Welcome to the complete guide for the Odia Calendar 2026 May. If you are searching for the Kohinoor Odia Calendar 2026 May to understand the unique celestial events and festivals of this month, you have come to the right place. We provide a direct download link for the May 2026 Odia Calendar PDF, along with a comprehensive list of festivals, fasts, and government holidays.
This guide covers the traditional Odia month of Vaishakha and the beginning of the unique Malamasa (extra month), as per the authentic Kohinoor Panji. May 2026 is a rare month in the Odia calendar as it hosts Buddha Purnima, the start of the inauspicious Malamasa, and the celebration of Bakrid.
Odia Calendar 2026 May: The Month of Rare Celestial Events
May 2026 is a month of transition and rarity in the Odia calendar. It begins in the month of Vaishakha, which is considered highly auspicious for charity and holy baths. However, midway through the month, the calendar enters Malamasa (also known as Purushottama Masa), an extra lunar month that occurs approximately every three years to realign the lunar and solar calendars. This month is considered special and dedicated to Lord Purushottama (Vishnu).
Below is the detailed schedule from the Kohinoor Odia Calendar for May 2026, presented in an easy-to-read table format.
Day-Wise Festival & Event List (May 2026)
| Date | Day | Tithi / Festival / Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | Chandan Purnima, Buddha Jayanti (Vesak) , Labour Day, Completion of Vaishakha Brata |
| 7 May 2026 | Thursday | Sharana Arambha (Beginning of Sharana) |
| 9 May 2026 | Saturday | Bhaunri Festival at Shreekhetra (Puri) |
| 10 May 2026 | Sunday | Bhaunri in Utkal, Haladi Pani Festival at Shreekhetra |
| 12 May 2026 | Tuesday | Sharana Shesha (End of Sharana) |
| 13 May 2026 | Wednesday | Jalakrida Ekadashi Fasting (Hala Nishedha) |
| 14 May 2026 | Thursday | Masanta (End of Odia Month Vaishakha) |
| 15 May 2026 | Friday | Vrisha Sankranti, Shiva Chaturdashi & Beda Parikrama |
| 16 May 2026 | Saturday | Amavasya, Savitri Brata, Chandra Kshaya (Night Vigil) |
| 17 May 2026 | Sunday | Chandra Darshan (Moon Sighting), Beginning of Malamasa (Inauspicious Month) |
| 27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Purushottami Ekadashi Fasting (Hala Nishedha), Bakrid (Eid-al-Zuha) |
| 29 May 2026 | Friday | Shiva Chaturdashi & Beda Parikrama |
| 30 May 2026 | Saturday | Purnima Chandra Puja |
| 31 May 2026 | Sunday | Mala Purnima (Full Moon of Malamasa) |
Key Kohinoor Odia Festivals in May 2026
May 2026 features a mix of Vaishakha celebrations and special rituals for the Malamasa. Here are the highlights from the Kohinoor Odia Calendar:
- Chandan Purnima & Buddha Jayanti (May 1): The full moon of Vaishakha is celebrated as Chandan Purnima, a key day in the ongoing Chandan Yatra. It is also Buddha Jayanti (Vesak), the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, observed with prayers at monasteries and Buddhist sites.
- Bhaunri Festival (May 9-10): A significant festival at the Jagannath Temple in Puri during the Chandan Yatra. The processional deities are taken out on two separate boats—one for Jagannath and Balabhadra, and another for Subhadra and Sudarshan—for a symbolic boat ride.
- Vrisha Sankranti (May 15):Â The sun’s transit into the Taurus sign (Vrishabha Rashi). This marks the end of the solar month of Vaishakha.
- Savitri Brata (May 16):Â An important observance for married Hindu women in Odisha. They fast and worship Savitri Devi for the long life and prosperity of their husbands, following the legendary story of Savitri who won her husband Satyavan back from Yama.
- Beginning of Malamasa (May 17):Â The start of the extra lunar month. During this period, no new auspicious ceremonies (like marriages or housewarmings) are performed. Instead, devotees focus on chanting, fasting, and worshipping Lord Purushottama.
- Purushottami Ekadashi & Bakrid (May 27): This is the Ekadashi that falls in the special Malamasa, dedicated to Lord Purushottama. It coincides with Bakrid (Eid-al-Zuha) , the Islamic festival of sacrifice.
Understanding Malamasa (Purushottama Masa)
Malamasa (May 17 – June 14, 2026) is a unique concept in the Odia calendar. It is an “extra” lunar month that occurs to keep the lunar year aligned with the solar year.
- Why is it called Malamasa? “Mala” means impurity. It is considered inauspicious for normal activities because the sun does not move to a new sign (Sankranti) during this entire lunar month.
- Why is it also called Purushottama Masa? Since it is considered “impure” for normal rituals, it is dedicated entirely to Lord Vishnu (Purushottama). Devotees engage in extra prayers, reading scriptures, fasting, and charity to gain spiritual merit.
- What to do during Malamasa:Â Auspicious events are avoided. Instead, focus on “Naam Japa” (chanting), fasting on Ekadashis (like Purushottami Ekadashi), and listening to sacred stories.
Bhaunri: The Boat Festival of Puri
The Bhaunri Festival (May 9-10) is a spectacular part of the Chandan Yatra. The representative deities (Rama, Krishna, etc.) are taken in grand processions to the Narendra Tank. They board beautifully decorated boats (known as “Bhaunri” or “Chapa Khela”) and glide across the water, accompanied by traditional music and chants. The “Haladi Pani” (turmeric water) ritual on May 10 is a special purification ceremony.
May 2026 Holidays: Bank & Government List
Here are the official bank and government holidays in Odisha for May 2026.
| Date | Day | Holiday/Observance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | Buddha Purnima (Vesak) , Maharashtra Day |
| 9 May 2026 | Saturday | 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday |
| 23 May 2026 | Saturday | 4th Saturday Bank Holiday |
| 27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Bakrid (Eid-al-Zuha) (Tentative) |
Note: Bakrid is tentative as it depends on the sighting of the moon.
Spiritual Significance of May Observances
- Jalakrida Ekadashi (May 13):Â The last Ekadashi of the auspicious Vaishakha month. “Jalakrida” refers to the water sports of the deities, observed during the ongoing Chandan Yatra.
- Savitri Brata (May 16):Â This is one of the most important fasting days for Odia women, similar to Karva Chauth in North India. It falls on the Amavasya (new moon) of the month of Jyestha.
- Purushottami Ekadashi (May 27):Â This Ekadashi is considered even more powerful because it falls during the Malamasa. Fasting on this day is believed to yield the benefits of fasting on all 24 Ekadashis of the year.
Download May 2026 Odia Calendar PDF
For a detailed view of the almanac including the exact timings for the start of Malamasa, Tithi start and end times, and Rahu Kala, you can download the free PDF version of the Kohinoor Odia Calendar May 2026 using the link below.
Download Odia Calendar 2026 May PDF
(Note: Replace the “#” with the actual file path on your server to provide a seamless user experience.)
Conclusion
May 2026 is a month of profound spiritual depth in Odisha. From the serene boat rides of the Bhaunri festival to the solemn vows of Savitri Brata and the unique, introspective period of Malamasa, this month offers diverse opportunities for devotion. By using this Odia Calendar for May 2026, you can navigate these rare and sacred days with confidence.