Ashada Pournami 2026

Ashada Pournami is the full-moon day of Ashadha Shukla Paksha. It is also Vyasa Pournami or Guru Pournami, honouring Veda Vyasa who divided the Vedas. Sannyasis and peethadhipatis begin their Chaturmasya deeksha from this day, which makes it a spiritually significant full moon.

Ashadha Month and Telugu Customs

Ashadha is a distinctive month in Telugu homes. Newly married brides traditionally spend this month at their parents' home, and the in-laws send "Ashadham saare" gifts. Girls apply gorintaku (henna) to their hands, which elders say is good for health in the rainy season. Telangana celebrates Bonalu, Andhra villages hold village goddess jataras, and Kanaka Durgamma at Vijayawada is honoured with Shakambari utsavams during this month. Weddings and gruhapravesham are generally avoided. The Pournami closes the Shukla Paksha of Ashadha.

Chaturmasya Deeksha

According to the Puranas, Sri Maha Vishnu enters yoga nidra on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (Toli Ekadashi) and awakens on Kartika Shukla Ekadashi. These four months are called Chaturmasyam. On Ashadha Pournami, sannyasis perform Vyasa puja and begin the Chaturmasya vratham, staying in one place for tapas and discourses. Some householders also follow certain food restrictions during this period.

What to Do

• Bathe in the morning and worship your family deity and Veda Vyasa.
• Bow at the feet of parents, teachers and elders and seek their blessings.
• Perform Satyanarayana vratham or read Vishnu Sahasranamam.
• Attend Vyasa puja and Chaturmasya sankalpam programmes at nearby mathams or ashrams.
• Offer arghyam to the moon in the evening and give food to the needy.

Significance

Ashada Pournami opens a season of knowledge, devotion to the guru and spiritual discipline. Elders say following spiritual rules for the four months from this day purifies the mind. Fasting is optional; avoiding non-vegetarian food is the usual rule.

May the light of the Ashadha full moon fill our lives with wisdom.