Paush Purnima 2026: Vrat, Bath, Charity and Moon Blessings

The full moon of the month of Paush is regarded as highly auspicious for sacred bathing, charity and fasting. In the year 2026 this full moon will also be the first full moon of the year, therefore its spiritual impact is considered especially deep. On this day, an early morning bath, Satyanarayan puja, worship of Goddess Lakshmi and reverence offered to the Moon, followed by charity according to one’s capacity, are believed to grant special merit.

Paush Purnima 2026 has a unique feature. The fast, the ritual bath and the main donations will not be performed on the same day but will occur on different days. Because of this, it becomes important for seekers to understand the timing clearly and to plan in a thoughtful way.

Paush Purnima 2026: Summary of date, fast, bath and charity

The main dates and religious observances of Paush Purnima can be seen at a glance in the table below.

Aspect	Detail
Lunar month and phase	Paush month, Shukla Paksha Purnima
Purnima tithi begins	2 January 2026, 6 53 pm
Purnima tithi ends	3 January 2026, 3 32 pm
Paush Purnima fast date	Friday, 2 January 2026
Bathing and charity date	Saturday, 3 January 2026
Main deities of worship	Lord Satyanarayan, Goddess Lakshmi, Moon God
Main purpose	Increase of **merit**, relief from Chandra Dosha, prosperity and mental peace

From this table, it becomes clear that the vow and moon worship will be performed on 2 January, while the principal bath and donations will be carried out on 3 January during the sunrise tithi.

Paush Purnima tithi and timings according to the panchang

According to the Drishti Panchang, the full moon of the Paush month in the Shukla Paksha will begin on 2 January at 6 53 pm and will continue until 3 January at 3 32 pm. For the fast of Purnima, the joint presence of the tithi and the rising moon is considered especially important.

Therefore the fast of Paush Purnima will be observed on Friday, 2 January, because on that day the moon will rise in the evening while the Purnima tithi is active and will remain until midday of the next day. For bathing and charity, the sunrise tithi of 3 January will be treated as the principal time, since the Purnima tithi will still be present at sunrise.

How and when will the Paush Purnima fast be observed

The date for the Paush Purnima fast in 2026 is Friday, 2 January. On this day devotees begin with a purifying bath in the early morning and then take the vow of the fast. In the vow they resolve to follow a controlled diet, sattvic thoughts and remembrance of the divine through the day.

Because the Purnima tithi begins in the evening of this day, observers of the fast may perform moon worship after moonrise, offer Satyanarayan puja or Lakshmi Chandra worship, then break the fast only after these rituals. Those who wish to follow a more extensive discipline can keep the entire day either with a fruit diet or with a single light sattvic meal.

Which day is best for bathing and charity

The panchang regards the sunrise tithi as the ideal time for bathing and charity. In Paush Purnima 2026, this rule leads to the conclusion that the principal date for bath and donations will be Saturday, 3 January.

Although the Purnima tithi begins on the evening of 2 January, it will still be active at sunrise on 3 January. For this reason the morning of 3 January is considered more fruitful for sacred bathing, recitation and charity. On this day, a bath in the Ganga, in any sacred river or at least in clean water at home, followed by gifts according to one’s capacity, is regarded as highly meritorious.

Key auspicious timings on Paush Purnima 2026

Several auspicious periods have been described for the fast and worship of Paush Purnima.

1. On 2 January, Brahma Muhurta will remain from 5 25 am to 6 20 am. This period is considered excellent for japa, meditation and taking the vow.
2. On the same day, Abhijit Muhurta will last from 12 05 pm to 12 46 pm. Those who wish to perform a brief Satyanarayan worship during the day can use this time.
3. Ravi Yoga on 2 January will be active from 7 14 am to 11 07 am. Beginning a detailed Satyanarayan puja within this period is considered especially auspicious.

On the day of the fast, the Pradosh period after sunset is recommended for worship of Goddess Lakshmi. Sunset is expected at around 5: 36 pm, therefore Lakshmi puja should begin only after this time. Ravi Yoga will continue until 8 04 pm, so this span is also good for Lakshmi worship, lamp offering and mantra chanting.

Moonrise and timing of completing the fast

For the Paush Purnima fast, the sighting of the moon occupies a very important place. This year, the moon will rise at about 4: 18 pm on a fast day.

Devotees should wait until the moon is clearly visible in the sky. Then they may offer clean water, grains of rice and white flowers, bow to the Moon with a peaceful mind and remember suitable lunar mantras. Only after this should they break the fast and take sattvic food. Such moon worship is believed to pacify lunar imbalances and support mental calmness.

Special yogas for bathing and charity on 3 January

On Paush Purnima 2026, bathing and charity will be carried out on 3 January under the influence of Brahma Yoga and Ardra Nakshatra.

1. On this day, Brahma Muhurta will remain from 5 25 am to 6 20 am. It is considered a powerful time for japa, meditation and silence.
2. Sunrise is expected at about 7 14 am. Sacred bathing and charity are fully effective after sunrise as well, so those who cannot bathe during Brahma Muhurta may do so after sunrise.
3. Brahma Yoga will continue until about 9 05 am, followed by the start of Indra Yoga.
4. Ardra Nakshatra will remain until 5 27 pm, after which Punarvasu Nakshatra will begin.

The presence of these yogas makes the combination of bath, recitation, resolve and charity on this day particularly beneficial.

What should be donated on Paush Purnima

In Vedic astrology, Paush Purnima is viewed as an important occasion for mitigating afflictions related to the Moon. The Moon represents the mind, emotions, mother and a sense of well being. When the Moon is weak or afflicted in the horoscope, appropriate donations on this day are believed to help calm its effects.

The following items are considered especially suitable for donation on Paush Purnima.

• White rice, kheer or sweets made from rice
• Milk, curd, sugar and white clothes
• Silver utensils, silver coins or a simple silver ring
• Pearls or a plain pearl necklace, if possible
• White sandalwood, white flowers, conch shell or other useful objects associated with the white colour

While giving, the devotee should hold the feeling that the items genuinely support the needs of the receiver. At the same time, a prayer is offered to the Moon for mental peace, stability and harmony within the family.

Order of Satyanarayan, Lakshmi and Moon worship

Along with fasting, bathing and charity, three forms of worship hold special significance on Paush Purnima 2026.

1. During a suitable daytime period, Lord Satyanarayan is worshipped with a traditional puja and recitation of the Satyanarayan katha. Offerings of Panchamrit, naivedya and prasad are made and the devotee resolves to live with truth and dharma.
2. In the Pradosh period after sunset, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped with care. At a clean place, lamps and incense are lit and white or lotus flowers are offered with a prayer for harmony, prosperity and wise use of resources.
3. At moonrise, the Moon is worshipped with water, grains of rice and white flowers. Spending a few quiet moments under the cool rays of the moon is said to soothe the mind and strengthen emotional stability.

Through these three connected rituals, the devotee seeks alignment with truth, prosperity and mental balance together.

Spiritual and psychological messages of Paush Purnima 2026

This full moon carries the special honour of being the first full moon of the year 2026. Beginning the year with sacred bathing, charity and moon worship is like setting a spiritual direction for the entire year.

Paush falls in the cold season when nature becomes quieter and more inward. At such a time, through bathing, offerings and lunar worship, a person can also turn inward, release old anxieties and gradually let go of emotional burdens. Charity teaches that prosperity does not grow only by accumulation but also by sharing at the right place and in the right spirit.

Those who adopt regular japa, disciplined fasting, Satyanarayan puja and lunar related charity on Paush Purnima 2026 create a powerful resolve for calmness, balance and spiritual progress throughout the year.

FAQ

What are the exact dates and timings of Paush Purnima 2026
Paush Purnima 2026 spans Friday 2 January and Saturday 3 January. The Purnima tithi begins at 6 53 pm on 2 January and ends at 3 32 pm on 3 January.

On which day should the Paush Purnima fast be observed and why
The fast should be observed on Friday 2 January, because on this day Purnima tithi is active at the time of moonrise. For the fast, the combination of Purnima and sighting of the moon is considered especially significant.

Should bathing and charity be done on 2 January or on 3 January
Bathing and charity are best performed on Saturday 3 January. The panchang treats the sunrise tithi as ideal and on this morning the Purnima tithi is present at sunrise, which makes it the most suitable time for sacred bath and charity.

Which deities should be specially worshipped on Paush Purnima 2026
On this day, Lord Satyanarayan should be worshipped with katha and puja, Goddess Lakshmi should be worshipped during the Pradosh period and the Moon should be worshipped at moonrise with water, grains of rice and white flowers. This aligns truth, prosperity and mental balance together.

What are the recommended donations for reducing Chandra Dosha on Paush Purnima
To calm Chandra Dosha, it is auspicious to donate white rice, milk, sugar, curd, white clothes, silver, pearls, white sandalwood and other useful white coloured items. While donating, one should pray to the Moon for mental peace and harmony in family life.