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Sharad Purnima

Importance of Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagiri Purnima, holds special significance in Hindu culture and is celebrated on the full moon night in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October). It is considered one of the most auspicious full moon nights of the year. 

The festival is marked by various traditions and religious beliefs, and its importance stems from several aspects:

Harvest Festival

Sharad Purnima is celebrated at the end of the monsoon and marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time of abundance and prosperity, symbolizing nature’s generosity. Farmers express gratitude for the good harvest and pray for continued fertility of the land.

Worship of Goddess Lakshmi

On Sharad Purnima night, many devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The night is considered highly auspicious for invoking her blessings. People stay awake and chant prayers, believing that the goddess blesses those who remain vigilant and offer their prayers with devotion.

Divine Healing and Moonlight

According to traditional beliefs, the moon on Sharad Purnima is closest to the earth, and its rays have special healing powers. It is believed that moonlight on this night can replenish health, boost energy, and even enhance the nutritional value of food placed under the moonlight, especially milk and rice-based dishes like kheer.

Mythological Significance

  • Lord Krishna and the Gopis: In the Vaishnav tradition, Sharad Purnima is associated with the divine dance, or Raas Leela, performed by Lord Krishna with the Gopis (milkmaids) of Vrindavan. It is believed that on this night, Krishna played his flute and danced with the Gopis under the moonlight, symbolizing the union of the divine with the soul.
  • Legend of Kojagiri: According to another popular legend, Goddess Lakshmi roams the earth on this night, asking “Ko jagrati?” which means “Who is awake?” Those who stay awake are said to receive her blessings of wealth and prosperity. Hence, the night is often referred to as Kojagiri Purnima.

Fasting and Charity

  • Devotees observe fasts on this day, and many also engage in acts of charity. It is believed that giving to the needy on this day brings blessings of prosperity and good fortune. Fasting is seen as a way to purify the body and mind, and align with the divine energy present during this time.

Cultural Celebrations

  • In various parts of India, people celebrate the festival with different regional traditions. Families and communities gather to share meals, especially kheer, and enjoy the beauty of the full moon. Folk songs, dances, and community events are held to celebrate the occasion.

Symbol of Romantic Love

  • Sharad Purnima is also regarded as a night of romantic love, especially in the context of the Raas Leela. The festival symbolizes the joy of love and the divine connection between Lord Krishna and the Gopis, which is often interpreted as a metaphor for the soul’s longing for union with the divine.

In essence, Sharad Purnima celebrates the harmony of nature, spirituality, and devotion. It is a time for gratitude, devotion, and enjoying the blessings of the full moon, which is seen as a source of healing and divine grace.