When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Datta Jayanti celebrated in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Datta Jayanti 2026 will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 23, 2026 (Margashirsha Shukla Purnima). The full moon tithi extends through Wednesday evening, which is the prime time for the sunset birth celebration (Janmotsav).

What is the exact Datta Jayanti 2026 Janmotsav Muhurat?

The sacred Datta Janmotsav takes place at sunset (Godhuli / Sandhya Kaal) on Wednesday, December 23, 2026, between 05:45 PM and 06:15 PM. The cradle (Palana) rocking ceremony, birth announcement, and Aarti are conducted across Maharashtra during this twilight window.

What is the significance of the 24 Gurus of Lord Dattatreya?

In the Uddhava Gita of the Bhagavata Purana, Lord Dattatreya reveals that he learned life's deepest truths from 24 natural Gurus — including Earth (patience), Water (purity), Air (detachment), Fire (radiance), Sky (boundlessness), the Spider (creation and dissolution), and the Honeybee (taking only what is necessary without damaging the flower).

Why are four dogs and a cow depicted alongside Lord Dattatreya?

The four dogs surrounding Lord Dattatreya represent the four Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda), symbolizing that all divine wisdom loyally serves the enlightened master. The cow behind him represents Kamadhenu (Mother Earth), symbolizing sustenance, unconditional love, and spiritual abundance.

Which are the premier Datta Kshetra pilgrimage destinations in Maharashtra?

The foremost Datta pilgrimage destinations include Narsobachi Wadi (confluence of Krishna and Panchaganga near Kolhapur), Audumbar (near Sangli), Mahur Gad (Nanded district), Gangapur (sacred Nirguna Padukas), and Karanja Lad (the sacred birthplace of Shri Narasimha Saraswati in Washim).

Datta Jayanti 2026 | दत्त जयंती

Lord Dattatreya Datta Jayanti Maharashtra Celebration

Looking for calendar views and tithis?

Read more about the exact tithi timings and planetary alignments in our comprehensive December 2026 Calendar.

View December Calendar →

About Datta Jayanti(उत्सव माहिती)

Datta Jayanti (दत्त जयंती), also celebrated as Dattatreya Jayanti, is observed with profound spiritual devotion and festive grandeur across Maharashtra. Falling on the full moon day of Margashirsha (Margashirsha Shukla Purnima), this auspicious festival marks the divine incarnation of Lord Dattatreya — the unified manifestation of the Holy Trinity (Trimurti: Lord Brahma the Creator, Lord Vishnu the Preserver, and Lord Shiva the Destroyer). Lord Dattatreya is revered as the Adi Guru (Supreme Universal Teacher) and the master of wisdom, nature, and self-liberation.

Throughout Maharashtra, sacred pilgrimage sites (Datta Kshetras) such as Narsobachi Wadi, Audumbar, Gangapur, Mahur Gad (the sacred hill of Renuka Mata and Lord Datta's resting place), and Karanja Lad witness lakhs of visiting devotees. Thousands of families and spiritual centers participate in the intense 7-day reading of the sacred scripture Shri Gurucharitra (गुरुचरित्र सप्ताह पारायण). The defining highlight of the festival takes place precisely at sunset (Godhuli / Sandhya Kaal), believed to be the exact cosmic moment of Lord Dattatreya's divine descent. Shrines and households echo with the rocking of the decorated flower cradle (पाळणा सोहळा), while devotees sing soul-stirring hymns and chant: *'दिगंबरा दिगंबरा श्रीपाद वल्लभ दिगंबरा!'* and *'अवधूत चिंतन श्री गुरुदेव दत्त!'*.

The divine depiction of Lord Dattatreya is deeply symbolic: he has three heads representing the Trimurti, six arms holding sacred emblems (Trishula, Damaru, Shankha, Chakra, Kamandalu, and Japa Mala), four faithful dogs representing the four Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva), and the holy wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu representing Mother Earth and spiritual nourishmment.

History: The miraculous birth of Lord Dattatreya is chronicled in the Markandeya Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and the holy text Shri Gurucharitra:

1. The Virtue of Sati Anasuya: Sage Atri and his revered wife Sati Anasuya performed deep penance in the Chitrakoot forest. Anasuya's spiritual virtue and spotless chastity (Pativrata Dharma) generated immense cosmic power. To test her spiritual purity, the Trimurti — Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — visited her hermitage in the disguise of mendicants (Bhikshus) while Sage Atri was away. They demanded food and alms on the impossible condition that she serve them without clothes.

2. The Transformation into Infants: Rooted in absolute purity and motherly devotion, Mata Anasuya sprinkled sanctified water from her husband's water-pot (Kamandalu) over the three ascetics. Instantly, the almighty deities were transformed into three helpless newborn infants. Feeling boundless maternal love, Anasuya nurtured and cradled them. When the celestial consorts — Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati — arrived seeking forgiveness, Anasuya graciously restored the gods. Pleased with her unshakeable virtue, the Trimurti combined into a single divine child with three faces and six arms, blessing her as their earthly mother. Because Sage Atri gifted this supreme being to the universe, he was named Dattatreya (*Datta* meaning bestowed, and *Atreya* meaning son of Sage Atri).

3. The Datta Lineage in Maharashtra: The spiritual tradition of Lord Dattatreya flourished through prominent historical saints and incarnations including Shripad Shri Vallabha, Shri Narasimha Saraswati, Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, and Sai Baba of Shirdi, establishing the Datta Sampradaya as a cornerstone of Maharashtrian spirituality.

Significance: The observance of Datta Jayanti offers immense spiritual solace and practical philosophical guidance:

Avadhoota Wisdom & Nature as Guru: In the Bhagavata Purana, Lord Dattatreya describes learning eternal spiritual truths from 24 natural Gurus — including Mother Earth (forbearance), Water (cleanliness and purity), Wind (unattached freedom), Fire (burning away impurities), and the Honeybee (gathering wisdom drop by drop without harming the flower).
Culmination of Gurucharitra Saptah: Reading the 53 chapters of Shri Gurucharitra over seven days brings immense mental peace, removes past karmic bondages, and grants spiritual discernment.
Sunset Birth Celebration (सायंकालीन जन्म सोहळा): Unlike festivals celebrated at dawn or midnight, Lord Dattatreya's birth is celebrated specifically at twilight (Sandhya Kaal) with cradle rocking, reminding seekers of the quiet harmony between day and night.
Audumbar Tree & Paduka Worship: The Audumbar (wild fig) tree is venerated as Lord Datta's living manifestation. Performing circumambulations (Pradakshina) around the Audumbar tree and worshiping his sacred holy footprints (Padukas) bestows clarity, courage, and family well-being.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Early morning Snan, lighting cow-ghee lamps, and applying fragrant sandalwood paste to the idol or holy Padukas of Lord Dattatreya.

Concluding the 53rd chapter of the 7-day Gurucharitra Saptah Parayan followed by sacred Mangal Aarti and Naivedya.

Audumbar Vriksha Pradakshina: Circumambulating the holy Audumbar tree 21, 108, or 1008 times while chanting 'Digambara Digambara Shripada Vallabha Digambara'.

Performing Panchamrit Abhishekam on the silver or marble Padukas of Lord Datta with milk, curd, honey, sugar, and pure ghee.

At sunset (between 05:45 PM and 06:15 PM), conducting the Datta Janmotsav: placing the baby Datta idol in a flower-adorned cradle (Palana), rocking it gently, and singing traditional Marathi cradle songs.

Showering auspicious Gulal, Akshata, and flower petals on the cradle upon announcing the divine birth.

Singing the famous Datta Bavani, Karuna Tripadi, and the supreme Gurucharitra Aarti.

Organizing Annadan (community food distribution) and offering food to cows and dogs, honoring Lord Datta's four Vedic canine companions.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Pithla Bhakri (traditional Maharashtrian spiced gram-flour curry with rustic hot jowar or bajra bhakri)

Shengdana Chutney and zesty Green Chilli Thecha

Sheera / Suji Halwa made with pure cow ghee, dry fruits, and bananas

Panchamrit (sacred blend of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and cow ghee)

Puran Poli served with hot spicy Katachi Amti

Basundi and Dudhpak for the sunset birth celebration