Godavari Pushkaralu 2027–28: When to celebrate if Jupiter is not in "Full Stay"? (Scientific Analysis)
You may find various conflicting dates on the internet regarding Godavari Pushkaralu. The main reason for this confusion is the peculiar transit of Jupiter (Guru) in the sign of Leo (Simha) between 2026 and 2028. Usually, Jupiter stays in a sign steadily for about a year, but this time, due to Retrograde motion (Vakragati), it is transiting in fragments (Split Transit). In this article, let us understand in detail what the Dharma Shastra and historical precedents say about when to celebrate Pushkaralu in such unique situations.
The Pushkara Rule: When does it actually occur?
According to the Puranas, Pushkaram occurs for a specific river based on the zodiac sign Jupiter resides in.
“Simhe Godavari Smruta” — As long as Jupiter is in Leo (Simha), it is the Pushkara period for the Godavari river. However, two specific periods are considered the most sacred:
- Aadi Pushkaram: The first 12 days after Jupiter enters the sign.
- Anthya Pushkaram: The last 12 days before Jupiter exits the sign.
The Issue: What does "No Full Stay" mean?
If Jupiter enters a sign, stays there for about 12 months, and then moves to the next sign, it is called a "Full Stay". For example, in 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, and 2015, Jupiter remained steady in Leo in a "single stretch". Hence, there was no confusion regarding the dates back then.
However, the situation in 2027-28 is different. Due to retrograde motion, Jupiter enters Leo, moves back out, and enters again. This is technically called a Split Transit.
Jupiter's Transit 2026–2028 (3 Phases)
According to Drik Ganitha (Scientific Panchangam), the transit schedule is as follows:
| Phase | Period | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Phase | 31 October 2026 to 25 January 2027 | Short duration (Stays only for 3 months and moves back) |
| 2nd Phase (Major) | 26 June 2027 to 26 November 2027 | Stable Entry (Major Entry) |
| 3rd Phase | 28 February 2028 to 24 July 2028 | Final/Anthya Period |
Scientific Solution: When to celebrate?
When Jupiter enters and exits the sign multiple times like this, when should "Aadi Pushkaralu" be conducted? Dharma Shastra and history provide a clear path.
The Rule: If Jupiter enters a sign twice, there is a tradition to calculate Aadi Pushkaralu from the "Second Entry" (Punar-pravesha). If the first entry is very short and unstable, the stable second entry is taken as the standard.
What does History say? (The 1956 Example)
This is not a new problem. Previously, in 1956, Jupiter had a similar split transit in Leo. At that time, there was a difference between the scholars' decision and the government's arrangement.
- Some considered Pushkarams to start on May 3rd.
- Others (including the government) observed it from May 22nd.
- As a result, history records that Godavari Pushkaralu were celebrated for 24 days in 1956.
Based on this, taking the second (stable) entry on June 26, 2027, as the standard for Aadi Pushkaralu is the most logical approach.
Godavari Pushkaralu 2027-28: Exact Dates
Based on the above analysis and Lahiri Ayanamsa, here are the calculated dates:
Aadi Pushkaralu (2027)
- Start: 26 June 2027 (Saturday) (Entry at 05:25 AM IST)
- End: 07 July 2027
- Description: The first 12 days from the day Jupiter firmly establishes in Leo.
Anthya Pushkaralu (2028)
- Start: 13 July 2028
- End: 24 July 2028 (Exit at 03:39 PM IST)
- Description: The last 12 days before Jupiter completely leaves Leo and enters Virgo.
What should we follow?
According to the Shastras, the Pushkara energy (Kala) exists in the Godavari waters as long as Jupiter is in Leo. Therefore, taking a holy dip anytime between June 2027 and July 2028 is meritorious. However, for specific rituals (Pithru Karyas) and special results, it is best to choose June 26 - July 7, 2027 (Aadi Pushkaralu) or July 13 - 24, 2028 (Anthya Pushkaralu).
Note: These dates are given based on Drik Ganitha (Scientific Calculation) and analysis of past traditions. If there are minor changes in dates due to official government announcements, they will be updated here.
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