✍️ By Rahul Goyal · Chandigarh Life
Quick answer: Agrasen Jayanti 2026 falls on Sunday, 11 October — Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the same day Sharad Navratri begins. It marks the birth anniversary of Maharaja Agrasen, the legendary king of Agroha from whom the Agarwal community traces its descent, and is a gazetted holiday in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Chandigarh, the community’s hub is Maharaja Agrasen Bhawan, Sector 30-A.
Who Was Maharaja Agrasen?
Maharaja Agrasen was a legendary king of Agroha, in present-day Hisar district, Haryana. He’s remembered chiefly for refusing animal sacrifice in yajnas, and for founding the trading and mutual-support traditions that the Agarwal (and related Agrahari) community still trace their identity to — a new settler in the kingdom, by tradition, received one brick and one rupee from every existing household to help them establish themselves. The Government of India issued a commemorative postage stamp honouring him in 1976, on his 5,100th Jayanti.
Agrasen Jayanti 2026 Date
Agrasen Jayanti falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada — the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, which is also the day Sharad Navratri begins. In 2026, that’s Sunday, 11 October. It’s a gazetted public holiday in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
How It’s Observed
Agarwal and Agrahari community organisations mark the day with processions, cultural programmes, free medical camps and food distribution — activities that reflect the social-welfare values associated with Maharaja Agrasen himself. It’s more a community and family observance than a citywide public event, organised through local Agarwal Sabhas and community halls rather than a single central celebration.
Agrasen Jayanti in Chandigarh
Maharaja Agrasen Bhawan, Sector 30-A, Chandigarh, is the community’s hall and dharamshala in the city — used for functions, community gatherings and pilgrim lodging in the pattern of Agrasen Bhawans elsewhere in India. If you’re part of the community and want to mark the day locally, this is the natural starting point to check for programmes.
FAQ’s
When is Agrasen Jayanti 2026?
Sunday, 11 October 2026 — Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the same day Sharad Navratri begins.
Who was Maharaja Agrasen?
A legendary king of Agroha (Hisar district, Haryana), remembered for refusing animal sacrifice and founding the trading and mutual-support traditions the Agarwal community traces its identity to.
Is Agrasen Jayanti a public holiday?
Yes — it’s a gazetted holiday in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Where is Agrasen Jayanti marked in Chandigarh?
Maharaja Agrasen Bhawan, Sector 30-A, is the community’s hall in the city, typically used for functions and gatherings around the occasion.
