July 2026 is one of the most spiritually rich months in the Jharkhand Calendar. The monsoon season brings life to the forests and rivers of Jharkhand, and the Hindu religious calendar matches this energy with a remarkable lineup of festivals, vrats, and sacred occasions. This month carries the monthly Ganesha vrat of Sankashti Chaturthi (appearing twice this month), the powerful Yogini Ekadashi, the solemn Ashadha Amavasya, the spectacular Jagannath Rath Yatra declared as an Executive Holiday, the solar milestone of Karka Sankranti, the sacred beginning of Chaturmas on Devshayani Ekadashi, two Pradosh Vrats, the universally loved Guru Purnima, and a closing Sankashti Chaturthi.
For Jharkhand — home to the Baidyanath Dham Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, one of the twelve holiest Shiva temples in India — July also marks the beginning of the massive Shravana pilgrimage season. This complete guide covers every festival, bank holiday, vrat, and special occasion in the Jharkhand Calendar 2026 July with clear tables and practical planning information.
July 2026 at a Quick Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Days | 31 |
| First Day | Wednesday, 1 July 2026 |
| Last Day | Friday, 31 July 2026 |
| Total Sundays | 4 (5, 12, 19, 26 July) |
| Total Saturdays | 4 (4, 11, 18, 25 July) |
| 2nd Saturday (Bank Holiday) | 11 July |
| 4th Saturday (Bank Holiday) | 25 July |
| Working Saturdays | 4 July, 18 July |
| Executive Holiday on Weekday | 1 (16 July – Rath Yatra) |
| Chaturmas Begins | 25 July (Devshayani Ekadashi) |
| Hindu Months Covered | Ashadha and Shravana |
Jharkhand Calendar 2026 July – Complete Day-by-Day Table
| Date | Day | Festival / Holiday | Type | Bank | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 July | Wednesday | — | Working Day | Open | Open |
| 02 July | Thursday | Sankashti Chaturthi | Ganesha Vrat | Open | Open |
| 03–10 July | Fri–Fri | — | Working Days | Open | Open |
| 11 July | Saturday | Yogini Ekadashi / 2nd Saturday | Vrat + Bank Holiday | Closed | Open |
| 12 July | Sunday | — | Weekly Off | Closed | Closed |
| 13 July | Monday | Pradosh Vrat (Krishna Paksha) | Shiva Vrat | Open | Open |
| 14 July | Tuesday | Ashadha Amavasya | Ancestral Day | Open | Open |
| 15 July | Wednesday | — | Working Day | Open | Open |
| 16 July | Thursday | Rath Yatra + Karka Sankranti | Executive Holiday | Closed | Closed |
| 17–24 July | Fri–Fri | — | Working Days | Open | Open |
| 25 July | Saturday | Devshayani Ekadashi / 4th Saturday | Vrat + Bank Holiday | Closed | Open |
| 26 July | Sunday | — | Weekly Off | Closed | Closed |
| 27 July | Monday | Pradosh Vrat (Shukla Paksha) | Shiva Vrat | Open | Open |
| 28–30 July | Tue–Thu | — | Working Days | Open | Open |
| 29 July | Wednesday | Guru Purnima / Ashadha Purnima | Major Festival | Open | Open |
| 31 July | Friday | Sankashti Chaturthi | Ganesha Vrat | Open | Open |
All Festivals Summary – Jharkhand July 2026
| Date | Day | Festival | Category | Banks | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 July | Thursday | Sankashti Chaturthi | Ganesha Vrat | Open | Open |
| 11 July | Saturday | Yogini Ekadashi + 2nd Saturday | Vrat + Bank Holiday | Closed | Open |
| 13 July | Monday | Pradosh Vrat (Krishna) | Shiva Vrat | Open | Open |
| 14 July | Tuesday | Ashadha Amavasya | Ancestral Rites | Open | Open |
| 16 July | Thursday | Rath Yatra + Karka Sankranti | Executive Holiday | Closed | Closed |
| 25 July | Saturday | Devshayani Ekadashi + 4th Saturday | Vrat + Bank Holiday | Closed | Open |
| 27 July | Monday | Pradosh Vrat (Shukla) | Shiva Vrat | Open | Open |
| 29 July | Wednesday | Guru Purnima | Major Festival | Open | Open |
| 31 July | Friday | Sankashti Chaturthi | Ganesha Vrat | Open | Open |
Detailed Festival and Holiday Explanations
1. Sankashti Chaturthi – 2 July 2026 (Thursday)
Sankashti Chaturthi is the monthly vrat dedicated to Lord Ganesha, observed on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha of every lunar month. The word Sankashti means deliverance from difficulties, making this fast especially meaningful for those facing challenges in life. Devotees fast from sunrise, worship Lord Ganesha with Modak, Durva grass, and red flowers, recite the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra, and break their fast only after sighting the moon. July 2026 is special because Sankashti Chaturthi falls twice this month — on July 2 (Ashadha month) and again on July 31 (Shravana month) — which is considered a rare and doubly auspicious occurrence.
2. Yogini Ekadashi and 2nd Saturday – 11 July 2026 (Saturday)
Yogini Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha of Ashadha and is one of the most powerful Ekadashis for healing and spiritual purification. According to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, this Ekadashi helped the cursed gardener Hemamali recover from leprosy through sincere fasting and devotion to Lord Vishnu. Observing this Ekadashi is said to provide the spiritual merit of feeding 88,000 Brahmin scholars. Devotees fast completely, offer Tulsi to Lord Vishnu, and listen to the Ekadashi Katha. Since July 11 is also the 2nd Saturday, all banks in Jharkhand remain closed under RBI rules. Government offices remain open.
3. Pradosh Vrat (Krishna Paksha) – 13 July 2026 (Monday)
Pradosh Vrat is observed on the 13th day (Trayodashi) of each lunar fortnight during the Pradosh Kaal — the twilight window of approximately 1.5 hours around sunset. This vrat is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Since this Pradosh falls on a Monday — Lord Shiva’s most sacred day — it is called Soma Pradosh, which is considered the most powerful form of Pradosh Vrat. Devotees visit Shiva temples and offer bilva leaves, milk, and Ganga jal to the Shivalinga while chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Jharkhand’s Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar witnesses heightened activity on Soma Pradosh days.
4. Ashadha Amavasya – 14 July 2026 (Tuesday)
Ashadha Amavasya is the new moon day of the Ashadha month and one of the most important days for ancestral rituals in the Hindu calendar. Devout families in Jharkhand perform Pind Daan and Tarpan — offerings of water with sesame seeds at river banks — to honour departed ancestors and ensure their peace. The Damodar, Shona, and Subarnarekha rivers in Jharkhand see elevated pilgrimage activity on this day. Those unable to travel to rivers can perform tarpan at home using a copper vessel. Charity and prayers to Lord Vishnu are also offered on this day.
5. Rath Yatra and Karka Sankranti – 16 July 2026 (Thursday)
July 16 is the most important official holiday in Jharkhand Calendar July 2026. It is declared an Executive Holiday in Jharkhand — all government offices, banks, schools, and courts remain closed.
Rath Yatra falls on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya and is the grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Three massive wooden chariots — standing up to 45 feet tall — carry the deities through the streets of Puri, Odisha. In Jharkhand, local Jagannath temples in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Dhanbad organise colourful Rath Yatra processions with bhajans, decorations, and community meals. Pulling the rope of Lord Jagannath’s chariot is believed to carry the merit of 100 Ashwamedha Yajnas.
On the same day, Karka Sankranti marks the Sun’s transition from Gemini into Cancer (Karka Rashi), beginning Dakshinayana — the Sun’s six-month southward journey. This is an important day for charitable acts, with donations of water pots, umbrellas, food, and clothing considered especially meritorious.
| Rath Yatra Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 16 July 2026 |
| Lunar Tithi | Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya |
| Deities | Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra |
| Chariot Height | Up to 45 feet |
| Holiday Type | Executive Holiday in Jharkhand |
| Banks and Offices | Closed |
| Karka Sankranti | Sun enters Cancer — Dakshinayana begins |
6. Devshayani Ekadashi and 4th Saturday – 25 July 2026 (Saturday)
Devshayani Ekadashi — also called Ashadhi Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi — is one of the most significant Ekadashis of the entire year. It falls on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha of Ashadha and marks the day when Lord Vishnu enters Yoga Nidra — a divine four-month cosmic sleep on the serpent Shesha in the celestial ocean. This begins Chaturmas, the four sacred months during which no auspicious Hindu ceremonies such as weddings, Griha Pravesh, or Upanayana are traditionally performed. This restriction applies from July 25 until Devutthani Ekadashi in November 2026. Since July 25 is also the 4th Saturday, all banks in Jharkhand remain closed. Government offices remain open.
| Chaturmas 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
| Starts | 25 July 2026 (Devshayani Ekadashi) |
| Ends | November 2026 (Devutthani Ekadashi) |
| What to Avoid | Weddings, Griha Pravesh, Upanayana, engagements |
| For Families | Complete all ceremonies before 25 July |
7. Pradosh Vrat (Shukla Paksha) – 27 July 2026 (Monday)
The Shukla Paksha Pradosh Vrat of July again falls on a Monday — making it a second Soma Pradosh in the same month. Two Soma Pradosh Vrats in one calendar month is considered highly auspicious by devotees of Lord Shiva. Worship during the evening Pradosh Kaal with bilva leaves, white flowers, sacred ash, and Ganga jal forms the core of the ritual. Shiva temples across Jharkhand, especially at Baidyanath Dham, observe special evening puja on this occasion.
8. Guru Purnima / Ashadha Purnima – 29 July 2026 (Wednesday)
Guru Purnima is the most universally celebrated spiritual occasion in July 2026. It falls on the full moon of the Ashadha month — Wednesday, July 29 — and is honoured across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions.
In Hindu tradition, this day is also called Vyasa Purnima, honouring Maharishi Vedavyasa — the legendary sage who composed the Mahabharata, organised the four Vedas, and authored the 18 Mahapuranas. He is the Adi Guru, the original teacher of the Hindu spiritual lineage.
In Buddhist tradition, this is the day Gautama Buddha gave his first teaching to five disciples at the Deer Park in Sarnath. In Jain tradition, it marks the day Mahavira accepted his first disciple.
Across Jharkhand, disciples perform padapuja for their teachers, ashrams and yoga centres organise satsang, and pilgrims take a sacred dip in rivers like the Damodar and Subarnarekha. Guru Purnima also marks the beginning of the Shravana pilgrim season at Baidyanath Dham, when lakhs of Kanwariyas begin their Ganga water journey to offer at the Jyotirlinga.
Bank Holidays in Jharkhand – July 2026
| Date | Day | Reason | Bank Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 July | Sunday | Weekly Off | Closed |
| 11 July | Saturday | 2nd Saturday – RBI Mandate | Closed |
| 12 July | Sunday | Weekly Off | Closed |
| 16 July | Thursday | Rath Yatra – Executive Holiday | Closed |
| 19 July | Sunday | Weekly Off | Closed |
| 25 July | Saturday | 4th Saturday – RBI Mandate | Closed |
| 26 July | Sunday | Weekly Off | Closed |
Total Bank Holidays: 7 days Working Saturdays: 4 July (1st Saturday), 18 July (3rd Saturday) Note: NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, and UPI digital services remain available on all bank holiday days.
Working Days in Jharkhand – July 2026
| Category | Count | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Total Days | 31 | — |
| Sundays | 4 | 5, 12, 19, 26 July |
| 2nd Saturday (Bank Holiday) | 1 | 11 July |
| 4th Saturday (Bank Holiday) | 1 | 25 July |
| Working Saturdays | 2 | 4, 18 July |
| Weekday Executive Holiday | 1 | 16 July |
| Working Days (5-Day Week) | ~25 | — |
| Working Days (6-Day Week) | ~27 | — |
Smart Planning Tips – July 2026
| Person Type | Action |
|---|---|
| Govt Employee | Only 1 weekday holiday (16 July). Plan leave around 31 July (Fri) + Aug 1–2 weekend for a 3-day break. |
| Bank Customer | Avoid banking on 11, 16, 25 July and all Sundays. Use 10 July (Fri) for last-minute transactions before 2nd Saturday. |
| Family Planning Ceremony | Complete all weddings and Griha Pravesh before 25 July. Chaturmas runs July 25 to November 2026. |
| Pilgrim / Devotee | Deoghar Baidyanath Dham starts its Shravana rush from Guru Purnima (29 July). Book travel early. |
Frequently Asked Questions – Jharkhand Calendar 2026 July
Q1. How many executive holidays are there in Jharkhand in July 2026? There is one Executive Holiday in Jharkhand in July 2026 — Rath Yatra on Thursday, 16 July 2026. All government offices, banks, schools, and courts in Jharkhand are closed on this day.
Q2. When is Guru Purnima in 2026? Guru Purnima falls on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 (Ashadha Purnima). It is celebrated across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain communities. Offices and banks remain open, but ashrams, schools, temples, and yoga centres organise special events.
Q3. When does Chaturmas start in 2026? Chaturmas begins on Devshayani Ekadashi — Saturday, 25 July 2026. It lasts until Devutthani Ekadashi in November. Families should complete all major Hindu ceremonies before this date.
Q4. How many bank holidays are there in July 2026 in Jharkhand? There are 7 bank holiday days — 4 Sundays, 2 bank Saturdays (11 and 25 July), and 1 executive holiday (16 July – Rath Yatra). Banks are open on the 1st Saturday (4 July) and 3rd Saturday (18 July).
Q5. Why does Sankashti Chaturthi appear twice in July 2026? Sankashti Chaturthi is a lunar-month observance (Krishna Chaturthi of each lunar month). In July 2026, one falls on 2 July (Ashadha month) and another on 31 July (Shravana month). Two lunar months sometimes overlap within one calendar month, giving two Sankashti Chaturthis — considered rare and doubly auspicious.
Conclusion
The Jharkhand Calendar 2026 July is a deeply meaningful month that balances festive celebration, spiritual discipline, and ancestral reverence. Rath Yatra brings colour and community energy, Devshayani Ekadashi begins the sacred four-month Chaturmas, and Guru Purnima — falling just days before the Shravana pilgrimage season picks up at Baidyanath Dham — reminds every person of the teachers who shaped their life. With one Executive Holiday, two bank holiday Saturdays, and a rich rhythm of vrats and festivals, July 2026 in Jharkhand is a month to experience fully. Use this guide to plan your month wisely, and share it with friends and family across Jharkhand.