Festival dates for November: Ahoi Ashtami on Nov 1 to Kartiki Ekadashi on Nov 20

According to the Hindu almanac, November falls in the months of Kartik and Margashirsha, which is why the month is considered sacred from a religious and spiritual point of view. This year's November is special because festivals such as Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Dhanatrayodashi and Kartiki Ekadashi all fall in it. Here is the full list in date order.

Ahoi Ashtami is on Sunday, November 1. The eighth day of the Krishna paksha of Kartik is called Ahoi Ashtami. Women observe it for the long life, success and happiness of their children. On this day mothers fast and pray to Goddess Parvati for the well-being of their children.

Rama Ekadashi is on Thursday, November 5. Falling just before Diwali, this Ekadashi is considered very special. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu on this day. Of all the Ekadashis, this is said to be the dearest to Lord Vishnu.

Dhanatrayodashi is on Friday, November 6. Wealth is worshipped on this day, and it is said that Diwali begins from it.

Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja are both on Sunday, November 8. Narak Chaturdashi commemorates the day Lord Krishna slew Narakasura. It is traditional to take the abhyang snan before sunrise. In the evening, people also light lamps in the name of Yamraj to ward off the fear of untimely death. Lakshmi Puja falls on the same day, when account books are worshipped along with Lakshmi.

Ashwin Amavasya is on Monday, November 9.

Balipratipada, also called Diwali Padwa, is on Tuesday, November 10. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on Kartik Shuddha Pratipada and is a very important festival of Diwali. On this day the wife performs aarti for her husband and prays for his long life.

Bhai Dooj (Bhaubeej) is on Wednesday, November 11. True to its name, the festival symbolises the love, unbreakable bond and trust between brothers and sisters. Also called Bhaiya Dooj, it is celebrated two days after Diwali. On this day sisters apply a tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, happiness, prosperity and good life.

Kartiki Ekadashi is on Friday, November 20. According to the Hindu almanac, the date falls on the Ekadashi tithi of the Shukla paksha of Kartik. It is believed that on this day Lord Vishnu wakes from yoganidra after a long period of four months. From this day weddings and other auspicious events resume in Hindu society. Kartiki Ekadashi is also called Devutthani Ekadashi.