Every lunar month turns on two points: Amavasya, the new moon, when the Moon is invisible, and Purnima, the full moon, when it is complete. Each is a tithi, and each carries its own traditions.
How they are defined
- Amavasya is the 30th tithi, the last of the dark half (Krishna paksha), when the Moon is within 12° of conjunction with the Sun.
- Purnima is the 15th tithi, the last of the bright half (Shukla paksha), when the Moon is about 168°–180° from the Sun.
Solar eclipses can only happen at Amavasya and lunar eclipses only at Purnima; see eclipses.
Amavasya: the day of the ancestors
Amavasya is traditionally the day for honouring ancestors (pitru tarpan), with offerings of water, sesame and food. It is considered a day for reflection, inner practice and charity rather than celebration.
- Mahalaya Amavasya closes Pitru Paksha, the fortnight of ancestral rites (see Pitru dosha).
- Diwali falls on the Amavasya of Kartika (or Ashwin, in the amanta calendar).
- Mauni Amavasya in Magha is observed with silence and holy bathing.
- Shani Amavasya, when Amavasya falls on a Saturday, is used for Saturn remedies.
In muhurta, Amavasya is avoided for weddings, house-warming and new ventures.
Purnima: the day of fullness
Purnima is auspicious for worship, fasting and gratitude. Many households perform the Satyanarayana puja on Purnima. Major festivals include:
- Guru Purnima (Ashadha): honouring teachers.
- Raksha Bandhan (Shravana).
- Sharad Purnima (Ashwin): the brightest Moon of the year.
- Kartik Purnima: Dev Deepawali and holy bathing.
- Holi follows the Phalguna Purnima (Holika Dahan).
- Buddha Purnima (Vaishakha).
In astrology
Being born on or near Amavasya means a dark, weak Moon, which astrologers balance with the rest of the chart; being born near Purnima gives a bright, strong Moon. See the Moon in astrology.
Find the next Amavasya and Purnima for your city on our panchang.