The sacred day of Bhadrapada Purnima is celebrated with deep devotion across the nation today, marking one of the most spiritually elevated full moon days in the Sanatan calendar. Dedicated to the combined worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, this divine occasion also commemorates the solemn commencement of Pitru Paksha through Purnima Shraddha. Astrological alignments show the Purnima Tithi began at 11:06 PM on September 25 and concludes at 11:18 PM on September 26, 2026. The full moon day features auspicious Muhurats throughout the cycle, commencing with Brahma Muhurta (4:46 AM to 5:33 AM), which provides the highest merit for taking a purifying holy dip in sacred rivers like the Ganga. Afternoon worship can be performed during Vijay Muhurta (2:23 PM to 3:11 PM), followed by evening twilight Godhuli Muhurta (6:24 PM to 6:48 PM) and midnight Nishita Muhurta (11:59 PM to 12:46 AM), while the evening moonrise occurs at 6:09 PM.

Complete Puja Vidhi: Invoking Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi

To invoke divine grace and clear ancestral karma on Bhadrapada Purnima, devotees begin their rituals by sprinkling Ganga water across the prayer room and sanctifying a wooden altar with fresh yellow or red silk cloth. Deities of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are ceremonially bathed with sacred Panchamrit—a blessed blend of raw cow milk, curd, honey, mishri, and pure desi ghee—before being adorned in vibrant attire. Lord Vishnu is offered fragrant yellow sandalwood paste, yellow marigold garlands, and holy Tulsi leaves, while Goddess Lakshmi is honored with fresh red hibiscus flowers, vermilion (kumkum), and traditional shringaar items. Lighting a cow-ghee lamp, devotees recite the Satyanarayan Vrat Katha alongside the Vishnu Chalisa, offering traditional prasad of sweet panjiri, panchamrit, and fresh bananas before performing the final camphor aarti.

Evening Chandra Arghya and the Merit of Sacred Donations

As dusk transitions into night, the full moon is worshipped to eliminate mental restlessness, alleviate Chandra Dosha, and bring emotional harmony to the household. Devotees prepare a clean metal lota containing fresh water, raw milk, unblemished white rice grains (akshat), and fragrant white flowers to offer Arghya to the rising moon deity while chanting lunar peace mantras. The spiritual observance concludes with active acts of charity (daan), which Vedic scriptures consider indispensable on Purnima. Donating food grains, warm clothing, copper utensils, and monetary dakshina to impoverished individuals or local temple priests dissolves accumulated sins, attracts lasting financial abundance, and ensures the spiritual peace of departed ancestors throughout the opening day of Pitru Paksha.