Panchangam 23 December 2026, Wednesday: Dattatreya Jayanti and Margashirsha Purnima Vrat, Tithi, Nakshatra and Puja Vidhi

Quick answer: Wednesday 23 December 2026 is Dattatreya Jayanti and the Margashirsha Purnima vrat. Drik Panchang for Hyderabad gives Shukla Chaturdashi until 10:47 AM IST, after which Purnima begins and lasts until 6:57 AM tomorrow. The moon rises at 5:05 PM, in the Purnima tithi, which is why the full-moon fast is kept today.

Datta Jayanti is the birthday of Lord Dattatreya, honoured as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in one form and as the Guru of gurus. For a complete account of the festival, the Datta kshetras and the Guru Charitra, read our Datta Jayanti 2026 guide. This page gives the day's panchang and a short, practical summary.

Today's Panchang (Hyderabad)

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad, Telangana (IST). Tithi and nakshatra end times are the same instant everywhere in India; sunrise, sunset and moonrise shift by a few minutes from city to city.

Religious significance

Dattatreya Jayanti

According to the Puranas, Dattatreya was born to the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya, whose devotion was so great that the Trimurti chose to be born as her son. The name joins "Datta" (given) and "Atreya" (son of Atri). In the Bhagavata Purana's eleventh canto, an avadhuta describes learning from twenty-four teachers in nature, such as the earth, the bee and the python; this avadhuta is identified with Dattatreya in tradition. That teaching, that wisdom can be learned from everything around us, sits at the heart of Datta devotion.

The Datta tradition is especially strong in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat. Sripada Srivallabha of Pithapuram and Narasimha Saraswati of Ganagapur are revered in the Guru Charitra as incarnations of Datta, and later saints such as Swami Samarth of Akkalkot are also deeply loved.

Margashirsha Purnima vrat

The full moon of Margashirsha is considered auspicious for fasting, worship of Vishnu and the Moon, and Satyanarayana puja in many homes. Since Purnima prevails at moonrise today, the vrat and evening puja fall on 23 December; holy baths and charity for the Purnima follow tomorrow morning. See our Margasira Pournami 2026 guide.

Simple Datta puja at home

• Bathe, light a ghee lamp, and place a picture of Dattatreya or of your guru.
• Offer flowers, sandal paste, and if you have them, tulasi and bilva leaves together, honouring Vishnu and Shiva in one form.
• Chant the mantra below, recite the Datta Stavam, or complete your Guru Charitra reading.
• In the evening, after Purnima has begun and the moon rises (5:05 PM in Hyderabad), offer naivedyam: milk, fruit, or a simple sweet such as sheera.
• Perform aarti and remember your own teachers with gratitude.
• Feed a cow or a dog if you can do so safely; both appear with Dattatreya in his iconography.

No materials? Sit quietly, think of every teacher who has helped you, and say "Gurudev Datta" with folded hands. Gratitude to the guru is the essence of the day.

Mantra for the day

Om Shri Gurudev Datta

Meaning: "Om, to the revered divine Guru, Datta." It is one of the most familiar Datta chants in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Chant it as devotion to the guru principle; no specific result is promised.

Vrat guidance

Devotees may fast until the evening puja and break the fast after moonrise, or eat a single sattvic meal. Fasting is optional. Elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition should not feel obliged and should consult a doctor.

What you can do today

• Visit a Datta temple, or watch a live stream from a Datta kshetra.
• Complete the Guru Charitra parayana if you began it a week ago.
• Call or write to a teacher who shaped your life.
• Do the Purnima vrat puja after moonrise.
• Feed animals or donate food, in keeping with Datta's companions.
• Read the eighth Tiruppavai pasuram at dawn if you follow Dhanurmasam.

For families and children

The idea of twenty-four teachers is perfect for children. Ask them what they can learn from the earth (patience), a bee (taking only what is needed) or the sea (calm depth). Let them look at the full moon this evening and offer a small prayer of thanks.

Hindus abroad: Wed 23 Dec at local sunrise

Outside India, go by your local sunrise, not Indian clock times. The table gives local sunrise and sunset and the tithi and nakshatra at local sunrise, computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang.

In the Americas and Europe, Purnima already prevails at local sunrise today, while in Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Durban and Sydney it is still Chaturdashi. Datta Jayanti dates abroad may therefore differ. Country guides: USA, UK, Canada and Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Is Datta Jayanti on 23 or 24 December 2026?

Drik Panchang lists Dattatreya Jayanti on Wednesday 23 December 2026 for Hyderabad. Purnima begins at 10:47 AM IST and prevails through the evening, which is when Datta Jayanti is traditionally celebrated. The Purnima tithi ends at 6:57 AM on 24 December.

Why are there two Purnima days, 23 and 24 December?

The Purnima vrat (fast) is kept on the day the full moon tithi prevails at moonrise, which is 23 December. The Purnima for holy baths and charity is the day Purnima prevails at sunrise, which is 24 December. Drik Panchang lists both.

Who is Lord Dattatreya?

Dattatreya is the son of the sage Atri and Anasuya, revered as an embodiment of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together and as the Adi Guru, the original teacher. He is usually shown with three heads and six arms, accompanied by a cow and four dogs.

What is the Guru Charitra parayana?

The Guru Charitra is a Marathi text about the Datta tradition and its saints, Sripada Srivallabha and Narasimha Saraswati. Many devotees read it over seven days ending on Datta Jayanti. Follow your family's or guru's guidance on the reading rules.

Which are the main Datta temples?

Well-known Datta kshetras include Ganagapur in Karnataka, Narsobawadi and Audumbar in Maharashtra, Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh, and Girnar in Gujarat. Check each temple's official website for current timings.

What is the Rohini Vrat listed today?

Rohini Vrat is a fast observed mainly in the Jain community on the day of Rohini nakshatra. Drik Panchang lists it today because Rohini prevails at sunrise until 7:56 AM.

A closing thought

Dattatreya saw a teacher in everything. On his birthday, look for one lesson hidden in an ordinary moment, and thank whoever taught it to you. Tomorrow is the full moon morning, with Annapurna Jayanti and Arudra Darshan.

Previous day: Panchang Tuesday 22 December 2026. Next day: Panchang Thursday 24 December 2026. Whole month: December 2026 Hindu festivals, dates and rituals.

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Related guides

• Datta Jayanti 2026: date, Lord Dattatreya and Guru Charitra
• Margasira Pournami 2026 guide
• Dhanurmasa Pournami 2026: significance and rituals
• December 2026 vrat and fasting calendar