Introduction: Understanding the Sacred Significance of Purnima

Purnima, also known as Poornima or Full Moon day, holds immense spiritual and religious importance in the Hindu calendar. This auspicious day occurs when the Moon is at its fullest phase, shining with all sixteen Kalas (divine qualities). In Hindu tradition, Purnima is considered one of the most sacred tithis for performing religious ceremonies, fasting, worship, and charitable activities.

The Full Moon day is particularly significant for devotees who observe Purnima vrat (fasting), perform Satyanarayana Puja, offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Chandra (Moon God), and take holy baths in sacred rivers. Many Hindu festivals and celebrations align with Purnima dates, making it essential for devotees and festival planners to know the exact dates throughout the year.

Complete List of Purnima Dates 2026

Here is the comprehensive month-wise list of all Purnima dates in 2026, along with their traditional names according to the Hindu lunar calendar:

January 2026 – Pausha Purnima

Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
Purnima Name: Pausha Purnima (also known as Paush Poornima)
Lunar Month: Pausha, Shukla Paksha

Pausha Purnima marks the beginning of a one-month austerity period observed during Magha month. This day is also celebrated as Shakambhari Jayanti by devotees. The followers of ISKCON and Vaishnava Sampradaya commence Pushyabhishek Yatra on this sacred day.

February 2026 – Magha Purnima

Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
Purnima Name: Magha Purnima (also known as Maghi Purnima)
Lunar Month: Magha, Shukla Paksha

Magha Purnima is one of the most important Purnima days in the Hindu calendar. It concludes the month-long ritual of early morning holy baths that begins on Pausha Purnima. Devotees perform sacred rituals at Prayag, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Sant Ravidas Jayanti is also observed on this day.

March 2026 – Phalguna Purnima

Date: Monday, March 2, 2026
Purnima Name: Phalguna Purnima
Lunar Month: Phalguna, Shukla Paksha

Phalguna Purnima is celebrated with great devotion and is associated with the spring season. This Purnima often coincides with or falls near the Holi festival, adding to its spiritual significance.

April 2026 – Chaitra Purnima

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Purnima Name: Chaitra Purnima
Lunar Month: Chaitra, Shukla Paksha

Chaitra Purnima marks the full moon day in the Chaitra month, which is the first month of the Hindu New Year in many regions. This day is considered highly auspicious for spiritual practices and charitable works.

April-May 2026 – Vaishakha Purnima

Vrat Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Purnima Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
Purnima Name: Vaishakha Purnima
Lunar Month: Vaishakha, Shukla Paksha

Vaishakha Purnima is celebrated as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, commemorating the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. This is one of the most important Buddhist festivals and is also known as Kurma Jayanti, celebrating Lord Vishnu’s Kurma (Tortoise) avatar.

May 2026 – Jyeshtha Adhika Purnima (Special)

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Purnima Name: Jyeshtha Adhika Purnima
Lunar Month: Jyeshtha (Adhika/Extra), Shukla Paksha

Special Note: 2026 features an Adhika (extra) month, resulting in two Purnimas occurring in the period between April and June. Adhika Masa (extra month) occurs approximately every three years in the Hindu lunar calendar to align with the solar calendar. This Adhika Purnima is observed with special reverence.

June 2026 – Jyeshtha Purnima

Vrat Date: Monday, June 29, 2026
Purnima Date: Monday, June 29, 2026
Purnima Name: Jyeshtha Purnima
Lunar Month: Jyeshtha, Shukla Paksha

Jyeshtha Purnima holds significance for various regional celebrations and is observed with traditional rituals and fasting by devotees.

July 2026 – Ashadha Purnima

Vrat Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Purnima Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Purnima Name: Ashadha Purnima (also known as Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima)
Lunar Month: Ashadha, Shukla Paksha

Ashadha Purnima is celebrated as Guru Purnima, one of the most revered festivals dedicated to honoring spiritual and academic teachers (Gurus). This day commemorates the birth anniversary of Ved Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata and compiler of the Vedas. Disciples offer prayers and gratitude to their Gurus on this sacred day.

August 2026 – Shravana Purnima

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Purnima Name: Shravana Purnima (also known as Raksha Bandhan Purnima)
Lunar Month: Shravana, Shukla Paksha

Shravana Purnima is widely celebrated as Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi), a festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. This day is also significant for performing Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) and other religious rituals.

September 2026 – Bhadrapada Purnima

Vrat Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Purnima Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Purnima Name: Bhadrapada Purnima
Lunar Month: Bhadrapada, Shukla Paksha

Bhadrapada Purnima is observed with devotion and marks an important day for performing Purnima vrat and offering prayers to the Moon God.

October 2026 – Ashwina Purnima

Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Purnima Name: Ashwina Purnima (also known as Sharad Purnima or Kojagara Purnima)
Lunar Month: Ashwina, Shukla Paksha

Sharad Purnima is one of the most celebrated Purnima days in the Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this night, the Moon shines with all sixteen Kalas, and its rays possess healing properties. Devotees prepare Kheer (rice pudding) and leave it under moonlight overnight. This day is also associated with Lord Krishna’s Maha-Raas with the Gopis of Vrindavan. Kojagara Puja dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is performed in many regions.

November 2026 – Kartika Purnima

Vrat Date: Monday, November 23, 2026
Purnima Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Purnima Name: Kartika Purnima (also known as Dev Diwali or Tripuri Purnima)
Lunar Month: Kartika, Shukla Paksha

Kartika Purnima is celebrated as Dev Diwali, the festival of lights for the Gods. This is one of the most spiritually significant Purnima days. Devotees light lamps, take holy baths in sacred rivers, and perform religious ceremonies. This day also marks Matsya Jayanti (Lord Vishnu’s fish incarnation) and is celebrated in Varanasi with grand illuminations along the Ganges.

December 2026 – Margashirsha Purnima

Date: Wednesday, December 23, 2026
Purnima Name: Margashirsha Purnima (also known as Margasheersha Purnima)
Lunar Month: Margashirsha, Shukla Paksha

Margashirsha Purnima marks the full moon in the auspicious Margashirsha month. This day is considered highly favorable for spiritual practices, charity, and religious observances.

Special Feature of 2026: Adhika Purnima

The year 2026 is special as it includes an Adhika Masa (extra month) in the Hindu lunar calendar, specifically Adhika Jyeshtha. This results in two Purnimas during the Jyeshtha period:

1. Jyeshtha Adhika Purnima – May 30, 2026
2. Jyeshtha Purnima – June 29, 2026

Adhika Masa occurs approximately every three years to synchronize the lunar calendar with the solar calendar. During Adhika Masa, special religious observances and vratas are performed with enhanced devotion.

Religious and Spiritual Importance of Purnima

1. Spiritual Significance

Purnima is considered a highly auspicious day for meditation, worship, and spiritual practices. The full moon’s energy is believed to enhance mental clarity and spiritual awareness.

2. Purnima Vrat (Fasting)

Observing a fast on Purnima day is believed to bring blessings, remove sins, and fulfill wishes. Devotees typically fast from sunrise to moonrise and break their fast only after offering Arghya (water offerings) to the Moon.

3. Satyanarayana Puja

Lord Satyanarayana, a benevolent form of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped on Purnima days with great devotion. The Satyanarayana Puja is one of the most popular Hindu rituals performed on full moon days.

4. Charitable Activities

Purnima is considered an ideal day for performing charitable works (dana), feeding the poor, and helping those in need. It is believed that charitable acts performed on Purnima yield manifold spiritual benefits.

5. Holy Bath (Snan)

Taking a holy bath in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or other holy water bodies is considered extremely meritorious on Purnima days.

6. Festivals and Celebrations

Many important Hindu festivals coincide with Purnima dates, including Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Sharad Purnima, and Kartika Purnima.

Conclusion

The Purnima dates in 2026 offer numerous opportunities for spiritual growth, religious observances, and cultural celebrations throughout the year. Whether you’re planning to observe Purnima vrat 2026, perform Satyanarayana Puja, or participate in festivals, this comprehensive month-wise list will help you prepare in advance.

The year 2026 is particularly special with the occurrence of Adhika Purnima in May, providing devotees with an additional auspicious day for spiritual practices. Mark these sacred Full Moon dates 2026 in your Hindu calendar and embrace the divine blessings that each Purnima brings.

May these holy Purnima days of 2026 bring peace, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment to all devotees.