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Datta Jayanti and Annapurna Jayanti 2026: Date, Margashirsha Purnima Timings and Puja
ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ · ನವೀಕರಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ
Datta Jayanti, Annapurna Jayanti and Margashirsha Purnima all fall on Wednesday, 23 December 2026. Purnima tithi begins at 10:47 AM on 23 December and ends at 6:57 AM the next morning, before sunrise (New Delhi). Devotees honour Bhagwan Dattatreya and Maa Annapurna, and many book a Paduka Abhishekam at Pithapuram or a seva at Maa Annapurna Mandir, Kashi.
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Datta Jayanti 2026 date and Margashirsha Purnima timings
All three observances fall on Margashirsha Shukla Purnima. Panchangs calculated for New Delhi list them on 23 December.
| Observance | Date and time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Dattatreya Jayanti | Wed, 23 Dec 2026 |
| Annapurna Jayanti | Wed, 23 Dec 2026 |
| Purnima vrat and snan-daan | Wed, 23 Dec 2026 |
| Purnima begins | 23 Dec, 10:47 AM |
| Purnima ends | 6:57 AM next morning, before sunrise |
| Moonrise | 23 Dec, 4:41 PM |
Because the Purnima ends before the next sunrise, the following day is not a Purnima day. Keep the vrat, snan and daan on 23 December. Another panchang gives the end as 6:58 AM and moonrise as 4:36 PM. New Delhi timings; your city may differ by a few minutes, and dates may differ by a day by region or panchang.
Who is Bhagwan Dattatreya
In tradition, Dattatreya is the son of sage Atri and Anasuya. Devotees see Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva united in him. He is often shown with three heads and six arms, a cow behind him and four dogs at his feet. He is revered as the Adi Guru, the first teacher.
The Bhagavata Purana tells of an avadhuta, identified in tradition with Dattatreya. He learnt from 24 teachers in nature, such as the earth, the bee and the sea. Devotees take from this the lesson that every being can teach. Datta Jayanti is widely observed in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat.
How Datta Jayanti is observed
- Guru Charitra: Many devotees read the Shri Guru Charitra in the days leading up to the Jayanti.
- Janmotsav: Datta temples and maths celebrate his birth with bhajans and kirtan.
- Puja at home: Worship Datta's padukas or image with flowers, offer naivedya/prasad to the deity, and chant "Digambara Digambara Shripada Vallabha Digambara".
- Guruvar: Thursday is Datta's weekly day, and some devotees begin a Thursday vow on the Jayanti.
Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh is revered as the birthplace of Sripada Srivallabha, whom devotees see as an incarnation of Dattatreya. Read Paduka Abhishekam at Pithapuram and the Datta tradition.
Annapurna Jayanti: the Mother who gives food
Maa Annapurna is Parvati as the giver of food and nourishment. A well-known story says that when food vanished from the world, Parvati appeared in Kashi as Annapurna. Shiva himself came to her with a begging bowl. Her temple stands close to Shri Kashi Vishwanath, and devotees believe she watches over the food of every home in Kashi.
The Annapurna Stotram, attributed in tradition to Adi Shankaracharya, asks her for alms of food and of wisdom. At home, families clean the kitchen, cook fresh food, offer naivedya/prasad to the Devi and share food with someone in need. West Bengal's Annapurna Puja is a separate observance in Chaitra.
Margashirsha Purnima 2026: vrat, snan and daan
Many keep the Purnima vrat on 23 December, take a holy dip or an early bath, and give daan of food or warm clothes. Satyanarayan katha is often held on Purnima, and the Moon is offered arghya after moonrise.
Pujas you can book for Datta Jayanti and Annapurna Jayanti
- Paduka Abhishekam — Sripada Srivallabha Mahasamsthanam, Pithapuram: the padukas of Sripada Srivallabha are bathed with mantras, with up to four names in the sankalp.
- Shodash Puja — Maa Annapurna Mandir, Kashi: worship of the Devi with sixteen offerings.
- Kumkum Sahasranam Puja — Maa Annapurna Mandir, Kashi: kumkum archana with her thousand names.
- Maa Annapurna Abhishek — Maa Annapurna Mandir, Kashi: an abhishek of the Devi for one household.
- Deep Seva Sponsorship — Maa Annapurna Mandir, Kashi: lamps lit with a sankalp in your name.
- Satyanarayan Katha — Chakra Tirth, Naimisharanya: a Purnima katha for two yajmans.
See all Maa Annapurna Mandir pujas and Pithapuram pujas. When you book, your name and gotra are taken in the sankalp, and video, photos or a receipt are shared as each puja page states. For Annapurna Mandir sevas, the team first confirms that your presence is not needed. Divine Hindu is an independent service, not affiliated with the temple administration.
For timing, read when to offer Paduka Abhishekam and the Margashirsha Guruvar vrat. Related: Gita Jayanti and Mokshada Ekadashi 2026 and Purnima and Amavasya 2027 dates.
Frequently asked questions
When is Datta Jayanti in 2026?
Datta Jayanti is on Wednesday, 23 December 2026, on Margashirsha Purnima. Purnima tithi begins at 10:47 AM on 23 December and ends at 6:57 AM the next morning, before sunrise, New Delhi time. Annapurna Jayanti and the Margashirsha Purnima vrat fall on the same day.
Is the Margashirsha Purnima vrat on 23 December or the next day?
Keep it on 23 December 2026. The Purnima ends at 6:57 AM the next morning, before sunrise, so the next day has no Purnima at sunrise. Both the vrat and the snan-daan are on 23 December. Dates may differ by a day by region or panchang.
When is Annapurna Jayanti 2026?
Annapurna Jayanti is on Wednesday, 23 December 2026, the Purnima of Margashirsha. Devotees honour Maa Annapurna, Parvati as the giver of food. It is different from West Bengal's Annapurna Puja, which is a separate observance in the month of Chaitra.
Who is Bhagwan Dattatreya?
In tradition, Dattatreya is the son of sage Atri and Anasuya, and devotees see Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva united in him. He is revered as the Adi Guru and is often shown with three heads, six arms, a cow and four dogs. Thursday is his weekly day.
How is Annapurna Jayanti observed at home?
Families clean the kitchen, cook fresh food and offer it to Maa Annapurna before eating. Many recite the Annapurna Stotram, attributed in tradition to Adi Shankaracharya, and share food with someone in need. The day is a reminder to respect food and not waste it.
Can I book a Paduka Abhishekam at Pithapuram for Datta Jayanti?
Yes. Paduka Abhishekam at Sripada Srivallabha Mahasamsthanam, Pithapuram, is part of its daily programme, and Datta Jayanti is a traditional occasion for it. You can request 23 December when you book, and the final date is agreed with you on WhatsApp. Up to four names are taken in the sankalp.
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