Overview
Purnima (Sanskrit: Pūrṇimā) refers to the full moon phase in the Hindu lunar calendar. The term denotes the night when the moon appears in its complete, illuminated form, and it holds significant religious and cultural importance within the traditions of Hinduism.
In the purnimanta tradition of the Hindu lunar calendar, a calendar month concludes on the day of purnima. This is one of the two principal reckonings used across different regions of the Indian subcontinent, the other being the amanta tradition, in which the month ends on the new moon. The choice between these reckonings varies regionally, though the underlying lunar cycle remains the same.
Purnima is associated with a range of Hindu beliefs, observances and festivals, with the specific significance differing according to the lunar month in which it falls. Devotees in various traditions observe fasts, undertake pilgrimages, perform rituals, and participate in community celebrations on purnima days. Several major festivals in the Hindu calendar are timed to coincide with the full moon of a particular month.
The recurrence of purnima each lunar month provides a regular framework for religious observance and the structuring of the traditional calendar, linking everyday timekeeping with festival cycles in Hindu communities.