How to Celebrate Magha Purnima 2025, the Bathing Festival!

According to the Hindu Calendar, the full moon (Purnima), especially Magha Purnima has great significance. The last full moon of Magha month is called the Magha Purnima. On this auspicious day, the moon reaches its full glory and its energy on the day is believed to have an impact on human emotions and overall wellbeing. The day is also referred to as the Bathing Festival, when devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga or Yamuna or any other sacred river throughout the month starting on Paush Purnima (the first full moon of the new year) and ending on Magha Purnima. The act of charity, donating cow and Homa at Prayagraj ( the confluence point of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) is considered to bring prosperity and cleanse one’s sins. The day also holds significance for Magha Mela (held annually at Prayagraj) and Kumbh Mela (held after 12 years) bathing dates, as it is considered the last day of Kalpawas, the one-month austerity camp put up at Prayagraj.

In 2025, the Magha Purnima is on 12th February and due to the Purna Kumbh (held after 144 years), this year’s Magha Purnima becomes more auspicious to visit Prayagraj. You can also check out hotels in Prayagraj offering affordable and comfortable stays.

Let’s learn more about the festival’s dates, timings, legends related to the day, its significance and rituals as a part of the celebrations.

Date and Timings of Magha Purnima

In 2025, the Magha Purnima is on Wednesday, 12th February, 2025. The Purnima tithi begins at 06:55 PM on 11th February 2025 and ends at 07:22 PM on 12th February 2025. The moonrise is at 05:59 PM.

History Behind Magha Purnima

On Magha Purnima taking a holy dip at Triveni Sangam and performing yagya/homa on the ghats in Prayagraj are considered auspicious. It is believed that Lord Brahma himself carried out a yagya at the Sangam on Magha Purnima.

According to another Hindu Mythological legend, Sage Durvasa cursed Lord Indra and he lost his divine wealth. Gods perform penance on this day and Lord Vishnu blessed them with their lost wealth and glory, adding significance to the day.

Magha Purnima as “Bathing Festival”

The Festival is also known as the Bathing Festival, as people across the country take a dip in sacred rivers. Devotees visit the ghats of the Ganga, Yamuna, Jamuna, Kaveri, Krishna, Narmada and Tapi to take a holy dip.

A holy dip in the Kanyakumari Sea, Rameshwaram and Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan is also considered auspicious.

Significance of Magha Purnima

Magha Purnima has its significance for spiritual cleansing and worshipping the divine powers for prosperity and overall wellbeing. The day also holds importance in science and astrology. The day aligns with powerful planetary positions, making it an ideal day for seeking divine blessings and performing spiritual sadhana. It is believed that on this day, the full moon’s energy is at its peak and affects our emotions and mental well-being. Thus, fasting and meditation on this day help in balancing the energy.

Some of the other significances associated with Magha Purnima are:

• It marks the conclusion of Magha Snan, the holy dip in the rivers at Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), Haridwar, and Varanasi. 
• The day also marks the beginning of preparations for Maha Shivratri which comes shortly after the festival. Devotees begin the spiritual austerities including fasting and other rituals.
• The day also holds significance in Buddhism as it is believed that on this day, Lord Buddha declared his approaching Nirvana. His followers across the world hold prayer ceremonies and perform meditation.

Celebrations on Magha Purnima

It is celebrated across the country with various rituals and ceremonies to seek divine blessings, channelise the powerful energies of the moon and cleanse oneself from their sins.

Some of the rituals which you can also follow on the occasion of Magha Purnima are:

• Take Holy Bath in Rivers (Magha Snan): Visit Prayagraj, Haridwar or Varanasi to take a holy dip in the Ganga river. You can also take baths in other sacred rivers as they are believed to help attain moksha (the end of the cycle of birth and death).
• Observe Fast: You can observe a fast on the occasion starting with the beginning of Purnima Tithi and breaking the fast after the end of Purnima Tithi. If you can not fast, you can also prefer eating sattvic meals for the day.
• Perform Charity and Food Donation (Anna Daan): Distributing food, clothing and donations of cows to Brahmins and the unprivileged is considered auspicious on this day. You can also organise community meals to feed the needy people.
• Worship Lord Vishnu: You can perform the Satyanarayan Katha to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for good health, food and prosperity.
• Visit Temples: You can visit the nearby temples or holy places like Prayagraj, Varanasi, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain to experience divinity and attend prayers at the temples.
• Organise Special Puja and Perform Homa/Yagya: You can organise special puja and homa (fire ceremonies) at your home or nearby temple to seek the blessings of divine powers for serenity, wealth and happiness.

Thus, the day is an auspicious day when the heavenly energies are at their peak. The full moon on the day impacts our emotional and mental health. Following rituals like a holy plunge in the sacred rivers, observing fast, volunteering, performing homa and charity can help to channelise the energies of the day and attain inner peace, compassion, kindness and seek blessings of Lord Vishnu.

If you wish to go to Haridwar or Uttar Pradesh include Prayagraj and Varanasi or you can also visit places in Ujjain for the Magha snan (holy bath).

FAQ’s Related to Magha Purnima

What is Magha Purnima?

According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the last full moon of the Magha month (February) is called Magha Purnima.

What is the Significance of Magha Purnima?

The festival is an auspicious day to take a holy dip in the sacred rivers, perform charity, homa, and observe a fast for spiritual cleansing and worshipping the divine powers for prosperity and overall well-being.

When is Magha Purnima 2025?

The Magha Purnima 2025 is on Wednesday, 12th February 2025.

What is the timing for Moonrise on Magha Purnima 2025?

The moonrise on Magha Purnima 2025 is at 05:59 PM.

What are the timings for observing fast on Magha Purnima 2025?

You can begin your fast at the start of Purnima tithi at 06:55 PM on 11th February 2025 and can break your fast at 07:22 PM on 12th February 2025. 

Where can one take a holy bath on the occasion of Magha Purnima 2025?

You can visit Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), Haridwar, Varanasi, Nasik and Ujjain or your nearby sacred river for a holy bath.

What is the significance of Magha Purnima during the Kumbh Mela?

The Festival is considered the last day of Kalpawas, the one-month austerity camp put up at Prayagraj which coincides with the Kumbh Mela 2025.

How to celebrate the Magha Purnima 2025?

You can celebrate Magha Purnima 2025 by following the rituals which include taking a holy bath, observing fast or eating sattvic meals, donating food and cows to Brahmins, organising community free meals for the needy and unprivileged, performing homa/Yagya, worshipping Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Goddess Laksmi. If you wish to visit any of the significant places for a holy bath, you can book budget-friendly hotels from Treebo Club’s website or app.