Dattatreya Jayanti 2026
Margashirsha Purnima · Margashirsha Purnima · Vikram Samvat 2083
Significance
Birthday of Lord Dattatreya — the three-in-one deity combining Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
Margashirsha (Agahan) is declared by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita as his favourite month. The Purnima celebrates Dattatreya Jayanti — the birth of the three-in-one deity who combines the qualities of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
The 29.5-day synodic cycle arises because the Moon must "catch up" with the Sun as Earth advances along its own orbit. On Purnima night, the Moon rises near sunset and sets near sunrise — it is visible above the horizon all night. The IST peak time listed is the astronomically exact moment of 180° solar-lunar elongation as measured from Earth's geometric centre.
How to Observe Dattatreya Jayanti
Worship the Dattatreya deity (three-faced, combining Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh) with bilva leaves and coconut. Read a chapter of the Datta Mahatmya or the Avadhuta Gita. Prasad traditionally includes tender coconut and ripe bananas. Visit Datta or Nath lineage monasteries if nearby.