Below is the detailed schedule from the Kohinoor Odia Calendar for October 2026, presented in an easy-to-read table format.
Day-Wise Festival & Event List (October 2026)
| Date | Day | Tithi / Festival / Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2026 | Thursday | Gaja Shasthi |
| 2 October 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti, Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti |
| 3 October 2026 | Saturday | Sri Durga Devi Uthapana (Awakening of the Goddess), Mula Ashtami |
| 6 October 2026 | Tuesday | Indira Ekadashi (Fasting) |
| 9 October 2026 | Friday | Shiva Chaturdashi Fasting, Beda Parikrama |
| 10 October 2026 | Saturday | Mahalaya Amavasya, Chandra Kshaya, Night Vigil, Beginning of Pitru Paksha (Ancestor Worship) |
| 11 October 2026 | Sunday | Beginning of Navaratri (9-day Durga Puja), Maa Biraja Devi Rathayatra |
| 12 October 2026 | Monday | Chandra Darshan (Moon Sighting) |
| 15 October 2026 | Thursday | Nata Panchami, Guru Panchami Brata |
| 16 October 2026 | Friday | Tapah Shasthi |
| 17 October 2026 | Saturday | Maha Saptami (Durga Puja), Tula Sankranti (Garbhana Sankranti) |
| 18 October 2026 | Sunday | Maha Ashtami (Durga Puja), Sharana Arambha |
| 19 October 2026 | Monday | Maha Navami (Durga Puja) |
| 20 October 2026 | Tuesday | Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) , Immersion of Idols (Bisarjan) |
| 21 October 2026 | Wednesday | Dashahara at Srimandir, Conclusion of Somanatha Brata |
| 22 October 2026 | Thursday | Papankusha Ekadashi (Fasting) |
| 23 October 2026 | Friday | Sharana Shesha (End of Sharana) |
| 24 October 2026 | Saturday | Shiva Chaturdashi Fasting, Beda Parikrama |
| 25 October 2026 | Sunday | Kumar Utsav, Gajalakshmi Puja, Chandra Puja |
| 26 October 2026 | Monday | Kumar Purnima, Kartika Brata Arambha (Beginning of Holy Month) |
| 30 October 2026 | Friday | Shashthi Mela (Local Observances) |
Key Kohinoor Odia Festivals in October 2026
October is the crown of the Odia festive season. Here are the highlights from the Kohinoor Odia Calendar:
- Gandhi Jayanti (October 2): The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, is observed with prayer meetings and cleanliness drives across the country.
- Mahalaya Amavasya (October 10): The new moon day that marks the end of Pitru Paksha (the fortnight of ancestors) and the beginning of Devi Paksha (the fortnight of the Goddess). It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga descends to Earth. Devotees listen to “Mahalaya” recitations early in the morning.
- Navaratri & Durga Puja (October 11-20): The nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
- Saptami (Oct 17): The main Puja begins with the ritual of “Pran Pratistha” (infusing life into the idol).
- Ashtami (Oct 18): The most important day, marked by the Sandhi Puja and offerings of 108 lamps and lotuses.
- Navami (Oct 19): The final day of worship before the Goddess’s departure.
- Vijaya Dashami (October 20): The grand finale. Idols of Durga are taken in processions for immersion (Bisarjan) with chants of “Aasche bochor abar hobe!” (It will happen again next year!). It also celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, with effigies of Ravana being burnt.
- Kumar Purnima (October 26): The full moon night of the month. It is associated with Kartikeya, the god of war. Unmarried girls fast and pray for a handsome husband like Kartikeya. They wear new clothes, play traditional games, and enjoy the moonlight. This day also marks the beginning of the holy month of Kartika.
Understanding Durga Puja in Odisha
Durga Puja in Odisha has a unique blend of community celebration and traditional rituals, especially in the Saktapeethas (shrines of the Goddess) like Maa Biraja in Jajpur and Maa Cuttack Chandi in Cuttack.
- Mula Ashtami (Oct 3): Considered the day when the Goddess is first invoked in the sugarcane harvest.
- Maa Biraja Devi Rathayatra (Oct 11): In Jajpur, the deity of the famous Biraja Temple is taken out on a chariot, marking the start of Navaratri celebrations there.
- Sandhi Puja: The most crucial moment of Durga Puja, occurring at the junction of Ashtami and Navami. It marks the moment when Goddess Durga killed the demons Chando and Munda.
The Holy Month of Kartika Begins
With Kumar Purnima on October 26, the most sacred month for Odias—Kartika—begins.
- Kartika Brata: For the entire month, devout Odias, especially women, observe various vows. They wake up early, take a holy bath (preferably before sunrise), and offer prayers to Tulsi (basil) plant.
- Significance: It is believed that observing the Kartika Brata pleases Lord Vishnu and brings immense merit. Eating fish, meat, and eggs is avoided by many during this month.
October 2026 Holidays: Bank & Government List
Here are the official bank and government holidays in Odisha for October 2026. This is the peak holiday season.
| Date | Day | Holiday/Observance |
|---|---|---|
| 2 October 2026 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti |
| 10 October 2026 | Saturday | 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday |
| 17 October 2026 | Saturday | Maha Saptami (Durga Puja) |
| 18 October 2026 | Sunday | Maha Ashtami (Durga Puja) |
| 19 October 2026 | Monday | Maha Navami (Durga Puja) |
| 20 October 2026 | Tuesday | Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) |
| 24 October 2026 | Saturday | 4th Saturday Bank Holiday |
| 26 October 2026 | Monday | Kumar Purnima / Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti |
| 29 October 2026 | Thursday | Karva Chauth (Observed in some communities) |
Note: While Karva Chauth is listed, it is primarily a North Indian festival, though it is observed by some communities in urban Odisha.
The Spiritual Significance of October Fasts
- Indira Ekadashi (Oct 6): Observed during Pitru Paksha. It is believed that fasting on this day helps liberate the souls of ancestors.
- Papankusha Ekadashi (Oct 22): The Ekadashi that falls after Dussehra. “Papankusha” means one who controls sins. Fasting on this day is said to rein in sinful tendencies.
- Tula Sankranti (Oct 17): Also known as Garbhana Sankranti in some regions, it marks the sun’s entry into Libra. It is considered an auspicious day for charity.
Download October 2026 Odia Calendar PDF
For a detailed view of the almanac including the exact timings for Sandhi Puja, Ekadashi fasting times, and Tithi start and end times, you can download the free PDF version of the Kohinoor Odia Calendar October 2026 using the link below.
Download Odia Calendar 2026 October PDF
(Note: Replace the “#” with the actual file path on your server to provide a seamless user experience.)
Conclusion
October 2026 is the pinnacle of the Odia festive calendar. From the ancestral reverence of Mahalaya to the cosmic victory of Vijaya Dashami and the romantic glow of Kumar Purnima, the month is a spiritual and cultural extravaganza. As the holy month of Kartika dawns, it brings a period of reflection and devotion. By using this Odia Calendar for October 2026, you can ensure you are present for every sacred moment of this festive season.