Vivah Muhurat 2026: Shubh Marriage Dates by Month
A complete guide to the auspicious marriage windows in 2026 according to the Hindu panchang. Covers which months to choose, the Chaturmas gap to avoid, Akshaya Tritiya, and what nakshatra and tithi combine for a true vivah muhurat.
Vivah muhurat 2026: month-by-month overview
The Hindu marriage calendar in 2026 has two main seasons separated by Chaturmas, the four-month period of rest. The pre-Chaturmas season runs from mid-January through late June; the post-Chaturmas season opens on November 2 after Prabodhini Ekadashi and runs through mid-December. Within each season, certain months and windows are considered more auspicious than others based on the nakshatra and tithi in the panchang.
| Month | Vivah Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Jan 16 – 31 | After Makar Sankranti; Magha Shukla nakshatras favoured |
| February 2026 | Feb 1 – 25 | Peak season; Magha/Phalguna; avoid Shivaratri (Feb 26) |
| March 2026 | Mar 1 – 22 | Ends before Holashtak (Mar 23); avoid Holi week |
| April 2026 | Apr 20 – 30 | Akshaya Tritiya (Apr 21) universally auspicious, no muhurat needed |
| May 2026 | May 1 – 31 | Vaishakh-Jyeshtha; the busiest marriage month in India |
| June 2026 | Jun 1 – 27 | Window closes before Ashadha Ekadashi (Chaturmas start) |
| July 2026 | Avoid | Chaturmas begins; marriages traditionally not held |
| August 2026 | Avoid | Chaturmas continues; Sawan month |
| September 2026 | Avoid | Chaturmas continues; Pitru Paksha in September |
| October 2026 | Avoid | Navratri and Diwali season; Chaturmas not yet over |
| November 2026 | Nov 2 – 30 | Best post-Chaturmas window; opens after Prabodhini Ekadashi (Nov 1) |
| December 2026 | Dec 1 – 14 | Good window before Kharmas (Dhanu Sankranti around Dec 16) |
Windows are approximate based on the Vikram Samvat 2083 panchang. Exact muhurat dates and times depend on your location and personal birth details.
Key 2026 dates every couple should know
These anchor dates define the marriage season. Plan venue bookings, priest availability, and guest travel around these windows.
| Date (approx.) | Event | Significance for vivah |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 2026 | Makar Sankranti | Marriage season opens; first auspicious window begins next day |
| 21 Apr 2026 | Akshaya Tritiya | Universally auspicious; no panchang muhurat needed; widely chosen for weddings |
| Late Jun 2026 | Ashadha Ekadashi | Chaturmas begins; marriage season closes for ~4 months |
| 1 Nov 2026 | Prabodhini Ekadashi | Chaturmas ends; marriage season reopens with peak Nov-Dec window |
| ~16 Dec 2026 | Dhanu Sankranti (Kharmas) | Sun enters Sagittarius; marriage window closes until Makar Sankranti 2027 |
What makes a vivah muhurat shubh?
A vivah muhurat is not simply any day that is not bad. A proper shubh muhurat checks four layers of the panchang simultaneously:
- Nakshatra: The nakshatra of the Moon on the wedding day. The 10 nakshatras listed below are considered most favourable for vivah.
- Tithi: The lunar day. Dwitiya (2), Tritiya (3), Panchami (5), Saptami (7), Dashami (10), Ekadashi (11) and Trayodashi (13) are considered auspicious. Chaturthi, Ashtami, Dwadashi and Chaturdashi are avoided.
- Vara: Day of the week. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are preferred; Tuesday and Saturday are often avoided for vivah.
- Lagna: The ascendant rising at the exact time of the saptapadi (seven steps). A strong lagna free from malefic planets is chosen by the pandit for the ceremony time.
All four must align. A day with the right nakshatra but a Rikta tithi or a Tuesday is not a full muhurat. This is why muhurat calculation requires a qualified jyotishi who knows how to read the local panchang for your city.
Best nakshatras for vivah in 2026
When the Moon transits these nakshatras, the day becomes a candidate for vivah muhurat (subject to tithi and vara checks):
| # | Nakshatra | Why it is favoured for vivah |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohini | Ruled by the Moon; most stable and fertile nakshatra for marriage |
| 2 | Mrigashira | Gentle and romantic; excellent for wedding ceremonies |
| 3 | Magha | Associated with ancestors and royalty; dignified ceremonies |
| 4 | Uttara Phalguni | Ruled by Aryaman, deity of matrimony; the classic marriage nakshatra |
| 5 | Hasta | Skillful and auspicious; widely used in South Indian traditions |
| 6 | Swati | Independent and fortunate; good for new beginnings |
| 7 | Anuradha | Devotion and friendship; strong for partnerships |
| 8 | Uttarashada | Universal and victorious; durable unions |
| 9 | Uttarabhadrapada | Deep and stable; excellent for lifelong commitments |
| 10 | Revati | Nourishing and protective; auspicious for both families |
November 2026 vivah muhurat: the post-Chaturmas peak
November 2026 is the single most sought-after month for marriages in North India. Prabodhini Ekadashi (around November 1) marks the end of Chaturmas, and from November 2 onwards, pandits, venues, caterers and photographers all become available simultaneously after a four-month pause. The weather is cool and pleasant across most of the country.
The entire month of November is a valid vivah window subject to the usual nakshatra and tithi conditions. Dates from November 5 onwards through late November are particularly in demand, as couples booking from June onward for post-Chaturmas slots often find November dates filling up many months in advance.
May 2026 vivah muhurat: the busiest season
May 2026 falls in the Vaishakh-Jyeshtha period, the traditional heart of the Hindu marriage season. The entire month offers multiple auspicious nakshatra and tithi combinations, making it the calendar period with the highest density of shubh vivah dates in the year. If you are flexible on month, May gives the most choice.
The trade-off is peak demand. Wedding venues, caterers, photographers, and pandits book up months in advance for May. If you are planning a May 2026 wedding, confirm bookings by October or November 2025 at the latest.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the best months for vivah muhurat in 2026?
February, May, and November 2026 are the three peak months. February falls in Magha-Phalguna, traditionally auspicious for weddings. May is Vaishakh-Jyeshtha, the busiest marriage month in India. November opens after Prabodhini Ekadashi (Nov 1), offering an excellent post-Chaturmas window when venues and priests are available and the weather is pleasant across most of India.
What is Chaturmas and why are marriages avoided during it?
Chaturmas (literally "four months") is the period from Ashadha Ekadashi to Kartik Prabodhini Ekadashi during which Lord Vishnu is said to rest. In 2026 it runs approximately from late June to November 1. Traditional Vedic practice avoids marriages, sacred thread ceremonies, and other auspicious rites during this window, which is why the marriage calendar in India effectively pauses from July to October.
Is Akshaya Tritiya a good date for marriage in 2026?
Yes, Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya, around April 21, 2026) is considered universally auspicious and self-auspicious (swayamsiddha muhurat), meaning no separate muhurat calculation is required. Any marriage solemnised on this day is said to bring lasting prosperity. It is one of the most popular wedding dates in India every year.
2026 mein vivah ke liye kaun se mahine shubh hain? (Hindi)
February (Magha-Phalguna), May (Vaishakha-Jyeshtha), aur November 2026 sabse shubh mahine hain. Chaturmas (July se October tak) mein vivah nahi karna chahiye. November mein Prabodhini Ekadashi (1 November) ke baad aur December mein Dhanu Sankranti se pehle ek achha window milta hai.
Which nakshatra is best for marriage in 2026?
The classical best nakshatras for vivah are Rohini, Mrigashira, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Uttarashada, Uttarabhadrapada, and Revati. Among these Rohini and Uttara Phalguni are considered the most auspicious. A good muhurat combines an auspicious nakshatra, a positive tithi (like Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami or Ekadashi), and a strong ascendant lagna at the time of the ceremony.
What tithi should be avoided for vivah muhurat?
Amavasya (new moon), the 4th tithi (Chaturthi), the 8th (Ashtami), the 12th (Dwadashi), and the 14th (Chaturdashi) are generally avoided. Full moon (Purnima) falls in the middle category; some traditions allow it and others avoid it. Rikta tithis (4, 9, 14) are also traditionally excluded from vivah muhurats.
How do I check exact vivah muhurat dates for my city in 2026?
The exact muhurat depends on your location (sunrise/sunset times and planetary positions differ by city), your and your partner's Janma Nakshatra (birth star), and the chosen ascendant lagna for the wedding ceremony. A qualified Jyotishi can calculate this from a local panchang using your birth details. The broad windows above give the season; the exact date and timing need personalised calculation.
Need an exact muhurat for your city, based on your birth nakshatra and the panchang? A Vyom Vaani astrologer can calculate a precise vivah muhurat on WhatsApp, usually within the same conversation.
Why are certain months considered bad for marriage in 2026?
Malmaas (Adhik Maas or Purushottama Maas) is a leap month in the lunar calendar when auspicious ceremonies are traditionally avoided. Additionally, when Guru (Jupiter) or Shukra (Venus) are in combustion or debilitation, the Vivah Muhurat options decrease significantly. In 2026, Venus retrograde periods and certain planetary combustions reduce the available windows. The astrologer always checks Guru-Shukra Bala (strength of Jupiter and Venus) before finalizing a muhurat.
Can the vivah muhurat be set without an exact birth time for one partner?
Yes, though with reduced precision. Without the exact lagna (birth time), the muhurat selection relies on Moon sign compatibility, the auspicious tithis, nakshatras, and the overall planetary positions rather than on matching the individual's ascendant-based chart. The result is a muhurat that is statistically favorable by almanac standards but may not be as precisely calibrated to the individual's dasha and lagna timing. If even approximate birth time is available (morning, afternoon, evening), it helps narrow the lagna possibilities.