Purnima Dates 2021

Purnima is the full moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar, occurring once every month on the 15th tithi of the Shukla Paksha. On this day, the moon is fully illuminated and visible throughout the night. Purnima is one of the most auspicious days in Hinduism and is associated with several major festivals and observances.

Purnima is considered sacred to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and the Moon God (Chandra). There are 12 Purnimas in a regular year, each named after the lunar month in which it falls — such as Kartik Purnima, Guru Purnima, and Sharad Purnima.
Purnima moon phase
Purnima
15 Days After New Moon
(Full Moon)

All times shown in: Asia/Kolkata

Date Begins / Ends Lunar Month Paksha Moon Phase Moon Position Action
28-Jan-2021
Begins: 28-Jan-2021 01:19 AM Thursday
Ends: 29-Jan-2021 12:47 AM Friday
Pausha Purnima moon phase
Cancer 1.9°
Punarvasu (Pada 4)
26-Feb-2021
Begins: 26-Feb-2021 03:51 PM Friday
Ends: 27-Feb-2021 01:48 PM Saturday
Magha Purnima moon phase
Leo 1.9°
Magha (Pada 1)
28-Mar-2021
Begins: 28-Mar-2021 03:28 AM Sunday
Ends: 29-Mar-2021 12:19 AM Monday
Phalguna Purnima moon phase
Virgo 1.3°
Uttara Phalguni (Pada 2)
26-Apr-2021
Begins: 26-Apr-2021 12:45 PM Monday
Ends: 27-Apr-2021 09:02 AM Tuesday
Chaitra Purnima moon phase
Libra 0.1°
Chitra (Pada 3)
25-May-2021
Begins: 25-May-2021 08:31 PM Tuesday
Ends: 26-May-2021 04:45 PM Wednesday
Vaisakha Purnima moon phase
Libra 28.4°
Vishakha (Pada 3)
24-Jun-2021
Begins: 24-Jun-2021 03:34 AM Thursday
Ends: 25-Jun-2021 12:10 AM Friday
Jyeshtha Purnima moon phase
Scorpio 26.5°
Jyeshtha (Pada 3)
23-Jul-2021
Begins: 23-Jul-2021 10:45 AM Friday
Ends: 24-Jul-2021 08:08 AM Saturday
Ashadha Purnima moon phase
Sagittarius 24.4°
Purva Ashadha (Pada 4)
21-Aug-2021
Begins: 21-Aug-2021 07:02 PM Saturday
Ends: 22-Aug-2021 05:33 PM Sunday
Shravana Purnima moon phase
Capricorn 22.5°
Shravana (Pada 4)
20-Sep-2021
Begins: 20-Sep-2021 05:30 AM Monday
Ends: 21-Sep-2021 05:26 AM Tuesday
Bhadrapada Purnima moon phase
Aquarius 21.1°
Purva Bhadrapada (Pada 1)
19-Oct-2021
Begins: 19-Oct-2021 07:04 PM Tuesday
Ends: 20-Oct-2021 08:28 PM Wednesday
Ashvina Purnima moon phase
Pisces 20.2°
Revati (Pada 2)
18-Nov-2021
Begins: 18-Nov-2021 12:02 PM Thursday
Ends: 19-Nov-2021 02:29 PM Friday
Kartika Purnima moon phase
Aries 20.0°
Bharani (Pada 2)
18-Dec-2021
Begins: 18-Dec-2021 07:26 AM Saturday
Ends: 19-Dec-2021 10:07 AM Sunday
Margashirsha Purnima moon phase
Taurus 20.2°
Rohini (Pada 4)

Purnima – Significance, Fasting Rules & Rituals

What is Purnima?

Purnima is the full moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar, occurring once every month on the 15th tithi of the Shukla Paksha, when the moon is fully illuminated.

What is the significance of Purnima?

Purnima is considered sacred to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and the Moon God (Chandra). It is believed that spiritual energy is at its peak on the full moon, making prayers and rituals especially effective.

How is the Purnima fast observed?

Devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and observe a fast throughout the day. The fast is broken after moonrise by offering Arghya to the moon. Some devotees consume only fruits and milk, while others observe a strict nirjala (waterless) fast.

Which Purnima is the most important?

Several Purnimas carry special importance: Guru Purnima (Ashadha) honours spiritual teachers, Sharad Purnima (Ashvina) is associated with the descent of divine nectar from the moon, Buddha Purnima (Vaishakha) marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, and Kartik Purnima is one of the holiest days in the Hindu calendar.

What rituals are performed on Purnima?

Rituals on Purnima include taking a bath in a holy river, performing Satyanarayan Puja, offering milk and white flowers to the moon, reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, lighting lamps, and donating food or clothes to the needy.