Margashirsha Guruvar Mahalakshmi Vrat 2026: Dates, Puja Vidhi, Katha & Udyapan

The Margashirsha Guruvar vrat is the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi on every Thursday of the month of Margashirsha. It is one of the most loved traditions of Maharashtrian homes, kept for the prosperity, peace and well-being of the family. In 2026, Margashirsha (amanta) runs from 10 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, giving five Thursdays. On each Thursday a ghat (kalash) is decorated as the Goddess, the vrat katha is read, and the vrat ends with an udyapan on the last Thursday.

Margashirsha Guruvar dates 2026–27

Why the dates differ online. North India follows the purnimanta calendar, in which Margashirsha runs from 25 November to 23 December 2026. The Mahalakshmi Guruvar vrat is a Maharashtrian tradition and follows the amanta calendar, in which the month begins after the new moon — so the Thursdays fall from 10 December. If your family follows a different reckoning, use your local panchang.

Why Margashirsha is so sacred

In the Bhagavad Gita (10.35), Lord Krishna says, "Among months, I am Margashirsha" (māsānāṁ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham). The month is considered especially pure for worship. Its Thursdays — the day of Guru (Jupiter), the planet of wisdom and abundance — are devoted to Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and well-being.

Samagri for the Thursday puja

• A kalash (ghat) of copper, brass or silver, with water, a coin, supari and akshat
• Five kinds of leaves, or mango leaves, for the mouth of the kalash, and a coconut
• A picture of Mahalakshmi, or a mask or decoration for the ghat, with a chunri
• Wooden chowki, rangoli powder (with Lakshmi's footprints)
• Haldi, kumkum, chandan, akshat, flowers (especially lotus or red flowers), garland
• Ghee diya, agarbatti, camphor
• Naivedya: a sweet such as sheera, kheer or puranpoli, and fruits
• The Shri Mahalakshmi Vrat Katha book

Step-by-step Margashirsha Guruvar puja vidhi

1. Morning preparation. Clean the house and the puja area and make a rangoli with Lakshmi's footprints leading inside.
2. Set up the ghat. Place the chowki with a cloth and some rice. Set the kalash on it, arrange the leaves and the coconut, and decorate it as the Goddess with a chunri, haldi-kumkum and ornaments.
3. Sankalp. Take the sankalp for the vrat, stating your name, gotra and intention (on the first Thursday for the whole month).
4. Puja. Offer haldi-kumkum, akshat, flowers and the garland. Light the diya and agarbatti.
5. Katha. Read the Mahalakshmi vrat katha with the family listening.
6. Naivedya and aarti. Offer the sweet and fruits, and perform Lakshmi aarti.
7. Fast. Many women fast through the day and eat after the evening puja. Non-vegetarian food is avoided.
8. Evening. Light a diya again in the evening and pray to the Goddess. The ghat is respectfully taken down the next day; the water is poured into a tulsi plant.

The Mahalakshmi vrat katha

The popular Marathi vrat katha tells of a kingdom in which Goddess Lakshmi comes in the form of an old woman. A proud queen treats her rudely and drives her away, while a humble and devoted woman welcomes her, learns the Thursday vrat from her and is blessed with prosperity. When the queen repents and keeps the vrat with sincerity, the Goddess forgives her. The katha's message: Lakshmi stays where there is humility, cleanliness, kindness and devotion, not pride.

Udyapan on the last Thursday

1. Perform the Thursday puja with extra care and offerings.
2. Invite five or seven married women (suvasinis) for haldi-kunku.
3. Offer them fruits, a coconut or a small gift (vaan), and serve prasad.
4. Gift copies of the vrat katha book — a much-loved custom that spreads the vrat to other homes.

In 2026–27 the last Thursday, 7 January 2027, is also Amavasya, so some families prefer to complete the udyapan on 31 December 2026. Follow your family tradition or ask your pandit.

Keeping the Guruvar vrat abroad

• Dates. Thursdays are the same worldwide, but the start and end of Margashirsha depend on the new moon as seen from your location. Check a Marathi or amanta panchang for your city.
• Haldi-kunku with your community. Abroad, the haldi-kunku is often the warmest gathering of the month — invite friends from the Marathi mandal or your local temple.
• Pandit-led puja. You can book a Margashirsha Mahalakshmi Pooja for the first Thursday or the udyapan, at home in India, online, or performed by our pandits on your behalf.

Mahalakshmi is also worshipped on Diwali night and on Akshaya Tritiya.