Quick answer: Saturday 31 October 2026 is an ordinary day with no major festival listed. In Hyderabad, Krishna Shashthi runs until 4:57 PM (IST), then Saptami; Ardra nakshatra ends at 7:12 AM, then Punarvasu, and the yoga is Siddha until 5:31 PM. A good day for Saturday worship of Lord Venkateswara, a lamp for Shani, and preparing for tomorrow's Ahoi Ashtami.

The last day of October is calm in the Hindu calendar. For devotees of the Lord of the Seven Hills, every Saturday is special anyway, and today's star, Punarvasu, adds a gentle note of return and renewal.

Today's Panchang (Hyderabad)

Panchang elementHyderabad (IST)
DateSaturday 31 October 2026
Lunar monthAshwina (amanta, Telugu); Kartika (purnimanta, North India)
PakshaKrishna paksha
TithiShashthi until 04:57 PM, then Saptami
NakshatraArdra until 07:12 AM
YogaSiddha until 05:31 PM
KaranaVanija
Sunrise06:14 AM
Sunset05:45 PM
Moonrise10:52 PM
Moonset11:22 AM
Observances (Drik)No major festival listed

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad. Muhurta and Rahu Kalam are not in our verified data for this date; please check a local panchang.

Religious significance: Saturday and the star of return

Saturday is widely kept in Telugu and South Indian homes as Lord Venkateswara's day, and many families also offer a sesame-oil lamp to Shani. Shani is best understood not as something to fear but as a patient teacher who rewards honest, steady effort.

Punarvasu means 'good again' or 'return of the light'. It is presided over by Aditi, the boundless mother of the gods, and the Valmiki Ramayana records that Rama was born under it. The star is associated with renewal and coming home. After Ardra, the stormy star of Rudra that ends this morning, Punarvasu feels like clear sky after rain. Shashthi, meanwhile, is the tithi traditionally associated with Skanda, so a prayer to Murugan also suits the morning.

Simple Saturday puja

  1. Bathe and light a lamp before Lord Venkateswara or any Vishnu image; many families use sesame oil on Saturdays.
  2. Offer tulsi, flowers and a simple naivedyam such as jaggery, curd rice or fruit.
  3. Chant the mantra below 108 times, or for as long as you can sit comfortably.
  4. In the evening, light a small sesame-oil lamp for Shani, or simply bow in humility.

No materials? Close your eyes, picture the Lord of the Seven Hills and repeat his name for five minutes. Then help someone with physical work; service is a traditional Saturday offering.

Advertisement

Mantra for the day

Oṃ Namo Veṅkaṭeśāya

Meaning: Om, salutations to Venkatesha, the Lord of Venkata hill. Today, with Punarvasu rising, chant it as a prayer of homecoming: a return to the Lord's refuge. It is an act of surrender, not a request for any particular result.

What you can do today

  • Visit a Venkateswara, Hanuman or Shani shrine, or light a lamp at home.
  • Read the birth of Rama from the Ramayana, since today's nakshatra is his.
  • Give food, an umbrella or warm clothing to a labourer or someone in need.
  • If you are keeping Ahoi Ashtami tomorrow, prepare the puja items this afternoon.
  • Abroad in North America, reset clocks tonight for tomorrow's end of daylight time.

For families and children

Tell children about Punarvasu as the 'star of return' and ask them to name something good that came back into their life this year. Read the short story of Rama's birth together. Younger children can help light the Saturday lamp and fold their hands for Venkateswara.

Hindus abroad: sunrise, sunset and tithi today

Local times below are for each city and are not converted from India. In Toronto, Saptami is already current at local sunrise, while every other city listed still has Shashthi.

CountryCitySunrise (local)Sunset (local)Tithi at local sunriseNakshatra at local sunrise
USANew York7:23 AM5:54 PMKrishna ShashthiPunarvasu
UKLondon6:50 AM4:37 PMKrishna ShashthiPunarvasu
CanadaToronto7:50 AM6:11 PMKrishna SaptamiPunarvasu
AustraliaSydney5:54 AM7:23 PMKrishna ShashthiArdra
BrazilSão Paulo5:19 AM6:20 PMKrishna ShashthiPunarvasu
UAEDubai6:24 AM5:40 PMKrishna ShashthiPunarvasu
SingaporeSingapore6:45 AM6:51 PMKrishna ShashthiArdra
MalaysiaKuala Lumpur6:55 AM6:58 PMKrishna ShashthiArdra
GermanyFrankfurt7:11 AM5:05 PMKrishna ShashthiPunarvasu
South AfricaDurban5:01 AM6:18 PMKrishna ShashthiPunarvasu
EuropeAmsterdam7:32 AM5:14 PMKrishna ShashthiPunarvasu

Computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang.

Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

Is there any festival on 31 October 2026?

Drik Panchang lists no major festival for Hyderabad on Saturday 31 October 2026. It is an ordinary Krishna Shashthi. Tomorrow, Sunday 1 November, is Ahoi Ashtami.

Which nakshatra is it today?

Ardra until 7:12 AM IST in Hyderabad, then Punarvasu for the rest of the day. Punarvasu is traditionally presided over by Aditi, mother of the gods, and the Valmiki Ramayana names it as the nakshatra of Lord Rama's birth.

What is Siddha yoga?

Siddha is one of the 27 yogas of the panchang, and its name means 'accomplished'. It is generally regarded as a favourable yoga. Today it lasts until 5:31 PM IST in Hyderabad.

Do clocks change for Hindus abroad this weekend?

Yes. In the USA and Canada, clocks go back one hour on Sunday 1 November, so local sunrise and puja times on the clock will be about an hour earlier from tomorrow. The UK and Europe changed on 25 October.

A closing thought

Punarvasu reminds us that light always returns. Whatever this month has carried away, may the Lord of the Seven Hills bring back what is good. Om Namo Venkateshaya.

Previous and next day

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.