Quick answer: Champa Shashthi 2026 is on Tuesday, 15 December 2026 (Margashirsha Shukla Shashthi). It marks the end of the six-day Khandoba festival (Shadratrotsav) and honours Khandoba — a folk form of Lord Shiva (Martanda Bhairava) — worshipped above all at Jejuri near Pune. In coastal Karnataka the same day is kept as Subramanya (Champa) Shashthi.

For the people of Maharashtra and North Karnataka, Champa Shashthi is one of the most beloved kuladaivat (family-deity) festivals. It closes the six-night worship of Khandoba, the warrior-god of farmers, shepherds and hunters, and at Jejuri the hills turn gold under showers of turmeric.

Champa Shashthi 2026 date

Detail

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Information

Date

Tuesday, 15 December 2026

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Tithi

Shashthi, Shukla Paksha, Margashirsha

Main deity

Khandoba (Martanda Bhairava / Shiva)

Chief temple

Khandoba Temple, Jejuri (Pune district)

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The festival begins on Margashirsha Shukla Pratipada and runs as a six-day Shadratri (six-night) observance, concluding on Champa Shashthi.

Who is Khandoba?

Khandoba (also Malhari Martand, Mailara, Khanderaya) is revered as a form of Shiva who descended as Martanda Bhairava to destroy the demons Mani and Malla. He is the family deity of countless households across Maharashtra, Karnataka and beyond. Devotees also connect the day to Kartikeya/Subramanya, and at Kukke Subramanya and other Karnataka temples it is observed as Subramanya Shashthi.

Jejuri: "Sonyachi Jejuri", the golden hill

At Jejuri, Champa Shashthi is unforgettable. Pilgrims shower bhandara (turmeric powder) over the temple, the deity and one another with cries of "Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar!" — turning the whole hilltop gold, which is why Jejuri is lovingly called Sonyachi Jejuri ("Golden Jejuri"). Many families who fasted through the six days conclude with a traditional meal of bharit-bhakri (roasted-brinjal mash with millet bread).

Champa Shashthi puja vidhi

  1. Those observing the Shadratri fast keep it from Pratipada to Shashthi, worshipping Khandoba each day.
  2. On Champa Shashthi, offer bhandara (turmeric), bel leaves, flowers and naivedya; place a ghatasthapana (pot) and Khandoba's symbols as per family custom.
  3. Offer onion and brinjal (customary to Khandoba worship), light lamps, and conclude the vrat with the bharit-bhakri meal.
  4. Recite Khandoba's aarti and, where kept, the Malhari Mahatmya.

Frequently asked questions

Is Champa Shashthi the same as Subramanya Shashthi?

They fall on the same tithi (Margashirsha Shukla Shashthi). In Maharashtra it is celebrated as Khandoba's Champa Shashthi; in coastal Karnataka (e.g., Kukke Subramanya) it is Subramanya Shashthi, dedicated to Kartikeya.

What is the "bhandara" at Jejuri?

Bhandara is turmeric powder that devotees shower in vast quantities at Jejuri on Champa Shashthi, covering the temple and pilgrims in gold — the festival's most iconic sight.