Puranmashi: the full moon day in the Sikh calendar, and the 2026–27 dates
What Puranmashi, the full moon, means for Sikhs: the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, monthly gatherings and Sukhmani Sahib, and every full moon date of Nanakshahi 558.
Every month in the Nanakshahi calendar
Puranmashi is the day of the full moon, which comes once in every lunar month. In the Nanakshahi calendar for 558 there are eleven, from April 2026 to February 2027. For many Sikhs it is a day to gather in the sangat, and one full moon in particular is the most celebrated day of the Sikh year.
The full moon of Katak
The Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Katak, which is why its date moves each year. On that night, gurdwaras are lit, and many Sikhs keep a vigil of kirtan into the night. Several other days are also tied to the full moon in Sikh tradition, among them Rakhar Puniya, the full moon of Sawan, when the Jorh Mela at Baba Bakala Sahib is held. Read about Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Purab.
Puranmashi in the gurdwara
Many gurdwaras, especially in villages and towns of Punjab, hold a special programme every Puranmashi, often a Sukhmani Sahib paath, kirtan and Ardas in the evening, with langar. Some sangats complete a Sahaj Paath or an Akhand Paath each month on the full moon. In the old Punjab the full moon gave light for travel at night, and the custom of gathering on Puranmashi may have grown from that.
What the Gurus taught
As with Sangrand and Masya, the Gurus taught that no day is holy in itself, and that what makes any day blessed is remembering the Divine. Sikhs who keep Puranmashi keep it as a time for the sangat.
How Puranmashi is observed
Gurdwaras hold kirtan, Sukhmani Sahib, katha and Ardas. Hazri shows every Puranmashi in its calendar.
Puranmashi dates in Nanakshahi 558
| Date | Nanakshahi |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 2 April 2026 | 20 Chet 558 |
| Friday, 1 May 2026 | 18 Vaisakh 558 |
| Monday, 29 June 2026 | 15 Harh 558 |
| Wednesday, 29 July 2026 | 14 Sawan 558 |
| Friday, 28 August 2026 | 12 Bhadon 558 |
| Saturday, 26 September 2026 | 10 Assu 558 |
| Monday, 26 October 2026 | 10 Katak 558 |
| Tuesday, 24 November 2026 | 9 Maghar 558 |
| Wednesday, 23 December 2026 | 8 Poh 558 |
| Friday, 22 January 2027 | 9 Magh 558 |
| Saturday, 20 February 2027 | 8 Phagun 558 |
Mark your Hazri to Waheguru
Stand before Waheguru every day, not only on days like this one. Hazri keeps your Nitnem on your phone with a recitation to read along with, marks your daily hazri, and reminds you on every Gurpurab of the year.
- Nitnem with audio
- Gurpurab reminders
- Paath with the sangat
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