Are you looking for the complete MP Calendar 2026 May? You have come to the right place. In this article, we have covered every important date in Madhya Pradesh for the month of May 2026 — including public holidays, bank holidays, religious festivals, vrats, ekadashis, and jayantis. Whether you are a government employee planning your leaves or a devout Hindu tracking fasting days, this guide will help you stay organized throughout the month.
May 2026 is a spiritually meaningful month for the people of Madhya Pradesh. It begins with the national observance of Labour Day and ends with the auspicious Vat Purnima Vrat. The month also includes Buddha Purnima, Maharana Pratap Jayanti, Nirjala Ekadashi, and several important vrat dates.
Public Holidays in Madhya Pradesh – May 2026
There are two gazetted public holidays in Madhya Pradesh during May 2026. On these days government offices, state schools, and most institutions remain closed.
1 May 2026 – International Workers’ Day (Labour Day)
International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day, is observed on the first of May every year. It honours the worldwide movement of workers who fought for their basic rights including an eight-hour workday and fair wages. In Madhya Pradesh this is a gazetted state holiday. Government offices, banks, and many private organisations remain closed. The day is also known as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas across Hindi-speaking states of India.
21 May 2026 – Maharana Pratap Jayanti
Maharana Pratap Jayanti is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap Singh, the legendary Rajput king of Mewar who is remembered as a symbol of courage, self-respect, and patriotism. He famously refused to bow to the Mughal Empire and fought valiantly at the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. In Madhya Pradesh, Maharana Pratap Jayanti is a gazetted government holiday. Cultural programmes, processions on horseback, and tribute events are held across the state on this day.
Bank Holidays in Madhya Pradesh – May 2026
Banks in Madhya Pradesh follow the holiday list issued by the Reserve Bank of India. Below are all the bank holidays in MP for May 2026. Plan your banking activities in advance to avoid inconvenience.
1 May 2026, Friday – International Workers’ Day. All bank branches remain closed. ATM and online banking services remain available.
9 May 2026, Saturday – 2nd Saturday. As per RBI guidelines, the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month are mandatory bank holidays across India.
21 May 2026, Thursday – Maharana Pratap Jayanti. This is a state-specific gazetted holiday. All bank branches in Madhya Pradesh will be closed.
23 May 2026, Saturday – 4th Saturday. The 4th Saturday of the month is a mandatory bank holiday across all states in India.
Important tip: All Sundays are also bank holidays. For urgent fund transfers, use UPI, NEFT, RTGS, or IMPS as these services work on holidays too.
Major Festivals in MP – May 2026
Buddha Purnima – 2 May 2026 (Saturday)
Buddha Purnima is one of the most sacred festivals in the Buddhist and Hindu calendar. It marks the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha, all of which are believed to have occurred on the same full moon day. This year Buddha Purnima falls on Saturday, 2 May 2026. Madhya Pradesh has a strong Buddhist heritage with world-famous sites like the Sanchi Stupa and Bhimbetka rock shelters located within the state. Devotees visit Buddhist monasteries, light lamps, and offer prayers. On this same day Kurma Jayanti is also observed, celebrating the second avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Sankashti Chaturthi – 5 May 2026 (Tuesday)
Sankashti Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha of each Hindu month. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Devotees observe a fast throughout the day and break it only after sighting the moon in the evening. This monthly vrat is believed to bring prosperity, success, and good fortune to those who observe it with devotion.
Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti – 9 May 2026 (Saturday)
9 May 2026 marks the birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Prize-winning poet and philosopher who wrote India’s national anthem Jana Gana Mana. Schools, colleges, and cultural institutions across Madhya Pradesh organise poetry recitations, music programmes, and literary events to honour his legacy on this day.
Masik Shivaratri – 16 May 2026 (Saturday)
Masik Shivaratri is observed on the 13th or 14th night of every Krishna Paksha and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees visit Shiva temples, observe fasting, and perform Rudrabhishek. Madhya Pradesh is home to two of the twelve Jyotirlingas — Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and Omkareshwar on the Narmada river — making Masik Shivaratri especially significant for devotees in the state.
Shani Jayanti and Vat Savitri Vrat – 17 May 2026 (Sunday)
Two important observances coincide on Sunday, 17 May 2026. Shani Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Shani Dev, the god of karma and justice in Hindu belief. Devotees visit Shani temples, offer sesame oil, and seek blessings. On the same day, Vat Savitri Vrat is observed by married Hindu women who fast and perform puja around a banyan tree, praying for the long life of their husbands — following the tradition of the devoted Savitri who brought her husband Satyavan back from Yama, the god of death.
Vat Purnima Vrat – 31 May 2026 (Sunday)
Vat Purnima Vrat is the Purnima version of Vat Savitri, observed primarily in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of Madhya Pradesh. Married women tie sacred threads around a banyan tree and pray for marital bliss and the longevity of their husbands. The Purnima date falls on Sunday, 31 May 2026, making it convenient for working women to observe this festival.
Ekadashi and Pradosh Vrat Dates – May 2026
Apara Ekadashi – 13 May 2026 (Wednesday)
Apara Ekadashi falls during the Krishna Paksha of the Jyeshtha month. Observing this fast is said to remove sins and grant merit equal to visiting the most sacred pilgrimage sites such as Gaya, Kashi, and Prayag. Devotees either observe a complete fast or consume only fruits and water on this day.
Pradosh Vrat (Krishna Paksha) – 15 May 2026 (Friday)
Pradosh Vrat is observed on the Trayodashi tithi of each lunar fortnight. Friday Pradosh is known as Shukra Pradosh and is said to bless devotees with wealth and material comfort. The evening prayer during the twilight hour is considered the most auspicious time to worship Lord Shiva.
Nirjala Ekadashi – 28 May 2026 (Thursday)
Nirjala Ekadashi is the most significant of all 24 Ekadashis in the Hindu calendar. As the name suggests, it is observed without consuming even a drop of water. It falls in the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month. Completing this one fast is believed to carry the spiritual merit of all 24 Ekadashis combined. Millions of Hindus across India observe this day with deep devotion.
Pradosh Vrat (Shukla Paksha) – 29 May 2026 (Friday)
The second Pradosh Vrat of May 2026 falls on Friday, 29 May 2026 in the Shukla Paksha. This is again a Shukra Pradosh. Lord Shiva temples across Madhya Pradesh — particularly the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain — witness large gatherings of devotees during the Pradosh evening prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.How many public holidays are there in MP in May 2026?
There are 2 gazetted public holidays in Madhya Pradesh in May 2026 — International Workers’ Day on 1 May and Maharana Pratap Jayanti on 21 May. Additionally banks are closed on 2 Saturdays and all Sundays.
Q2.When is Buddha Purnima in May 2026?
Buddha Purnima falls on Saturday, 2 May 2026. It is also observed as Kurma Jayanti on the same full moon day.
Q3.What are the bank holidays in MP for May 2026?
Bank holidays in Madhya Pradesh for May 2026 are 1 May (Labour Day), 9 May (2nd Saturday), 21 May (Maharana Pratap Jayanti), and 23 May (4th Saturday), along with all Sundays of the month.
Q4.When is Nirjala Ekadashi in May 2026?
Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Thursday, 28 May 2026. It is the strictest Ekadashi fast, observed without food or water throughout the day.
Q5.Is Vat Savitri Vrat a government holiday in MP?
Vat Savitri Vrat falls on Sunday, 17 May 2026, which is already a weekly day off. It is not a separately gazetted government holiday but is widely observed by married women across Madhya Pradesh.
Conclusion
The MP Calendar 2026 May is packed with important dates that matter to every resident of Madhya Pradesh — whether you are planning your work leaves, religious fasts, or family celebrations. From the nationally observed International Workers’ Day to the spiritually powerful Nirjala Ekadashi, and from the inspiring legacy of Maharana Pratap to the compassionate message of Buddha Purnima, May 2026 is a month full of meaning and significance.