Adhik Maas Vinayak Chaturthi Angaraki Yog 2026: Date, Puja Vidhi, Vrat Rules and Spiritual Significance

The sacred Adhik Maas, which appears once every three years in the Hindu calendar, has began in 2026 with a series of highly auspicious celestial combinations. Among the most significant is the rare Vinayaka Chaturthi Angaraki Yog, making this year’s observance especially powerful for devotees of Lord Ganesha. Every month, devotees observe the Vinayaka Chaturthi Vrat on the Shuddha Chaturthi the fourth day of the waxing lunar phase in honour of Lord Ganesha, revered as the Prathamesh, the foremost deity. However, this year the spiritual importance of the fast has multiplied due to the overlap of Adhik Jyeshtha Maas and the auspicious Angaraki Yog. The rare combination is set to occur on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Hindu scriptures prescribe fasting and worship of Lord Ganesha on both Shuddha and Vadya Chaturthi of each Marathi month, totaling twenty-four annual observances, each associated with a unique form of Ganesha. In 2026, Jyeshtha will be an Adhik Maas (an extra lunar month occurring roughly every three years according to the Marathi Panchang, also known as Purushottam Maas, Mal Maas, Sansarp Maas, and Dhondyacha Mahina), adding two Chaturthi observances. Religious tradition considers Adhik Maas a time of amplified spiritual merit for prayers, fasting, charity, and devotion. The convergence of Vinayaka Chaturthi and Angaraki Yog during this period is especially auspicious for devotees seeking Ganesha's grace, prosperity, and obstacle removal. Notably, Angaraki Yog also coincided with Sankashta Chaturthi earlier in May 2026, further elevating the period's spiritual significance.

Angarki Vinayak Chaturthi, a rare and auspicious conjunction, occurs when Vinayak Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, associated with the planet Mars, also known as Angaraki. This Chaturthi is highly meritorious, with ancient texts like the Mudgala Purana and Ganesha Purana prescribing special worship of Lord Ganapati on this day. Observing this vrata is believed to bestow the spiritual merit of observing every Chaturthi throughout the year, along with the grace of both Mars and Lord Ganesha.

On Angaraki Yoga Vinayak Chaturthi, one should get up early, take a bath, and visit a Ganapati temple for Darshan, if possible, and observe a fast. Perform the Shodashopachara Puja of Lord Ganapati, including a ritual Abhishekam with pure water. During the Abhishekam, recite the Atharvashirsha 21 times (if memorized) or chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha" 108 times. Offer flowers, incense, a sacred lamp, and Naivedya (especially Ladoos and Modaks) to Lord Ganesha, followed by devotional chanting of His holy names. Perform the Aarti with devotion.

Remember Lord Ganesha and chant His name with devotion. Offer at least one blade of Durva grass, a hibiscus flower, and Ladoos as Naivedya. Recite the Ganapati Atharvashirsha 21 times, or at least once. If you don't know it, listen to it with devotion, or chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 108 times, believing it will bestow the merit of complete ritual worship.