If you are searching for the Tamil Calendar May 2026 (தமிழ் நாட்காட்டி 2026 மே), you have landed on the right page. This guide lists every important vratham, pradosham, amavasai, pournami and muhurtham date that falls in May 2026 according to the traditional Tamil Panchangam. Whether you are planning a wedding, a housewarming ceremony, a naming ceremony, or simply want to keep track of fasting days and temple visits, this calendar gives you a clear, easy-to-read reference for the month.
May 2026 is a special month in the Tamil calendar because it carries the transition from the Tamil month of Chithirai into Vaikasi, one of the most auspicious months of the year. It also brings Vaikasi Visakam, a festival dedicated to Lord Murugan that is celebrated with great devotion across Tamil Nadu and in Tamil communities around the world. Below, you will find the full list of dates, a simple explanation of each festival, and a printable PDF you can download and keep handy.
What Is the Tamil Calendar and Why It Matters
The Tamil calendar, also called the Tamil Panchangam, is a traditional lunisolar calendar followed by Tamil-speaking communities in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and many other parts of the world. It tracks the position of the sun and moon to determine auspicious and inauspicious days, festival dates, and the start of each Tamil month.
Unlike the standard Gregorian calendar, the Tamil calendar changes its dates every year because it follows lunar movements alongside the solar year. This is why festivals like Ekadashi, Pradosham, Amavasai and Pournami fall on different Gregorian dates from one year to the next. Families use this calendar to plan weddings, griha pravesam (housewarming), upanayanam, naming ceremonies, and other important life events on days considered spiritually favourable.
Download the Tamil Calendar May 2026 PDF
To make it easier to reference these dates offline, we recommend downloading the Tamil Calendar May 2026 PDF and saving it to your phone or printing it out for your home altar or notice board. Having a printed or saved copy means you do not have to search online every time you need to check a vratham, pradosham or muhurtham date. It is a simple, convenient way to keep the full month’s religious calendar on hand, whether you are at home, at work, or travelling. Look for the download link provided on this page and save it before the month begins so you are never caught unprepared for an important date.
Tamil Calendar May 2026 at a Glance
Here is a quick-reference table of the major festival, vratham and muhurtham dates for May 2026.
| Date | Day | Festival / Event |
|---|---|---|
| May 2 | Saturday | Shashti Vratham |
| May 4 | Monday | Ekadashi |
| May 6 | Wednesday | Pradosham |
| May 11 | Monday | Amavasai (New Moon – Tarpanam Day) |
| May 14 | Thursday | Vaikasi Tamil Month Begins |
| May 18 | Monday | Vaikasi Visakam (Lord Murugan Festival) |
| May 19 | Tuesday | Pournami (Full Moon) |
| May 21 | Thursday | Shashti Vratham |
| May 22 | Friday | Ekadashi |
| May 24 | Sunday | Pradosham |
Keep this table bookmarked, as it covers every key religious observance for the month at a single glance.
Detailed Look at Each Festival and Vratham in May 2026
Shashti Vratham – May 2 and May 21
Shashti Vratham is observed twice a month, once in each lunar fortnight, and is dedicated to Lord Murugan (Karthikeya), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees observe a fast on this day, visit Murugan temples, and offer prayers seeking courage, wisdom and protection from difficulties. In May 2026, Shashti Vratham falls on the 2nd and again on the 21st, giving devotees two opportunities in the month to observe this fast.
Ekadashi – May 4 and May 22
Ekadashi is one of the most widely observed fasting days in Hindu tradition, occurring on the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and devotees typically avoid grains and heavier foods, focusing instead on prayer, meditation and simple meals. May 2026 has two Ekadashi days, one on the 4th and another on the 22nd, marking the waning and waxing lunar cycles of the month.
Pradosham – May 6 and May 24
Pradosham is a fortnightly observance dedicated to Lord Shiva, falling on the thirteenth day of each lunar phase. It is considered highly auspicious for evening prayers, and many devotees visit Shiva temples during twilight hours on this day to seek blessings for peace and prosperity. In May 2026, Pradosham falls on the 6th and the 24th.
Amavasai – May 11 (New Moon, Tarpanam Day)
Amavasai, or the new moon day, holds deep significance in Tamil tradition as a day for tarpanam, the ritual offering made to ancestors. Many families use this day to perform rites in remembrance of departed elders, and it is also considered a time for quiet reflection and spiritual cleansing. Amavasai falls on May 11, 2026, a Monday.
Vaikasi Month Begins – May 14
One of the most important shifts in the Tamil calendar for May 2026 is the start of the Vaikasi month on the 14th. Vaikasi is the second month in the Tamil calendar year and is closely associated with Lord Murugan, making it a favoured month for temple festivals, poojas and auspicious ceremonies across Tamil Nadu.
Vaikasi Visakam – May 18
Vaikasi Visakam is regarded as one of the most sacred days for devotees of Lord Murugan. It marks the day Murugan is believed to have taken his divine form to destroy evil forces, and it is celebrated with grand processions, abhishekams and special poojas at Murugan temples such as Palani, Tiruchendur, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudircholai. In 2026, Vaikasi Visakam falls on May 18, a Monday, and is considered an extremely auspicious day for prayer and new beginnings.
On this day, the six abodes of Murugan (Arupadaiveedu) typically see a large gathering of devotees, with special decorations, music and cultural programs organised around the temple premises. Many families also observe a fast leading up to the festival day and break it only after visiting a temple or completing their prayers at home. If you are unable to visit a temple in person, offering prayers at home, lighting a lamp, and reciting Murugan’s name are considered equally meaningful ways to mark the occasion.
Pournami – May 19 (Full Moon)
Pournami, the full moon day, follows closely after Vaikasi Visakam this year, falling on May 19. Full moon days are traditionally associated with Goddess Lakshmi and are considered favourable for satyanarayana pooja, charitable acts and temple visits.
Auspicious Muhurtham Days in Vaikasi Month, May 2026
The Vaikasi month, which begins on May 14, 2026, is traditionally viewed as a favourable period for major life events. Families across Tamil Nadu look to this month for:
- Marriage muhurtham – Wedding ceremonies planned according to the bride and groom’s nakshatram compatibility
- Griha Pravesam (Housewarming) – Moving into a new home
- Business inauguration – Opening a new shop, office or venture
- Naming ceremony (Namakaranam) – Formally naming a newborn child
While the general Vaikasi period is considered favourable, the exact muhurtham time for an individual event depends on personal birth star (nakshatram) and horoscope. It is always advisable to consult a family priest or a qualified astrologer before finalising the date and time for any major ceremony, since planetary positions can make certain hours more suitable than others even on a generally auspicious day.
How These Tamil Calendar Dates Are Calculated
The Tamil Panchangam calculates festival and vratham dates based on five key elements: the lunar day (tithi), the day of the week (vara), the star constellation (nakshatram), the yoga, and the karana. Traditional astrologers and temple priests use these five elements together with the solar position to determine when each Tamil month begins and when festivals like Vaikasi Visakam, Pradosham and Ekadashi fall in a given year. Because this calculation blends both lunar and solar cycles, the dates shift slightly every year on the Gregorian calendar, which is why checking a fresh, month-specific calendar like this one is useful rather than relying on last year’s dates.
How to Use This Calendar for Planning
Here are a few practical ways to make the most of the Tamil Calendar for May 2026:
- Mark fasting days in advance – If you observe Ekadashi or Shashti Vratham, plan your meals and schedule around May 4, 22, 2 and 21.
- Plan temple visits around Pradosham and Pournami – These evenings tend to see larger crowds at Shiva and Vishnu temples, so arriving early can help.
- Set reminders for Amavasai – If your family observes tarpanam rituals, mark May 11 well ahead of time so all required items are ready.
- Consult a priest for muhurtham dates – If you are planning a wedding, housewarming or naming ceremony during Vaikasi month, confirm the exact time with a knowledgeable priest or astrologer rather than relying only on the date.
- Celebrate Vaikasi Visakam mindfully – Many devotees choose to visit a Murugan temple, perform abhishekam, or simply spend the day in prayer and reflection on May 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Vaikasi month start in 2026? The Vaikasi Tamil month begins on May 14, 2026.
What is the most important festival in Tamil Calendar May 2026? Vaikasi Visakam, falling on May 18, 2026, is widely regarded as the most significant festival in the month, being dedicated to Lord Murugan.
How many Ekadashi and Pradosham days are there in May 2026? There are two Ekadashi days (May 4 and May 22) and two Pradosham days (May 6 and May 24) in May 2026.
Is May 2026 a good month for weddings according to the Tamil calendar? The Vaikasi month, starting May 14, is traditionally considered favourable for weddings and other ceremonies, though the exact muhurtham should be confirmed with a priest based on the couple’s horoscope.
When is Amavasai in May 2026? Amavasai, the new moon and tarpanam day, falls on May 11, 2026.