When is Purnima Vrat in 2026?
Purnima falls on the last day of the Shukla Paksha every month. Thus, there are generally 12 Purnimas in a year, but during an Adhik Maas (extra lunar month), the number increases to 13. The important Purnima dates throughout the year are as follows.
1. Chaitra Purnima
Date: 1 April 2026
Begins: 1 April 2026 at 7:07 AM
Ends: 2 April 2026 at 7:42 AM
Chaitra Purnima is the first Purnima of the year. Observing a fast and taking a holy bath in a sacred river are considered highly auspicious on this day. According to the Puranas, Chaitra Purnima is known as Manvadi Tithi.
Donating raw grains and water-filled pots for the blessings of the Moon God is considered beneficial. Listening to the Satyanarayan Katha on this day is believed to remove sufferings and obstacles from life.
Offering Arghya to the Moon at night is essential for completing the fast properly. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi at night is also considered highly rewarding. Charity and donations to the poor and needy are believed to bring immense merit.
Since Lord Hanuman is believed to have incarnated on this day, devotees also worship Hanuman Ji on Chaitra Purnima.
2. Vaishakh Purnima
Date: 1 May 2026
Begins: 30 April 2026 at 9:13 PM
Ends: 1 May 2026 at 10:53 PM
Vaishakh Purnima is the second Purnima of the year and is considered highly sacred and auspicious. Taking a holy bath and performing charity on this day are believed to bring great spiritual merit.
According to scriptures, donating water-filled pots and food items on this day gives results equivalent to Gau Daan. Worshipping Lord Vishnu, Chandra Dev, and Lord Buddha help remove sorrow and fulfills wishes.
Since Lord Buddha was born on Vaishakh Purnima, this day is also celebrated as Buddha Purnima.
3. Jyeshtha Purnima (Adhik Maas)
Date: 30 May 2026
Begins: 30 May 2026 at 11:58 AM
Ends: 31 May 2026 at 2:15 PM
Jyeshtha Purnima
Date: 29 June 2026
Begins: 29 June 2026 at 3:07 AM
Ends: 30 June 2026 at 5:27 AM
Vat Savitri Vrat is observed on Jyeshtha Purnima. Women observe fasts and worship the Banyan tree for marital happiness and longevity of their husbands.
Listening to and reading Satyanarayan Katha and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi are believed to bring wealth and prosperity. Worship of the Moon God on this day fills life with positivity.
4. Ashadha Purnima
Date: 29 July 2026
Begins: 28 July 2026 at 6:19 PM
Ends: 29 July 2026 at 8:06 PM
Gopadma Vrat is observed on Ashadha Purnima. Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day, and the vrat is believed to bestow all kinds of happiness.
Devotees meditate on the divine form of Lord Vishnu throughout the day and worship Him with incense, lamps, fragrance, and flowers.
Charity according to one’s capacity is also recommended. Ashadha Purnima is also celebrated as Guru Purnima. Observing this vrat with devotion brings the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
5. Shravan Purnima
Date: 27 August 2026
Begins: 27 August 2026 at 9:09 AM
Ends: 28 August 2026 at 9:49 AM
According to the scriptures, Shravan Purnima marks the beginning of Vedic studies. Satyanarayan Vrat, Havan, and Yagya are considered highly auspicious on this day. Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated on Shravan Purnima.
Since Shravan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Rudrabhishek and Shiva worship on this day are believed to fulfill wishes.
This Purnima is also known as Narali Purnima and is celebrated by fishing communities who worship the sea on this occasion.
6. Bhadrapada Purnima
Date: 26 September 2026
Begins: 25 September 2026 at 11:07 PM
Ends: 26 September 2026 at 10:19 PM
Uma Maheshwar Vrat is observed on Bhadrapada Purnima. Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with devotion and stay awake during the night.
Scriptures mention that observing this vrat brings fame, prosperity, and marital happiness. Feeding poor and needy people on this day is believed to remove sufferings.
This vrat is especially important for women seeking blessings for children and marital bliss.
7. Ashwin Purnima
Date: 25 October 2026
Begins: 25 October 2026 at 11:57 AM
Ends: 26 October 2026 at 9:42 AM
Kojagar Vrat is observed on Ashwin Purnima. Since it falls during the Sharad season, this Purnima is also known as Sharad Purnima. On this day, devotees should wake up early, take a holy bath in a sacred river or with pure water at home, and take a vow to observe the fast. An idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi should then be installed and worshipped with proper rituals and devotion.
In the evening, when the Moon rises, devotees should light ghee lamps made of metal or clay and meditate upon Goddess Lakshmi. Kheer prepared with milk, ghee, and sugar is then placed under the moonlight. After some time, the kheer is offered to Goddess Lakshmi and later distributed among everyone as prasad.
On this day, the Moon is believed to shine with all its divine powers, and its rays are considered as pure as nectar. It is believed that when moonlight falls upon the kheer, it becomes highly beneficial and spiritually energizing. Staying awake throughout the night of Sharad Purnima is considered extremely auspicious.
According to the Puranas, Goddess Lakshmi visits the Earth on this night and blesses devotees who remain awake with prosperity, happiness, and fulfillment of desires, along with spiritual well-being.
8. Kartik Purnima
Date: 24 November 2026
Begins: 23 November 2026 at 11:43 PM
Ends: 24 November 2026 at 8:24 PM
In Sanatan Dharma, the month of Kartik is considered extremely sacred because it is believed that Lord Vishnu awakens from His four-month Yog Nidra during this auspicious month. Tulsi Vivah is also celebrated in this month, which is why taking a holy bath in a sacred river on Kartik Purnima is considered highly meritorious. According to the Puranas, worshipping and seeking the blessings of Lord Kartikeya on Kartik Purnima is considered especially auspicious.
Devotees who worship Lord Kartikeya with proper rituals and devotion on this sacred day are believed to attain victory over enemies and obstacles. Kshir Sagar Daan and Deep Daan are also considered highly important on this occasion.
For Kshir Sagar Daan and Deep Daan, devotees should worship Lord Kartikeya, Varuna Dev, and Agni Dev with incense and lamps at the time of moonrise, and then donate lamps outside the house. It is also believed that a small square pit should be made near the lamps, filled with cow’s milk, and a symbolic fish with pearl-like eyes should be placed in it and worshipped before donation.
According to religious beliefs, performing Kshir Sagar Daan makes a person dear to Lord Vishnu and blesses them with spiritual merit and divine grace. Worshipping Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Chandra Dev on Kartik Purnima is also believed to remove financial, mental, and physical troubles from life.
9. Margashirsha Purnima
Date: 23 December 2026
Begins: 23 December 2026 at 10:48 AM
Ends: 24 December 2026 at 6:58 AM
The Purnima (Full Moon) of the Margashirsha month is believed to fulfill all desires and wishes. On this sacred day, devotees should apply a paste of yellow mustard on the body, take a holy bath with clean water, and wear pure clothes. After this, while meditating upon Lord Vishnu in the heart, one should worship Lord Vishnu, Chandra Dev (the Moon God), Indra Dev, Brihaspati Dev, and other deities with proper rituals and devotion, and also take a vow to observe the fast.
According to the Puranas, observing a fast on Margashirsha Purnima and donating items such as salt and other essentials helps remove poverty and financial hardships from a person’s life. It is also believed to bring remarkable growth in fortune, prosperity, and overall well-being.
10. Pausha Purnima
Date: 22 January 2027
Begins: 21 January 2027 at 9:30 PM
Ends: 22 January 2027 at 5:47 PM
Pausha Purnima is observed on the full moon day of the Shukla Paksha in the Pausha month. Bathing, charity, and chanting are considered highly significant on this day. Devotees worship Lord Surya, Chandra Dev, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi on this auspicious occasion.
It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu on Pausha Purnima helps a person become free from unknown sins committed in previous births and attain spiritual purity and divine blessings. Listening to the Satyanarayan Katha during the worship rituals on this day is considered especially important.
According to religious beliefs, listening to this sacred Katha brings auspicious results and helps remove hardships and obstacles from life. Donating sesame seeds, jaggery, blankets, clothes, and other essentials to poor and needy people on Purnima is also considered highly meritorious.
11. Magha Purnima
Date: 20 February 2027
Begins: 20 February 2027 at 8:00 AM
Ends: 21 February 2027 at 4:54 AM
On the Purnima of the Magha month, charity, holy bathing, and other religious acts hold special importance. On this day, taking a bath in a sacred river and performing charity is considered extremely auspicious. According to the Puranas, devotees who worship Lord Shiva with devotion and proper rituals on this sacred date attain merits equal to the Ashwamedha Yajna.
On Magha Purnima, donating sesame seeds (til), blankets, turbans, shoes, and other essentials to needy and orphaned people blesses a person with happiness equal to heavenly pleasures. Along with this, donating clothes and cows is considered especially significant.
By performing holy bathing, charity, and chanting on this day, a person attains desired blessings and becomes free from all sins of the present as well as previous births.
12. Phalguna Purnima
Date: 21 March 2027
Begins: 21 March 2027 at 6:22 PM
Ends: 22 March 2027 at 4:14 PM
Phalguna Purnima is the last full moon of the year. This Purnima is celebrated as Holika Dahan. Taking a holy bath in a sacred river on this auspicious day is considered highly beneficial. After the sacred bath, worshipping Lord Vishnu and reciting the Satyanarayan Katha is believed to bring positive and auspicious results.
The festival of Holi is celebrated on Phalguna Purnima as a symbol of the victory of good over evil, which makes this Purnima especially sacred. Observing a fast on this day is believed to remove sufferings and bring happiness and prosperity into the home.
Phalguna Purnima is also considered unique because it symbolizes the burning of negative desires and passions, encouraging people to live with love, harmony, and positivity throughout the year.
Why is Purnima Vrat Observed?
On Purnima, the Moon appears in its complete form. In Sanatan Dharma, this tithi holds special spiritual significance. According to the Puranas, those who offer Arghya to the Moon and observe the Purnima fast with devotion receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
This day is also believed to bring prosperity and blessings related to children. Worship of Chandra Dev, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi is considered highly beneficial. Charity to the poor and needy on Purnima helps remove sufferings and sins. Every Purnima has its own unique spiritual importance.
Purnima Vrat Puja Vidhi
Wake up early in the morning and complete your daily rituals. Purify the worship place with Gangajal and draw a Swastika before placing a wooden platform.
Spread a red cloth on the platform and place images of Surya Dev and Chandra Dev on red rice grains (Akshat). Offer fruits, flowers, incense, and lamps according to your traditions. During the worship, recite or listen to the Satyanarayan Katha.
After completing the Katha, perform the Aarti of Lord Satyanarayan and sing devotional hymns. If possible, observe a fast throughout the day.
