December 2026 Panchang: Hindu Calendar
Hindu month: Margashirsha-Pausha. Key events: Vivah muhurat season continues, Geeta Jayanti, Mokshada Ekadashi, winter solstice.
| Date | Festival / Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | Margashirsha Purnima | Full moon of Margashirsha month |
| Dec 8 | Geeta Jayanti / Mokshada Ekadashi | Anniversary of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna revealed the Gita |
| Dec 16 | Margashirsha Amavasya | New moon |
| Dec 21 | Dhanur Maas begins (Khar Maas) | Sun enters Sagittarius, 1-month pause on marriage muhurats |
| Dec 22 | Winter Solstice | Shortest day of the year in Northern Hemisphere |
| Dec 23 | Margashirsha Purnima / Dattatreya Jayanti | Full moon, birthday of Lord Dattatreya (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva in one) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dhanur Maas 2026?
Dhanur Maas (Khar Maas) begins on approximately December 21, 2026 when the Sun enters Sagittarius (Dhanus). This month-long period (until Makar Sankranti on January 14, 2027) is traditionally inauspicious for: marriages and engagements, new business starts, Griha Pravesh (housewarming), and other major auspicious ceremonies. Marriage season resumes after January 14, 2027. During Dhanur Maas: spiritual activities, pilgrimages, reading scriptures, and fasting are encouraged. This is a time for reflection and preparation.
When is Geeta Jayanti 2026?
Geeta Jayanti 2026 falls on December 8, 2026 (Tuesday), coinciding with Mokshada Ekadashi (11th day of Margashirsha month). Geeta Jayanti marks the day when Lord Krishna revealed the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, approximately 5,000 years ago. On this day: Read or listen to the complete Bhagavad Gita. Attend Geeta Jayanti celebrations at Kurukshetra (the epic scale celebration at the birthplace of the Gita). Recite Chapter 15 (Purushottam Yoga) for liberation.
What marriage muhurats are there in early December 2026?
December 2026 vivah muhurat window: December 1-20, 2026 is the final winter window before Dhanur Maas begins. Available dates in December (general guide): December 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 20. After December 21 (Dhanur Maas start): Marriage muhurats pause until January 14, 2027. Best December wedding period: Shukla paksha (bright fortnight) of December. Check specific nakshatra, tithi, and lagna for the best date for your family.
What is Mokshada Ekadashi 2026?
Mokshada Ekadashi 2026 falls on December 8, 2026 (Tuesday), Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi. This Ekadashi is considered especially powerful for liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death. Fasting on Mokshada Ekadashi and offering the merit to one's ancestors is believed to help them attain liberation. It coincides with Geeta Jayanti (anniversary of the Bhagavad Gita). Vishnu devotees recite the entire Gita or at least Chapter 15 on this sacred Ekadashi.
What are the December 2026 planetary positions?
December 2026 key planetary positions: Sun: Sagittarius (from December 21, entering Dhanur Maas). Jupiter: Cancer (still exalted, supporting expansion and wisdom). Saturn: Aquarius (stability and discipline). Rahu: Aquarius (with Saturn - double Aquarian energy, strong for technology and collective action). Ketu: Leo (spirituality and withdrawal from ego). Mercury: likely in Capricorn or Sagittarius. Venus: Scorpio or Sagittarius area. No major retrograde planets in December 2026.
How should I plan a December 2026 wedding?
Planning a December 2026 wedding: Window: December 1-20 is your available window (Dhanur Maas starts December 21). Best strategy: Fix the date early. Popular wedding dates in this window get booked fast. Check: Verify that neither the bride nor groom has major panchang restrictions (Sade Sati, Manglik dosha match, etc.). Muhurat: Work with an astrologer to find the exact lagna muhurat within December 1-20 that suits your birth charts. Auspicious: Jupiter in exalted Cancer during December is a very positive background for wedding ceremonies.
What is Dattatreya Jayanti 2026?
Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 falls on December 23, 2026, Margashirsha Purnima (full moon). Lord Dattatreya is a Hindu deity who combines the aspects of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in one form (Trimurti). He is the spiritual preceptor of the Nath tradition and is revered as a walking guru. On Dattatreya Jayanti: Worship Lord Dattatreya with lotus flowers, panchamrit, and incense. Chant 'Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabha Digambara.' Visit Dattatreya temples (Ganagapur in Karnataka, Mahur in Maharashtra). Major pilgrimage sites will have large gatherings.
What is the Margashirsha month importance in December 2026?
Margashirsha month (November 22 - December 21, 2026) is especially sacred because: Lord Krishna himself declared in the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, verse 35): 'Among months I am Margashirsha.' This makes Margashirsha the most important month for Krishna devotion. Guruvayur Ekadashi (Mokshada Ekadashi) in Margashirsha attracts millions to Guruvayur temple. Satya Narayan Puja is especially popular in Margashirsha. Reading the Bhagavad Gita daily throughout Margashirsha is a traditional practice.
What is the winter solstice 2026?
Winter Solstice 2026 falls on December 22, 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the shortest day and longest night of the year. In Vedic astrology, the winter solstice marks when the Sun reaches its southernmost point (Dakshinayana concludes and Uttarayana begins in the sidereal/Vedic system on Makar Sankranti, January 14, 2027 - 23 days after the solstice due to the difference between tropical and sidereal zodiac). The days gradually lengthen from December 22 onward, symbolizing the return of light.