Bhadrapada Purnima
Also called: Bhadri Purnima, Uma Maheshwar Vrat
Bhadrapada Purnima marks the transition from festive Ganeshotsav into the sacred ancestral fortnight of Pitru Paksha. It is the designated day for Purnima Shraddha, honoring ancestors who passed away on a full-moon tithi. The day is also observed with Uma Maheshwar Vrat for marital peace.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Shukla Paksha
- Lunar month
- Bhadrapada
- Deities
- Uma-Maheshwara (Shiva-Parvati), Ancestors (Pitrus), Lord Satyanarayana
The story
The Bhavishya Purana describes the worship of Shiva and Parvati as Uma-Maheshwar on this full moon, highlighting that marital happiness thrives on mutual reverence, humility, and joint spiritual practice.
Practices
- Performing Purnima Shraddha with black sesame, kusha grass, and water
- Joint worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
- Charity of food grains and brass vessels to Brahmins and seekers
Regional variations
- Observed as the threshold of Mahalaya Shraddha across eastern, northern, and western India
Common questions
- Who should perform Shraddha on Bhadrapada Purnima?
- Descendants whose parents or ancestors passed away on a Purnima tithi perform their annual Shraddha rites on this day.