Chitra Purnima 2025 is a sacred Hindu festival observed in honour of Chitragupta, the divine accountant and assistant of Lord Yama, the God of Death. In Hindu mythology, Chitragupta records people’s good and bad deeds during their lifetime. This festival is mainly observed by Tamil people on the full moon day of Chitirai month, which falls in April or May according to the Gregorian calendar. The day is very sacred as it is a full moon day and also the day of the Chitra Nakshatra, hence it is a very sacred event. This year, Chitra Purnima will be observed on 12th May 2025.
Check out all the important details regarding the date, time, shubh muhurat, significance and rituals for Chitra Purnima below:
Chitra Purnima 2025: Date And Time
– Chitra Purnima 2025 Date: 12th May 2025, Monday
– Purnima Tithi Begins: 08:01 PM, 11th May 2025
– Purnima Tithi Ends: 10:25 PM, 12th May 2025
Chitra Purnima 2025: Shubh Muhurat
– Abhijit Muhurat: 11:51 AM to 12:45 PM
– Amrit Kaal: 11:18 PM to 01:05 AM, May 13
– Ravi Yog: 05:32 AM to 06:17 AM
Chitra Purnima 2025: Significance
The Hindu legends suggest that Lord Chitragupta is responsible for helping Lord Yama decide the good and evil deeds of human beings. It is said that after death, a person’s soul arrives in Lord Yama’s court, where Chitragupta examines their deeds and decides whether they are an evil soul or a good soul. Chitra Purnima is observed in respect of Chitragupta, and devotees worship him on this day and ask for pardon for their sins. As per another legend, the festival is also dedicated to Lord Indra.
Chitra Purnima is regarded as a potent time for spiritual purification. The day is believed to facilitate the removal of negative karma affecting health, wealth and relationships. Chitragupta is worshiped by devotees to get rid of bad karma and make good karma stronger. It is also a sacred time to perform charitable and donation deeds, which are said to offset any sins one has done in life and promote spiritual growth.
Devotees offer sincere prayers to Lord Chitragupta on the sacred occasion of Chitra Pournami. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Chitra Purnima 2025: Rituals
Special pujas in temples are organised on Chitra Purnima throughout southern India. Among them are the Chitragupta Temple at Kanchipuram, Chandra Moulishwar Temple at Thiruvakkarai, and Airavateshwarar Temple at Darasuram, where the ceremonies are particularly significant. The devotees worship Chitragupta with great reverence, thinking that honest prayers on this day can wash away old sins and give the power to live a truthful life. Most devotees also observe a sacred bath in nearby bodies of water in order to clean themselves of their sins.
Devotees offer flowers, camphor and incense sticks to Chitragupta. Chakkarai pongal is one of the special food offerings. These foods are prepared traditionally without salt, and the devotees refrain from drinking milk and milk products and use buffalo milk instead.
As part of the rituals, followers are encouraged to read and reflect on the tale of Lord Indra and his Guru, Lord Brihaspati. Charity is also an important part of Chitra Purnima, with followers feeding the poor and distributing necessities such as clothes, rice and vegetables to the underprivileged.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)
ALSO READ: Purnima May 2025: Date, Time, Shubh Muhurat, Significance And Rituals Of Vaishakh Purnima