Sharad Purnima 2024: Date, Time, Puja Rituals, and Significance of Ashwina Purnima

Sharad Purnima, a significant Hindu festival, is celebrated with devotion and reverence across India. This festival is also known as Ashwina Purnima or Kojagari Purnima in different regions. The Sharad Purnima of 2024 falls on October 16, and it holds great importance in Hindu traditions, especially in connection with the worship of the Moon God and Lord Vishnu. This festival also commemorates Lord Krishna’s divine dance, the Raas Leela, with Radha and the Gopis by the sacred Yamuna River, marking the day as Raas Purnima in some places. Sharad Purnima holds both religious and spiritual significance, and it also plays a key role in promoting health and well-being. For instance, people prepare kheer and place it under the moonlight, allowing it to absorb the moon’s healing energies. This practice highlights the connection between tradition and physical wellness.

Let’s dive into the date, time, rituals, and significance of Sharad Purnima 2024.

Sharad Purnima 2024: Date and Time:

The date and time of Sharad Purnima are crucial for performing the rituals. The festival falls on October 16, 2024, and the full moon or Purnima tithi begins and ends as follows:

On this night, devotees stay awake to observe the moon, perform rituals, and absorb the spiritual energy of the full moon. On this night, the moon shines with all its healing properties, making it an auspicious time for performing various religious activities. Therefore, many people take part in these spiritual practices to harness the moon’s beneficial energy.

Sharad Purnima 2024: Significance:

Sharad Purnima is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and astrological beliefs. This Purnima, also known as Ashwina Purnima, occurs during the Hindu month of Ashwina and marks the arrival of Sharad Ritu, the autumn season. The festival holds immense spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Krishna, the Moon God, and Lord Vishnu.

Significance of Moon Worship:

In Hindu astrology, the Moon represents emotions, feelings, and the mother. Worshiping the Moon on Sharad Purnima calms both the emotional and mental state, bringing a sense of peace. Moreover, the serene energy of the full moon is said to balance emotions and soothe the mind. Therefore, many people embrace this practice to achieve inner tranquility. On this night, the moon’s light is believed to carry special healing powers. Therefore, it becomes the ideal moment for engaging in spiritual activities and rituals.

Devotees believe that offering prayers to the Moon on this auspicious day can bring peace, well-being, and prosperity. People believe the rays of the full moon possess divine healing properties. In fact, these rays can help alleviate various health issues, particularly those affecting the skin, respiratory, and immune systems.

Ritual of Keeping Kheer Under Moonlight:

One of the most important rituals performed on Sharad Purnima is preparing kheer (a sweet rice pudding) and placing it under the moonlight. This tradition has both spiritual and health-related significance.

Why is Kheer Kept Under Moonlight?

According to Hindu beliefs, the moon on Sharad Purnima night radiates a unique energy that can infuse food, particularly kheer, with healing properties. The practice of keeping kheer under the full moon is said to enhance its medicinal qualities. Devotees consume this kheer the following morning, believing that it can cure various ailments such as:

• Skin problems
• Cough and cold
• Allergies and asthma

When the kheer absorbs the moon’s energy, it gains powerful healing properties, which, in turn, promote good health and well-being.

Sharad Purnima as Raas Purnima:

In some parts of India, particularly in Vrindavan and Mathura, Sharad Purnima is celebrated as Raas Purnima to commemorate the divine dance or Raas Leela of Lord Krishna with Radha and the Gopis (milkmaids). Krishna performed the Raas with his devotees on the banks of the Yamuna River under the full moon, an event that many believe took place during this sacred moment.

Devotees flock to these regions during Sharad Purnima to reenact and celebrate this mystical event. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the Yamuna River, believing that it cleanses their sins and brings them closer to the divine.

Sharad Purnima 2024: Puja Rituals

The rituals performed during Sharad Purnima are essential to invoke the blessings of the Moon God and Lord Vishnu. The day begins with a spiritual cleansing, followed by offerings and prayers. Here is a step-by-step guide to the puja rituals on this auspicious day:

1. Morning Bath and Preparations-

Devotees start their day by waking up early and taking a holy bath. Cleansing oneself is believed to purify the body and soul, preparing for the day’s rituals.

2. Clean the Home and Puja Room-

Cleaning the house and the puja room is another essential ritual. A clean environment is symbolic of purity and positivity, which invites divine blessings.

3. Performing the Satyanarayan Vrat-

The Satyanarayan Vrat is a popular ritual observed on Sharad Purnima. Devotees can perform this puja anytime during the day. There is no fixed time for this vrat, but most prefer to do it during the evening.

4. Setting Up the Puja-

• Place a wooden plank in the puja area.
• On this plank, set up an idol of Lord Satyanarayan and a Shree Yantra, symbolizing Goddess Lakshmi.
• Light a diya (lamp) using desi ghee in front of the idols to represent divine light and energy.

5. Offerings-

Devotees offer flowers, fruits, tulsi leaves, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee), and bhog prasad to the deities. These offerings symbolize devotion, purity, and gratitude.

6. Reciting the Satyanarayan Katha-

Devotees recite the Satyanarayan Katha, a sacred story narrating the glory of Lord Satyanarayan, followed by performing aarti (devotional songs) to seek blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity.

7. Breaking the Fast-

After completing the puja, devotees can break their fast by consuming the prasad (blessed food) and kheer prepared earlier.

Astrological Importance of Sharad Purnima:

Sharad Purnima holds special importance in Hindu astrology. The full moon night in the month of Ashwina balances both the body and mind as the moon’s rays gently influence them. Moreover, this lunar phase is believed to restore inner harmony, promoting a sense of peace and well-being. Worshipping the Moon during this time helps devotees gain control over their emotions, and as a result, they experience spiritual upliftment.

In some beliefs, it is said that the moon on this night shines with the nectar of immortality. By observing fasts and performing the required rituals, devotees can absorb this divine energy, which promotes health, longevity, and mental peace.

Conclusion:

Sharad Purnima is not only a festival of devotion and spirituality but also a celebration of nature’s healing energies. The rituals of offering prayers to the Moon, keeping kheer under moonlight, and performing the Satyanarayan Vrat are integral to the day’s significance. Whether it is to seek divine blessings for health or to commemorate Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela, Sharad Purnima connects devotees with their spiritual roots. As you prepare to celebrate Sharad Purnima 2024, make sure to embrace the healing energies of the moon and the blessings of the deities to enrich your spiritual journey.