Magh Purnima, or Magha Poornima, also known as Maghi Purnima or Magha Pournami, is the Full Moon day in Magh month. In 2026, Maghi Purnima date is February 1.
It is considered as auspicious bathing day during Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela. This also marks the conclusion of Magha month in North India.
Magh Poornima has same significance as that of Kartik Purnima, for spiritual practice. Upvaas is observed on the day and charities or food and clothes are done.
Pitru Tharpan is also performed on Magh Purnima. Hindus perform tharpan rites after taking holy dip in rivers. Prayag sangam, Varanasi (Kasi), Gaya, Rameshwaram and Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, and Antarvedi and Draksharamam in Andhra Pradesh are best places to perform Punya Snan and Pitru tharpan for dead ancestors. This is the last day for Magh mela held at Prayag Sangam at Allahabad. Most of the Kalpavasis return to their places on Magh Purnima.
On Magh Purnima day, tremendous festivals take place at along the banks of the holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Sarayu, Narmada, Tapti, Kaveri, Krishna, Godavari etc. As per some legends, Goddess Parvati Devi, and Bruhaspati (Guru) are worshipped on Maha Maghi day.
Spiritual Significance
It concludes the sacred Magha snana period starting from Paush Purnima, where river dips in Ganga, Yamuna, or local holy waters like Godavari tributaries amplify spiritual merits, grant salvation, and fulfill desires through Vishnu devotion. Devotees also honor Shakambari Jayanti and Sant Ravidas Jayanti on this day.
Key Rituals
Begin with pre-dawn bath (Magha snan), followed by Satyanarayan Puja, fasting until moonrise, and donations of sesame, grains, clothes, or food to the needy. Chant Vishnu mantras, perform homa, and visit temples for abhishekam; South Indian traditions include special Telugu stotras.
Visiting Draksharamam Manikyamba temple on magha pournami is the very auspicious. Observing punya snanam on magha pournami at saptagodavari koneru is highly meritorious. I will be having draksharamam manikyamba darshanam with my family on January 30 in 2010.