Ardent devotees regard Sharad Purnima as one of the most notable and revered Purnimas or Full Moon nights in the Hindu calendar. According to the Panchang, the auspicious occasion of Sharad Purnima falls on the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. This particular occasion holds great importance, which is why it is celebrated with utmost devotion by the devotees.
Let’s get to know about this occasion.
Sharad Purnima Date and Time
Sharad Purnima, also known as the Kojagari Purnima, Ashwin Purnima, Kaumudi Purnima, and Navanna Purnima in different parts of India, is a fast observed on the full moon day of the Ashwin month. This year, Sharad Purnima is on 19th October 2021.
Below are the auspicious dates and times of Sharad Purnima 2021.
Sharad Purnima 2021- 19th October 2021 (Tuesday)
Purnima Tithi (Begins)- 07:03 PM (19th October 2021)
Purnima Tithi (Ends)- 08:26 PM (20th October 2021)
Sharad Purnima is considered a significant festival for Hindus that happens on the Full Moon day in the Hindu Lunar month of Ashwin (September and October). The occasion of Sharad Purnima also marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the winter season.
It will be safe to say that Sharad Purnima is the most popular and auspicious Purnima amongst all the Purnimas. The night of Sharad Purnima holds immense and profound religious significance. This day is notable as the full Moon or Purnima of the Shukla Paksha in Ashwin month possesses sixteen Kalas(s). Each Kala denotes a specific human quality, and the amalgamation of all sixteen Kalas makes for a perfect human personality. The Moonlight is believed to be the brightest on this day. On this day, the Moon is closest to the Earth. Therefore, it is believed that the Moon rays possess healing and nourishing properties. As the Moon is incredibly close to the Earth, the nourishing elements falling from the Moon are imbued with positivity. Whoever receives it is known to become more positive. As per Hindu scriptures, on Sharad Purnima, the Moon's rays also have the miraculous ability to cure ailments and diseases.
This particular day holds immense significance in Hinduism. It is widely believed that on the night of Sharad Purnima, Goddess Lakshmi comes out to roam and offers her divine blessings to her devotees. This pious occasion is dedicated to the divine Goddess Lakshmi. Devotees observe Vrat (fast) on this pious occasion and worship Goddess Lakshmi, the holy deity of wealth, good fortune, and prosperity.
Devotees strongly believe that if one worships Goddess Lakshmi on this occasion with complete devotion, one can attain her divine blessings, and there will never be any shortage of wealth in one's life. One will be blessed with abundant prosperity.
Given below are the rituals to be done on Sharad Purnima.
On Sharad Purnima, wake up in the Brahma Muhurta in the morning and take a bath. Ideally, you should take a bath in a holy river, but you can also take a bath at home by adding Gangajal (water from the Ganges) to the water.
After that, spread a red cloth on a Chowki, and place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi on it. Offer red flowers, perfume, and Naivedya to Goddess Lakshmi. Adorn the divine deity in clothes, jewellery, and other adornments.
Invoke Goddess Lakshmi, offer her flowers, Dhoop (incense sticks), Diya (earthen lamp), betel nut, Dakshina, etc., and worship her.
After that, chant the mantra of Goddess Lakshmi and recite the Lakshmi Chalisa. Worship the divine Goddess with a deep (lamp) and make sure to do Aarti of Goddess Lakshmi.
Remember to make donations on this day as per your capacity.
Offer Kheer to Goddess Lakshmi. The Kheer should be prepared from cow's milk and offered to the Goddess at midnight.
Keep a utensil filled with Kheer under the light of the Moon at night. On the next day, after bathing, distribute the Kheer like Prasad amongst all the family members.
While worshipping, make sure to listen to the Katha (story).
Before the Katha, put water in a Kalash or urn, put wheat in a glass, and Roli and rice on a leaf plate and worship the urn. Once done, offer Dakshina.
On this holy day, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Kartikeya, and Chandra Dev are also worshipped with Goddess Lakshmi.
On this occasion, women fast for the whole day and prepare Bhog to offer to the Goddess. As part of the Bhog, various kinds of savoury and sweet dishes are prepared along with Kheer. This pious occasion is also associated with Lord Krishna. According to mythological tales, Lord Krishna performed the divine dance- Maha Raas Lila with his Gopis. This is why Sharad Purnima is also referred to as 'Raas Purnima'.
Significance of Kheer on Sharad Purnima
The practice of having Kheer, an Indian sweet dish made of milk, rice and sugar or jaggery, on the occasion of Sharad Purnima, is quite popular amongst the devotees. Devotees worship Chandra or the Moon on this pious occasion. Married women keep Vrat or fast and offer special Bhog of the rice Kheer to the gods. As Sharad Purnima's Moonlight has special significance, devotees keep the rice Kheer under the Moonlight all night. On this specific day, it is believed that drops of nectar or elixir fall from the Moon's light, which contains various healing properties. This same energised Kheer is eaten the next morning as Prasad to gain the miraculous nectar's benefits. This Prasad is also distributed among all the family members the next morning. Keeping the Kheer under the Moonlight is a traditional practice done in every Indian household on Sharad Purnima. Therefore, this occasion is a revered occasion for Hindus.
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