What is Chitra Pournami observed for?

It's Chitragupta's day, he keeps the record of everyone's deeds, and the observance is about seeking relief from accumulated karma. It's on the full moon of Chithirai, April or May. Madurai's big Chithirai festival at the Meenakshi temple falls around the same period.

Chitra Pournami

Tamil

चित्रा पौर्णमी · ચિત્રા પૌર્ણમી

2026

1 May 2026

Friday · Shukla Purnima

Tithi begins09:13 PM · 30 Apr

Tithi ends10:53 PM

Full panchang for this day

About

Full moon in Chithirai month. Worship of Chitragupta. Special puja at Madurai Meenakshi temple.

Falls on: Chithirai Purnima, April or May

What it is

Honours Chitragupta, the keeper of the record of every being's deeds. The day is used to seek relief from accumulated karma. The Meenakshi temple at Madurai holds Chithirai Thiruvizha around this period, including the celestial wedding and Kallazhagar's descent into the Vaigai.

Food

A fast until moonrise; sakkarai pongal and fruit after.

Common questions

What is Chitra Pournami observed for?: It's Chitragupta's day, he keeps the record of everyone's deeds, and the observance is about seeking relief from accumulated karma. It's on the full moon of Chithirai, April or May. Madurai's big Chithirai festival at the Meenakshi temple falls around the same period.

Chitra Pournami date in 2025 Chitra Pournami date in 2027