Sharad Purnima
Sharad Purnima is celebrated in the month of October as per the Indian Hindu calendar and it falls on Purnima Tithi, when the full moon ends. It is an important and major festival in Hindu religion, which is mainly celebrated as the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. It is also known as the full moon of Kartik month.
Origin of the festival
Sharad Purnima means “full moon of autumn”. This festival marks the arrival of autumn, a time full of prosperity and crops in India.
On this day people also keep a fast and perform rituals to bless all the money and property received at their door. Often on this day, special worship of the moon is done at night, in which the moon posture is used for the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi On this day, many Hindu divine couples like Radha Krishna, Shiva Parvati and Lakshmi Narayana are worshiped along with the moon deity, and are offered flowers and kheer (a sweet dish made of rice and milk). The deities in temples are usually dressed in white which reflects the brightness of the moon.
Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagari Purnima, Raas Purnima, Kumara Purnima, Ashwin Purnima, Kaumudi Purnima, or Navanna Purnima, is an important festival celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwin month according to the Hindu calendar.
There are many beliefs behind celebrating Sharad Purnima. There is a belief that on this day the moon is full of its sixteen phases. On this day the moonlight is full of nectar, which provides strength and longevity to humans. Therefore, on this day people make kheer in the moonlight and consume it as prasad.
Another belief is that on this day Lord Krishna performed Raasleela with Radha and Gopis. On this day people worship Radha and Krishna and organize Raasleela . On the day of Sharad Purnima people also worship Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi comes to earth and blesses her devotees with wealth and prosperity. Therefore, on this day people observe fast and worship Goddess Lakshmi to please her.
How is this festival celebrated?
There are many customs and traditions to celebrate this festival.
- Making kheer and keeping it in the moonlight is the most important custom of Sharad Purnima festival. On this day people make kheer and keep it in the moonlight. It is believed that by making kheer in the moonlight on this day, it acquires the quality of nectar.
- Worshiping Radha and Krishna Sharad Purnima festival is also considered an important festival for Radha and Krishna. On this day people worship Radha and Krishna and organize Raas Lela .
- Worshiping Goddess Lakshmi Sharad Purnima festival is also considered an important festival for Goddess Lakshmi. On this day people worship Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings for wealth and prosperity.
- Doing charity and charity: On the occasion of Sharad Purnima festival, people also do charity and charity. They donate food, clothes, and money etc. to the poor and needy.
- Performing bhajan-kirtan: On the occasion of Sharad Purnima festival, people also perform bhajan-kirtan. They praise God and seek his blessings.
spiritual significance of the festival
The spiritual significance of Sharad Purnima festival is very high. On this day people wish to receive the blessings of God and attain salvation.
On this day people worship the Moon, which is a symbol of knowledge and light. They worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. They worship Radha and Krishna, who are symbols of love and devotion.
Sharad Purnima festival is an occasion to bring people together and inspire them to follow the spiritual path .The area where it is celebrated
Sharad Purnima festival is celebrated in many countries of South Asia including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand. This festival is very popular in India especially in North India.
Dates of this festival in the current year
In the current year Sharad Purnima festival will be celebrated on 28 October, Saturday 2023. This day is the full moon of Ashwin month.