Sharad Purnima is one of the most auspicious full moon nights in the Hindu calendar, falling on the Purnima (full moon) day of the Ashwin month, typically in October. It is a festival that marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season in India. The night is considered sacred, and it is believed that the moon’s rays during this time are especially powerful, providing spiritual benefits and healing.
Date of Sharad Purnima in 2023:
In 2023, Sharad Purnima will be observed on October 28, 2023 (Saturday).
Significance of Sharad Purnima:
1. Moonlight and Its Healing Powers
On Sharad Purnima, the moon is believed to be at its most powerful. The night is associated with the belief that the moon’s rays have medicinal and healing properties. People often stay awake all night to absorb the moonlight, a practice known as Jagran. Some people even prepare a special drink known as Kheer, which is left out overnight to absorb the moonlight, making it more nutritious and spiritually beneficial.
2. Goddess Lakshmi’s Blessings:
Sharad Purnima is also dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. On this night, devotees pray for wealth, health, and happiness, and it is considered an excellent time to begin new ventures or make important purchases.
3. Krishna’s Raas Leela:
According to Hindu mythology, Sharad Purnima is closely associated with the Raas Leela of Lord Krishna and the Gopis (cowherd girls) of Vrindavan. It is believed that on this night, Lord Krishna performed the divine dance of Raas with the Gopis, symbolizing the divine and eternal love between Krishna and his devotees.
4. Harvest Festival:
In some regions of India, Sharad Purnima is also a harvest festival that marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season. In rural areas, it is a time for farmers to celebrate the fruits of their labor.
Rituals and Celebrations:
Kheer Preparation: A traditional custom is to prepare Kheer (a sweet rice pudding) and leave it in the moonlight overnight. The kheer is later consumed the following day, as it is believed that the moonlight makes it more nutritious and spiritually potent.
Night Vigil (Jagran): Devotees stay awake all night, chanting prayers, singing bhajans, and engaging in devotional activities to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
Prayers to Lord Krishna: On this night, devotees also observe rituals and prayers dedicated to Lord Krishna, especially those in regions with strong Krishna worship traditions.
Decorating Homes: People decorate their homes with lights and flowers, signifying the illumination of the divine and the arrival of prosperity.
Sharad Purnima 2023: A Night to Rejoice in Divine Grace
Sharad Purnima is a celebration of spiritual awakening, prosperity, and the divine connection between Lord Krishna and his devotees. It is a night full of joy, devotion, and the promise of new beginnings as the moonlight fills the night sky with blessings.
