Chaitra Purnima 2026 — Thursday, 2 April 2026

About this day

Chaitra Purnima is Hanuman Jayanti in North India. In Tamil Nadu it is Chitra Pournami, kept for Chitragupta, the keeper of deeds, and with moonlit gatherings by rivers and at temples such as Madurai.

How Purnima is kept

• The vrat is usually kept from sunrise until the moon rises; water (arghya) is offered to the moon and then the fast is broken.
• Satyanarayan puja and katha are held at home or in a temple, usually in the evening, with panchamrit, tulsi, bananas and a prasad of sheera or panjiri made from semolina or wheat flour.
• Food customs vary: some take only fruit and milk during the day, some eat one meal without grains, and many simply avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• A bath in a river or holy tank is a long-standing custom, especially on Kartika, Magha and Vaishakha Purnima; those who cannot travel add a little Ganga water to their bath at home.
• Giving food, clothes or grain, and feeding cows or birds, is widely practised on Purnima.
• If you are pregnant, elderly, diabetic or unwell, a lighter observance serves just as well: eat normally or take fruit and milk, and keep the prayer. Check with your doctor if you are unsure about fasting.

Purnima: the full guide and every date

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