Bhadrapada Purnima 2026
Bhadrapada Purnima · Bhadrapada Purnima · Vikram Samvat 2083
Significance
Satyanarayan Puja and charitable deeds are especially meritorious.
Bhadrapada follows the grand Ganesh Chaturthi and arrives just before Pitru Paksha — the fortnightly ancestor-honouring period. The Purnima is an auspicious day for tarpan (water-sesame libations) offered in memory of departed ancestors.
Earth's shadow has two zones: the dark umbra and the lighter penumbra. At Purnima, the Moon passes outside both and is fully illuminated. The Hindu tithi system divides the lunar month into 30 tithis of roughly 24 hours each — Purnima is tithi 15 of the bright fortnight (Shukla Purnima). Because tithis are astronomically defined by the Moon's angular distance from the Sun, the IST peak time can fall morning, afternoon, or night depending on the year.
How to Observe Bhadrapada Purnima
This Purnima falls just before Pitru Paksha — the fortnightly ancestor-honouring period. Offer tarpan for departed ancestors: a water-and-sesame libation made facing south. Arrange a Brahmin meal (Brahmin-bhojan) if a pandit is available. Light sesame-oil lamps at the doorway each evening for the departing souls.