Purnima marks the full moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar. People observe it with fasts and prayers, often honoring Lord Vishnu. Astronomically, it’s when the moon sits opposite the sun from Earth’s view, fully lit.
This day falls on the 15th tithi of the bright half, or Shukla Paksha. The tithi measures the moon’s position relative to the sun.
Purnima Dates and Tithi Timings for 2025
Here’s the complete list for 2025, based on standard Indian panchang calculations for New Delhi (times in IST). The date listed is the full moon day, when the tithi ends.
January (Pausha)
- Date: January 13 (Monday)
- Tithi Start: 5:03 AM, January 13
- Tithi End: 3:56 AM, January 14
- Cultural Significance: Shakambhari Purnima is good for river baths.
February (Magha)
- Date: February 12 (Wednesday)
- Tithi Start: 6:56 PM, February 11
- Tithi End: 7:23 PM, February 12
- Cultural Significance: Maghi Purnima, a time for charity and holy dips.
March (Phalguna)
- Date: March 14 (Friday)
- Tithi Start: 10:36 AM, March 13
- Tithi End: 12:24 PM, March 14
- Cultural Significance: Holi falls around this, with bonfires the night before.
April (Chaitra)
- Date: April 12 (Saturday)
- Tithi Start: 3:22 AM, April 12
- Tithi End: 5:52 AM, April 13
- Cultural Significance: Hanuman Jayanti often coincides.
May (Vaishakha)
- Date: May 12 (Monday)
- Tithi Start: 8:02 PM, May 11
- Tithi End: 10:25 PM, May 12
- Cultural Significance: Buddha Purnima, marking Buddha’s birth.
June (Jyeshtha)
- Date: June 11 (Wednesday)
- Tithi Start: 11:36 AM, June 10
- Tithi End: 1:13 PM, June 11
- Cultural Significance: Vat Savitri Vrat for married women.
July (Ashadha)
- Date: July 10 (Thursday)
- Tithi Start: 1:37 AM, July 10
- Tithi End: 2:06 AM, July 11
- Cultural Significance: Guru Purnima, honoring teachers.
August (Shravana)
- Date: August 9 (Saturday)
- Tithi Start: 2:12 PM, August 8
- Tithi End: 1:25 PM, August 9
- Cultural Significance: Raksha Bandhan day.
September (Bhadrapada)
- Date: September 7 (Sunday)
- Tithi Start: 1:41 AM, September 7
- Tithi End: 11:38 PM, September 7
- Cultural Significance: Start of Pitru Paksha.
October (Ashvina)
- Date: October 7 (Tuesday)
- Tithi Start: 12:24 PM, October 6
- Tithi End: 9:17 AM, October 7
- Cultural Significance: Sharad Purnima, with moonlight rituals.
November (Kartika)
- Date: November 5 (Wednesday)
- Tithi Start: 10:36 PM, November 4
- Tithi End: 6:49 PM, November 5
- Cultural Significance: Kartik Purnima, lantern festivals.
December (Margashirsha)
- Date: December 4 (Thursday)
- Tithi Start: 8:38 AM, December 4
- Tithi End: 4:44 AM, December 5
- Cultural Significance: Dattatreya Jayanti.
These timings can vary slightly by location due to local sunrise rules in the panchang. To know accurate tithi timings for your location, visit Drik Panchang.
Why Do Tithi Timings Matter?
Tithi timings help decide when to start fasts or pujas. If the tithi spans two days, the vrat day is usually when it covers midday.
Astronomers calculate these using the moon’s position. The 12-degree shift for each tithi comes from the moon’s faster orbit compared to the sun’s apparent motion.
The Astronomy of Full Moons
The moon orbits Earth every 27.3 days, but full moons happen roughly every 29.5 days due to Earth’s movement around the sun. During a full moon, sunlight hits the moon straight on, making it appear round and bright.
The exact moment comes when the sun, Earth, and moon align, with Earth in the middle. This alignment shifts slightly each month because of the moon’s tilted orbit.
Full moons influence tides through gravity, pulling harder on Earth’s water. They don’t cause major behavior changes in people, though some studies note minor sleep effects from the extra light.
Cultural and Scientific Importance
Many link full moons to calm minds, though science sees them as brighter nights affecting sleep. Rituals like offering water to the moon aim to reduce stress.
In 2025, watch for eclipses; none directly on these Purnimas, but nearby dates might bring partial ones. Purnima reminds us of the moon’s steady cycle amid our busy lives. Track one this year and see the sky light up.
Check the Moon Phase on your Birthday.
