18 January 2026: Calendar, Festivals, Special Day, Public & Bank Holiday Updates in India

Today

Date - 18 January 2026
Day - Sunday

1. Festivals & Observances

Today, 18 January 2026, marks the sacred observance of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most spiritually significant days in the Hindu calendar. This special Amavasya (new moon day) falls in the Magha month and is traditionally observed with silence (maun vrat), holy bathing in sacred rivers, ancestral worship, and acts of charity.

Mauni Amavasya is especially important as it coincides with the Magh Mela celebrations at Prayagraj, where millions of devotees gather at the Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) to take a holy dip. According to Hindu scriptures, bathing in the Ganga on this day is believed to carry the spiritual merit of amrit (divine nectar) and helps cleanse past karmas.

The practice of observing silence throughout the day is central to Mauni Amavasya. Devotees maintain complete or partial silence to cultivate inner discipline, self-reflection, and spiritual awareness. This sacred practice helps calm the mind, reduce mental disturbances, and allows spiritual energy to flow freely.

From a Krishna-conscious perspective, Mauni Amavasya reminds us that true spiritual progress comes not just from external rituals but from inner purification. As taught in the Bhagavad Gita, controlling the senses and mind is essential for spiritual advancement. Silence observed with devotion to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna transforms this day into an opportunity for deep meditation and self-realization.

The charity and ancestral offerings performed on Mauni Amavasya are believed to bring peace to departed souls and blessings to the living. This reflects the timeless principle that selfless service and remembrance of those who came before us enriches our spiritual journey.

2. Special Day

While today is primarily significant as Mauni Amavasya, it also marks the birth and death anniversaries of several distinguished personalities whose contributions continue to inspire Indian society.

Birth Anniversary

Mahadev Govind Ranade

Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, popularly known as Nyayamurti Ranade, was born on 18 January 1842 in Niphad, Nashik, Maharashtra. He was a distinguished scholar, social reformer, judge, and one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress. Often called the "Socrates of Maharashtra," Ranade dedicated his life to social and educational reform. He was instrumental in establishing the Prarthana Samaj, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, and the Deccan Educational Society. A passionate advocate for women's rights, he campaigned against child marriage, the purdah system, and the ill-treatment of widows, while promoting widow remarriage and female education. He founded the Widow Marriage Association and the Maharashtra Girls Education Society. As a judge of the Bombay High Court, he shaped progressive legal interpretations that influenced Indian jurisprudence. His notable works include "Rise of the Maratha Power" and various writings on Indian economics. He passed away on 16 January 1901. His reform philosophy of "Humanize, Equalize and Spiritualize" continues to inspire social progress in India.

Vinod Kambli

Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli was born on 18 January 1972. A left-handed middle-order batsman, Kambli was known for his elegant strokeplay and aggressive batting style. He represented India in Test and One Day International cricket during the 1990s. Kambli gained international recognition for his record-breaking partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in school cricket, where they added 664 runs. In Test cricket, he scored two double centuries and maintained an impressive average. He also played for Mumbai in domestic cricket and had a brief stint with Boland in South Africa.

Death Anniversary

Harivansh Rai Bachchan

One of the most celebrated Hindi poets, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, passed away on 18 January 2003 at the age of 95 in Mumbai. Born on 27 November 1907, he was a leading figure of the Nayi Kavita literary movement in early 20th century Hindi literature. His masterpiece "Madhushala" (The House of Wine), published in 1935, remains one of the most enduring works of Hindi literature and has been translated into English and many regional Indian languages. Bachchan taught English at Allahabad University and later became the first Indian to earn a doctorate in English literature from St Catharine's College, Cambridge, with his thesis on W.B. Yeats. He served in India's Ministry of External Affairs and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1966. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1976 for his immense contribution to Hindi literature. He also translated Shakespeare's works into Hindi. Bachchan was the father of legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and a close associate of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. His famous couplet "Mitti ka tan, masti ka man, kshan-bhar jivan, mera parichay" (A body of clay, a mind full of play, a moment's life – that's me) reflects his philosophical approach to life.

N.T. Rama Rao

Legendary Telugu actor and political leader Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, popularly known as NTR, passed away on 18 January 1996. Born on 28 May 1923, he was a towering figure in both Telugu cinema and Andhra Pradesh politics. As an actor, he appeared in over 300 films and became synonymous with mythological and historical roles, particularly his portrayal of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. His performances in films like "Mayabazar," "Pathala Bhairavi," and "Dana Veera Soora Karna" are considered classics of Indian cinema. He founded the Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for three terms. His political career was marked by his focus on social welfare, self-respect for Telugu people, and opposition to Congress dominance. Despite his remarkable journey in both cinema and politics, his life was tragically cut short by a heart attack.

3. Holiday Updates

Public Holiday: Today, 18 January 2026, being a Sunday, is a weekly public holiday across India. Government offices, banks, educational institutions, and most businesses remain closed nationwide.

Additionally, Mauni Amavasya is not declared as a nationwide public holiday. However, in certain districts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Prayagraj and surrounding areas where the Magh Mela is taking place, local authorities may declare holidays for schools and certain institutions due to the massive gathering of devotees and crowd management requirements.

Bank Holiday: Since today is Sunday, all banks across India remain closed as part of the regular weekly holiday schedule. The Reserve Bank of India observes all Sundays as holidays for banking operations.

Even though branches are closed, customers can continue to access digital banking services including internet banking, mobile banking applications, UPI transactions, and ATM services throughout the day without any interruption.