We often turn to prayer for comfort, but there are times when we are looking for more than calm. We are looking for change. Ishti is meant for those moments of clear intention. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is not a passive form of devotion, but a conscious act of offering. It is believed that prayers made on Ishti carry the power to move past deeper obstacles, especially those that feel unresolved despite regular worship. If you wish to work with these sacred days, the Ishti 2026 calendar below brings everything together. You will find the exact dates, the meaning behind the ritual, and simple guidance on how to approach Ishti with focus and faith. To begin, it helps to understand why this day holds such importance.

What Is Ishti and Why Does It Hold Power

Ishti is a deeply meaningful observance centred on devotion to Lord Vishnu. While the word Ishti is often translated as desire, it does not refer to want or craving. Instead, it reflects a sincere intention offered with faith, patience, and inner honesty. Ishti falls on Purnima, the full moon day that appears each month in the lunar calendar. It follows Anvadhan, which prepares and stabilises the sacred fire. Where Anvadhan is about preserving spiritual discipline, Ishti is the moment when that preparation is given direction through prayer and Yajna.

Devotees believe that the full moon creates a natural openness of mind and heart. This makes Ishti especially supportive for prayers connected to healing, peace, prosperity, and the well-being of the family, as intentions offered on this day are thought to carry greater clarity and strength.

The Story That Explains the Spirit of Ishti

There is a quiet story often shared in Vaishnava homes. A devotee once asked a priest why their prayers seemed unanswered despite years of worship. The reply was simple. On Ishti, the divine listens not only to what you ask for, but to whether you are ready to receive it. This idea sits at the heart of Ishti. It is not about asking harder. It is about aligning your intention with patience, discipline, and faith. When prayer comes from that place, it is believed to carry a different kind of strength.

When Is Ishti in 2026

Ishti in 2026 follows the rhythm of the moon, returning each month without interruption. Here are all Ishti dates for the year, laid out month by month for clarity and planning.

Ishti Dates in January 2026

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Monday, January 19, 2026

Ishti Dates in February 2026

Monday, February 2, 2026

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Ishti Dates in March 2026

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Ishti Dates in April 2026

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Ishti Dates in May 2026

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Ishti Dates in June 2026

Monday, June 1, 2026

Monday, June 15, 2026

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Ishti Dates in July 2026

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Ishti Dates in August 2026

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Friday, August 28, 2026

Ishti Dates in September 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

Sunday, September 27, 2026

Ishti Dates in October 2026

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Monday, October 26, 2026

Ishti Dates in November 2026

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Wednesday, November 25, 2026

Ishti Dates in December 2026

Wednesday, December 9, 2026

Thursday, December 24, 2026

Auspicious Puja Timings for Ishti on January 4, 2026

While Ishti can be observed throughout the day, certain periods are considered more supportive for Yajna and focused prayer. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, these are the most auspicious timings:

Labha from 09:50 am to 11:08 am

Amrita from 11:08 am to 12:26 pm

Shubha from 01:44 pm to 03:02 pm

Shubha from 05:38 pm to 07:20 pm

Amrita from 07:20 pm to 09:02 pm

These windows are traditionally chosen for chanting Vishnu mantras, performing Yajna, or listening to sacred texts.

How to Observe Ishti 2026 

Ishti is meant to feel focused and sincere rather than elaborate. It is a short but meaningful ritual where attention matters more than scale. The observance centres on clear intention, disciplined prayer, and devotion to Lord Vishnu, allowing the mind to settle before asking for grace. Traditionally, Ishti is observed in the following way:

• Prepare yourself with care: The day begins with a bath and clean, sattvik clothing to create physical and mental readiness for prayer.

• Create a sacred space: The place of worship is cleaned, and the havan kund is arranged carefully, treating it as a space of reverence rather than routine.

• Set your intention clearly: Before the ritual begins, the devotee reflects quietly on the prayer or desire they wish to offer, holding it with humility rather than urgency.

• Perform the Yajna with devotion: Ghee and sacred materials are offered into the fire while chanting Vishnu mantras. Many devotees listen to the Vishnu Beej Mantra and the Ram Mantra during this stage to anchor both protection and surrender in the prayer. Listen on AstroSure.ai and chant along to bring steadiness, devotion, and clarity into your Ishti rituals.

• Engage in devotional practice: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam or participation in Satyanarayan Katha often follows, allowing devotion to deepen naturally.

• Close with gratitude: The ritual ends with prayers of thanks, sharing prasad, and offering charity or donations, reinforcing the spirit of giving that completes the prayer.

Ishti is less about the length of the ritual and more about the steadiness of the heart performing it.

Benefits of Observing Ishti

Devotees observe Ishti not only for religious duty but for the quiet changes it brings over time. The benefits of Ishti are traditionally believed to touch both inner and outer life. These include:

• A calmer and more focused mind

• Emotional healing and mental clarity

• Fulfilment of sincere wishes through divine grace

• Greater harmony within the family

• Strengthening of faith and spiritual discipline

• A sense of protection and reassurance in daily life

Ishti teaches that desire, when guided by devotion, becomes a path rather than an obstacle.

The Ishti 2026 calendar offers us steady reminders that prayer does not need to be dramatic to be powerful. Each Ishti invites you to pause, speak honestly, and trust that what is meant for you will find its way. In a year filled with uncertainty, Ishti creates space for faith, healing, and quiet confidence to grow.

Ask Agastyaa on AstroSure.ai for guidance on Ishti rituals and intentions