Patna: The period of Kharmas, considered inauspicious for conducting weddings and other ceremonial events in the Hindu calendar, will begin on March 14, 2026 and continue for about a month. During this time, traditional customs advise against performing major auspicious activities such as marriages, housewarming ceremonies and other social rituals.
According to astrologer Pandit Rakesh Jha, citing traditional Panchangs (Hindu almanacs), Kharmas will commence when the Sun transitions from Aquarius (Kumbh) to Pisces (Meen) at 3:07 am on March 14. The period will conclude on April 14 at 11:25 am, when the Sun enters Aries (Mesha), after which auspicious ceremonies can resume.
While weddings and other celebratory rituals are avoided during Kharmas, religious practices such as worship of Lord Vishnu, prayers, charity, yajnas and spiritual observances are considered particularly beneficial. Devotees believe that performing such rituals during this period brings spiritual merit and divine blessings.
In Vedic astrology, the Sun is regarded as the ruler of Sankranti and Lagna, and its movement between zodiac signs determines the occurrence of Kharmas. Astrological traditions also state that the auspicious timing for marriage depends on the favourable alignment of the Sun, Jupiter and Venus. If any of these celestial bodies is weak or unfavourably positioned, astrologers generally refrain from determining wedding muhurats.
Pandit Jha also noted that Adhik Maas, or an additional lunar month, will occur this year, resulting in an extended Jyeshtha month. The period will run in two phases May 2 to May 31 and June 1 to June 29 while Malmas will be observed from May 15 to June 17, during which marriages and other auspicious ceremonies will again remain suspended.
Later in the year, the religious observance of Chaturmas will begin from July 25 and continue until November 20. According to Hindu beliefs, Lord Vishnu enters Yog Nidra (divine slumber) during this four-month period, and most ceremonial celebrations, including weddings, are traditionally avoided.
Astrological guidelines for marriage muhurats also emphasise favourable ascendants and constellations. Preferred ascendants include Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius and Pisces, while auspicious constellations include Ashwini, Revati, Rohini, Mrigashira, Moola, Magha, Chitra, Swati, Shravan, Hasta, Anuradha, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Bhadrapada and Uttara Ashadha. Among these, Rohini, Mrigashira and Hasta are regarded as especially favourable for wedding ceremonies.
Following the end of Kharmas, astrologers say there will be limited windows for weddings before Chaturmas begins, with several auspicious dates identified in Banarasi and Mithila Panchangs during April, May, June and early July. These dates are expected to see a surge in marriage ceremonies across many parts of the country.
Auspicious Wedding Dates (According to Banarasi Panchang)
April: 15, 16, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
May: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14
June: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
July: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 11
Auspicious Wedding Dates (According to Mithila Panchang)
April: 17, 20, 26, 30
May: 1, 6, 8, 10, 13
June: 19, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29
July: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12
