Paush Purnima 2026: Today is the first full moon of the year, bathing and donating will bring happiness, prosperity and peace.

Paush Purnima 2026 Date: Purnima Tithi has special significance in Sanatan Dharma. This date falls in the Shukla Paksha of Paush month, and the first full moon of the year 2026 will be celebrated on January 3. On this day the moon remains full of all its sixteen arts, due to which the virtue of religious activities is considered highly.

Date and auspicious time of Paush Purnima

The date of Paush Purnima will start from 6:53 pm on January 2, 2026 and will continue till 3:32 pm on January 3, 2026. Since the fast of Purnima is observed on the basis of Udaya Tithi, it would be appropriate to observe the fast of Paush Purnima on 3 January 2026.

Two Muhurtas are considered most auspicious for worshiping and donating on Paush Purnima:

wee hours: From 5:13 am to 6:01 am.
Abhijeet Muhurat: From 11:44 am to 12:26 pm.

It is believed that worshiping and donating in Brahma Muhurta and Abhijeet Muhurta is considered most auspicious.

Special importance of bathing and worship

Bathing, charity, worship of Sun God and Lord Vishnu have special significance on Paush Purnima. From this day, the organization of Magh Mela, one of the major religious events of India held in Prayagraj, also begins. Performing religious rituals on this day brings happiness, prosperity and peace in life.

Pooja method of Paush Purnima 2026

1. Bath: First of all, wake up in Brahma Muhurta and take bath in river Ganga or by mixing Ganga water at home.
2. Resolution and Arghya: After bathing, wear clean clothes and take a resolution to fast. After this, put water, red flowers and Roli in a copper pot and offer Arghya to the Sun God.
3. Vishnu-Lakshmi Puja: Spread yellow cloth on a platform and install the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi.
4. Offering and chanting: Offer yellow flowers, basil leaves, sandalwood, Akshat, incense-lamp, food and clothes in the puja. After this, recite the name Vishnu Sahastra and with the Tulsi rosary, say ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay’. Chant the mantra.
5. Aarti and Bhog: At the end of the puja, perform Aarti with cow ghee lamp and offer Bhog. Sadhaks can also eat fruits or satvik food once a day.

Also read- Paush Purnima 2026: Do 10 great measures to pacify the nine planets on January 3, all sorrows will go away.

Importance of charity and night worship

Special importance has been given to donating on the day of Paush Purnima. After completion of the puja, Brahmins and poor and needy people must donate food, clothes, sesame seeds, jaggery, milk or ghee as per their capacity. Apart from this, offering prayers to the moon on the night of Paush Purnima is considered auspicious. It is believed that worship done on the full moon night provides quick results.