Dashavatara Calendar
The Dashavatara calendar lists the birth anniversary (Jayanti) of the ten principal incarnations of Lord Vishnu - Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki, along with Balarama - with the date and tithi of each. Devotees observe a fast and worship Vishnu in His incarnated form on these days.
Dashavatara - Jayanti of the Ten Avatars
March 2026
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Matsya Jayanti
The fish avatar - the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who saved the Vedas, the sages and Manu from the great deluge at the close of the previous age.
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Rama Navami
The birth of Lord Rama, prince of Ayodhya and the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, whose life and ideals are recounted in the Ramayana.
April 2026
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Parashurama Jayanti
The warrior-sage avatar bearing the axe (parashu), the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, born to Sage Jamadagni and Renuka. Observed on Akshaya Tritiya.
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Narasimha Jayanti
The man-lion avatar, the fourth incarnation, who emerged from a pillar at dusk to slay the demon Hiranyakashipu and protect his devotee Prahlada.
May 2026
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Kurma Jayanti
The tortoise avatar, the second incarnation, who bore Mount Mandara upon his back during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan).
August 2026
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Kalki Jayanti
The tenth and final incarnation, prophesied to appear at the end of Kali Yuga riding a white horse to vanquish evil and restore dharma.
September 2026
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Krishna Janmashtami
The midnight birth of Lord Krishna at Mathura, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, observed with fasting, bhajans and Dahi Handi.
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Varaha Jayanti
The boar avatar, the third incarnation, who lifted the Earth (Bhudevi) out of the cosmic ocean after the demon Hiranyaksha had dragged it down.
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Balarama Jayanti
The appearance of Balarama, elder brother of Krishna and bearer of the plough and mace, revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
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Vamana Jayanti
The dwarf-Brahmin avatar, the fifth incarnation, who reclaimed the three worlds from King Bali in three strides.
October 2026
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Buddha Jayanti
Gautama Buddha, revered as the ninth incarnation of Vishnu, who showed the path of truth, compassion, non-violence and supreme peace.
Tithi start and end times are shown in your local time. Festival dates follow the standard Indian (sunrise) calendar and may vary by a day in other regions, and may differ slightly from regional almanacs (especially around an Adhik Maas).
Frequently asked questions about Dashavatara Calendar
What does this calendar list?
The jayanti of each of the ten principal avatars of Vishnu - Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki - with Balarama alongside, each on its date and tithi.
Which are the most widely observed?
Rama Navami and Janmashtami by a wide margin, then Narasimha Jayanti, Vamana Dwadashi, Parashurama Jayanti on Akshaya Tritiya, and Buddha Purnima. The others are kept mainly in Vaishnava households and temples.
Why is Kalki given a jayanti when he has not appeared?
Because the tradition assigns him a tithi - Shravana Shukla Shashthi - as a day of anticipation rather than of birth. Vaishnava almanacs list it, and devotees keep it as worship of the avatar to come.
Is Buddha counted as an avatar?
The Puranic lists include him, and Buddha Purnima is observed accordingly. Buddhists do not read the day that way, and the calendar records the Hindu reckoning without asserting anything about theirs.
How is an avatar jayanti kept?
A fast, worship of Vishnu in that form, and the reading of the relevant hymn - the Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram on Narasimha Jayanti, the Rama Raksha Stotram on Rama Navami, and so on.
About the Dashavatara Calendar
The Dashavatara calendar lists the birth anniversary (Jayanti) of the ten principal incarnations of Lord Vishnu - Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki, along with Balarama - with the date and tithi of each. Devotees observe a fast and worship Vishnu in His incarnated form on these days.
Each entry lists the festival or vrat with its date, the prevailing tithi, and a short note on the observance. Use the year links to plan ahead into the coming years or to look up a date from the archive.
This list is the festival dates, not the daily five limbs. For sunrise, Rahu Kalam and the day's yoga, open the Panchang. Other calendars are on the Calendars index. The story of a fast is under Vrat Katha.
