Significance of Sharad Purnima, Story, and Rituals

The full moon of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashwin is also called Ashwin Purnima or Sharad Purnima. Sharad Purnima is also known by two names Kojagiri Purnima and Rasa Purnima. This full moon marks the arrival of autumn. In the tradition of Hinduism, there has been a religious and mythological tradition of celebrating the full moon festival of Ashwin month with gaiety. Unique miraculous power is believed to be contained in this full moon. It is believed that this is the day when the moon with its sixteen phases showers nectar on the earth. On the day of Ashwin Purnima, there is a law to worship the Moon, Goddess Lakshmi, and Vishnu. Also, on the night of this fast, Kheer is made and kept under the open sky. Then after twelve o'clock, the prasad of that kheer is taken. It is believed that this kheer contains nectar and it has the power to cure many diseases. It is believed that on this day, the light of the moon has medicinal properties which have the power to cure many diseases.

Sharad Purnima 2024 Date

Kojagiri Purnima Wednesday, October 16, 2024, is the harvest festival also known as Sharad Purnima or Kumar Purnima.

Significance of Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima has special significance in Hinduism. It is believed that by observing this full moon fast, all the wishes are fulfilled. On Sharad Purnima, the moon comes very close to the earth, due to which the beauty of the moon increases even more. The rays of the moon coming out at night on Sharad Purnima are very beneficial. On this day Mahalakshmi blesses her devotees. On this auspicious day, devotees observe Sharad Purnima fast and worship Goddess Lakshmi, the god of prosperity and wealth. The full date of Shukla is not an ordinary day. The moonlight is brightest on this day.

Sharad Purnima Story

According to the legend, a moneylender lived with his family in a town. He had two daughters. Both of them were very religious. Both his daughters used to observe the full moon fast. But the eldest daughter used to observe a complete fast and the younger daughter used to observe an incomplete fast. Time passed, and the moneylender got his two daughters married. Over time, the elder daughter gave birth to a healthy child, but the younger daughter would die whenever the child was born. When this happened, again and again, she became very sad. Once a moneylender took his younger daughter to a pandit and told him everything. Then the pandit said whenever his daughter fasted for Purnima, she always left it incomplete. As a result of which his daughter dies as soon as her child is born. By observing the fast of Purnima properly, his child can survive.

On the advice of the pundits, he kept the fast of Sharad Purnima methodically. After some time a boy was born in his house but soon he died. He put the child on a bandage and covered it with a cloth. Then she brought the elder sister and gave her the same bandage to sit on. When the elder sister started sitting on the bandage, the child started crying as soon as she touched it with her ghagra. Seeing this, the elder sister got angry and told the younger sister that she had put the child to sleep on this leash and asked her to sit on the same leash. If something happened to the child, it would be a stigma. Then the younger sister said that it was already dead. It came alive by touching it with his cloak. It is only because of his luck that he has come alive because he has always completed the full moon fast with full rituals. After this, all the townspeople should observe Sharad Purnima fast.

Sharad Purnima Rituals 

• On the day of Sharad Purnima, one gets up early in the morning and takes a bath in the holy river, pond, or lake.
  
  

• On this day prayers are offered by visiting the nearby temple or at home and the idols of Lord Shri Krishna, and Goddess Lakshmi are dressed in beautiful clothes, and ornaments. Worship is done by offering invocation, posture, clothes, Akshat, flowers, incense, betel nut, Dakshina, etc.
  
  

• Kheer made from cow's milk is prepared by adding a little ghee and sugar. Kheer is offered to God on this full moon night.
  
  

• Water is filled in a copper vessel, rice is placed on a plate made of wheat grains and leaves in a glass and this vessel is worshipped. The story of Sharad Purnima is heard and God's blessings are sought.
  
  

• When the moon is in the middle of the sky and shining with its full moonlight, Lord Chandra is worshiped and Kheer is offered.
  
  

• It is considered healthy to consume Kheer on this day and distribute it among others.
  
  

• Then worshiping Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Kartikeya is considered very auspicious.
   

Conclusion
 

Sharad Purnima has great importance in Hinduism. Talk to Astrologer to know about how to worship Sharad Purnima.