AstrologgerVinayaka Chaturthi in May 2026
When is Vinayaka Chaturthi in May 2026? Wednesday, 20 May — tithi 19 May 2:19 PM to 20 May 11:07 AM (New Delhi).
| Date | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends | Name | Day | Paksha / Month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 2026 | 19 May, 2:19 PM | 20 May, 11:07 AM | Adhika Jyeshtha Vinayaka ChaturthiAdhika | Wed | Shukla · Jyeshtha |
All dates & times computed for New Delhi (IST) with the Swiss Ephemeris + Lahiri ayanamsa — not copied.
Vinayaka Chaturthi timings in May 2026
When each tithi begins, when it ends, and how long it actually runs — computed for Delhi (IST).
| Date | Tithi begins | Tithi ends | Duration | Day | Paksha | Lunar month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May | 19 May, 2:19 PM | 20 May, 11:07 AM | 20 hours 48 minutes | Wednesday | Shukla | Jyeshtha |
Each Vinayaka Chaturthi this month
Adhika Jyeshtha Vinayaka Chaturthi — Wednesday 20 May, in the Shukla paksha of Jyeshtha (purnimanta). The tithi runs 20 hours 48 minutes, from 19 May 2:19 PM.
How May compares
Across 2026, a Vinayaka Chaturthi tithi averages 23 hours 18 minutes. In May it averages 20 hours 48 minutes — shorter than the year's average.
Over the year the figure ranges from 20 hours 47 minutes in April to 26 hours 41 minutes in December. The spread exists because the Moon does not move at a constant rate, so a tithi is not a fixed length — which is why the vrat date shifts against the English calendar from month to month.
There are 12 Vinayaka Chaturthis in 2026, of which 1 falls in May.
Every other vrat in May 2026
The other observances falling in the same month, in calendar order.
| Vrat | Dates | Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima | 1 May — Buddha Purnima · 31 May — Adhika Jyeshtha Purnima | View |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | 5 May — Ekadanta Sankashti | View |
| Kalashtami | 9 May — Kalashtami (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Ekadashi | 13 May — Apara Ekadashi · 27 May — Padmini Ekadashi | View |
| Pradosh Vrat | 14 May — Guru Pradosh · 28 May — Guru Pradosh | View |
| Masik Shivratri | 15 May — Masik Shivratri (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Amavasya | 16 May — Shani Amavasya | View |
| Masik Karthigai | 16 May — Masik Karthigai (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Skanda Sashti | 21 May — Skanda Sashti (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Masik Durgashtami | 23 May — Adhika Jyeshtha Durgashtami | View |
What is Vinayaka Chaturthi?
Vinayaka Chaturthi is the monthly worship of Ganesha on the fourth tithi of the waxing fortnight. Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is honoured at midday — the muhurta associated with his birth — with durva grass, modak and the chanting of his names. Devotees keep the vrat for wisdom, success and the removal of obstacles from new undertakings.
Vinayaka vs Sankashti
Each lunar month carries two Chaturthis: the Shukla one (Vinayaka) and the Krishna one (Sankashti). The rhythm of the two — midday worship in the bright fortnight, moonrise worship in the dark — frames the month with Ganesha at both ends. The lists on this site compute both, so you can keep either or both vows.
The midday puja
The Vinayaka puja is performed during madhyahna kaal, roughly the middle of the day, held to be the hour of Ganesha's birth. The fast is typically broken after this puja — a simpler observance than Sankashti's wait for the moon.
How the vrat is kept
The fast runs through the morning and is broken after the madhyahna puja. Devotees bathe, take a sankalp, and worship Ganesha with durva grass — twenty-one blades are the customary count — along with red flowers, modak and laddu. The Sankatnashana Ganesha Stotra or the Ganapati Atharvashirsha is recited where it is known. Unlike Sankashti, which is broken after moonrise, Vinayaka Chaturthi is completed in daylight.
Vinayaka Chaturthi samagri
Gather these before the midday puja:
- An image or idol of Ganesha
- Durva grass
- Red flowers, especially hibiscus
- Modak or laddu as naivedya
- Sindoor and chandan
- A ghee lamp and incense
- Coconut and betel leaves
- Akshat (unbroken rice)
- Panchamrit
Frequently asked questions
When is Vinayaka Chaturthi in May 2026?+
May 2026 has one Vinayaka Chaturthi: Adhika Jyeshtha Vinayaka Chaturthi — Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Timings are computed for New Delhi.
What is the Vinayaka Chaturthi tithi time in May 2026?+
20 May: tithi 19 May 2:19 PM to 20 May 11:07 AM. (New Delhi, IST)
How many Vinayaka Chaturthi are in 2026?+
There are 12 Vinayaka Chaturthi in 2026 for the Delhi region — one each lunar month on the Shukla Chaturthi.
How is Vinayaka Chaturthi different from Sankashti?+
Both honour Ganesha, but Vinayaka falls on the waxing (Shukla) Chaturthi with a midday puja, while Sankashti falls on the waning (Krishna) Chaturthi and the fast is broken only after moonrise.
Which Vinayaka Chaturthi is the biggest?+
The Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi is the grand annual Ganesh Chaturthi — the ten-day festival ending with visarjan.
How is the vrat observed?+
Devotees fast till the madhyahna (midday) Ganesha puja, offer durva grass and modak, and chant Ganesha mantras. Practice varies by tradition.
Ask our AI astrologer — free — about the vrat, favourable timing and remedies, grounded in your own birth chart.