Bhadrapada Purnima
26 September 2026
🌕 Quick Info
Bhadrapada Purnima — marks the beginning of Pitru Paksha. Offer tarpan and perform Shraddha rituals to honour departed ancestors.
About this festival
Full moon of the Bhadrapada month. This Purnima marks the beginning of Pitru Paksha — the fortnight of Shraddha rituals for honoring departed ancestors.
✨ Key Significance
- Pitru Paksha begins
- ancestor tarpan and pind daan
- holy river bathing
- charity for departed souls
🙏 How to Observe
- Begin the day with sankalp and short prayer.
- Include: Pitru Paksha begins.
- Include: ancestor tarpan and pind daan.
- Include: holy river bathing.
- Conclude with gratitude, prasad, and positive resolve.
September Guidance
Ganesha and Devi upasana, learning, and auspicious beginnings.
- Daily aarti at home
- Eco-conscious celebration
- Study, prayer, and gratitude
📝 Detailed Notes
Bhadrapada Purnima (also called Proshtapadi Purnima) marks the last full moon of the monsoon season and falls in the Bhadrapada month (August–September).
Connection to Pitru Paksha:
- Pitru Paksha (the 16-day period of ancestor reverence) begins on or just after Bhadrapada Purnima.
- Families remember and honour deceased ancestors through Shraddha rituals, tarpan (water offerings), and pind daan (rice ball offerings).
- It is believed that departed ancestors descend to earth during this period to receive the offerings of their descendants.
Observances on this Purnima:
- Take an early bath and offer tarpan — water mixed with sesame seeds — in memory of ancestors.
- Visit a river or water body for the ritual bath.
- Donate food, clothing, and necessities to Brahmins and the needy in the name of ancestors.
- Light a diya in the evening for the souls of the departed.
Spiritual insight:
- Gratitude to ancestors (Pitru Deva) is considered essential in Vedic tradition.
- This Purnima is a reminder to honour those whose efforts and sacrifices shaped our present lives.
- Bhadrapada is also part of the Chaturmas period when Lord Vishnu rests; this Purnima is auspicious for Vishnu worship too.