Purnima Dates 2026

Purnima (পূর্ণিমা) is the Sanskrit word for the full moon day — the 15th tithi of the Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight) in the Hindu calendar. On Purnima, the moon is fully illuminated, shining at its brightest. It occurs once every lunar month (approximately every 29.5 days), giving us 12 to 13 Purnimas per year.

In Hindu and Bengali tradition, Purnima is considered one of the most auspicious tithis for religious ceremonies, charitable acts, holy bathing (snan), prayers, and observing fasts. The full moon's energy is believed to amplify devotion and spiritual awareness. Major Hindu festivals like Holi, Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, and Raksha Bandhan all fall on Purnima.

The 2026 calendar has 13 Purnimas — one extra due to the Adhika Masa (Mal Maas) in May–June 2026. Two of these Purnimas — on 3 March and 28 August — coincide with Lunar Eclipses (Chandra Grahan), making them extremely powerful in astrological terms. During a Chandra Grahan, religious activities like bathing in holy rivers and charitable donations are considered exceptionally meritorious.

Each Purnima is associated with a specific Hindu month and Nakshatra (lunar mansion) in which the moon is positioned on that night. For example, Guru Purnima occurs when the moon is in the Ashlesha Nakshatra of Ashadha month, and Kartika Purnima (Dev Diwali) sees lamps lit on the ghats of the Ganga in a spectacular display of devotion.

In Bengali culture, Kojagori Lakshmi Puja (26 October 2026) on Ashwin Purnima is a uniquely beloved festival where Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity and abundance. Married women observe special fasts and perform rituals in her honour on this night.