Margashirsha Purnima 2023: Date, Tithi, Significance and Puja
One of the most important and sacred festivals celebrated in Hinduism is Margashirsha Purnima, also known as Kartik Purnima or Dattatreya Jayanti in some regions of India. According to the Gregorian calendar, this festival falls between November and December and is celebrated on the whole moon night of the Margshirsha month.
Margashirsha Purnima is considered a highly auspicious day and celebrated with great enthusiasm by devotees who seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and wish to purify their souls. Satyanarayan Puja and Rudrabhishek Puja are performed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, which helps seek blessing, prosperity, inner peace, and spiritual growth.
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In this article, we will take you on a fascinating journey into the customs and traditions associated with this significant Hindu festival. Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich culture and spiritual traditions of Margashirsha Purnima!
Margashirsha Purnima Overview
Margashirsha Purnima, a sacred and revered festival of Hinduism, is celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm. This auspicious day is observed on the full moon night of the Margshirsha month and holds significant religious importance for both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva devotees.
It is a day of great sanctity, where Satyanarayan Puja and Rudrabhishek Puja are performed to seek the blessings of the deities and attain blessings, prosperity, inner peace, and spiritual growth. Margashirsha Purnima is believed to purify the soul, and the devotees celebrate it enthusiastically.
Historical Significance of Margashirsha Purnima
Margashirsha Purnima holds an important place in Hindu mythology. On this day, Lord Vishnu is believed to have incarnated as Matsya, the fish avatar, to save the world from destruction. Lord Shiva is also said to have defeated the demon Tripurasura, bringing peace and happiness to the world.
Additionally, farmers in India celebrate this day as a thanksgiving day to honour the Sun god for the bountiful harvest. In contrast, some regions celebrate it as Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birthday of the founder of Sikhism. It is a day of spiritual significance, symbolising the victory of good over evil and seeking blessings for prosperity and growth.
Astronomical Significance of Margashirsha Purnima
Margashirsha Purnima is astronomically significant due to its celebration on Margashirsha month’s full moon day when the moon reaches its exalted condition. Margashirsha month, or margashirsha 2023, is also scripted as Agrahayan, Agahan, or Magsar. As per the Hindu religion, this stage positively and strongly influences the body and mind.
It is also greatly and spiritually revered by people seeking spiritual awakening or enlightenment. Many religious rituals, such as yajnas and pujas, are performed on this day since Margashirsha Purnima is considered extremely auspicious.
Margashirsha Purnima is highly significant astronomically since this day is believed to be advantageous for those embarking on new businesses, ventures, or planning to make important decisions. Initiating endeavours and unique experiences on Margashirsha Purnima is believed to bring great prosperity and success to the devotees.
Margashirsha Purnima 2023 – Date and Tithi
Margshirsha Purnima 2023 Date – 26th December 2023
Tithi begins at 5.46 AM and ends at 6.05 AM.
Margashirsha Purnima 2024 to 2030 – Date
| Year | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sunday | 15th December |
| 2025 | Thursday | 4th December |
| 2026 | Wednesday | 23rd December |
| 2027 | Monday | 13th December |
| 2028 | Friday | 1st December |
| 2029 | Thursday | 20th December |
| 2030 | Monday | 9th December |
Margashirsha Purnima Puja Vidhi
Margshirsha Purnima vidhi, or the puja procedure, may vary depending on the location and rituals. However, the general process followed by every devotee includes the following-
- To perform Margashirsha Purnima Puja, wake up, bathe early, and wear clean clothes.
- Create a puja altar with a picture or idol of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva.
- Gather all the necessary puja samagri, including flowers, incense sticks, fruits, and diyas.
- Begin by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and lighting the diyas and incense while chanting the appropriate mantras for the puja.
- Offer flowers and fruits to the deity and perform the aarti.
- Finally, conclude the puja by distributing prasad to all present.
Margashirsha Purnima Importance
Margashirsha Purnima has special significance according to the Puranas. Taking a holy bath, worshipping Lord Satyanarayana, listening to Satyanarayan Katha, and offering kheer to Goddess Lakshmi is considered auspicious.
- Margashirsha Purnima is associated with Bhagwan Dattatreya’s arrival on earth.
- This day is also considered the birthdate of Annapurna, a form of Mother Goddess Parvati.
- Annapurna is revered as the goddess of food and is worshipped with great reverence by devotees.
- Devotees pray to Dattatreya, Maa Parvati, and their Ishta Devata on this full moon day.
- Donating or doing charity on Margashirsha Purnima is also considered auspicious.
Devotees usually observe long-day fasting on Margashirsha Purnima, from sunrise to moonrise, worshipping the sun and moon with water salutations.
Rituals and Practices on Margashirsha Purnima
Fasting (Purnima Vrat)
Fasting is highly considered and observed on Margashirsha Purnima by young women and people seeking enlightenment.
Why do people fast on this day?
People fast on Margashirsha Purnima to satisfy their desires and longings while also getting their misdeeds forgiven.
Different types of fasts and their significance
Fast or vrat is considered highly beneficial on the margashirsha 2023 calendar. Many women bathe in sacred rivers to get the spouse or partner they wish for, while others observe it to attain moksha.
Lord Vishnu is honoured on Margashirsha Purnima and refrains from eating meals on this day. Devotees often consume only water, milk, and fruits on Margashirsha Purnima and eat prasad after listening to Margashirsha Purnima vrat katha to break the vrat or fast.
Special Prayers And Mantras For Margashirsha Month 2023
Om Namaha Narayanaya
Ya Raktambujavasini Vilasini Chandanshu Tejaswini
Ya Rakta Rudhirambara Harisakhi or Shri Manolhadini
Ya Ratnakaramanthanatpragatita Vishnosvaya Gehini
Sa Maa Patu Manorama Bhagwati Lakshmischa Padmavati
Om shree hreem shreem kamle kamalaye praseed
Shreem hreem shreem om mahalakshmaye namah
Charity (Daan) On Margashirsha Purnima
Donating things or offering daan on Margashirsha Purnima are believed to please Jupiter, Moon, and Saturn. Items to donate on Margashirsha Purnima include the following:
- Silver
- Gold
- Pearl
- Conch
- Curd
- White or black cloth
- Pot of ghee
- Blankets
- Coconut, etc.
Taking A Holy Dip In Rivers And Lakes
As per Hinduism, women find their partner when they take a divine dip on Margashirsha Purnima in river Yamuna, Ganga, Shipra, or Narmada. Ritual showers or dips are performed in sacred streams on Margashirsha Purnima, marking their dedication and devotion to Lord Vishnu.
Lighting of lamps
People lit lamps on Margashirsha Purnima to gain spiritual upliftment, remove obstacles, and satisfy their desires.
Margashirsha Purnima Vrat Significance
Margashirsha Purnima vrat is a significant aspect of Hinduism, as it is believed to bring prosperity, success, and happiness to the observer’s life. An auspicious occasion promotes spiritual growth and purifies one’s soul.
The vrat is associated with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, and the observer can seek blessings from both deities by following fasting rituals and performing puja in the evening. The vrat involves fasting for the entire day and offering food to the poor and needy. It is considered to bring fulfilment of desires and blessings from the deities.
Margashirsha Purnima Vrat Katha
As scripted in Hindu literature, Naradji was very sad and reached Lord Vishnu and stated that he could not see people suffering and seek solutions to benefit them. Lord Vishnu mentioned that people must fast and worship Lord Shri Satyanarayan to achieve salvation and worldly happiness.
Satyanarayan vrat was explained to Narad ji by Lord Vishnu, including the story of sages Kalavati, Lilavati, Vaishya, King Ulkamujhm, poor woodcutter, Gopganas and King Tungadhwaj.
Do’s and Dont’s in Margashirsha Purnima
Do’s
- It is recommended to worship Lord Vishnu on this day by offering flowers, fruits, and sweets.
- Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes as a sign of purity.
- Consider donating food, clothes, and money to the poor and needy, which is considered an act of kindness and generosity.
- Chant Vishnu Sahasranama or other devotional songs or prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- To express devotion and gratitude, perform puja or arati in a temple or home.
Don’ts
- It is recommended to avoid consuming non-vegetarian food and alcohol on this day.
- Refrain from negative thoughts and actions as it can hurt one’s karma.
- Do not argue or fight with anyone; it goes against the festival’s spirit.
- Avoid sleeping during the day, as it is believed to be inauspicious during this festival.
- Do not engage in immoral or unethical activities, as it is believed to bring negative karma.
Margashirsha Purnima Importance In Various Regions Of India
Special temples are dedicated in South India to Lord Dattatreya, and people perform specific rituals in these temples on Margashirsha Purnima. In other regions, Margashirsha Purnima is also called Margashirsha Poonam Udyatithi Purnima, Naraka Purnima, Battissi Purnima, or Korala Purnima.
Book Pandits from SmartPuja For Religious Ceremonies
Margashirsha Purnima holds special significance for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and hence, Satyanarayan Puja and Rudrabhishek Puja are performed to seek blessings, spiritual growth, prosperity, and inner peace.
If you’re also planning for religious ceremonies on Margashirsha Purnima, then SmartPuja will help you. We are a team of 1200+ professionally trained, expert and experienced Vedic pandits who have performed over 40000+ ceremonies and are experts in the genre.
Moreover, pandits booked from our portal will carry all the essential puja samagri required for the ceremony and provide a checklist of the household items needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Margashirsha Purnima is primarily a Hindu festival celebrated in India, Nepal, and other countries with a significant Hindu population.
Fasting on Margshirsha Purnima purifies the soul and brings blessings, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
Yes, anyone can perform Margshirsha Purnima puja at home, but it is advisable to seek guidance from a priest or an experienced person.
Common rituals during Margshirsha Purnima include fasting, performing puja, offering prayers to Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva, donating to the poor, and taking a holy bath.
Margashirsha Purnima is celebrated differently in different parts of India, with variations in puja vidhi, rituals, and customs.
Donating on Margshirsha Purnima is considered auspicious and helps to earn the blessings of the deities and promote goodwill and harmony among people.
The puja can be performed during the daytime, preferably in the morning, and should be completed before sunset.
SmartPuja provides services for booking pandits for various pujas and homas, including Satyanarayan and Rudrabhishek Puja, performed on Margshirsha Purnima.
