Vaishakh Maas · Lord Vishnu (Madhusudan)

Vaishakh 2017 Start & End Date (Vaishakh Maas)

North India (Purnimanta): Wednesday, 12 April 2017Wednesday, 10 May 2017

Amanta regions: Thursday, 27 April 2017Thursday, 25 May 2017

The month of Akshaya Tritiya and Buddha Purnima — of holy bathing and endless merit.

See Vaishakh 2026 — this year

Vaishakh 2017 at a Glance

North India · Purnimanta
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
to Wednesday, 10 May 2017 · 29 days
Month ending on the Purnima
Amanta regions
Thursday, 27 April 2017
to Thursday, 25 May 2017 · 29 days
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
North India · Purnimanta
Vaishakh Shivratri
Tue, 25 Apr
Purnima
Wed, 10 May
Amavasya
Wed, 26 Apr
Amanta regions
Purnima
Wed, 10 May
Amavasya
Thu, 25 May
Why the dates differ. In the Purnimanta calendar a month ends on the full moon; in Amanta it ends on the new moon. So Vaishakh begins about 15 days earlier in North India than in Amanta regions — even though the festivals fall on the same day in both, because they are fixed by tithi.

The significance of Vaishakh — Lord Vishnu (Madhusudan)

Vaishakh is a month of water and merit, worshipped to Vishnu as Madhusudan. Its Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days of the year — whatever is begun, given or bought on it is held never to diminish. It closes on Buddha Purnima, the full moon that marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing, and the pre-dawn Vaishakh snan runs through it.

Rituals of Vaishakh

  • Vaishakh snan — a daily holy dip through the month
  • Akshaya Tritiya — beginnings, gold and dana
  • Water, sattu and cooling foods offered in dana
  • Sita Navami and Narasimha Jayanti vrats
  • Buddha Purnima worship and bathing
  • Fasting on Varuthini and Mohini Ekadashi

Key days in Vaishakh 2017

Vrat and tithi dates follow whichever month window your calendar uses, so both systems are listed separately below.

Festivals in Vaishakh 2017

Within the Purnimanta window (Wed, 12 Apr – Wed, 10 May). Festivals are fixed by tithi, so each falls on the same civil day in both systems.

Also inside Amanta Vaishakh (Thu, 27 Apr – Thu, 25 May)

Monthly vrats 2017

Vaishakh 2017 — Frequently Asked Questions

When does Vaishakh Maas 2017 start?

In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Vaishakh runs from Wednesday, 12 April 2017 to Wednesday, 10 May 2017. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Thursday, 27 April 2017 to Thursday, 25 May 2017.

Why do Vaishakh dates differ in North and South India?

Because the two regions follow different lunar calendars. In the Purnimanta calendar (North India) a month ends on the Purnima, so it starts about 15 days earlier than in Amanta. In the Amanta calendar (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) the month runs new-moon to new-moon.

Which deity is Vaishakh 2017 dedicated to?

Vaishakh is a month of water and merit, worshipped to Vishnu as Madhusudan. Its Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days of the year — whatever is begun, given or bought on it is held never to diminish. It closes on Buddha Purnima, the full moon that marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing, and the pre-dawn Vaishakh snan runs through it.

When is Vaishakh Shivratri 2017?

Vaishakh Shivratri 2017 — the Masik Shivaratri of Vaishakh Maas, observed on the Krishna Chaturdashi — falls on Tuesday, 25 April 2017 in North India (Purnimanta). Night worship and jalabhishek of the Shiva lingam are traditional on this day.

When does Vaishakh 2017 end?

In North India (Purnimanta) Vaishakh ends on Wednesday, 10 May 2017, on the Purnima. In Amanta regions it ends on Thursday, 25 May 2017, on the Amavasya.

Are Vaishakh and Vaishakh Maas the same month?

Yes. Vaishakh Maas is the Sanskrit name of this lunar month and Vaishakh is the everyday Hindi form of the same word. They refer to the same period — different names, not different dates.

Is Vaishakh 2017 an Adhik Maas?

No. Vaishakh 2017 is a normal 29-day month.