Question 1

When is Dikpala Puja 1 observed?

Accepted Answer

Dikpala Puja 1 falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima, the full moon tithi of the bright half of Bhadrapada. The tithi current at sunrise governs the observance, so the Gregorian date changes from year to year. It is not assigned one permanent calendar date.

Question 2

Which deities are worshipped in Dikpala Puja?

Accepted Answer

Dikpala Puja honours the dikpalas, or guardians of the directions. A commonly used arrangement associates Indra with the east, Agni with the southeast, Yama with the south, Nirrti with the southwest, Varuna with the west, Vayu with the northwest, Kubera with the north, and Ishana with the northeast.

Question 3

How is Dikpala Puja performed at home?

Accepted Answer

A simple household observance can include cleaning the altar, lighting lamps, acknowledging the eight directions, and offering water, flowers, incense, fruit, and food. A temple or priest-led ceremony may invoke each directional guardian separately. Because the exact ritual sequence is not uniform, a family or temple tradition should guide the details.

Question 4

Is Dikpala Puja 1 connected with Badarikashramam?

Accepted Answer

Badarikashrama is associated with a traditional note for spending this day, but that connection is not established here as a universal requirement of Dikpala Puja 1. It may reflect a particular pilgrimage or regional calendar tradition. Anyone wishing to follow it should confirm the practice with a qualified priest or the relevant local tradition.

Date	Tithi	Lunar month	Governing time
Wed, 18 Sept, 2024	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sun, 7 Sept, 2025	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 26 Sept, 2026	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Wed, 15 Sept, 2027	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sun, 3 Sept, 2028	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 22 Sept, 2029	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Wed, 11 Sept, 2030	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 30 Sept, 2031	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sun, 19 Sept, 2032	ShuklaPurnima	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)

Dikpala Puja 1

Dates by year