Sharad Purnima is often considered a harvest festival. It falls in the autumn season when the fields are laden with ripe crops. Farmers see this as a time to celebrate the abundance and offer their gratitude to the deities for a bountiful harvest.
On Sharad Purnima, the moon and the nine planets align, and the moon's proximity to Earth results in a gravitational pull. This is believed to aid in the rapid digestion of water-rich food consumed at midnight. Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagari Purnima is the day to worship Goddess Mahalakshmi. We pay our respect to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. During the tradition of Kojagari Laxmi puja, special offerings are made to Goddess Lakshmi and the Nine Planets to seek blessings and good fortune for all family members.
Sharad Purnima is known as Sharad Poonam in Gujarat. It is known as Raas Purnima in the Braj region. In some parts Sharad Purnima is called Kojagara Purnima and here Kojagara Vrat or Kaumudi Vrat is observed for the entire day.
The occasion is significant because it is considered to be the only day when the moon shines with all 16 kalas or characteristics connected with a human personality. Thus, the importance of Kojagiri Purnima stands out brightly.
Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. Even though Lakshmi is worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside with anyone who is disinclined to work and wish Her only as wealth. A night vigil is observed in Her honor. As per folklore a King was once in deep financial crisis and was going through difficult times. His queen observed a fast and Jagran / night vigil and worshiped goddess Laxmi. Pleased by this devotion, the Goddess blessed them with wealth and prosperity.
When is Sharad Purnima | Sharad Purnima 2024: Date, Time, Tithi & Muhurat
Sharada Purnima on Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Moonrise on Sharad Purnima Day - 05:13 PM
Purnima Tithi Begins - 08:40 PM on Oct 16, 2024
Purnima Tithi Ends - 04:55 PM on Oct 17, 2024
Kojagiri or Sharad Purnima Decorations
The celebrations begin in the early hours of the morning. Girls dress in new outfits and offer food to the Sun as part of their ritual. Using rice flour paste, they clean and decorate the courtyard, creating intricate Alpana or rangoli patterns on the walls and floor. The gods of the region or Kul Devta are brought into the courtyard and worshipped.
Jagran
On the night of Sharad Purnima, Jagran is auspicious for spiritual awakening. It is believed that persons who are awake on this purnima night and take part in the jagrans or any other religious activities are blessed by Goddess Laxmi and Lord Indra with wealth and prosperity.
Laxmi Puja Vidhi
Sharad Purnima is a very auspicious day worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, when followers perform Lakshmi Puja in hopes to receive her blessings for health, riches, and happiness.
It starts by making a Kalash in front of Maa Lakshmi's idol or image.
You will need to fill a copper Kalash with water to do this.
Tie a read string around the pot's neck to make it seem festive.
Then, draw a swastika pattern on the pot with Kumkum.
After that, recite a mantra for Maa Lakshmi and conduct Aarti in addition to the offerings you've made.
Usually devotees offer Kheer (Rice Pudding), Makhana (Fox Nut), and Paan (Betel Leaves) to the Gods. On this propitious day of Sharad Purnima, the kheer (a sweet dessert consisting of rice and milk) is cooked in the courtyard to be bathed in the beams of Moon Light.
On the night of Kojagiri Purnima, worship Goddess Mahalakshmi along with Indra the God of Nature, Rains, Thunder & Storms.
Shodashopachara Puja is also performed.
After fasting for the whole day, puja at night is carried out with the lighting of 108 lamps or candles, incense sticks and offering of flowers.
Bhog of kheer made of makhana and milk is a must to appease Goddess Laxmi. Kheer is prepared and kept under moonlight for the whole night and eaten in morning, on the next day as Prasad.
Sharad Purnima Mantra
Nishithe varda lakshmih ko jagartiti bhashini
Jagati bhramate tasyam lokcheshtavalokini
Tasme vitam prayachachami yo jagarti mahitle
Worshipping a Lakshmi Ganesha Yantra on this auspicious day will assist you in bringing success and riches into your life. The practice of chanting mantras and stotras devoted to Goddess Lakshmi is considered to be extremely beneficial.
This puja is done with a great deal of pomp in Maharashtra.
Kheer Prasad Under the Moonlight
A beautiful custom that is deeply rooted in the celebration of Sharad Purnima is to leave kheer (rice pudding) out overnight under the moonlight. People believe that the Moon and Earth will be close together on this lucky night. They also believe that the full moon can give out a special kind of energy that can heal and feed both the body and mind. Some wise people think that the moonlight on this night is like honey, so it is thought to have many health benefits for both the body and the soul.
Devotees make kheer with items like milk, sugar, and rice, and then they set it out in the open sky so that it can be lit up by the moon all night. In addition to being a traditional way to cook, this is also a holy spiritual act because the moonlight is thought to bring health, wealth, and good energy to the kheer. The next day, the kheer is given as Prasad to family, friends, and neighbors. This represents the spreading of divine gifts, unity, and gratitude.
This rite has a lot of meaning because it emphasizes the link to cosmic forces and the food that the world gives. People consume the holy nectar, which is thought to wake up both the body and the spirit, by letting the moon's energy flow into the kheer. It also shows the spirit of plenty and society, encouraging people to share their good fortune. Making kheer under the moonlight is a holy rite that reminds people to be thankful for the gifts that nature gives them and promotes health, happiness, and mental well-being.
Sharad Purnima Kheer's Health Benefits
It is believed that as milk is discharged, lactic acid levels rise, encouraging beneficial bacteria to proliferate. When these elements are exposed to moonlight, they respond. The majority of the moon's beams are absorbed by this element. Furthermore, the starch in rice facilitates this process. It prepares an ingredient that lowers various kinds of illnesses in our bodies. It is also very helpful for our bodies. This is why, from ancient times, sages and sages have requested to eat kheer under the moonlight on this day. Aside from that, Kheer includes rice, which is high in starch and has many health advantages. It lowers inflammation, boosts intestinal health, and boosts general health. Because this meal is high in nutrients, it is preserved as heavenly nectar. This Kheer is also believed to be helpful for people with asthma.
Scientific Basis
There's also a scientific reason to celebrate Sharad Purnima. On the night of Sharad Purnima, the moon is extremely near to the Earth. As a result, special healing waves contained in the moon's light fall straight on the earth. By leaving food out into the open, the moon's rays fall straight on them. As a result, unique nutrients are discovered in meals that are beneficial to human health.
Chandra & Navgraha Worship
Worship of Chandra and Navgraha is an important part of the Sharad Purnima rituals. People think that praying to Goddess Chandra on this night will bring her benefits for mental health, wealth, and peace in the home. On this lucky day, women who are newlyweds often start their year-long Purnimasi fasting to pray for a happy and safe marriage. Also, doing Navgraha Puja is suggested because it helps, please all nine heavenly gods, balancing their energies and reducing any bad effects in your horoscope to bring you peace, wealth, and luck.
Installing A Shree Yantra
Sri yantra or Shree Yantra is the personification of Goddess Lakshmi Herself and is one of the most ancient, pure and powerful Yantras. It is a mystical diagram instrument related geographically to the five elements of nature. It is an apparatus to attain siddhi and fulfill one's desires and ambitions. Shri yantras are prepared by Vamtantra with colors obtained from Ashthagandha, Keshar and Gorochan and other mystic Herbs on auspicious times to give the full benefit. To get it fully energized, Shri yantra is prepared at a particularly auspicious time on Ashwin purnima night when the maximum power from a particular planet is generated. Once fully energized with utmost skill and sincerity, Yantras help ward off evil effects of planets, spirits or one's adversaries.
Indra & Nature Worship
During Sharad Purnima, we honor Indra and nature worship as a way to show gratitude for the celestial powers that keep life going. On this sacred night, people honor Lord Indra, who rules the sky and is the god of rain, and ask for his help in getting timely rain, good crops, and general wealth. When the moon is full, it shines brightly, representing nature's balance and beauty. This makes people want to bond with nature and value its gifts. By doing these things, Sharad Purnima turns into a celebration of how people, nature, and God can live together in peace.
Kojagiri or Sharad Purnima Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Procedure)
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Devotees follow the Kojagiri or Sharad Purnima Vrat Vidhi with reverence in order to receive divine benefits. Devotees get up early on this blessed day, take a traditional bath, and put on clean clothes to get ready for prayer. There are different ways to observe the fast. Some followers follow a strict nirjala vrat and don't eat or drink anything all day, while others may only eat fruits and milk and stay away from grains. People pray to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Chandra (the Moon) in particular, asking for their help with wealth, health, and happiness.
People who believe in Goddess Lakshmi decorate a sacred altar with flowers and put a statue or picture of her there along with a kalash (a water vessel) in the evening. They light a candle, burn incense, and give flowers, rice, and sweets. People pray to the Moon with love and offer things like water, flowers, and kheer as gifts. People think that the moon's healing energy will bless the kheer if it is made and left out in the moonlight overnight.
The next morning, devotees break their fast by eating the holy kheer. People think that if they follow this vrat with reverence, they will be blessed with wealth, their wishes come true, and Goddess Lakshmi and the Moon will bless them.
Sharad Purnima Story (Poonam) Vrat Katha
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Once there was a moneylender in a village who had two daughters. Both sisters used to observe fast on Purnima. However, both had different views on fasting. The elder sister was very pious and religious and used to observe Sharad Purnima fast with full devotion. She used to break her fast after giving Arghya to God Moon in the evening and never used to break her fast without completing it. On the other hand, the younger sister was never very keen in observing the fast but used to observe it for namesake. She used to break her fast without completing it.
When they grew up, both sisters were married. The elder sister gave birth to healthy children. But the younger sister had no children. All her babies died as soon as they were born. The younger sister was very depressed and to find a remedy for her sorrows she visited a saint and shared her misfortune. The saint understood the reason for her sorrows and misfortune and told her that she had been observing Purnima fasts without interest and devotion, which brought misfortune to herself. The saint advised her that if she observes the fast with full devotion and dedication her misfortunes would be reversed by the grace of God Moon.
The younger sister realized her mistake and observed the next Sharad Purnima fast with full devotion and rituals. After her penance and ritualistic fasting on Purnima, she gave birth to a child but unfortunately, this child too died immediately after birth.
The younger sister knew that her elder sister had the blessing of Lord Moon, and she might have the power to make her child alive again. Hence, the younger sister planned and laid down the dead body of her child on a small bed and covered it with a cloth. She then called her elder sister to her home and offered to sit on the same bed on which the dead body of the baby was lying. As the elder sister was about to sit on the bed, her clothes touched the dead baby, and the baby came back to life and started crying. The elder sister was surprised and scolded her younger sister for being so careless. The younger sister then told her elder sister that the baby had died at birth and the baby came to life again by her elder sister's touch. This effect was none other than due the grace of God Moon and the power of Purnima Vrat.
Since that day, the tradition of observing the fast on Sharad Purnima started. Gradually, the Sharad Purnima fast became popular, and people started observing it with full rituals.
Astrological Significance of Sharad Purnima
Performing Kojagiri/ Sharad Purnima puja and daan helps everyone and reduces the malefic effects of Brahaspati and Chandra to a great extent. Persons going under mahadasa (main period) or antardardasa (sub-period) of Jupiter and Moon can benefit by carrying out this puja and daan, altogether.
Sharad Purnima History
It is believed that during Sharad Purnima, the moon comes out with all the sixteen kalas. Each kala of the moon represents a human quality, and only by achieving all the sixteen kalas, can a person be complete. It is believed that only lord Krishna had all sixteen kala. Shri Ram had twelve kala. In Brij, Sharad Purnima is celebrated as Raas Purnima. According to Hindu mythology, on the night of Raas Purnima, Shri Krishma performed Maha-Raas – the dance of divine love. It is believed that on this night, hearing Lord Krishna's flute, the Gopis left their homes and families to dance throughout the night with the Lord.
Donation Or Charity on Sharad Purnima
Daan/donation is the most significant aspect of human life in which even after giving away his most precious possessions he finds blissful solace. Daan is meant to propitiate sins committed knowingly or unknowingly in this life or earlier lives. Daan is fruitful only when you give your precious possessions unhesitatingly and without expectation of any return. Daan is meritorious and virtuous when you give it secretly. Pure daan earns pure punnya. Only your earned virtues get carried to the next Life. You earn what you sow, nothing more nothing less. Earn more virtue by giving away your best to the needy.
Food items:
Rice, wheat, and other grains.
Fruits and vegetables.
Cooked meals to the needy and hungry.
Doodh Daan (Milk Donation):
Doodh Daan is glorified as Mahadaan. Doodh Daan is believed to attract positivity and prosperity. In Vedic astrology, Doodh Daan or milk donation is done to pacify Planet Moon and also Planet Jupiter. Donating Milk on Sharad Purnima is considered highly auspicious.
Book Milk Donation (Doodh Daan)
Chandra Shanti Pack (Chandra Graha Donation):
This Chandra Shanti pack is for the propitiation of Moon. Donate this Chandra Shanti Pack to receive the blessings on Sharad Purnima.
Products associated with Sharad Purnima
Chandra Moon Grah Puja Mantra Japa & Yagya
Performing Chandra (Moon) Grah Puja, Mantra Japa, and Yagya on Sharad Purnima is considered highly auspicious, as it strengthens the beneficial influence of the Moon and helps balance emotions, promoting peace, prosperity, and mental well-being. These sacred rituals are believed to align individuals with the moon's positive energy, ensuring blessings of good health, happiness, and serenity.
Book Chandra Moon Grah Puja Mantra Japa & Yagya
2 Mukhi Rudraksha
Wearing a 2 Mukhi Rudraksha on Sharad Purnima is believed to be especially powerful, as it is closely connected to the energy of the Moon. The 2 Mukhi Rudraksha represents harmony, unity, and emotional balance, aligning with the nurturing qualities of the Moon on this auspicious night.
7 Mukhi Rudraksha
The 7 mukhi Nepal Rudraksha is one of the most sought-after beads as it represents Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wearing 7 Mukhi Rudraksha brings abundance in the life of the wearer.
Mahalakshmi Puja
Mahalakshmi is known for having eight forms which are known as ‘Ashtalakshmi’. All Her eight forms represent eight different facets of Her divine grace. She is associated with prosperity, wealth, riches, fortune and abundance. Worshipping Mahalakshmi on Sharad Purnima is considered highly auspicious.
Navgraha Yantra
Worshipping Navgraha brings profound changes in the devotees' life during Sharad Purnima. Bring home the sacred geometry of Navgraha and allow the blessings to flow in your house.
Shree Siddha Chandra Yantra
Buy Shree Siddha Chandra Yantra
Worshipping the Shree Siddha Chandra Yantra on Sharad Purnima is believed to enhance the Moon’s blessings, promoting mental peace, emotional balance, and prosperity. It channels the positive lunar energy on this auspicious night, supporting spiritual growth and overall well-being.
Sampoorna Mahalaxmi Maha Yantra
Buy Sampoorna Mahalaxmi Maha Yantra
Worshipping the Sampoorna Mahalaxmi Maha Yantra on Sharad Purnima is considered highly auspicious for invoking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, ensuring wealth, abundance, and prosperity.
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