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May Month Festivals List 2018
April 24, 2018
May Day – 1st May, Tuesday
The International Workers’ Day is celebrated all over the world, as May Day. Also known as Labor Day, it is observed on May 1. This is promoted by the International Labor Movement as a celebration of the working class. This day is declared as a national holiday in many countries of the world.
May Day signifies the victory of the labor class in winning their struggle for regulating their working hours. Its observance dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
May Day is a public holiday in India too, when programs focusing on the workforce and their welfare are conducted in many of the organizations. It also remains as an occasion when the Trade Union members and workmen gather together, discuss issues of common concern and exchange pleasantries.
In the current year 2018, this 1st day of May falls on a Tuesday.
Mars Enters Capricorn – 2nd May Wednesday
Mars is a warrior planet. This is an aggressive celestial body that can bestow people with energy, strength, courage and fighting spirit. It is also quite close to the earth in space. Hence, it is said to exercise strong influence on the earthly beings and accordingly, Vedic astrology attaches great importance to the placement and movement of Mars. However, Mars is considered as an inauspicious planet, and people offer worship and undertake rituals for propitiating the planetary Lord, to minimize its malicious effects.
Mars is entering the zodiac sign of Capricorn on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 and will continue there for about 6 months, till 6th November. This transit may provide Capricorn-born people handsome benefits, in the form of financial gains and domestic peace. The effects may differ from sign to sign, with respect to the other zodiac signs.
Sankatahara Chaturthi – 3rd May, Thursday
Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious occasion dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganapati. Sankata refers to problems and Hara is its removal, while Chaturthi is the 4th lunar day that falls during Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the moon. Sankatahara Chaturthi, also known as Sankashti Chaturthi, is thus a day meant specially for eliminating problems and impediments. It is Lord Ganapati, who is hailed as the remover of obstacles and hence, he is the one who is worshipped on this day for getting rid of our difficulties. Devotees smash coconuts before the Lord on the occasion for wiping out Karmic influences and for making progress in life. Some observe daylong fasts too. Sankatahara Chaturthi normally comes once a month and in May 2018, it falls on Thursday, the 3rd
Nataraja Abishekam – 7th May, Monday
Nataraja is the dancing form of Lord Shiva and is hailed as the king of divine dance. His form itself imparts great wisdom, while the cosmic dance that he performs represents all the core activities of the universe, from creation to salvation. Also known as Ananda Thandavam, this dance of bliss of Lord Shiva takes place at the holy Chidambaram or Thillai.
Nataraja Abishekam is the sacred hydration ceremony. This is performed on 6 auspicious occasions in a year, when the Nataraja energy becomes most potent on earth. These are spread across all the 6 seasons of the year and are also conducted at 6 different times of the day, from dawn to night. This ritual involves the ceremonial soaking of the Nataraja idol by gently pouring the liquids like milk, curd, ghee, tender coconut water etc. on it, amidst the chanting of sacred hymns.
Mercury Enters Aries – 9th May, Wednesday
Mercury is one of the Navagrahas, the powerful planets. This is the smallest planet, which is also closest to the Sun. Mercury is known as Buddhi Kararaka, the ruler of intellect, and hence is called Budha. This can bestow people with intelligence and communication skills. Being the Lord of such important faculties, it exercises a strong influence on earthly beings, and hence, a lot of importance is attached to its transit in a sign.
Mercury enters the zodiac sign of Aries on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, and will continue until the 27th. This may prove to be a mixed bag for the Aries-born. There may be enhanced interest for learning new skills; travelling may be beneficial; and siblings may be helpful, while health issues and legal problems may arise. People of other zodiac signs may have their own individual results.
Ekadasi – May 11, Friday
Ekadasi is a day of immense spiritual significance. The word Ekadasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th Thithi or lunar day of both, the Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon and the Krishna Paksha, the waning phase. Normally, two Ekadasis occur in a month and 24 in a year.
Ekadasi is regarded especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Ekadasi Vrat is considered a sacred austerity, when people observe fasts throughout the Ekadasi day and devote the occasion for prayers and other religious activities. Further, each of the Ekadasis has its own unique significance and can bestow particular benefits by the performance of specific observances. Next Ekadasi falls on Friday, May 11, 2018. People can observe Vrats, worship God on this auspicious occasion, and get divine blessings.
Pradosham – 13th May, Sunday
Pradosham refers to the period of about 3 hours around the sunset time of a Trayodashi, the 13th Thithi or lunar day. This happens during both, Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon and Krishna Paksha, the waning phase. Pradosham occurs twice a month and is considered as an extremely auspicious occasion for worshipping Lord Shiva. This period is regarded variously as the time when Shiva drank the lethal Alahala poison in order to save the world and as the one, when the Devas approached Shiva with the help of Nandi, seeking relief from the oppression of the Asuras.
Pradosham also means ‘removal of sins’. Worshipping Shiva during the Pradosham time can get his immense blessings for the devotees and relieve them of all their sins. The first Pradosham of May, 2018 falls on Sunday the 13th, when people can offer prayers to Shiva and get divine blessings.
Mother’s day – 13th May, Sunday
A mother is the first relative of a person. She is also the closest and the most important one, anyone can have. Her position is pre-eminent, which has been acknowledged by the civilizations and religions across the world. She is hence held as the first God that a person should worship.
Mother’s Day is an occasion observed for honoring the mothers, remembering their selfless services and for expressing gratitude for the great sacrifices that they make for the sake of the children and family.
America began observing Mother’s day from early 20th century. That day was the 2nd Sunday of May and many countries started following the same. Mother’s Day, thus, falls in the current year 2018 on Sunday, 13 May, when people can pray for the welfare of mothers, all over the world.
Venus Enters Gemini – 14th May, Monday
Planet Venus, the Shukra Graha, is an important celestial body. It represents the noblest of emotions and love, and also denotes sought-after aspects like beauty, romance, artistic temperament, pleasure and comforts. Venus, thus, stands for all that, which make life worth living. It also rules the zodiac signs of Taurus and Libra and bestows natives with intellect and wealth. Hence, a lot of importance is attached to its transit in a sign.
Venus will enter the zodiac sign of Gemini on Monday, the 14th May, 2018 and will stay there till 9th June. This may indicate improved fortunes for the Gemini-born people. There may be good money flow, acquisition of luxury items, improved relationships, marital harmony and success in endeavors, during the period.
Vishnupati – 15th May, Tuesday
Vishnupati is considered a special occasion for Lord Vishnu worship. It is believed that the energy of the Lord remains prevalent on earth during this time and that he performs miracles for the benefit of the universe. This highly auspicious time is hence referred to as Vishnupati Punyakalam. This period prevails during Brahma Muhurta, very early in the morning and extendsinto the morning hours.
Vishnupati occurs whenever the Sun, the powerful head of the solar family, moves into the zodiac signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. This phenomenon happens once in 3 months – during the months of May, August, November and February, and thus, 4 times a year. During May, 2018 Vishnupati falls on Tuesday, the 15th.
It is believed that chanting Lord Vishnu’s names and offering him worship during Vishnupati Punyakalam, can bless devotees with immense prosperity and welfare.
Sun Enters Taurus – 15th May, Tuesday
Sun or Surya is a brilliantly shining heavenly body. This massive ball of fire is the king of planets and the head of the solar family, and remains as the source of light and energy for the earthly beings. Sun denotes courage, influence, power and authority. He can impact the lives of the people very strongly and hence, astrology rightly attaches great importance to his movements and placement.
Sun will move into the zodiac sign of Taurus on Tuesday, 15th May, 2018, where it will stay for about a month. This may generally benefit the Taurus-born. They may receive motherly care and affection; gain inner strength and leadership skills; enjoy the comforts of own house and vehicles; and may experience change of place. While people of other zodiac signs may have their own individual results, worshipping Surya Dev during this time can improve his favorable effects and minimize afflictions.
Shasti – 20th May, Sunday
Shasti denotes the 6th Thithi or lunar day of Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon. This is considered a special day for the worship of Lord Muruga.
It is believed that Muruga, the valiant son of Lord Shiva and mother Parvati, fought a fierce battle with the mighty demon Surapadma and his army for 5 days, at a stretch, and vanquished the evil forces on the 6thday of Shasti. Hence, this occasion remains dedicated to Muruga. This great victory actually happened in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October–November) and that day is celebrated as Skanda Shasti. However, commemorating that memorable day, Shasti is observed with piety every month.
Devotees observe fasting on Shasti days for propitiating Lord Muruga. In the month of May 2018, Shasti falls on 20th, Sunday, when devotees can observe austerities and offer worship to Muruga, and get his blessings.
Ekadasi – 25th May, Friday
Ekadasi is a day of immense spiritual significance. The word Ekadasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th Thithi or lunar day of both, the Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon and the Krishna Paksha, the waning phase. Normally, two Ekadasi occur in a month and 24 in a year.
Ekadasi is regarded auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Ekadasi Vrat is considered a sacred austerity, when people observe fasts throughout the Ekadasi day and devote the occasion for prayers and other religious activities. Further, each of the Ekadasi has its own unique significance and can bestow specific benefits through particular observances. The second Ekadasi of May 2018 falls on Friday, the 25th. People can undertake Vrats and do worships on that auspicious occasion and get divine blessings.
Mercury Enters Taurus – 27th May, Sunday
Mercury is one of the Navagrahas, the powerful planets. This is the smallest planet and is also closest to the Sun. Mercury is known as Buddhi Kararaka, the ruler of intellect, and hence, is called Budha. This planet can bestow people with intelligence and communication skills. Being the Lord of such important faculties, Budha exercises a strong influence on earthly beings and hence, a lot of importance is attached to its transit in a sign.
Mercury is entering the zodiac sign of Taurus on Sunday, 27 May 2018, and will continue until 10th June. This period might prove to be beneficial, especially for the Taurus-born women. Their interest in studies and business acumen may improve. People may also indulge in entertainments. However, new relationships may prove to be disadvantageous. People of other zodiac signs may have their own individual results.
Vaikasi Visakam – 28th May, Monday
Vaikasi Visakam is regarded as the day of incarnation of Lord Muruga. Hence, this occasion remains as a very special day for Muruga worship. Vaikasi Visakam is celebrated with piety when the full Moon coincides with the auspicious Vishaka star during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June).
Muruga is said to have appeared from the blazing flame that emerged out of the third eye of Lord Shiva, principally for saving the universe from the atrocities of the mighty demon, Surapadma, whom he destroyed on the Skanda Shasti day.
Muruga is a rare combination of great valor and supreme intelligence, and his worship can bestow people with strength, self-confidence and success. In this year 2018, Vaikasi Visakam falls on Monday, the 28th May, when people can offer him worship, chant hymns and observe austerities, like carrying milk pots, kavadis, etc.
