Shukla Purnima

Tithi 15 of 30 · presiding deity: Soma (Chandra)

Purnima (Full Moon) — the peak of light. Major Vishnu worship, Buddha Purnima (Vaisakha), Guru Purnima (Ashada), Hanuman Jayanti (Chaitra), Karthik Purnima.

Good for

✓Purnima: Satyanarayana puja, Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, Hanuman Jayanti
✓Amavasya: Tarpanam, ancestor offerings, Kali Puja in Bengal

Avoid

×Major decisions on either tithi — energy is too peaked or too internal

Traditional foods

Purnima: kheer, white grains; Amavasya: simple sattvic food, no onion/garlic

Notable observances on this tithi

• Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, Hanuman Jayanti, Sharad Purnima, Karthik Purnima (all Purnimas)
• Mahalaya Amavasya (Bhadrapada Krishna 15), Diwali Amavasya (Karthika Krishna 15)

Sources

Garuda Purana (ancestor rites); Bhavishya Purana (Purnima vratas)

See also: festival calendar · glossary· methodology