Guide two
Purnima Festivals
Almost every full moon of the Hindu year is linked to a festival, a fast or a pilgrimage somewhere in South Asia. Here are the twelve, month by month.
Customs differ widely between regions and communities. The notes below describe common practice and are not a complete list.
Chaitra Purnima
The first full moon of the spring year. In much of North India it is celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti, with recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa and temple visits.
Vaishakha Purnima
Buddha Purnima, also called Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, remembers the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Monasteries hold readings and lamps are lit.
Jyeshtha Purnima
In Maharashtra, Gujarat and nearby regions, married women observe Vat Purnima, tying threads around a banyan tree. At Puri in Odisha, the deities of the Jagannath temple are bathed in public at Snana Yatra.
Ashadha Purnima
Guru Purnima honours teachers and spiritual guides. It is also linked with the sage Vyasa and is called Vyasa Purnima.
Shravana Purnima
Raksha Bandhan, when sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists. On the western coast, fishing communities celebrate Narali Purnima, offering coconuts to the sea as the fishing season reopens.
Bhadrapada Purnima
In the purnimanta reckoning, the fortnight that follows is Pitru Paksha, a time to remember and make offerings to ancestors.
Ashvin Purnima
Sharad Purnima comes after the monsoon. Kheer is left in the moonlight overnight in many homes, and in Maharashtra it is Kojagiri Purnima, a night of staying awake with spiced milk.
Kartika Purnima
At Varanasi, the ghats are lit with countless lamps for Dev Deepawali. The same full moon is Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, marked with processions and community kitchens.
Margashirsha Purnima
Dattatreya Jayanti celebrates Dattatreya, especially in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Pausha Purnima
A popular day for ritual bathing in rivers. In some regions it is Shakambhari Purnima, closing a festival to the goddess Shakambhari.
Magha Purnima
Another great bathing day, often the culmination of the Magh Mela at Prayagraj. It is also Guru Ravidas Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the poet-saint.
Phalguna Purnima
The last full moon of the year brings Holika Dahan, the bonfire on the eve of Holi. In Bengal and Odisha it is Dol Purnima, with coloured powder and songs.
| Month | Main observances |
|---|---|
| Chaitra | Hanuman Jayanti |
| Vaishakha | Buddha Purnima |
| Jyeshtha | Vat Purnima, Snana Yatra |
| Ashadha | Guru Purnima |
| Shravana | Raksha Bandhan, Narali Purnima |
| Bhadrapada | Before Pitru Paksha |
| Ashvin | Sharad (Kojagiri) Purnima |
| Kartika | Dev Deepawali, Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| Margashirsha | Dattatreya Jayanti |
| Pausha | River bathing, Shakambhari Purnima |
| Magha | Magh Purnima, Ravidas Jayanti |
| Phalguna | Holika Dahan, Dol Purnima |