Pausha Purnima 2027: What Should You Donate?

When Is Pausha Purnima 2027 and What Is the Auspicious Bathing Time?

Pausha Purnima 2027 falls on Friday, 22 January. The Purnima tithi begins during the day on 22 January and continues until the morning of 23 January. Brahma Muhurat, approximately 5:30 AM to 6:20 AM in Delhi, is considered best for the holy bath. The Magh Mela and Kalpavas begin on this day.

Pausha Purnima is the last tithi of the bright fortnight of Paush, a day prescribed for bathing in holy rivers, giving charity and worshipping the Sun.

In the Sanatan tradition, Paush is regarded as the month of Sun worship and its full moon marks the completion of the month. The holy period of the month of Magh begins from this day, described as the most sacred time of the year for bathing and charity. On the banks of the Sangam at Prayagraj, lakhs of devotees take their first dip on this day and make the vow of Kalpavas.

Panchang Element	Details
Name of the Festival	Pausha Purnima
Date	22 January 2027, Friday
Hindu Month	Paush, Shukla Paksha (waxing fortnight)
Tithi	Purnima (full moon)
Purnima Tithi	Begins during the day on 22 January, ends on the morning of 23 January
Best Bathing Time (Delhi)	Brahma Muhurat, approximately 5:30 AM to 6:20 AM
Position of the Moon	Cancer, Pushya Nakshatra
Position of the Sun	Capricorn
Rahu Kaal (Delhi)	Approximately 11:10 AM to 12:30 PM
Special Event	Beginning of the Magh Mela and Kalpavas
Presiding Deities	Surya Dev, Lord Vishnu and Chandra Dev

Since the Purnima tithi lasts until the morning of 23 January, in some regions the bath and charity will also be performed on the morning of 23 January according to the rule of Udaya Tithi (the tithi at sunrise). For the main bathing date at Prayagraj, check the announcement of the Mela administration and your local Panchang.

What Is the Religious Significance of Pausha Purnima?

Pausha Purnima is a day for shedding sins, increasing merit and making a new spiritual resolve. A bath in a holy river, arghya (water offering) to the Sun and charity to the needy on this day are believed to purify both body and mind. This day is the gateway to the Magh bath and Kalpavas.

The month of Paush takes its name from Pushya Nakshatra. Pushya means the one who nourishes. So Pausha Purnima is called the full moon of nourishment, prosperity and grace. In 2027 the Moon will actually be in Pushya Nakshatra on this day, which makes the name of this full moon fully meaningful.

Several holy festivals are linked with the Pausha Purnima of 2027.

• The beginning of the Magh Mela and Kalpavas
• The Jayanti of Mata Shakambhari
• Pausha Purnima Vrat and the Satyanarayan Katha
• Thaipusam in the Tamil tradition
• Ramlala Pratishtha Diwas in Ayodhya

What Is Kalpavas and Why Does It Begin on Pausha Purnima?

Kalpavas is a demanding spiritual practice in which devotees live on the banks of the Sangam at Prayagraj for the whole month of Magh, bathing daily and following chanting, satsang and restraint. According to tradition, it begins on Pausha Purnima and concludes on Magh Purnima.

Kalpavas means living a life of austerity and restraint at a holy pilgrimage site for a fixed period.

The Puranas describe the immense glory of bathing at Prayag in the month of Magh. It is believed that all the gods and holy places reside at the Sangam during this month. So Kalpavasis give up the comforts of home for a whole month and live in camps on the sands of the Sangam.

Rules of Kalpavas	Purpose
Bathing at the Sangam before sunrise every day	Purification of body and mind
One sattvic meal a day	Restraint of the senses
Sleeping on the ground	Simplicity and renunciation
Observing celibacy	Inner strength
Chanting, katha and satsang	Fixing the mind on God
Sowing barley near the camp and serving Tulsi	Respect for nature and prosperity
Giving up lies, anger and gossip	Purity of speech and thought

Those who cannot keep the full Kalpavas can take the vow of bathing before sunrise every day at home from Pausha Purnima to Magh Purnima. This is called the Magh Snan and is also regarded as highly meritorious.

What Is the Correct Method of Bathing on Pausha Purnima?

On Pausha Purnima, bathe in a holy river during Brahma Muhurat or at home in water mixed with Ganga water. Remember the holy rivers while bathing, then offer arghya to the Sun and make the resolve to give charity. Worship and charity after the bath are considered in keeping with the scriptures.

1. Wake in Brahma Muhurat before sunrise and make the resolve to bathe
2. Bathe in a holy river or at home in water mixed with Ganga water and a few black sesame seeds
3. While bathing, recite the mantra "Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva Godavari Sarasvati, Narmade Sindhu Kaveri Jale Asmin Sannidhim Kuru"
4. Wear clean clothes and offer arghya to Surya Dev from a copper vessel with water, red flowers, akshat (unbroken rice) and jaggery
5. Chant "Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah" 11 times
6. Worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and offer Tulsi leaves
7. Make the resolve of charity holding water and sesame in your hand
8. Donate sesame, jaggery, blankets and grain to the needy and to Brahmins
9. Offer water mixed with sesame in the name of your ancestors
10. In the evening, offer a lamp at a river, pond or the door of your home

The bathing mantra means, O Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri, may you all be present in this water. A bath at home taken with this mantra is regarded as equal in merit to a bath at a pilgrimage site.

What Should Be Donated on Pausha Purnima?

Sesame, jaggery, blankets, warm clothes, grain, ghee and khichdi are considered the most auspicious donations on Pausha Purnima. In the harsh cold of January, giving warm clothes and food to the needy is the greatest merit. Charity should always be given according to one's capacity and with a sincere heart.

Item of Charity	Related Planet or Deity	Believed Result
Black Sesame	Saturn	Calming of Saturn and blessings of the ancestors
Jaggery	Sun	Confidence and respect
Blankets and Woollen Clothes	Saturn	Protection from hardship
Rice and Milk	Moon	Peace of mind
Ghee	Sun and Venus	Prosperity and radiance
Khichdi	Sun and Saturn	Growth of food and wealth
Yellow Lentils and Turmeric	Jupiter	Wisdom and good fortune
Green Vegetables and Fruits	Mata Shakambhari	Health of the family

The scriptures say that charity given at the start of the month of Magh is akshaya, meaning its merit never ends. Secret charity, in which the giver does not reveal their name, is regarded as the highest.

What Is the Astrological Influence of Pausha Purnima?

On 22 January 2027 the full Moon will be in its own sign Cancer and in Pushya Nakshatra, while the Sun will be directly opposite in Capricorn. Pushya is regarded as the most auspicious nakshatra. Since it is Friday, this full moon is highly favourable for peace of mind, wealth and family happiness.

The deity of Pushya Nakshatra is Brihaspati and its lord is regarded as Saturn. Capricorn is also Saturn's sign. So donating items linked to Saturn, such as black sesame and blankets, is considered especially fruitful on this day. The fully strong Moon steadies the mind, which is essential for spiritual practice and resolve.

Planet	Possible Problem	Remedy on Pausha Purnima
Sun	Lack of confidence, obstacles in government work	Offer arghya to the Sun with jaggery mixed water and donate jaggery
Moon	Mental stress and insomnia	Offer water mixed with milk to the Moon at night
Saturn	Sade Sati, Dhaiya and obstacles	Donate black sesame and blankets
Jupiter	Obstacles in education and marriage	Donate yellow lentils and turmeric
Venus	Financial instability	Offer kheer to Goddess Lakshmi

What Should and Should Not Be Done on Pausha Purnima?

On Pausha Purnima, bathing before sunrise, offering arghya to the Sun, charity and lighting lamps are auspicious. Tamasic food, sleeping late, harsh words and making a show of charity are regarded as forbidden on this day. Not polluting the water while bathing in a river is also part of dharma.

• Bathe in Brahma Muhurat and offer arghya to the Sun
• Be sure to donate sesame, jaggery, blankets and grain
• Offer water mixed with sesame in the name of your ancestors
• Offer a lamp at a river or the door of your home in the evening
• Do not sleep late after sunrise
• Do not consume onion, garlic, meat or alcohol
• Do not throw soap, plastic or worship waste into rivers
• Do not publicise or make a show of your charity

When a Single Dip Opens the Door to a New Resolve

Pausha Purnima is not just a tithi but the beginning of a new journey of self purification. A single dip at the Sangam or a bath taken at home with faith, washes away old burdens and prepares the mind for a new resolve.

On 22 January 2027, when the full Moon lights up Pushya Nakshatra, a blanket given to someone shivering in the cold and a plate of food given to someone hungry can add merit to life that never ends.

FAQ

When is Pausha Purnima 2027?
Pausha Purnima falls on Friday, 22 January 2027. The Purnima tithi lasts until the morning of 23 January, so in some regions the bath will also take place on 23 January according to Udaya Tithi.

What is the auspicious bathing time on Pausha Purnima?
Brahma Muhurat is the best time for the bath on Pausha Purnima. In Delhi it will be approximately 5:30 AM to 6:20 AM.

What should be donated on Pausha Purnima?
Sesame, jaggery, blankets, warm clothes, grain, ghee and khichdi are considered the most auspicious donations on this day. Donating black sesame is especially fruitful for calming Saturn.

When does Kalpavas begin and end?
According to tradition, Kalpavas begins on Pausha Purnima and concludes on Magh Purnima. During this time devotees live on the banks of the Sangam at Prayagraj and follow austerity and restraint.

How can the Pausha Purnima bath be taken at home?
Bathe at home during Brahma Muhurat in water mixed with Ganga water and black sesame. Recite the mantra remembering the holy rivers while bathing and then offer arghya to the Sun.