Raksha Bandhan 2026 date: August 27 or 28? Know the right day, check shubh muhurat, purnima tithi and bhadra kaal

Raksha Bandhan 2026 has already sparked the familiar annual debate: Is Rakhi on August 27 or August 28? The confusion stems from the fact that the Purnima tithi, on which the festival is observed, begins on August 27 but continues into the following morning.

For those following the festival in Delhi, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Why Is There Confusion Over The Rakhi Date?

Raksha Bandhan is observed on Shravan Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan. In Delhi, the Purnima tithi begins at 9:08 am on August 27 and ends at 9:48 am on August 28.

This overlap explains why August 27 may also appear in some calendars and panchangs. However, the festival date is traditionally determined by the presence of the relevant tithi at sunrise.

On August 28, Purnima is present at sunrise and continues until 9:48 am. This makes August 28 the date for Raksha Bandhan celebrations and Rakhi-tying rituals.

Raksha Bandhan 2026 Bhadra Kaal

Another important consideration for Rakhi is Bhadra Kaal, a period traditionally regarded as unsuitable for performing auspicious ceremonies.

This year, Bhadra falls on August 27 and ends before sunrise on August 28. As a result, it does not overlap with the main Rakhi-tying period on August 28.

That means families celebrating in the morning do not have to adjust their Rakhi ceremony around Bhadra Kaal.

Raksha Bandhan 2026 Shubh Muhurat

For Delhi and much of North India, the main shubh muhurat for tying Rakhi on August 28 is from 5:57 am to 9:48 am.

The window lasts approximately three hours and 51 minutes and falls after Bhadra has ended.

Timings can vary slightly depending on the location because festival muhurats are calculated according to the local panchang. For instance, in Gurgaon, the corresponding window is 5:58 am to 9:48 am.

Those celebrating in other parts of India should therefore check their local panchang rather than relying solely on Delhi timings.

What If You Miss The Morning Muhurat?

Families who cannot complete the ritual during the morning window still have alternatives according to traditional timing divisions.

The Aparahna period, broadly corresponding to the afternoon, is considered another suitable time for the ceremony. Some almanacs place this window at approximately 1:46 pm to 4:20 pm on August 28.

Pradosh, or the early evening period, is considered another option after Aparahna.

Raksha Bandhan 2026: Key Timings

• Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
• Purnima tithi: August 27 at 9:08 am to August 28 at 9:48 am
• Bhadra Kaal: August 27; ends before sunrise on August 28
• Main Shubh Muhurat in Delhi: 5:57 am to 9:48 am
• Aparahna: Approximately 1:46 pm to 4:20 pm
• Pradosh: Early evening, as a further alternative

Therefore, while the Purnima tithi begins on August 27, Raksha Bandhan 2026 will be observed on August 28.