Sharad Poornima 2024: Know about Its Significance, Rituals and Muhurat!

Being an enthusiastic follower of Hindu mythology, you must have come across the festival, Sharad Poornima. But what is so special about Sharad Poornima 2024? Sharad Poornima marks the end of the monsoon season and falls on the full moon day of the month Ashwin (as per the Hindu calendar). This year, we celebrate Sharad Poornima on 16th October 2024. One unique aspect of this festival is its relationship with Lord Krishna.

So, let us join the festivities and enjoy the magic of the full moon together. But before that, let us look into the date, muhurat and the Moon rise timings! Happy Sharad Purnima!

Sharad Purnima Date: 16th October 2024, Wednesday
Sharad Purnima Tithi Begins: 08:40 PM (16th October 2024)
Sharad Purnima Tithi Ends: 04:55 PM (17th October 2024)
Moon Rise on Sharad Purnima Date: 05:05 PM

What is Sharad Purnima?

Also known as ‘Kumara Poornima’, ‘Kojagiri Poornima’, and ‘Raas Poornima’, Sharad Poornima is one of the significant Hindu festivals. It falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month, Ashwin. But do you know one interesting fact that makes this festival apart from the others? It is the only day when we get to see all 16 virtues or kalas. And Lord Krishna was believed to be born with all of these 16 kalas or virtues.

Also, people believe that on Sharad Poornima, Lord Krishna played his flute and danced with the beautiful gopis under the moonlight. In some parts of India, especially in places with a lot of farms and harvests, Sharad Purnima marks the end of the monsoon season and the start of the harvest season.

Importance of Sharad Purnima

After knowing the meaning of Sharad Poornima 2024, let us hop onto the significance and explore the importance of Sharad Poornima in Hindu mythology. It is believed that there is something magical about the moon’s rays on Sharad Poornima. People leave a bowl of Kheer under the moonlight. Later on, this Kheer is distributed as ‘prasad’ the very next day.

Let us share with you another interesting fact about this festival. Folks, do you know why this harvest festival is also known as ‘Kojagiri festival’? Or why do people stay awake during the Sard Poonam? If you are not familiar with this, then give us a minute to explain. The word ‘Kojagiri’ has been derived from the Bengali language, which means ‘who is awake’. So, as per mythological beliefs, Goddess Lakshmi only blesses those who stay awake during the night of the Sharad Poornima date. It is believed that such people achieve financial abundance and prosperity in their lives.

Legends Behind Sharad Purnima

Aren’t you interested in knowing the mystery behind why people associate the name of Lord Krishna and Radha with this festival? Or why do people perform Sharad Purnima Lakshmi puja? Let us take you back to the time when there used to be a popular ruler called Dhananjeya. Unfortunately, his kingdom was dealing with a financial crisis. Seeing the pain and misery of people due to poverty, he decided to do something.

So, on the advice of his chief priest, he observed a fast on the day of Sharad Purnima Moon to seek the blessings of the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Maa Lakshmi. Since he stayed awake the whole night, Chandra Dev blessed his kingdom Magadha to live a happy and disease-free life. On the other hand, Goddess Lakshmi gifted his kingdom with wealth and prosperity. Since then, people have worshipped Goddess Lakshmi and Moon to get a happy and prosperous life.

Now another legend mentions the very famous Raasleela of Lord Krishna with Radha Rani and his gopis. It is believed that on the day of Sharad Purnima 2024, hearing the flute of Lord Krishna, all the Gopis used to sneak out of their houses and perform Raasleela with Lord Krishna in the forest of Vrindavan. And this is why the people of Vrindavan call Sharad Purnima ‘Raas Purnima’.

Rituals followed in Sharad Purnima 2024

After knowing the importance of Sharad Purnima 2024, now you must be wondering what to do with Sharad Purnima. Don’t worry; we have got you covered. One by one, we will uncover all the famous rituals observed on this auspicious day.

No Hindu festival ritual can be started without purification and rejuvenation of the body. This is why people bathe in the Brahma Muhurta on the day of the Sharad Purnima Moon.
After the purification, it is time to offer prayers to the Goddess Lakshmi. People offer lotus flowers, fruits, sweets and light diya and seek blessings from the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, aka Lakshmi Maa.
As per the rituals, people observe the fast during the whole day. However, some people keep the ‘Nirjala’ vrat where they do not even drink water in the fast.
The next ritual is to seek the blessings of Chandra Dev, aka the Moon, in the evening. The process goes with offering white things to him, such as white flowers, rice, sugar and rice. This process is known as ‘Naivedyam’, which means offering food to the god.
The ritual ends with the Sharad Poornima Kheer when people keep it in a silver vessel under the moonlight. And the very next day, this Kheer is distributed as a part of Prasad.

Also Read: Margashirsha Purnima 2024: Significance, Rituals And Vrat Katha

Well, that’s a wrap on the Sharad Poornima 2024 festival with its rich history, significance and rituals. Now you know why this festival is treated as one of the most important in Hindu mythology. We hope that Goddess Lakshmi blesses you with abundant blessings this Shard Purnima date. If you want to learn more about Hindu festivals, then visit the official website of InstaAstro or even get the app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Sharad Purnima good for marriage?

Yes, Sharad Poornima is good for marriage. As per mythological beliefs, if an unmarried woman keeps a fast on Sharad Purnima, then chances are that she will get a suitable groom. On the other hand, married women also observe fast on this day for a happy and peaceful marriage.

2. What happens to the moon on Sharad Purnima 2024?

It is believed that on the full moon of the Ashwin month, aka Sharad Purnima, the Moon shines brightly with all of its 16 virtues or kalas. Not only this, but the rays of the Moon contain healing powers that are enough to heal the individual spiritually and physically.

3. Why is Sharad Purnima celebrated?

The festival of Sharad Purnima holds a special significance in Hindu mythology. It falls on the full Moon day of Ashwini month (as per the Hindu lunar calendar) and marks the end of the monsoon. However, some people believe that Sharad Purnima is the birthday of the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, aka Goddess Lakhsmi. This is why people seek the blessings of her to gain financial abundance.

4. What to eat during Sharad purnima?

Usually, people obverse fast on the day of the Sharad Purnima, but they also eat Kheer as a part of the Sharad Purnima ritual. Some people keep the Sharad Purnima Kheer under the moonlight and then distribute it as Prasad the very next day.

5. Are there any benefits of Sharad Purnima Moon?

Yes, there are several benefits of Sharad Purnima Moon. One of the most significant benefits is that it blesses an individual with healing powers both physically and spiritually. Moreover, people suffering from diseases such as asthma are said to be benefitted from this day.

6. What colour to wear on Sharad Purnima?

People usually wear the colour white on the day of Sharad Purnima. This is because the Moon associates with the colour white, and it is auspicious to wear white as it signifies the brightness of the Moon.

Also Read: Kartik Purnima 2024: The Full Moon Of Blessings And Joy!

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