What is Purnima?

Purnima is the full moon day, the fifteenth and final tithi of Shukla Paksha when the lunar disc reaches complete illumination. In the Purnimant calendar system used across North India, Purnima marks the boundary between months. The Hindu year contains 12 to 13 named Purnimas, each tied to a specific observance and festival.

Each of the 12 principal Purnimas carries its own name and significance: Chaitra Purnima (Hanuman Jayanti), Vaishakha Purnima (Buddha Purnima — birth of Gautama Buddha), Jyeshtha Purnima (Vat Savitri Purnima in South India), Ashadha Purnima (Guru Purnima — honouring the guru lineage and Veda Vyasa), Shravana Purnima (Raksha Bandhan and Narali Purnima in Maharashtra), Bhadrapada Purnima, Ashwin Purnima (Sharad Purnima — the harvest moon when amrit is believed to fall), Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepavali and Tripuri Purnima), Margashirsha Purnima, Pausha Purnima (Shakambhari Purnima), Magha Purnima (Maghi — sacred bathing at Prayagraj), and Phalguna Purnima (Holi — Holika Dahan).

Guru Purnima (Ashadha) honours the guru lineage and Vyasa. Sharad Purnima (Ashwin) is the harvest moon celebration when the moon is believed to shower amrit. Kartik Purnima coincides with Dev Deepavali. Buddha Purnima (Vaishakha) celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha. Holi falls on Phalguna Purnima, and Raksha Bandhan on Shravana Purnima.

Ayurveda and the Surya Siddhanta both document the moon's influence on biological rhythms. The Charaka Samhita notes that Kapha dosha peaks on Purnima, recommending lighter meals and meditative practice. Modern chronobiology confirms altered sleep architecture around the full moon.

Purnima observances include Satyanarayan Katha, fasting (Nirjala to Phalahari), and charity (daan). The table below lists all Purnima dates for the year with their associated festivals and Hindu months.