Gaura Purnima

ISKCON

Also known as: Gaura Purnima, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanti

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2026 ISKCON Date

Gaura Purnima

About Gaura Purnima

Gaura Purnima celebrates the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534), who is worshipped as the combined form of Radha and Krishna. He appeared in Mayapur, West Bengal, to inaugurate the congregational sankirtan movement - the chanting of the Holy Names - as the most accessible means of God-realisation in the current age of Kali.

On this day, devotees observe a full fast until moonrise, followed by an elaborate feast. The temples are beautifully decorated and long processions (nagar sankirtan) wind through the streets with chanting, dancing, and distribution of Mahaprasadam. The appearance day of the Lord is considered more auspicious than His disappearance, as it marks the dawning of spiritual hope for all living beings.

In ISKCON, Gaura Purnima is one of the most grandly celebrated festivals of the year. The mood is one of ecstatic devotion - devotees spend the entire night in singing, dancing, and hearing glorifications of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's transcendental pastimes.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Devotees observe a complete fast from grains and beans until moonrise, spending the day in chanting and hearing about the Lord's pastimes.

Sankalpa Mantra

On this sacred day of Gaura Purnima, I take shelter of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar who descended to spread the Holy Name and bestow prema-bhakti upon all living beings.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Observe a full fast (nirjala or with water only) from sunrise until moonrise.
Spend the day chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and reading from Chaitanya Charitamrita.
Attend the evening celebration and break the fast with Krishna prasad after the moon is sighted.
Offer Gaura-arati and distribute Mahaprasadam to all present.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who is Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is considered the combined form of Radha and Krishna. He appeared in 1486 in Mayapur, Bengal, to propagate the congregational chanting of the Holy Names.

Q: Why do ISKCON devotees fast on Gaura Purnima?

The fast is observed out of love and reverence for the Lord's appearance day. It is broken after moonrise with an elaborate feast (mahaprasadam).

Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).

Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.