Pushya Masam 2025 & 2026: Dates, Festivals & Spiritual Guide

Pushya Masam (also called Pausa Masam or Paush Maas) is the tenth month in the Telugu lunar calendar followed widely in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and other regions.

This sacred month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, governed by Lord Shani (Saturn), and is revered as Soubhagya Lakshmi Masam because it blesses farmers with wealth after harvest.

🌙 Pushya Masam 2025 Dates (2024–2025)

Start Date: December 31, 2024
End Date: January 29, 2025
Shukla Paksha: Dec 31, 2024 – Jan 13, 2025
Krishna Paksha: Jan 14 – Jan 29, 2025

Key Festivals (2024–2025)

Vaikunta Ekadashi: January 2–3, 2025
Bhogi: January 13, 2025
Makara Sankranti: January 14, 2025
Kanuma: January 15, 2025
Mukkanuma: January 16, 2025
Shadthila Ekadashi: Late January 2025
Pushya Amavasya: January 29, 2025

🌙 Pushya Masam 2026 Dates (2025–2026)

Start Date: December 20, 2025
End Date: January 18, 2026

Important Festivals (2025–2026)

Banadashtami & Shakambari Navratri Begin: Dec 28, 2025
Pushya Purnima / Shakambari Jayanti: Jan 3, 2026
Sankashti Chaturthi: Jan 6, 2026 (Moonrise: 8:57 PM IST)
Makara Sankranti: Jan 14, 2026
Pushya Amavasya / Mauni Amavasya: Jan 18, 2026

✨ Spiritual Significance of Pushya Masam

Pushya Masam is named after the auspicious Pushya Nakshatra, known for nourishment and prosperity. The month is ideal for:

Worship of Vishnu-Lakshmi (Lakshmi Narayana Swamy)
Performing Shani remedies
Vedic studies (best on Pushya Purnima)
Pitru Tarpanam and ancestor worship
Charity, fasting, and spiritual sadhana

It is called Soubhagya Lakshmi Masam as farmers traditionally receive payments for harvested crops — symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

🎉 Major Festivals of Pushya Masam

Makara Sankranti – Beginning of Uttarayana
Bhogi – Bonfire purification festival
Kanuma – Celebration of cattle & agriculture
Vaikunta Ekadashi – Opening of Vaikunta Dwaram
Shakambari Navratri (in some years)
Thyagaraja Aradhana – Grand musical tribute

🙏 Auspicious Activities in Pushya Masam

Highly Recommended

Vishnu-Lakshmi puja, Tulsi puja
Chant Vishnu Sahasranama, Lakshmi Ashtakam
Perform Sri Satyanarayana Vratam
Observe Ekadashi, Pradosham, and Saturday fasts
Shani Tailabhishekam on Saturdays & Pushya Amavasya
Donate anna, vastra, til (sesame)
Worship Dhana Lakshmi and Dhanya Lakshmi

⚠️ Inauspicious Activities — Avoid During Pushya Masam

Pushya Masam is solely for spiritual discipline. Avoid:

Marriages & engagements
Housewarming (Griha Pravesh)
New construction
Buying property or vehicles
Starting a business
Major financial investments

🌿 Important Vratams in Pushya Masam

Satyanarayana Vratam – For prosperity
Vaikunta Ekadashi Vratam – For moksha
Shadthila Ekadashi – Special sesame benefits
Pushya Amavasya Vratam – Shani dosha relief
Pradosha Vratam – For Shiva devotees

🪔 Shani Worship During Pushya Masam (Most Powerful)

Since Lord Shani rules this month, these remedies give maximum benefit:

Black sesame oil abhishekam
Mustard oil lamps on Saturdays
Donate iron, black clothes, sesame
Chant Shani Stotra, Dasharatha Shani Stotram
Feed crows, the poor, and the needy

Most effective period for those undergoing Sade Sati, Shani Dasha, or Ashtama Shani.

🍽️ Traditional Foods (Sattvic Diet)

Include:
Til laddu, jaggery sweets, Pongal, Ariselu, Puran Poli, fruit, milk, rice-lentil dishes

Avoid:
Non-veg, alcohol, onion, garlic (especially on fasting days)

🌾 Regional Celebrations

Andhra & Telangana: Bhogi, Sankranti, Kanuma, Muggulu, Haridasu, kite flying
Karnataka: Ellu-Bella traditions, Pongal
Maharashtra & Gujarat: Tilgul exchange (“Tilgul ghya, god god bola”)

🧘 Ayurvedic Tips for Pushya Masam

Eat warm foods with ginger, turmeric, sesame
Perform Abhyanga (oil massage)
Practice yoga & pranayama
Morning sunlight exposure for immunity

🔮 After Pushya Masam

The next month is Magha Masam, dedicated to Lord Shiva, ideal for auspicious events and Maha Shivaratri celebrations.

❓ FAQs – Pushya Masam 2025 & 2026

Q: Can we do marriage in Pushya Masam?
No, it is not auspicious.

Q: Pushya Masam 2025 dates?
Dec 31, 2024 – Jan 29, 2025.

Q: Pushya Masam 2026 dates?
Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026.

Q: Whom should we worship?
Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Shani.

Q: Is Griha Pravesh allowed?
No, avoid housewarming during this month.

Q: When is the best time for Shani puja?
Saturdays and Pushya Amavasya.

🌟 May Pushya Masam bring you peace, prosperity, and divine blessings!

Jai Lakshmi Narayana | Om Sham Shanicharaya Namah

Frequently Asked Questions

Can marriages be held in Pushya Masam?

No. Pushya Masam is treated as a month of spiritual discipline, so marriages and engagements are avoided, along with housewarming, new construction, buying property or vehicles, and starting a business.

What are the Pushya Masam dates for 2025 and 2026?

The 2025 month runs from December 31, 2024 to January 29, 2025. The 2026 month runs from December 20, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Which deities are worshipped in Pushya Masam?

Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are the main deities, and Lord Shani governs the month. Devotees do Vishnu-Lakshmi puja, Tulsi puja, and chant Vishnu Sahasranama and Lakshmi Ashtakam.

Why is Pushya Masam called Soubhagya Lakshmi Masam?

Farmers traditionally receive payments for their harvested crops in this month, which symbolises abundance and prosperity. That is why it is revered as Soubhagya Lakshmi Masam.

What are the best Shani remedies during Pushya Masam?

Black sesame oil abhishekam, mustard oil lamps on Saturdays, donating iron, black clothes and sesame, and chanting Shani Stotra are recommended. Saturdays and Pushya Amavasya are the best days for Shani puja.

How do Indians abroad observe Pushya Masam?

Follow the same practices at home: Vishnu-Lakshmi puja, a sattvic diet, Ekadashi and Saturday fasts, and donations of anna, vastra and til. Check the local panchang for the exact festival days where you live.