Gujarati Calendar 2026 February: Your Essential Guide to Auspicious Choghadiya & Festivals
Planning a significant event in February 2026? Whether it’s a new venture, a family celebration, or a personal milestone, understanding the auspicious timings can make all the difference. For many within the Gujarati community in the USA and beyond, the traditional Gujarati calendar, particularly the concept of Choghadiya, is an indispensable tool for daily planning. It helps align intentions with cosmic energies, ensuring endeavors begin under the most favorable stars.
Table of Contents
- Gujarati Calendar 2026 February: Your Essential Guide to Auspicious Choghadiya & Festivals
- February 2026 Gujarati Calendar at a Glance: Key Dates & Festivals
- Understanding Gujarati Tithi in February 2026
- What Exactly is Choghadiya? Your Guide to Auspicious Timings
- The Seven Types of Choghadiya & Their Significance
- Gujarati Choghadiya for February 2026: Day & Night Timings (USA Context)
- How to Find Your Local Choghadiya for February 2026 in the USA:
- February 2026 Day Choghadiya: Sample Timings for Key US Cities (Illustrative)
- Sample Day Choghadiya: Sunday, February 1, 2026
- February 2026 Night Choghadiya: Sample Timings for Key US Cities (Illustrative)
- Sample Night Choghadiya: Sunday, February 1, 2026 (into Monday, Feb 2)
- Practical Application: How to Use Choghadiya for Your Events
- The Vikram Samvat 2082 Connection: What Does it Mean for 2026?
This guide cuts through the noise, providing you with a definitive resource for February 2026, combining the essential Gujarati calendar dates with a practical, easy-to-understand breakdown of Choghadiya timings. We’ll clarify what each Choghadiya means, how it impacts your day, and crucially, how to navigate its location-specific nature right here in the United States.
February 2026 Gujarati Calendar at a Glance: Key Dates & Festivals
February 2026 primarily falls within the Gujarati lunar months of Maha and Phaguna (or Fagan). This period is rich with cultural and religious observances, offering opportunities for reflection, celebration, and spiritual growth.
Here’s a quick overview of the major festivals and important days you’ll want to mark on your calendar for February 2026:
| Date (Gregorian) | Gujarati Tithi | Festival / Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 1, 2026 (Sunday) | Magha Shukla Dwitiya | Second day of the bright half of Magha. | |
| February 4, 2026 (Wednesday) | Magha Shukla Panchami | Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Puja) | Celebrates the goddess Saraswati, marking the onset of spring. Auspicious for starting studies, arts, and new ventures. |
| February 10, 2026 (Tuesday) | Magha Shukla Ekadashi | Jaya Ekadashi | Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Observing a fast on this day is believed to cleanse sins and grant liberation. |
| February 13, 2026 (Friday) | Magha Shukla Purnima | Magha Purnima | Full moon day of Magha. Highly sacred for spiritual baths, charity, and fasting. The lunar month of Magha ends. |
| February 14, 2026 (Saturday) | Phaguna Krishna Pratipada | Beginning of the lunar month of Phaguna (Fagan). | |
| February 15, 2026 (Sunday) | Phaguna Krishna Dwitiya | Maha Shivaratri | One of the most significant Hindu festivals, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, perform pujas, and offer prayers throughout the night. |
| February 25, 2026 (Wednesday) | Phaguna Krishna Ekadashi | Vijaya Ekadashi | Observing a fast on this Ekadashi is believed to bring victory and success in endeavors. |
| February 27, 2026 (Friday) | Phaguna Krishna Trayodashi | Maha Shivaratri (as per some calendars) | While typically on Krishna Chaturdashi, some regional calendars may observe it on Trayodashi or have varying end timings. |
| February 28, 2026 (Saturday) | Phaguna Krishna Chaturdashi | The penultimate day before Amas, often considered for specific rituals. |
Understanding Gujarati Tithi in February 2026
The Gujarati calendar, like other Hindu calendars, is lunar-solar, meaning its dates are determined by the positions of the sun and moon. A Tithi is a lunar day, and it’s fundamental to understanding the calendar. Each lunar month has 30 Tithis, divided into two halves:
- Shukla Paksha (Bright Half): The waxing phase of the moon, from the new moon (Amavasya) to the full moon (Purnima). This period is generally considered more auspicious for new beginnings.
- Krishna Paksha (Dark Half): The waning phase of the moon, from the full moon (Purnima) to the new moon (Amavasya). This period is often preferred for cessation or specific spiritual practices.
Key Tithis you’ll encounter in February 2026 and their general significance:
- Purnima (Full Moon): The 15th Tithi of Shukla Paksha. Highly auspicious for spiritual practices, charity, and fasting. February 2026 sees Magha Purnima.
- Amavasya (New Moon): The 15th Tithi of Krishna Paksha. Generally avoided for new beginnings, but significant for ancestral rites (Pitru Tarpan). No Amavasya falls entirely in February 2026, as it is the very end of Phaguna Krishna Paksha or beginning of Chaitra Shukla Paksha in March.
- Ekadashi (11th Tithi): Occurs twice a month, once in each Paksha. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, observing a fast on Ekadashi is believed to grant spiritual benefits. February 2026 features Jaya Ekadashi and Vijaya Ekadashi.
- Sankranti: Marks the sun’s transition from one zodiac sign to another. While not a Tithi, it’s an important solar event. No major Sankranti falls in February 2026 that is tied to specific Gujarati festivals.
What Exactly is Choghadiya? Your Guide to Auspicious Timings
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Let’s start this in a good Choghadiya,” you’ve brushed against an ancient Vedic concept designed to harmonize human efforts with cosmic rhythms. Choghadiya, sometimes spelled Choghadia, literally means ‘four ghatis’ (a Ghati is approximately 24 minutes), referring to segments of time. It’s a system of identifying auspicious and inauspicious time intervals during the day and night based on the weekday and the sunrise/sunset times.
The core purpose of Choghadiya is simple yet profound: to help you choose the best time to initiate any significant activity, from signing a contract to traveling, or even scheduling a medical appointment. By performing actions during favorable Choghadiya, it’s believed you enhance their chances of success and minimize obstacles.
The day is divided into eight Choghadiyas, and the night also into eight. These segments are calculated by dividing the total duration between local sunrise and sunset by eight (for day Choghadiyas), and the total duration between local sunset and the next day’s sunrise by eight (for night Choghadiyas).
The Seven Types of Choghadiya & Their Significance
There are generally seven types of Choghadiya, each carrying a unique planetary influence and therefore, a distinct recommendation for activities. They cycle through the day and night. Here’s a breakdown:
| Choghadiya Type | Governing Planet | Meaning & Auspiciousness | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shubh (शुभ) | Jupiter (Guru) | Auspicious / Good. Promotes beneficial outcomes. | Weddings, ceremonies, religious acts, starting educational pursuits, job applications. |
| Amrit (अमृत) | Moon (Chandra) | Nectar / Highly Auspicious. Best for long-term benefits and stability. | Foundation laying, opening businesses, major purchases (property, vehicles), investment. |
| Labh (लाभ) | Mercury (Budh) | Gain / Favorable. Good for profitability and prosperity. | Business transactions, trade, networking, interviews, sales pitches. |
| Char (चर) | Venus (Shukra) | Good / Moveable. Neutral to good, suitable for dynamic activities. | Travel, journeys, movement of goods, anything requiring quick action or change. |
| Rog (रोग) | Saturn (Shani) | Illness / Inauspicious. Associated with disease, disputes, and obstacles. | Strictly avoid for auspicious tasks. Sometimes used for surgical procedures or confronting enemies (with caution). |
| Udveg (उद्वेग) | Sun (Surya) | Anxiety / Inauspicious. Can bring stress, tension, and lack of peace. | Avoid for new beginnings, important meetings, or anything requiring calmness. Funerals are sometimes performed during Udveg. |
| Kaal (काल) | Mars (Mangal) | Death / Highly Inauspicious. Associated with loss, conflict, and negative energy. | The most inauspicious Choghadiya. Avoid all important activities. Can be used for specific aggressive or destructive tasks (e.g., legal battles, demolition, but not recommended for most). |
Gujarati Choghadiya for February 2026: Day & Night Timings (USA Context)
This is where it gets critical, especially for our audience in the USA. Unlike a fixed calendar date, Choghadiya timings are highly localized. They depend on the precise sunrise and sunset times for your specific location on a given day. This means a Choghadiya table for Ahmedabad will be different from one for New York City, and even different between New York City and Los Angeles due to varying sunrise/sunset times and time zones.
A universal Choghadiya table for the entire USA is simply not possible or accurate. You *must calculate or look up Choghadiya based on your exact city and date.
However, I can provide illustrative examples and a clear methodology to empower you to find your own accurate Choghadiya for February 2026, no matter where you are in the United States.
How to Find Your Local Choghadiya for February 2026 in the USA:
- Know Your Local Sunrise & Sunset: This is the most crucial step. Use a reliable weather app, an online search for “sunrise sunset [your city] [date]”, or a dedicated astronomical website.
- Calculate Day Choghadiya: The period from sunrise to sunset is divided into 8 equal segments. Each segment is a Day Choghadiya. Divide (Sunset Time – Sunrise Time) by 8 to get the duration of one day Choghadiya.
- Calculate Night Choghadiya: The period from sunset to the next day’s sunrise is divided into 8 equal segments. Each segment is a Night Choghadiya. Divide (Next Day’s Sunrise Time – Sunset Time) by 8 to get the duration of one night Choghadiya.
- Assign Choghadiya Types: The sequence of Choghadiya types rotates daily based on the weekday (Vaar). For example, Sunday starts with Udveg, Monday with Amrit, Tuesday with Rog, Wednesday with Labh, Thursday with Shubh, Friday with Char, and Saturday with Kaal. The sequence then cycles through all seven types. Online Choghadiya calculators do this automatically.
February 2026 Day Choghadiya: Sample Timings for Key US Cities (Illustrative)
To demonstrate, let’s look at the Choghadiya for Sunday, February 1, 2026, for two major US cities. Remember, these are illustrative examples. Your local timings will vary.
Sample Day Choghadiya: Sunday, February 1, 2026
| Choghadiya Type | New York City, NY (EST) | Los Angeles, CA (PST) |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise (approx.) | 7:08 AM | 6:48 AM |
| Sunset (approx.) | 5:15 PM | 5:19 PM |
| Udveg (Sun) | 7:08 AM – 8:15 AM | 6:48 AM – 7:51 AM |
| Char (Venus) | 8:15 AM – 9:22 AM | 7:51 AM – 8:54 AM |
| Labh (Mercury) | 9:22 AM – 10:29 AM | 8:54 AM – 9:57 AM |
| Amrit (Moon) | 10:29 AM – 11:36 AM | 9:57 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Kaal (Mars) | 11:36 AM – 12:43 PM | 11:00 AM – 12:03 PM |
| Shubh (Jupiter) | 12:43 PM – 1:50 PM | 12:03 PM – 1:06 PM |
| Rog (Saturn) | 1:50 PM – 2:57 PM | 1:06 PM – 2:09 PM |
| Udveg (Sun) | 2:57 PM – 5:15 PM (ends at sunset) | 2:09 PM – 5:19 PM (ends at sunset) |
Disclaimer: These timings are approximate for illustrative purposes. For accurate daily Choghadiya for your specific location in the USA, consult a reliable online Panchang or Choghadiya calculator that allows you to input your exact city and date.
February 2026 Night Choghadiya: Sample Timings for Key US Cities (Illustrative)
The night Choghadiya begins immediately after sunset and continues until the sunrise of the following day. The sequence also rotates based on the weekday, but the duration of each segment changes as the length of the night varies.
Sample Night Choghadiya: Sunday, February 1, 2026 (into Monday, Feb 2)
| Choghadiya Type | New York City, NY (EST) | Los Angeles, CA (PST) |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset (approx.) | 5:15 PM | 5:19 PM |
| Next Sunrise (approx.) | 7:07 AM (Feb 2) | 6:47 AM (Feb 2) |
| Shubh (Jupiter) | 5:15 PM – 6:33 PM | 5:19 PM – 6:35 PM |
| Amrit (Moon) | 6:33 PM – 7:51 PM | 6:35 PM – 7:51 PM |
| Char (Venus) | 7:51 PM – 9:09 PM | 7:51 PM – 9:07 PM |
| Rog (Saturn) | 9:09 PM – 10:27 PM | 9:07 PM – 10:23 PM |
| Kaal (Mars) | 10:27 PM – 11:45 PM | 10:23 PM – 11:39 PM |
| Labh (Mercury) | 11:45 PM – 1:03 AM (Feb 2) | 11:39 PM – 12:55 AM (Feb 2) |
| Udveg (Sun) | 1:03 AM – 2:21 AM (Feb 2) | 12:55 AM – 2:11 AM (Feb 2) |
| Shubh (Jupiter) | 2:21 AM – 7:07 AM (ends at next sunrise) | 2:11 AM – 6:47 AM (ends at next sunrise) |
As you can see, even for the same date, the start and end times of each Choghadiya segment vary significantly between New York and Los Angeles due to their different positions on Earth and respective time zones. This variation will be present for every single day in February 2026 and for every other city in the USA.
Practical Application: How to Use Choghadiya for Your Events
Now that you understand what Choghadiya is, let’s talk about how to actually use it to your advantage:
- Starting New Ventures: If you’re launching a business, signing a crucial contract, or starting a new job, aiming for Shubh, Amrit, or Labh Choghadiya is ideal. These timings are believed to bring prosperity and stability.
- Travel and Journeys: For commencing travel, especially long distances, Char Choghadiya is considered good as it signifies movement and fluidity. Avoid Rog, Udveg, or Kaal to prevent obstacles or mishaps.
- Weddings & Ceremonies: Major life events like weddings, engagements, or housewarmings are best planned during Shubh or Amrit. These infuse the event with auspiciousness and long-term harmony.
- Medical Appointments & Healing: While Rog is generally inauspicious, some astrologers suggest it can be used for initiating treatments or surgeries (as it relates to illness), but this is a nuanced application. For general health and well-being activities, sticking to Shubh or Amrit is safer.
- Avoiding Inauspicious Times: The most straightforward application is to simply avoid Rog, Udveg, and especially Kaal for any* significant positive activity. These are times associated with negativity, delays, and unfortunate outcomes.
Remember, Choghadiya is one element of the broader Panchang (Hindu calendar system), which also considers Tithi, Vaar (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), and Yoga (planetary combination). For extremely critical events, consulting a knowledgeable astrologer who can synthesize all these elements for your specific birth chart and location is always recommended.
The Vikram Samvat 2082 Connection: What Does it Mean for 2026?
When you see “Gujarati Calendar 2026” alongside “Vikram Samvat 2082,” it can be a bit confusing if you’re not familiar with the system. Here’s a quick clarification:
- The Gregorian calendar (the internationally recognized calendar) is currently in the year 2026.
- The Vikram Samvat calendar is a historical Hindu calendar widely used in India, particularly in Western and Northern states like Gujarat. It is 56 or 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
For most of 2026, the corresponding Vikram Samvat year will be 2082. The Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varsh) typically falls around October/November, marking the transition from Vikram Samvat 2081 to 2082. Since February 2026 is well into the Gregorian year, it firmly sits within Vikram Samvat 2082.
Understanding this conversion helps you relate the traditional Gujarati dates to the more commonly used Gregorian dates, especially when referencing older texts or communicating with those primarily using the Vikram Samvat system.
Navigating the Gujarati calendar and its intricate timings like Choghadiya for February 2026 in the USA doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding the core principles, identifying the key festivals, and knowing how to accurately find your local auspicious times, you can bring a deeper sense of alignment and intentionality to your planning. Embrace these ancient tools to enhance your daily life and ensure your significant endeavors in February 2026 begin on the most positive note.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Choghadiya and why is it important for February 2026?
Choghadiya refers to specific time intervals (segments) during the day and night that are considered auspicious or inauspicious for various activities. It’s crucial for February 2026 (and any other month) because it helps individuals, especially within the Gujarati community, plan important events like starting a new business, traveling, or conducting ceremonies, aligning them with favorable cosmic energies for better outcomes and reduced obstacles.
How do Choghadiya timings change based on my location in the USA?
Choghadiya timings are highly location-specific because they are calculated based on the local sunrise and sunset times. These times vary significantly across different cities and time zones in the USA. Therefore, a Choghadiya table for New York City will differ from one for Los Angeles or Houston. You need to use a reliable source that accounts for your precise city and date to get accurate timings.
Which are the most auspicious Choghadiya types I should look for in February 2026?
The most auspicious Choghadiya types are Shubh (Good), Amrit (Nectar-like, highly auspicious), and Labh (Gain/Favorable). Char (Good/Moveable) is also generally considered good, especially for activities involving movement like travel. For February 2026, aim to schedule your important events during these intervals to maximize positive outcomes.
What are the major Gujarati festivals in February 2026?
February 2026 includes significant Gujarati festivals and observances such as Vasant Panchami (around Feb 4th), which marks the arrival of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, and Maha Shivaratri (around Feb 15th), a major festival honoring Lord Shiva, observed with fasting and prayers. Magha Purnima (full moon) and two Ekadashis (Jaya and Vijaya) also fall within this month.
How does the Vikram Samvat 2082 relate to the Gregorian year 2026?
The Vikram Samvat calendar is a traditional Hindu calendar that is generally 56 or 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. For most of the Gregorian year 2026, including February, the corresponding Vikram Samvat year will be 2082. This is the traditional year designation used in many Gujarati almanacs and cultural contexts.
Where can I find accurate daily Choghadiya for my specific US city for February 2026?
Since Choghadiya is location-dependent, you’ll need to use online Panchang or Choghadiya calculators that allow you to input your exact city, state, and date for February 2026. Many reputable Vedic astrology websites offer these tools, providing precise sunrise/sunset times and the resulting Choghadiya intervals tailored to your specific US location.