May is a month of profound spiritual significance in the Hindu calendar, encompassing the final holy dip of Vaishakh Snan and the commencement of the rare Adhik Maas (extra month). The calendar for Hindu Festivals and Vrats in May 2026 is highlighted by the joint celebration of Buddha Purnima and Kurma Jayanti, as well as the important observance of Ganga Dussehra.
These auspicious dates offer devotees unique opportunities to gain punya (merit) and seek blessings for spiritual growth. This guide provides the complete list of all significant dates, elucidating the rituals, and the profound spiritual meaning behind each powerful observance.
Complete Calendar: Hindu Festivals and Vrats in May 2026
The table below provides a full list of all fasts and festivals falling in May 2026:
| Date | Day | Festival / Vrat | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | Friday | Shri Kurma Jayanti | Birth of Lord Vishnu’s tortoise Avatar |
| 1 May | Friday | Vaishakh – Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Snan Ends | Full Moon Day, Birth of Buddha, End of sacred bathing |
| 13 May | Wednesday | Bhadrakali Ekadashi | Vrat dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali |
| 16 May | Saturday | Shanaishchara Jayanti | Birth anniversary of Lord Shani (Saturn) |
| 16 May | Saturday | Vat Savitri Vrat – Amavasya Paksha | Fast for the well-being of the husband |
| 16 May | Saturday | Jyeshth, Bhavuka Amavasya | New Moon Day, beginning of Jyestha month |
| 17 May | Sunday | Jyeshtha Adhik Maas/Mal Maas Starts | Beginning of the extra, purifying lunar month |
| 25 May | Monday | Shri Ganga Dussehra Parv | Celebration of Goddess Ganga’s descent to Eart |
Buddha Purnima and Kurma Jayanti: The Divine Confluence (May 1st)
May 1st is a day of powerful spiritual confluence, celebrating the Full Moon (Purnima) of Vaishakh and the Jayantis of two significant figures:
- Buddha Purnima: It is the most sacred day for Buddhists, marking the birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana (passing away) of Gautama Buddha. For Hindus, Buddha is revered as the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Observances include meditation, charity, and consuming only sattvic food, and it is believed that bathing in the Ganges or other holy rivers on this day grants Akshay Punya (undying merit) and destroys all sins.
- Kurma Jayanti: This day celebrates the birth of Lord Kurma, the tortoise avatar of Lord Vishnu, who sustained the mountain Mandara during the Samudra Manthan (ocean churning) to help retrieve the elixir of immortality (Amrit). According to the Puranas, worshipping Lord Kurma on this day is believed to ensure stability and is considered a propitious day for initiating construction work.
- Vaishakh Snan Ends: The sacred period of Vaishakh Snan, where devotees take an early morning bath in a river, concludes on this Purnima.
The Significance of Jyeshtha Adhik Maas / Mal Maas (Starts May 17th)
The year 2026 is unique as it contains an Adhik Maas (extra month) which falls during the month of Jyeshtha. An Adhik Maas, or Purushottam Maas, occurs approximately every three years to align the lunar and solar calendars.
- Mal Maas: The month is also called Mal Maas (impure month) because it does not have a Sankranti (sun’s transition), and thus, most auspicious activities like weddings, Upanayana (thread ceremony), and housewarming are prohibited.
- Sadhana Focus: Instead of worldly activities, the month is reserved entirely for spiritual practices and devotion. Devotees engage in extra Japa (mantra recitation), fasting (such as having only one meal a day), and reading the Bhagavata Purana to gain extra merit.
Shri Ganga Dussehra Parv (May 25th) and Shani Jayanti
- Ganga Dussehra (May 25th): This festival marks the day Goddess Ganga descended from heaven to Earth after King Bhagirath’s long penance. This observance involves bathing in the Ganges or any water body, performing the Dashaharasnana (ten-part ritual bath), and offering prayers to the goddess. It is widely believed that a ritual bath on this day can absolve ten types of sins (Dasha-Hara) related to the body, speech, and mind, giving the festival its name.
- Shani Jayanti (May 16th): This day celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Shani (Saturn), the god of justice and karmic retribution. Devotees fast on this day and worship Shani to mitigate the malefic effects of the planet Shani in their horoscope.
The calendar of Hindu Festivals and Vrats in May 2026 is a spiritual convergence, highlighted by the purity of Buddha Purnima and the devotion of Ganga Dussehra, leading into the intense purification period of Adhik Maas. By embracing the discipline of this extra month, a devotee can gain unparalleled spiritual progress. To ensure your spiritual practice remains steadfast, You can also explore deeper context through government records on cultural preservation that highlight the importance of such sacred observances.
Frequently Asked Questions
1: Why are ceremonies avoided during Adhik Maas?
Ceremonies are avoided because Adhik Maas is seen as an ‘extra’ month without a solar transition (Sankranti), making it a time for purely spiritual pursuits rather than materialistic endeavors.
2: What is the significance of Vat Savitri Vrat?
Vat Savitri Vrat is observed by married women for the longevity, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands, by symbolically worshipping a Banyan tree.
3: Is it auspicious to donate during Adhik Maas?
Yes, Adhik Maas is highly auspicious for making donations and performing charity, as it is believed that the punya (merit) gained during this month is many times greater than usual.This belief is also reinforced in ancient scriptural references to sacred observances that emphasize the spiritual value of selfless giving.
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