Dattatreya Jayanti 2026: Date, Puja Vidhi, Story and Significance
Dattatreya Jayanti, also called Datta Jayanti, marks the birth anniversary of Lord Dattatreya, the combined form of the Hindu trinity: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the transformer. In 2026, Dattatreya Jayanti falls on Wednesday, 23 December, on the full moon day of Margashirsha Purnima. Devotees across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat read the Guru Charitra, visit Datta temples and offer prayers to the guru of yogis, and the day is also kept as a Purnima vrat.
When Is Dattatreya Jayanti in 2026?
Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 is on Wednesday, 23 December 2026. It is observed on Margashirsha Purnima, the full moon day of the month of Margashirsha. The Purnima tithi begins at 10:47 AM on Wednesday, 23 December, and ends at 6:57 AM on Thursday, 24 December, so the full moon is present at sunset on 23 December and the main celebrations, including the evening puja, take place that day. Dattatreya Jayanti falls in the desi month of Poh, on 8 Poh 2083 BS.
Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 Date and Timings
The timings below follow the India (IST) reference published by Drik Panchang for New Delhi. Timings shift from city to city because sunrise changes with location, so check a local panchang for your exact timings. The main puja is usually done in the evening, around sunset.
| تہوار | Date and Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Dattatreya Jayanti | Wednesday, 23 December 2026 |
| Hindu date | Margashirsha Shukla Purnima (purnimanta) |
| Also known as | Datta Jayanti, Dattatreya Janmotsav |
| Purnima tithi begins | 10:47 AM, Wednesday, 23 December 2026 |
| Purnima tithi ends | 6:57 AM, Thursday, 24 December 2026 |
| Sunrise (New Delhi) | 7:11 AM, Wednesday, 23 December 2026 |
| Sunset (New Delhi) | 5:30 PM, Wednesday, 23 December 2026 |
| Moonrise (New Delhi) | 4:41 PM, Wednesday, 23 December 2026 |
| Nakshatra | Mrigashira until 1:11 PM, then Ardra |
| Main puja | Evening, around sunset |
| Desi date | 8 Poh, 2083 BS (Poh runs 16 December 2026 to 14 January 2027) |
| Vikram Samvat | 2083 (Siddharthi) |
Purnima Vrat and Moonrise by City
Dattatreya Jayanti is also a Purnima vrat day, so many devotees fast on 23 December and break the fast after the moon is sighted in the evening. The vrat is kept on Wednesday, 23 December across India, but the snan-daan (holy bath) timing differs: in Delhi and Mumbai the Purnima ends before sunrise on 24 December, so the bath is done on 23 December, while in Hyderabad and Chennai the Purnima is still present at sunrise on 24 December.
| شہر | Purnima Vrat | Moonrise (23 December) |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | Wednesday, 23 December 2026 | 4:41 PM |
| Hyderabad | Wednesday, 23 December 2026 | About 5:05 PM |
| Chennai | Wednesday, 23 December 2026 | About 5:08 PM |
Who Is Lord Dattatreya?
Lord Dattatreya is worshipped as the combined incarnation of the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in one form. According to the Puranas, he was born to the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya, after Anasuya’s devotion moved the three gods to be born as her son. He is shown with three faces and six arms, holding the symbols of the three gods, with the cow Kamadhenu beside him and four dogs at his feet, which stand for the four Vedas. He is also shown as Digambara, clothed only by the sky, which marks him as an avadhuta, a realised soul beyond worldly ties. Dattatreya is honoured as the Adi Guru, the first teacher of yoga and the guru of all gurus, and his life is told in the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, the Markandeya Purana and the Guru Charitra.
The Twenty-Four Gurus of Dattatreya
One of the best loved teachings of Dattatreya is that he learned from twenty-four teachers in nature and in everyday life, as told in the Bhagavata Purana. Among them were the earth, which bears everything patiently; the wind, which moves freely and touches all; the sky, which holds everything without attachment; water, which purifies all it touches; fire, which burns away impurity; the moon, which waxes and wanes yet stays the same; the sun, which gives light without favour; the pigeon, whose attachment became a warning; the python, which is content with whatever comes; the ocean, which stays calm; the moth, which is drawn to the flame; the honeybee, which gathers little by little; the elephant, which is caught by desire; the deer, which is trapped by sound; the fish, which is caught by taste; the courtesan Pingala, who found peace by giving up hope in others; a small child, who is free of worry; a young maiden, whose bangles taught the value of solitude; the arrow-maker, whose focus shut out the world; the serpent, which wanders alone; the spider, which builds and withdraws its web; and the wasp, which transforms its prey by constant thought. The lesson is that wisdom is not found only in books or temples, and that a sincere seeker can learn from anything, anywhere.
How Dattatreya Jayanti Is Celebrated
Dattatreya Jayanti is celebrated most grandly at the great Datta shrines of Maharashtra and Karnataka. At Gangapur in Karnataka, Narsobawadi and Audumbar in Maharashtra, Akkalkot in Maharashtra, and Girnar in Gujarat, thousands of devotees gather for the day. The celebrations at Akkalkot run for eight days, from Margashirsha Shukla Ashtami to Purnima, with the main day being Purnima itself. Devotees begin a seven-day reading of the Guru Charitra a week before the festival and finish it on Dattatreya Jayanti, sing Datta bhajans, chant “Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabh Digambara”, and offer naivedya, flowers and lamps. Temples serve annadanam, free meals, to all visitors, and many devotees feed the poor, donate food and clothes, and feed cows and dogs in honour of the Lord. At home, families keep the Purnima vrat, worship a Datta image or murti, and read from the Guru Charitra.
Dattatreya Jayanti Puja Vidhi at Home
The puja vidhi varies by family and region, so follow your family tradition. The general procedure below is the one most families follow.
Morning bath and preparation: Wake up early, bathe, and clean the puja area. Many devotees fast through the day on the Purnima vrat and eat simply, with fruit and milk, breaking the fast after moonrise in the evening.
Place the murti: Place an image or murti of Lord Dattatreya in the puja area. Offer flowers, sandalwood paste, incense and a lamp. Offer naivedya of fruit, sweets and panchamrit.
Mantra and reading: Chant “Om Dram Dattatreyaya Namah” and “Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabh Digambara”. Read or listen to the story of Dattatreya from the Guru Charitra or the Bhagavata Purana. Many families complete the seven-day Guru Charitra parayan on this day.
Evening aarti: Perform the evening aarti around sunset, when the full moon rises. Offer lamps, flowers and prasad, and share the prasad with family and neighbours. Feeding cows and dogs on this day is considered especially blessed, because they are the companions of Lord Dattatreya.
Dattatreya Jayanti Dates in Coming Years
| Year | دن | تاریخ |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | بدھ | 23 December 2026 |
| 2027 | پیر | 13 December 2027 |
Note: the dates above follow the purnimanta (North Indian) reckoning from Drik Panchang, which keeps the festival on the day the full moon is present at sunset. A few calendars list Thursday, 24 December 2026, because the Purnima tithi runs into the morning of 24 December, and Kalnirnay lists Tuesday, 14 December 2027. This site follows the Drik Panchang vrat-day reckoning. Confirm the date with a local panchang closer to the time. See our Gita Jayanti 2026 guide for the festival three days earlier, our Vivah Panchami 2026 guide for the festival nine days earlier, and our Kala Bhairav Jayanti 2026 guide for the festival three weeks earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Dattatreya Jayanti in 2026?
Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 is on Wednesday, 23 December 2026 in India, per Drik Panchang. It falls on Margashirsha Purnima, the full moon day of the month of Margashirsha.
What are the tithi timings for Dattatreya Jayanti 2026?
The Purnima tithi begins at 10:47 AM IST on Wednesday, 23 December 2026 and ends at 6:57 AM IST on Thursday, 24 December 2026. In New Delhi, sunrise is 7:11 AM, sunset is 5:30 PM and moonrise is 4:41 PM on 23 December. The main puja is done in the evening, around sunset.
Why do some calendars say Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 is on 24 December?
A few calendars list Thursday, 24 December 2026, because the Purnima tithi runs into the morning of 24 December. This site follows the Drik Panchang reckoning, which keeps the festival on the day the full moon is present at sunset, which is Wednesday, 23 December 2026. That is also the Purnima vrat day.
Who is Lord Dattatreya?
Lord Dattatreya is the combined incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in one form, born to the sage Atri and Anasuya. He is shown with three faces and six arms, with the cow Kamadhenu beside him and four dogs at his feet, which stand for the four Vedas. He is honoured as the Adi Guru, the first teacher of yoga and the guru of all gurus.
Where is Dattatreya Jayanti celebrated the most?
The largest gatherings are at the Datta shrines of Gangapur in Karnataka, Narsobawadi and Audumbar in Maharashtra, Akkalkot in Maharashtra, where the celebrations run for eight days, and Girnar in Gujarat. Devotees read the Guru Charitra, sing Datta bhajans and offer annadanam to all visitors.
When is Dattatreya Jayanti in 2027?
Dattatreya Jayanti in 2027 falls on Monday, 13 December 2027, in the India reckoning from Drik Panchang. Confirm the date with a local panchang closer to the time.
