When is Mother's Day in 2026?

Sunday, 10 May 2026 (the second Sunday of May).

Why is Mother's Day always on the second Sunday?

That rule was fixed when the US gave the day official recognition in 1914, and it was later adopted worldwide.

Who started Mother's Day?

Anna Jarvis, in the United States, in memory of her own mother, in 1908.

Is Mother's Day a public holiday in India?

No — schools and offices function as usual on this day.

How is Mother's Day celebrated in India?

Mainly in urban areas — through family meals, gifts, flowers and social-media wishes; there is no holiday or religious ritual attached to it.

Is Mother's Day different from any Hindu tradition of honouring mothers?

Yes — Mother's Day is entirely modern, secular and of American origin; it is not tied to any tithi or vrat in the Indian/Hindu panchang.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a secular, modern-origin social observance that honours mothers — it has no mythological or religious background. It falls every year on the second Sunday of May; in 2026 that date is Sunday, 10 May. It is not a public holiday in India — it is mainly observed as a family occasion in urban households.

This year's dates (2026)

Sunday — the second Sunday of MaySunday, 10 May 2026

There is no tithi, nakshatra or muhurat involved in Mother's Day — the date is set entirely by the Gregorian calendar. Different countries mark it on different dates; India follows the American "second Sunday of May" convention.

Significance (origin and nature)

The modern Mother's Day began as a deeply personal, secular gesture. In the United States, Anna Jarvis held a memorial service in 1908 at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, in memory of her own mother. In 1914, US President Woodrow Wilson made the second Sunday of May an official national holiday, and the observance later spread worldwide.

One notable detail: Jarvis herself later opposed the day's growing commercialisation by flower and greeting-card companies — she wanted a day of personal gratitude, not a market-driven celebration. Different countries have adopted different dates — many Arab countries mark it on 21 March, while the UK and Ireland keep their own, older "Mothering Sunday" tradition. So Mother's Day is not tied to one single global date.

How it is observed in India

There is no separate Indian tradition behind Mother's Day — it is observed in the Western style, mainly in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. Children take their mothers out for a meal, give flowers and gifts, and share wishes on social media; hotels and malls often run special offers on the day.

There is no firm government or academic data on exactly how widely this day is marked in India — the description above reflects general observation, not a measured percentage or growth figure.

Public holiday status

Mother's Day is not a gazetted or public holiday in India at any level — neither the central government nor the Maharashtra state government. Schools, offices and businesses function as usual on this day.

This year's date

Date	Day	Rule
10 May 2026	Sunday	Second Sunday of May

The date changes every year — it is not based on the panchang or a tithi, only on the Gregorian "second Sunday of May" rule, so it needs to be checked afresh each year.

Good to know

The date changes every year (second Sunday of May) — do not assume the previous or next year's date carries over.
This is not a Hindu panchang festival — no tithi, nakshatra or muhurat applies to it.
Nepal's "Mata Tirtha Aunshi" is a separate, independent Nepali festival observed on an amavasya — don't confuse it with this Mother's Day.
Since it is not a holiday, it has no effect on school or office schedules.
Father's Day is a similar day for fathers, observed on the third Sunday of June.

FAQ

When is Mother's Day in 2026?: Sunday, 10 May 2026 (the second Sunday of May).
Why is Mother's Day always on the second Sunday?: That rule was fixed when the US gave the day official recognition in 1914, and it was later adopted worldwide.
Who started Mother's Day?: Anna Jarvis, in the United States, in memory of her own mother, in 1908.
Is Mother's Day a public holiday in India?: No — schools and offices function as usual on this day.
How is Mother's Day celebrated in India?: Mainly in urban areas — through family meals, gifts, flowers and social-media wishes; there is no holiday or religious ritual attached to it.
Is Mother's Day different from any Hindu tradition of honouring mothers?: Yes — Mother's Day is entirely modern, secular and of American origin; it is not tied to any tithi or vrat in the Indian/Hindu panchang.