This single month brings together major observances like Vivah Panchami, Mokshada Ekadashi–Gita Jayanti, Datta Jayanti, and Christmas. If you’re searching for accurate, up-to-date information on the Bihar Calendar December 2026 — including the month’s Panchang, which vrats and festivals fall when, and exactly which days the Bihar government has declared holidays — this guide answers all of it in one place.
We’ve combined Drik Panchang-based tithi calculations with the officially notified Bihar government holiday list to put together a reliable, current Bihar Calendar for December 2026, so you can plan your pujas, travel, and time off well in advance.
December 2026 Hindu Panchang – At a Glance
Before diving into the full Bihar Calendar December 2026, here are the basic Panchang details for the month:
Bihar, like Uttar Pradesh and much of North India, follows the Purnimanta calendar, where a lunar month begins the day after the full moon. That’s why the Pausha month starts on 24 December this year, right after Margashirsha Purnima.
Bihar Calendar December 2026 – Full Panchang Tithi Table
The table below lists all the major tithis, vrats, and festivals in December 2026, day by day. Keep in mind that a tithi’s start and end time depends on local sunrise, so there can be a 1–2 hour variation depending on your city — always check your local Panchang for exact timings.
| Date | Day | Tithi/Occasion | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 December | Thursday | Dr. Rajendra Prasad Jayanti | Bihar Government Holiday (Restricted) |
| 4 December | Friday | Utpanna Ekadashi | Vrat |
| 6 December | Sunday | Pradosh Vrat (Ravi Pradosh) | Vrat |
| 8 December | Tuesday | Margashirsha Amavasya (Bhaumvati Amavasya) | Tarpan/Holy Bath & Charity |
| 14 December | Monday | Vivah Panchami | Festival |
| 15 December | Tuesday | Champa Shashthi | Vrat |
| 16 December | Wednesday | Dhanu Sankranti (Kharmas Begins) | Festival/Holy Bath & Charity |
| 20 December | Sunday | Mokshada Ekadashi / Gita Jayanti | Vrat/Festival |
| 21 December | Monday | Pradosh Vrat (Soma Pradosh) | Vrat |
| 23 December | Wednesday | Margashirsha Purnima / Datta Jayanti | Festival |
| 24 December | Thursday | Christmas Eve; Pausha month begins | Bihar Government Holiday (Restricted) |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas | Bihar Government Holiday (Public) |
| 31 December | Thursday | New Year’s Eve | Social observance |
Bihar Government Holidays in December 2026
If you’re a government employee, bank staff, or connected to a school/college in Bihar, here’s the precise breakdown of Bihar Calendar December 2026 holidays:
Public/Gazetted Holiday
- Friday, 25 December 2026 – Christmas Day: This is the only gazetted public holiday this month, on which all Bihar government offices, banks, and schools/colleges remain closed. Since 25 December falls on a Friday, employees who want to extend the break into the weekend can turn it into a long weekend by taking one extra day off.
Restricted/Optional Holidays
- Thursday, 3 December 2026 – Dr. Rajendra Prasad Jayanti: This day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President and a son of Bihar. It’s specifically significant for the state, as it’s part of Bihar’s own restricted holiday list.
- Thursday, 24 December 2026 – Christmas Eve: This is also included in Bihar’s restricted holiday list.
Note: A “restricted” holiday means employees can choose a set number (usually 2–3) of these from the full list across the year, based on personal preference. So if this holiday isn’t showing up on your office calendar, that’s completely normal.
The same dates generally apply to banks under the Negotiable Instruments Act, so Bihar bank holidays in December 2026 will largely mirror this list. Still, it’s always worth confirming with your nearest branch before heading out for any banking work.
Major Festivals & Vrats in December 2026 – Full Details
Utpanna Ekadashi – 4 December 2026 (Friday)
This Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of the Kartik month is linked to the origin story of the Ekadashi vrat tradition itself. According to belief, Goddess Ekadashi manifested from Lord Vishnu’s radiance on this day and defeated the demon Mura. Devotees observe a waterless or fruit-based fast and worship Lord Vishnu.
Margashirsha Amavasya (Bhaumvati Amavasya) – 8 December 2026 (Tuesday)
Since this Amavasya falls on a Tuesday, it’s known as Bhaumvati Amavasya, considered especially powerful for ancestral rites (Pitru Tarpan) and remedies for Saturn/Rahu-related doshas. Holy river baths, tarpan in the name of ancestors, and donating sesame seeds hold special significance on this day.
Vivah Panchami – 14 December 2026 (Monday)
Observed on Margashirsha Shukla Panchami, Vivah Panchami commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. This festival holds particular importance in Bihar, since Sita’s maternal home is traditionally associated with Mithila (present-day Sitamarhi and the wider Janakpur region). Temples across the Mithilanchal region, especially in Sitamarhi, hold grand celebrations, drawing large numbers of devotees. Traditionally, new weddings are not scheduled on this specific tithi, as it’s reserved for Ram-Sita’s own union.
Champa Shashthi – 15 December 2026 (Tuesday)
This day is dedicated to Lord Khandoba (an avatar of Lord Shiva), particularly revered in Maharashtra and Karnataka. It marks the conclusion of a six-day vrat, completed with an offering of Champa flowers.
Dhanu Sankranti & Start of Kharmas – 16 December 2026 (Wednesday)
On this day, the Sun transitions from Scorpio (Vrishchika) to Sagittarius (Dhanu) — known as Dhanu Sankranti. This also marks the start of Kharmas (Malmas), which continues until Makar Sankranti next month. Traditionally, auspicious ceremonies like weddings, housewarmings (Griha Pravesh), and mundan are avoided during Kharmas, while charity, chanting, and pilgrimage are considered favorable.
Mokshada Ekadashi & Gita Jayanti – 20 December 2026 (Sunday)
Observed on Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, Mokshada Ekadashi literally means “the Ekadashi that grants liberation.” This year, it coincides with Gita Jayanti, commemorating the day Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Reciting the Gita, praying for moksha, and offering the merit of the fast to one’s ancestors are common practices on this day.
Margashirsha Purnima & Datta Jayanti – 23 December 2026 (Wednesday)
The year’s final Margashirsha Purnima (also called Agrahayana Purnima) is significant for the worship of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Lakshmi. The same tithi is observed as Datta Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Dattatreya, revered as the combined form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Holy river baths, Satyanarayan Puja, and worship of Goddess Annapurna are performed on this day.
Christmas – 25 December 2026 (Friday)
This major Christian festival is now celebrated with enthusiasm across communities throughout Bihar. Churches in Patna and across the state hold special prayer services, markets get festively decorated, and it’s also a gazetted public holiday in Bihar.
Sonepur Mela 2026 – Bihar’s Cultural Highlight Running Into December
No conversation about the Bihar Calendar December 2026 is complete without mentioning Asia’s largest cattle fair, the Sonepur Mela (Harihar Kshetra Mela). Starting on Kartik Purnima (24 November 2026), this historic fair — held at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers in Sonepur, Saran district — runs for roughly a month and is expected to continue into the third week of December 2026. Just 25 km from Patna, the fair is known not only for livestock trade but also for folk culture, handicrafts, and pilgrim visits to the Hariharnath Temple. If you’re planning to visit Patna or the surrounding area in early December, it’s well worth adding to your itinerary.
Kharmas 2026: Why No Weddings Happen in December
Starting from Dhanu Sankranti (16 December 2026) and continuing through Makar Sankranti (January 2027), Kharmas puts weddings and other auspicious ceremonies on hold for a full month across Bihar and much of North India. So if you were considering a wedding date in late December or early January, keep in mind that no auspicious muhurats are calculated during this period. The next window for wedding dates opens only after Makar Sankranti.
How to Use This Bihar Calendar December 2026 – Practical Tips
- Plan your pujas and vrats: Use the dates above to prepare in advance, especially for major observances like Vivah Panchami and Mokshada Ekadashi.
- Plan your leave: Since 25 December falls on a Friday, taking just three days off from work lets you stretch it into a longer weekend.
- Plan your travel: Given the crowds expected at the Sonepur Mela and for Vivah Panchami celebrations in Sitamarhi, it’s a good idea to book hotels and transport early.
- Check your local Panchang for exact timings: The dates in this article are based on standard New Delhi/Patna Panchang calculations. If you’re in a different city within Bihar, always verify the exact sunrise-based start and end times of a tithi with your local Panchang.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What government holidays does Bihar have in December 2026?
Bihar has one public holiday in December 2026 — 25 December (Christmas). In addition, 3 December (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Jayanti) and 24 December (Christmas Eve) are on the restricted holiday list.
2. When is Vivah Panchami 2026?
Vivah Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 14 December. It marks the anniversary of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita’s wedding.
3. Do Mokshada Ekadashi and Gita Jayanti fall on the same day in 2026?
Yes, this year both observances fall together on Sunday, 20 December 2026.
4. When does Dhanu Sankranti/Kharmas 2026 start and end?
Kharmas begins on 16 December 2026 and continues until Makar Sankranti in January 2027. Auspicious ceremonies like weddings are avoided during this period.
5. When is Purnima in December 2026?
Margashirsha Purnima falls on Wednesday, 23 December 2026, also observed as Datta Jayanti.
6. What day does Christmas 2026 fall on, and is it a holiday in Bihar?
Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, 25 December, and it’s a gazetted public holiday in Bihar.
7. Will the Sonepur Mela 2026 run into December?
Yes, the Sonepur Mela begins on 24 November 2026 and is expected to run through the third week of December 2026.
Conclusion
The Bihar Calendar December 2026 is a month packed with both religious and cultural significance — from spiritually rich observances like Vivah Panchami and Gita Jayanti to the festive spirit of Christmas and the buzz of the Sonepur Mela. Bookmark the Panchang table and holiday list above so you can plan your vrats, festivals, and time off without any confusion. For any last-minute official changes to these dates, always check the Bihar government’s official notification.