Margashirsha Purnima 2026: Date, Tithi, Rituals, Significance & Puja Vidhi
🌕 Margashirsha Purnima 2026 – Date, Tithi, Rituals, Significance & Puja Vidhi (23rd December 2026)
Margashirsha Purnima, also known as Agrahayana Purnima, Battissi Purnima, Korala Purnima, Datta Jayanti in some regions, is one of the most sacred full-moon days dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Goddess Lakshmi, and Bhagwan Dattatreya.
In 2026, Margashirsha Purnima occurs on:
🗓️ Wednesday, 23rd December 2026
- Purnima Tithi Begins: 08:11 AM (23 December 2026)
- Purnima Tithi Ends: 10:02 AM (24 December 2026)
This full moon holds extraordinary spiritual value as it marks:
✔ The day Lord Vishnu manifested as Matsya Avatar
✔ The appearance of Bhagwan Dattatreya
✔ The worship of Annapurna Devi
✔ The period when Lord Shiva defeated Tripurasura
✔ A powerful time for Satyanarayan Puja, Rudrabhishek, Daan, and fasting
SmartPuja makes it easy to perform all important Margashirsha Purnima rituals correctly with expert Vedic Pandits across 28+ cities.
🟠 Margashirsha Purnima 2026 – Overview
Margashirsha month (also known as Agrahayana, Agahan, Magsar) is considered the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Lord Krishna Himself declares in the Bhagavad Gita:
“Among months, I am Margashirsha.”
This makes the full moon of this month especially powerful for:
- Spiritual upliftment
- Purification of karma
- Charity
- Vishnu & Shiva worship
- Beginning new ventures
- Fasting and meditation
🟠 Spiritual Significance of Margashirsha Purnima
✨ 1. Lord Vishnu – Matsya Avatar
On this sacred night, Lord Vishnu took the form of Matsya (Fish Avatar) to protect humanity and the Vedas during the pralaya (cosmic flood).
✨ 2. Appearance of Bhagwan Dattatreya
Many regions consider Margashirsha Purnima as Dattatreya Jayanti, celebrating the embodiment of
- Brahma (creation)
- Vishnu (preservation)
- Shiva (transformation)
✨ 3. Annapurna Devi – Goddess of Food
Devotees worship Mata Annapurna, seeking:
✔ Prosperity
✔ Abundance
✔ Nourishment
✔ Relief from poverty
✨ 4. Victory of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva destroyed Tripurasura on Purnima, representing the destruction of ego, ignorance and negativity.
✨ 5. Power of the Full Moon
According to astrology, the full moon of Margashirsha is:
- Emotionally stabilizing
- Spiritually energizing
- Ideal for mantra sadhana
- Extremely auspicious for charity (daan)
🟠 Margashirsha Purnima Dates (2025–2030)
| Year | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday | 4 December |
| 2026 | Wednesday | 23 December |
| 2027 | Monday | 13 December |
| 2028 | Friday | 1 December |
| 2029 | Thursday | 20 December |
| 2030 | Monday | 9 December |
🟠 Puja Vidhi – How to Perform Margashirsha Purnima Puja
🛕 Basic Puja Procedure
- Wake up early, take a holy bath.
- Wear clean, preferably white or yellow clothes.
- Set up an altar with Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva’s idol/picture.
- Offer flowers, fruits, incense, diya and naivedya.
- Chant Vishnu Sahasranama or Shiva mantras.
- Perform Satyanarayan Puja or Rudrabhishek.
- Conclude with aarti and distribute prasad.
🟠 Fasting (Vrat) on Margashirsha Purnima
People observe the fast for:
✔ Desire fulfilment
✔ Purification of sins
✔ Prosperity
✔ Spiritual progress
Types of Fasts:
- Nirjala Vrat
- Phalahar Vrat (fruits, milk)
- Satvik meals once a day
Women take ritual dips in sacred rivers praying for good marriage, healthy family and peace.
🟠 Important Mantras for Margashirsha Month
Om Namo Narayanaya
Om Shri Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalaye Praseeda Praseeda
Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmaye Namah
Lakshmi stotra:
Ya Raktambujavasini… Sa Maa Patu Manorama Bhagwati Lakshmi
Chanting these mantras enhances spiritual benefits.
🟠 Charity (Daan) on Margashirsha Purnima
Donations done today bring blessings from the Moon, Jupiter, Vishnu, and Lakshmi.
Items to donate:
- Silver
- Gold
- Conch shell
- Curd
- Ghee
- Blankets
- Clothes
- Coconut
- Rice, grains
🟠 Regional Celebrations Across India
South India
Special rituals for Dattatreya. Devotees visit Datta temples, chant Datta Stotras and perform Annadaan.
North India
Marked by Satyanarayan Katha, fasting, charity, river baths.
Maharashtra & Gujarat
Also celebrated as Battissi Purnima with lamps, kheer offering, and mass donations.
Uttar Pradesh & Bihar
Holy dips in Ganga, Yamuna, and Narmada. Women pray for marriage & family well-being.
🟠 Do’s and Don’ts on Margashirsha Purnima
✔ Do’s
- Take a holy bath
- Worship Vishnu/Shiva
- Perform charity
- Chant mantras & meditate
- Stay calm and practice gratitude
✘ Don’ts
- Avoid non-veg & alcohol
- Don’t argue, lie or gossip
- Avoid daytime sleeping
- Don’t waste food or water
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🟠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I perform Margashirsha Purnima Puja at home?
Yes, you can perform it yourself or book a pandit through SmartPuja.
2. What food is allowed during the fast?
Fruits, milk, sattvik items, and prasad.
3. What is the main significance of this day?
Purification, blessings, prosperity and spiritual upliftment.
4. Why is bathing in rivers important?
It is believed to cleanse sins and fulfil wishes.
5. Is Margashirsha Purnima the same as Dattatreya Jayanti?
In many regions, yes. It is celebrated as the birthday of Bhagwan Dattatreya.
