Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 Date: 23 December (Datta Jayanti)
Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 is on Wednesday, 23 December 2026, on Margashirsha Purnima. The Purnima tithi begins at about 10:47 AM IST on 23 December and ends at about 6:57 AM IST on 24 December.
| Date | Wednesday, 23 December 2026 |
| Tithi | Margashirsha Purnima |
| Purnima tithi (IST, approx.) | 10:47 AM, 23 Dec to 6:57 AM, 24 Dec 2026 |
| Major centres | Ganagapur (Karnataka), Narsobawadi and Audumbar (Maharashtra), Girnar (Gujarat) |
Who is Lord Dattatreya?
Dattatreya is worshipped as a combined form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, usually shown with three heads and six arms, accompanied by four dogs and a cow. In the Puranic account he was born to the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya. He is revered as the Adi Guru (first teacher) of the Nath and Datta traditions, and is especially honoured in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat.
How Datta Jayanti is observed
- Temples celebrate the birth (janmotsav) at the time traditionally held as his birth, usually in the evening.
- Devotees read the Guru Charitra, often over the seven days leading up to Datta Jayanti.
- Fasting, bhajans and palkhi (palanquin) processions at Datta temples.
- Offerings of sweets made with milk and jaggery, and feeding of the poor.
Frequently asked questions
When is Datta Jayanti 2026?
Wednesday, 23 December 2026, on Margashirsha Purnima.
Why is Dattatreya shown with dogs and a cow?
The four dogs are commonly interpreted as the four Vedas and the cow as Mother Earth or dharma; interpretations vary between traditions.
