Badhrapada Pournami 2026

Bhadrapada Pournami: Uma Maheshwara Vratham and the Eve of Pitru Paksha

Bhadrapada Pournami is the full moon day that ends the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, the day after Anantha Chaturdashi. Telugu families observe the Uma Maheshwara Vratham or Satyanarayana Vratham on this day, and the very next day (Bahula Padyami) begins Mahalaya Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to ancestors.

Why This Full Moon Matters

Every Pournami is sacred, but this one sits at a turning point. The bright fortnight of Bhadrapada is full of deity festivals such as Vinayaka Chavithi and Anantha Padmanabha Vratham. From the next morning, the focus shifts to remembering forefathers through tarpanam and shraddha. So Bhadrapada Pournami is a day of worship as well as preparation. Some families perform the Pournami Shraddha today for elders who passed away on a Pournami tithi, while others do it on Mahalaya Amavasya. Follow your family custom and your purohit's advice.

Uma Maheshwara Vratham

This vratham honours Shiva and Parvati together as the divine couple. Husband and wife usually perform it jointly, praying for harmony in marriage, peace at home and the well-being of children. It reminds us of Ardhanareeshwara, where Shiva and Shakti are one. Shiva temples hold special abhishekam and deeparadhana in the evening.

How to Perform the Puja

• Wake early, take a head bath, clean the house and draw a muggu at the entrance.
• Place a picture of Shiva-Parvati or a Shivalingam in the puja room and begin with Ganapati puja.
• Do abhishekam with milk, curd, honey and water; offer bilva leaves and white flowers. Offer turmeric, kumkum and bangles to the Goddess.
• If you are doing Satyanarayana Vratham, read the katha in the evening and offer the wheat rava prasadam.
• After moonrise, offer arghya to the Moon with water mixed with milk and offer paayasam as naivedyam.

Fasting and Good Deeds

Many people fast during the day and eat a simple sattvic meal after the puja. Some take only milk and fruits; those with health concerns can keep the observance with one meal. Annadanam, giving clothes to the needy and feeding cows are considered meritorious. It is also a good day to note down the tithis of departed elders and plan the tarpanams for the coming Pitru Paksha.

May the blessings of Uma Maheshwara fill your home like the light of the full moon.