About Margashirsha Purnima
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According to Hindu Panchang, Margashirsha Purnima is considered a highly auspicious Tithi. According to Hindu lunar calendar, Margashirsha Purnima is the ninth Purnima of the year. In the scriptures, this day is said to be especially auspicious for fasting, charity, chanting, bathing and penance. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says "Masanam Margashirshoaham", that is, "I am Margashirsha among the months." This statement of Lord Krishna proves the spiritual importance of the month of Margashirsha. On the day of Margashirsha Purnima, there is a tradition of worshipping Lord Vishnu, especially His Satyanarayana form. Devotees fast on this day, and listen to the Satyanarayana Vrat Katha. Chandra Darshan and Pujana are also considered important on this day. According to the mention found in Narada Purana and Skanda Purana, taking holy dip, donating food, clothes, gold, sesame, cow etc. to Brahmins and any pious deed done on this day gives hundred times more result. Margashirsha Purnima is also considered to be the best for rituals like Pitra Tarpana, etc. According to Mahabharata and Vishnu Dharmasutra, performing Shraddha and PindaDana on this day gives special satisfaction to the ancestors living in Pitraloka.
Deities & divine forms
In many regions, Margashirsha Purnima is also celebrated as Datta Jayanti, which is famous as the day of incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. On this day, special worship of Dattatreya Ji, fasting and food donation is done. Datta Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp in Maharashtra and South Indian regions. Apart from this, according to Hindu lunar calendar, Annapurna Jayanti is also celebrated on the Purnima of Margashirsha month. On this occasion, Goddess Annapurna is worshipped. By worshipping Goddess Annapurna, one never faces a shortage of food, etc. Along with Annapurna Jayanti, Tripura Bhairavi Jayanti is also celebrated on this day. Out of the Dasha Mahavidya Goddesses, the fifth goddess is Maa Bhairavi. Mata Bhairavi is worshipped to get freedom from demonic powers and physical and mental weaknesses. According to Tamil solar calendar, a festival called Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on this day. This festival is celebrated in the month of Karthikai when Karthigai Nakshatra prevails during Ratrimana. This is also the when Karthigai Nakshatra coincides with Pournami, the full moon day in the month of Karthikai.
How to celebrate Margashirsha Purnima 2026
On the day of Margashirsha Purnima, there is a tradition of worshipping Lord Vishnu, especially His Satyanarayana form. Devotees fast on this day, and listen to the Satyanarayana Vrat Katha. Chandra Darshan and Pujana are also considered important on this day. According to the mention found in Narada Purana and Skanda Purana, taking holy dip, donating food, clothes, gold, sesame, cow etc. to Brahmins and any pious deed done on this day gives hundred times more result. Margashirsha Purnima is also considered to be the best for rituals like Pitra Tarpana, etc. According to Mahabharata and Vishnu Dharmasutra, performing Shraddha and PindaDana on this day gives special satisfaction to the ancestors living in Pitraloka. In many regions, Margashirsha Purnima is also celebrated as Datta Jayanti, which is famous as the day of incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. On this day, special worship of Dattatreya Ji, fasting and food donation is done. Datta Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp in Maharashtra and South Indian regions.
Margashirsha Purnima 2026 — FAQs
Margashirsha Purnima for Diu, Daman and Diu, India is observed on 2026-12-23.
According to Hindu Panchang, Margashirsha Purnima is considered a highly auspicious Tithi. According to Hindu lunar calendar, Margashirsha Purnima is the ninth Purnima of the year. In the scriptures, this day is said to be especially auspicious for fasting, charity, chanting, bathing and penance. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says "Masanam Margashirshoaham", that is, "I am Margashirsha among the months." This statement of Lord Krishna proves the spiritual importance of the month of Margashirsha.
