Buddha Purnima 2026 in USA: Fri, May 1 — Puja Time by City

How the Buddha Purnima date is decided

The tithi prevailing at local sunrise (Udaya tithi).

Significance

The end of the Vaishakha bath — those who bathed at dawn daily from Chaitra Purnima complete it today; the Skanda Purana calls Vaishakha the Madhava month — on this Purnima the charity of water (pots, water stalls), grain, umbrellas and slippers is the greatest merit in the heat.

Buddha Purnima — compassion, non-violence, the middle path; special in the Buddhist countries (Sri Lanka-Nepal-Thailand-Bhutan) and at Sarnath-Bodh Gaya-Kushinagar in India; a public holiday in India; in the Hindu tradition Buddha is the ninth avatar of Vishnu — hence honoured in both.

Narasimha Jayanti (Chaturdashi, Pradosh) — 'neither day nor night, neither inside nor outside' — Narasimha emerged from a pillar at dusk and killed Hiranyakashipu; a vrat for protection from fear, enemies and illness, especially for the protection of children (the Prahlad spirit); a big day in the south and Maharashtra.

Puja vidhi (brief)

1. Chaturdashi (a day earlier) — Narasimha Jayanti: a fast in the day (fruit), in Pradosh Kaal a picture of Narasimha/Vishnu, red-yellow flowers, Tulsi, panchamrit; the mantra 'Om Narasimhaya Namah'/'Ugram viram maha-vishnum…'; the Prahlad katha; a prayer of protection for the children; paran the next morning.
2. On the Purnima bathe in Brahma Muhurat (time above) — the concluding sankalp of the Vaishakha bath; arghya to the Sun; yellow clothes.
3. Sankalp of the Purnima fast; worship of Vishnu-Lakshmi — yellow flowers, Tulsi, panchamrit, sandalwood; remembrance of the Kurma avatar; if there is a Buddha image/picture, white flowers and a lamp (a vow of compassion and non-violence).
4. The Satyanarayan katha (Pradosh or noon): banana stems/leaves, kalash, panchamrit, prasad of panjiri, banana and Tulsi; five chapters; the aarti 'Jai Lakshmi Ramana'.
5. Charity (till noon): a water-filled pot/surahi, a water stall, umbrella, slippers, fan, sattu, fruit (mango-melon), grain, cloth — to a Brahmin/the needy/a gaushala; tarpan and charity in the ancestors' name.
6. A day of non-violence: no killing of creatures, grain and water for birds, fodder for cows; darshan at a Buddhist vihara/stupa if there is one, Buddha vandana.
7. At moonrise (time above) arghya of milk and water to the moon; bhog of kheer; break the fast.
8. Vishnu/Buddha bhajans at night; Jyeshtha begins the next day — preparations for Vat Savitri (Jyeshtha Amavasya) and Ganga Dussehra.

Frequently asked questions

Is Buddha Purnima 2026 on the same day in USA and India?

Yes — Friday, May 1, 2026.

What is the puja time for Buddha Purnima 2026 in New York?

Purvahna (morning) Puja time: 5:55 AM to 11:30 AM (EDT). Other cities are in the table above.

Which time zone are these timings in?

Each row is in that city's own local time with daylight saving applied (Eastern Time (EST/EDT) for New York).

Do Hindus observe Buddha Purnima?

Yes — in the Hindu tradition Vaishakha Purnima is the Kurma avatar, the end of the Vaishakha bath and the best Purnima for Satyanarayan; Buddha is regarded as the ninth avatar of Vishnu — so lamp-offering, non-violence and compassion are shared by both.

On which Purnima is the Satyanarayan katha most auspicious?

Valid on every Purnima; the Purnimas of Vaishakha, Kartik and Magha are best — Vaishakha Purnima is special as the end of the Madhava month; in Pradosh Kaal or at noon, panjiri prasad in the sava (1¼) measure.

What is the Vaishakha bath?

A daily dawn bath in a river/tirtha, Vishnu puja and water charity from Chaitra Purnima to Vaishakha Purnima — the vrat of the Madhava month in the Skanda Purana; also valid at home with Gangajal; it ends today.

Daily panchang in USA

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