Pournami (பௌர்ணமி)
Full Moon Day — Monthly Sacred Observance
Pournami Dates in 2026
→ All 2026 festivalsAbout Pournami
Pournami (Purnima) is the full moon day that occurs once every lunar month — the 15th and final Tithi of the waxing fortnight (Shukla Paksha). It is the most widely observed monthly sacred day in Tamil and Hindu tradition, associated with clarity of mind, spiritual power, and the worship of the Moon, Lord Shiva, and the Divine Mother. Every Pournami is auspicious, but certain full moons carry special names and significance.
Significance
The full moon is considered the peak of lunar energy — a time when the mind is most open to spiritual experience and the effects of devotion are amplified. In Tamil tradition, Pournami is sacred to Lord Shiva (Girivalam at Thiruvannamalai is performed every full moon), to Lord Murugan (temples celebrate with special puja), and to the Goddess (Devi temples observe Pournami puja). The full moon also governs the tides and is believed to influence human emotions — hence fasting and prayer on this day is said to calm the mind and remove mental disturbances. Special Pournami days include Chitra Pournami (Chithirai), Thai Poosam Pournami (Thai), and Karthigai Pournami (the grandest, with the Karthigai Deepam festival).
How the Date is Calculated
Pournami occurs each month when the Moon reaches its full illumination — the 15th Tithi of Shukla Paksha, when the Moon and Sun are in exactly opposite positions (180° apart). This happens once per lunar month, approximately every 29.5 days, falling on a different Gregorian date each month. There are 12–13 Pournami days per year.
How It is Celebrated
- Dawn: sacred bath in river, sea, or temple tank
- Fasting — full fast or avoiding non-vegetarian food
- Pournami puja at Shiva, Murugan, or Devi temples
- Girivalam at Thiruvannamalai — circumambulation of Arunachala hill on the night of Pournami
- Lighting of lamps and recitation of hymns at home
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pournami?
Pournami (also called Purnima) is the full moon day — it occurs once per lunar month when the Moon is completely illuminated, on the 15th Tithi of the waxing fortnight. It is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, especially for Shiva worship and ancestor-related observances.
Which Pournami days are most important?
Several Pournami days carry special significance: Karthigai Pournami (grandest — Karthigai Deepam festival at Thiruvannamalai), Chitra Pournami (Chitragupta worship and biggest Girivalam of the year), Thai Poosam Pournami (Lord Murugan festival), Vaikasi Visakam Pournami (Lord Murugan birthday), and Guru Pournami (Ashadha month — day of honouring one's spiritual teacher/Guru).
Why is Girivalam done on Pournami?
Girivalam is the circumambulation of Arunachala hill in Thiruvannamalai, which is performed on every Pournami night. Lord Shiva is said to manifest as Jyothi (light) on the hill during the full moon, and walking the 14-km path in his presence is believed to bestow liberation. Chitra Pournami draws the largest crowd — often lakhs of devotees.
What should I do on Pournami?
On Pournami, devotees typically take a sacred bath at dawn, observe a partial or full fast, visit a Shiva or Murugan temple for special puja, and light lamps in the evening. Reciting the names of the Lord, reading the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namah Shivaya), or performing Girivalam if near Thiruvannamalai, are all considered especially meritorious on the full moon day.
How many Pournami days are there in a year?
There are 12–13 Pournami days per year. The lunar calendar has 354 days, so there are 12 full moons in most years, with an occasional 13th (Adhika Masa — the intercalary month inserted to keep the lunar and solar calendars aligned). Each Pournami falls in a different Tamil month and carries its own specific significance.