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Every month, the Hindu lunar calendar reaches its most luminous point — Purnima, the full moon night. It is a tithi of completeness, devotion and gratitude, marked by fasts (vrat), Satyanarayan puja, and some of the year’s biggest festivals. This guide gives you the complete Purnima 2026 dates list with exact full-moon timings (IST), the festival linked to each one, and how to know the current tithi on any day.
What is Purnima?
Purnima is the fifteenth tithi (lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha — the bright, waxing fortnight — when the Moon sits directly opposite the Sun and appears fully illuminated. In astronomical terms, it is the exact moment the angular distance between the Moon and the Sun reaches 180°. Because a tithi is defined by this Sun–Moon relationship rather than by the clock, the full-moon moment falls at a different time each month, and the Purnima tithi can begin on one day and end on the next.
Purnima is considered highly auspicious for spiritual practice, charity, and worship of Lord Vishnu and the Moon (Chandra Dev). Many devotees keep a fast and perform the Satyanarayan Katha on this day.
Purnima 2026 dates (full list with timings)
There are 13 Purnima tithis in 2026. The table below gives the exact moment of the full moon in Indian Standard Time (IST), along with the festival most commonly associated with each Purnima in the North Indian (Purnimanta) tradition.
| Full Moon Date & Time (IST) | Hindu Month | Festival / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Jan 2026 (Sat) 3:33 PM | Paush | Paush Purnima, Shakambhari Jayanti |
| 2 Feb 2026 (Mon) 3:40 AM | Magha | Magha Purnima (holy bathing) |
| 3 Mar 2026 (Tue) 5:11 PM | Phalguna | Holika Dahan / Holi period |
| 2 Apr 2026 (Thu) 7:45 AM | Chaitra | Chaitra Purnima, Hanuman Jayanti |
| 1 May 2026 (Fri) 10:55 PM | Vaishakha | Buddha Purnima (Vaishakh) |
| 31 May 2026 (Sun) 2:16 PM | Jyeshtha | Jyeshtha Purnima, Vat Purnima |
| 30 Jun 2026 (Tue) 5:28 AM | Ashadha | Guru Purnima |
| 29 Jul 2026 (Wed) 8:07 PM | Shravana (adhik) | Purnima vrat |
| 28 Aug 2026 (Fri) 9:50 AM | Shravana | Raksha Bandhan, Shravana Purnima |
| 26 Sep 2026 (Sat) 10:22 PM | Bhadrapada | Bhadrapada Purnima, Pitru Paksha begins |
| 26 Oct 2026 (Mon) 9:48 AM | Ashwin | Sharad Purnima (Kojagari) |
| 24 Nov 2026 (Tue) 8:32 PM | Kartik | Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali |
| 24 Dec 2026 (Thu) 7:04 AM | Margashirsha | Margashirsha Purnima, Dattatreya Jayanti |
The dates and times above are calculated astronomically for IST. Festival observance can vary by a day depending on your region and whether the local panchang follows the Amanta or Purnimanta system, and on the sunrise at your location. Always confirm the exact vrat date with a trusted local panchang.
Shravana Purnima 2026: Raksha Bandhan (28 August)
The most celebrated Purnima of the year is Shravana Purnima, which falls on Friday, 28 August 2026 — the day of Raksha Bandhan. Sisters tie the rakhi on their brothers’ wrists during the day, avoiding the Bhadra period. This same Purnima is observed as Narali Purnima in coastal Maharashtra and as the day to change the sacred thread (Upakarma) in many communities.
How to observe a Purnima vrat
- Wake before sunrise, bathe, and take a sankalp (vow) for the fast.
- Worship Lord Vishnu; many perform the Satyanarayan Katha and puja in the evening.
- Offer water (arghya) to the Moon after moonrise and break the fast.
- Give donations (anna-daan) — charity on Purnima is considered especially meritorious.
Purnima vs Amavasya
Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) are the two turning points of the lunar month. Purnima ends the bright Shukla Paksha and is associated with fullness, positivity and worship of Vishnu and Chandra. Amavasya ends the dark Krishna Paksha and is dedicated to ancestors (Pitru) and introspection. Together they anchor every Hindu festival and vrat in the year.
Conclusion
From Holi to Guru Purnima, Raksha Bandhan to Kartik Purnima, the full moon lights up the Hindu festival calendar. Bookmark this 2026 Purnima list, and for the live tithi, paksha and moon phase on any given day, try the free Tithi Calendar. For personalised muhurat, vrat guidance or your horoscope, book a consultation with AstroLogic Digital.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Purnima are there in 2026?
There are 13 Purnima (full moon) tithis in 2026, because the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days and an extra (adhik) month falls in the year. The full list with exact IST timings is given in the table above.
Which Purnima is Raksha Bandhan in 2026?
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on Shravana Purnima, Friday, 28 August 2026, with the full moon at 9:50 AM IST. Sisters tie the rakhi during the auspicious window, avoiding the Bhadra period.
What is done on Purnima?
Devotees keep a fast (vrat), perform the Satyanarayan puja and katha, worship Lord Vishnu, offer arghya to the Moon, and give charity. Purnima is considered one of the most auspicious tithis for spiritual practice and donations.
How do I know today’s tithi and the next Purnima?
Use a tithi calendar. Our free Tithi Calendar shows the tithi at sunrise, the tithi right now, the moon phase, and the exact Amavasya and Purnima dates for any month.
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