May 2026 Festivals

Devarshi Narada appears across Puranic and Itihasa narratives as a messenger, sage, musician, and devotee of Vishnu. The jayanti is marked by bhajan, kirtan, and scriptural reflection.

Jyeshtha Krishna Pratipada, commonly the day after Vaishakha Purnima

Vrishabha Sankranti is the Sun's monthly transition into Taurus. Devotees may perform Surya arghya, mantra japa, and dana.

Sun enters Vrishabha rashi

Shani Dev is revered as a strict but just graha connected with karma and discipline. Devotees worship Shani to cultivate humility, endurance, and righteous conduct.

Jyeshtha Amavasya

Story from the Mahabharata Vana Parva: Savitri, princess of Madra, married Satyavan despite knowing he would die in one year. When Yama came for him, Savitri followed and won three boons through her wit and devotion. With the third, she requested 'sons by Satyavan' — forcing Yama to return Satyavan to life.

Jyeshtha Amavasya in north India; Jyeshtha Purnima in south India (May-June)

The festival remembers King Bhagiratha's tapas and the descent of Ganga to earth, with Shiva receiving her force in his matted locks before she flowed for the liberation of the ancestors.

Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami

Padmini Ekadashi is the rare shukla paksha Ekadashi of Adhika Masa, the intercalary lunar month also known as Purushottama Masa. The traditional katha tells of Queen Padmini, wife of King Kritavirya, who observed this vrat with deep devotion to Lord Vishnu after receiving guidance from Anasuya. Through the merit of the vow she was blessed with the heroic son Kartavirya Arjuna. Because it appears only when an extra lunar month is inserted, devotees treat it as a special opportunity for Vishnu bhakti, purification, and sankalpa.

Shukla Ekadashi of Adhika Masa / Purushottama Masa (intercalary lunar month; occurs once every 32-33 months)