Gaura Purnima

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Gauranga)

Gaudiya Vaishnava

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Gaura Purnima celebrates the appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 CE) — the golden avatar of Kali-yuga who came to distribute the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Born at Sridham Mayapur (West Bengal) on Phalgun Purnima, He is revered by every Gaudiya lineage as the combined form of Radha and Krishna.

Dates 2026–2027

March 3, 2026March 22, 2027

Mantra

Jaya Sri Krishna Caitanya Prabhu Nityananda / Sri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda

Pancha-tattva Maha-mantra

All glories to Sri Chaitanya, Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa and all the devotees of Lord Gauranga — chanted before the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

How to recite

Chant the Pancha-tattva mantra and the Hare Krishna maha-mantra throughout the day; observe a grain-free fast until moonrise; hear Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita; sing kirtan in the evening; break fast after the moonrise arati with ekadashi-style prasadam.

Benefits

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu — the combined form of Radha and Krishna — appeared on Phalguna Purnima 1486 CE in Sridham Mayapur to freely distribute prema-bhakti through sankirtana. Fasting and chanting on this day awakens the seed of pure love of God in the heart.

✦ Special Note

Observe a complete grain-free fast until moonrise; in the evening attend the abhishek of Sri Gauranga, sing congregational kirtan, and read from the Chaitanya-charitamrita. This is the most joyful festival of the Gaudiya year.

Foods Allowed

FruitsMilk, yogurt, gheeSabudana, dry fruits, nutsCoconut and coconut waterRock salt (sendha namak)Prasadam — sanctified by offering

Foods to Avoid

Grains — fast is grain-free until moonriseOnion and garlicMeat, fish, eggsAlcohol and intoxicantsUnoffered food

Meal Idea

Grain-free fast until moonrise — fruit chaat with rock salt, sabudana khichdi with peanuts, milk payasam — all offered first to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

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Get a reminder before the next Gaura Purnima

At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.

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