Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagari Purnima, is a major Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Ashwin month (September/October) as per the traditional Hindu lunar calendar. This year, Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Sharad Purnima holds great significance in Hinduism and is celebrated with much fervour all across India and Nepal. On this auspicious day, people observe fasts, perform puja, take sacred baths, worship Lakshmi-Vishnu, and celebrate with traditional dances and folk songs. The moon is believed to shine with its unparalleled brightness on this day, hence the name 'Sharad Purnima'.
Read on to know everything about Sharad Purnima's 2023 date, Shubh Muhurat, puja rituals, the fascinating story and legend behind this festival, and why it is celebrated.
When is Sharad Purnima in 2023?
Sharad Purnima in 2023 will be celebrated on Saturday, October 28th. It is a Hindu festival celebrating the full moon day in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Ashvin, which corresponds to September-October in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is known by other names such as Kojagiri Purnima, Kaumudi Purnima, and Maha Purnima.
It marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvesting season in India. On this day, people stay up late at night to offer prayers to the moon goddess. It is considered an auspicious day to break fasts and perform pujas. Devotional songs and dance in praise of the moon are common on this night. Sharad Purnima is one of the most popular and important full moon days in the Hindu calendar.
Sharad Purnima 2023 Date, Time & Shubh Muhurat
As per the Hindu lunisolar calendar, Sharad Purnima falls on the full moon day of Ashwin month (September/October). This year, it will be celebrated on:
Sharad Purnima Significance & Story Behind Celebration
Several legends and stories are associated with Sharad Purnima, as per Hindu scriptures and folklore. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi was born on the full moon night of Ashwin month during the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan). Hence, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Vishnu, is worshipped on Sharad Purnima day.
- According to a legend, on this day, the Moon God narrated the story of Lord Rama to Maharishi Valmiki, which inspired him to write the epic Ramayana. This day also marks the end of Lord Rama's 14 years exile and his return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
- Another folk tale states that the Moon was once cursed by his father-in-law Daksha, to wane daily as punishment for neglecting his 27 wives (the 27 daughters of Daksha). On Sharad Purnima, the Moon and his wives reunite, which is why the moon shines brightly on this day.
- Unmarried women observe fasts and perform the Solah Shringar (16 adornments) ritual on Sharad Purnima to get a good husband, just like Goddess Lakshmi, who was born on this day.
Thus, Sharad Purnima is celebrated to commemorate the divine events associated with the Moon God, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Vishnu. It is a harvest festival that also marks the last day of the Ashwin month.
Sharad Purnima Puja Rituals & Prayers
Here are the key rituals associated with Sharad Purnima celebrations:
- Waking up early and taking a ritual bath, preferably in holy rivers like Ganga.
- Observing a fast for the whole day Usually, a fruit and milk-based fast is kept.
- Doing Lakshmi-Vishnu puja during the auspicious Muhurat of the Purnima tithi. The puja should include dhupa/agarbatti, flowers, prasad offerings, chanting shlokas, and aarti.
- Chanting sacred mantras and hymns of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. Popular chants include Vishnu Sahasranamam, Purusha Suktam, and Sri Suktam.
- Lighting earthen oil lamps, called Kojagari lamps, and placing them on balconies and terraces to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
- Staying up at night, singing folk songs, dancing, and worshipping the glowing full moon.
- Making food offerings and distributing prasad, especially sweet rice porridge (kheer) made with rice, milk, and sugar.
- Performing Solah Shringar, in which women adorn themselves with 16 items of makeup and jewellery. Vermilion, bindi, bangles, toe rings, mirrors, and kajal are common Shringar items.
In addition, giving charity and donating food/clothes to the needy is highly recommended on this day. Some devotees also observe jagran (all-night vigil) and listen to bhajans, katha, and pravachan on Sharad Purnima.
Celebrations & Festivities Across India
Sharad Purnima is known by various names and is celebrated uniquely across different states of India:
- In Maharashtra, it is called Kojagari Purnima. Women place Kojagari lamps on thresholds and sing traditional Kojagari folk songs through the night.
- In Gujarat, Sharad Purnima is the last day of the dance festival called Navaratri. The folk dance garba continues all night on Purnima.
- In Odisha, boats & rafts carrying idols of Goddess Laxmi are floated in rivers and lakes. The day is known as Kumar Purnima.
- In Kashmir, Sharad Purnima is called Poshi Purnima. The harvest festival involving new rice and walnuts is celebrated on this full moon night.
- In Bengal, kheer and pheni (cottage cheese fritters) are distributed as bhog. Women also wear white saris and do Solah Shringar.
- In Manipur, Sharad Purnima marks the beginning of a three-day dance and feast called Ras Leela which re-enacts the divine love story of Radha-Krishna.
- In parts of Bihar & Eastern Uttar Pradesh, the day is celebrated as Raas Purnima with the Raas Leela dance drama.
To sum up, Sharad Purnima has pan-India significance with a variety of delightful rituals, pujas, folklore, dances, music, and celebrations associated with it. The harvest moon and its radiant beams are worshipped on this auspicious full moon night.
Why is Sharad Purnima Celebrated?
Here are the main reasons why Sharad Purnima holds such significance in Hinduism and Indian culture:
- It was on this full moon night (Purnima) of Ashwin month (Sharad in Hindi) that Goddess Lakshmi incarnated during the Samudra Manthan, as per Hindu mythology. Hence, it is believed to be Goddess Lakshmi's birthday, which calls for grand celebrations.
- As per folklore, Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, returned to Ayodhya on this day after 14 years of exile. Their homecoming is celebrated on Sharad Purnima.
- The day also commemorates the Moon God being reunited with his wives, the 27 Nakshatras. The Moon fasts and performs pujas for his wives all day and shines brightly at night.
- Sharad Purnima marks the end of the harvesting season. On this full moon night, farmers and agriculturists express gratitude to God for a bountiful crop and the ending of monsoons.
- It is believed that any virtuous activity started on the auspicious Sharad Purnima will lead to everlasting success and prosperity.
- Unmarried women keep fasts and perform Solah Shringar to get blessed by Goddess Lakshmi with a good husband and happy married life, just like hers with Lord Vishnu.
- The day fosters community bonding and traditional culture. People come together on this Purnima night to sing folk songs, dance, and engage in merriment.
In essence, Sharad Purnima celebrations revolve around a good harvest, the moon's radiance, Goddess Lakshmi's grace, and the upholding of rich cultural traditions of music, dance, and art. Observing fasts and pujas on this day is considered extremely auspicious within Hinduism.
Why is Kheer made on Sharad Purnima?
Some of the main reasons behind this tradition are:
- Religious significance: Sharad Purnima is important among the Hindu festivals, and is celebrated as a form of worship of Lord Krishna. Kheer is considered one of the favorite food of Lord Krishna, hence people prepare it.
- Gift: It is traditional to send Kheer as a favorite offering to God on Sharad Purnima. People offer it in puja and then distribute it as Prasad.
- Social Unity: The process of making and distributing kheer reveals the feeling of unity and partnership in the society. It is a symbol of friendship and cooperation in the society.
Therefore, making and distributing kheer on Sharad Purnima is an important and cultural habit which is important from religious, social, and traditional point of view.
Conclusion
Sharad Purnima has a deep spiritual, cultural, and mythological significance in Hinduism. The festival is celebrated all across India with different regional names like Kojagari Purnima, Kumar Purnima, Kashi Sharadotsav, etc.
On this full moon night, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu are revered through elaborate pujas, rituals, charity, fasting, vigil, folklore narration, and sacred community gatherings. The bright harvest moon represents prosperity, and its rays epitomise the divine nectar of immortality, as per Hindu beliefs. Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Sharad Purnima 2023! May this auspicious full moon night bring you health, wealth, and eternal bliss.
FAQs
When is Sharad Purnima 2023 this year?
Sharad Purnima in 2023 will take place on October 28th. This Purnima is celebrated in the month of autumn according to the Hindu calendar and is also called Raas Purnima. On this day, Lord Krishna is worshiped and Kheer Prasad is made.
Why is Sharad Purnima celebrated?
Sharad Purnima is considered a festival to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. On this day, especially the fasting method of devotion to Shri Krishna is followed and he is worshipped. This day is celebrated as the great occasion of the appearance of God.
Why is Kheer made on Sharad Purnima?
There is an ancient traditional reason for making kheer on the day of Sharad Purnima which holds religious and cultural significance. Kheer is a type of sweet which contains a mixture of rice, milk, and sugar.
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