Sharad Purnima 2023

Are you aware of the significance of Sharad Purnima? This auspicious day, Raas Purnima or Kojagari Purnima, is one of the most important full moon days in the Hindu calendar. It falls in the month of Ashwin, during the Sharad season, which marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of autumn.

Sharad Purnima day holds great religious and cultural significance for Hindus. It is believed to be the day Lord Krishna performed his divine Raas Leela with Radha and other Gopi’s, a profoundly ingrained story in Hindu mythology. Sharad Purnima is also associated with the harvest festival, and farmers celebrate the abundance of the harvest on this day.

If you want to experience the joy and blessings of this divine day, consider participating in Sharad Purnima celebrations by performing Satyanarayan Puja and Rudrabhishek Puja. You can perform special rituals, offer prayers, and immerse yourself in the festivities. The energy of this day is believed to bring abundance, prosperity, and good health into your life.

At SmartPuja, we understand the importance of Sharad Purnima and offer a hassle-free way to participate in the celebrations. Our platform lets you quickly book a pandit for 400+ unique pujas and homas, e-puja and astrology services. Our expert pandits will guide you through the rituals and help you experience the full blessings of this auspicious day.

Date for Shayad Purnima 2023 

Sharad Purnima 2023 falls on October 28, 2023, on Saturday. 

Significance of Sharad Purnima 

Sharad Purnima, also called Raas Purnima, is an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar that holds great significance for devotees of Lord Krishna, farmers, and astrologers. Here are some of the key reasons why this day is considered important:

Celebration of Lord Krishna

Sharad Purnima marks the divine Raas Leela performed by Lord Krishna with Radha and other gopis, making it a significant occasion for devotees of Lord Krishna, who celebrate with great enthusiasm and devotion.

Auspicious day for Lakshmi Puja

Sharad Purnima is also considered an auspicious day for performing Lakshmi Puja, with the belief that the goddess of wealth and prosperity showers her blessings on this day.

Harvest Festival

Sharad Purnima marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season, making it an essential day for farmers and agricultural communities who offer prayers and thanks to the gods for a good harvest.

Significance in Astrology

According to Hindu astrology, the moon is said to be nearest to the earth on Sharad Purnima, making it a favourable day for spiritual practices, meditation, and seeking blessings.

Overall, Sharad Purnima is a significant occasion in the Hindu calendar, celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. It holds spiritual significance and a connection to the agricultural and natural cycles. Thus, it is an ideal time to seek blessings, perform pujas, and express gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us.

Why is Kheer Placed Under the Moon on Sharad Purnima? 

On the occasion of Sharad Purnima, a traditional Indian dessert called kheer is often prepared and placed under the moonlight for a few hours before consumption. This practice has both cultural and scientific significance.

Cultural Significance

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna performed his divine Raas Leela with Radha and other gopis on Sharad Purnima night. The moon was believed to be shining brightly during this time, radiating cool and healing energy. Placing the kheer under the moonlight absorbs this energy, making it more nourishing and beneficial to consume.

Scientific and Nutritional Significance

Kheer is a nutritious dessert made from milk and rice. Placing it under the moonlight is believed to enhance its nutritional value by making it more easily digestible and beneficial for the body. This is because the moon’s energy is said to have a cooling effect, which can benefit the digestive system.

Rituals of Sharad Purnima 

Here are some of the rituals observed on this day

Fasting and Bhog

• Women traditionally observe a full-day fast and offer Kheer bhog to the Goddess. 
• Some people opt for a strict fast, while others drink coconut water and eat fruits during the day.

Placing Kheer Under the Moonlight

• Worshippers place the kheer under the moonlight throughout the night, believing that the moon’s rays on Sharad Purnima have unique healing properties.
• On the next day, the kheer is distributed among family and friends as Prasad.

Jagran and Spiritual Practices

• During the night of Sharad Purnima, worshippers engage in Jagran and other spiritual practices to seek blessings from Lord Indra and Goddess Lakshmi.
• It is considered beneficial to help the needy with food and daily necessities, as those who support others are believed to receive support from the Gods.

Holy Dip and Worship

• Devotees take a holy dip in the River Ganga and other sacred rivers on the day of Sharad Purnima.
• Afterwards, they engage in meditation and worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

Sharad Purnima Remedies

Apart from the spiritual benefits of the auspicious day, Sharad Purnima also holds astrological significance. Suppose the moon’s placement in your birth chart is favourable. In that case, the individual is advised to sit under the moon on the Sharad Purnima night, as it is believed to have extreme healing powers that remove the evil effects. 

Other remedies of Sharad Purnima include 

• Individuals suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental disorders can get relief from fasting on Sharad Purnima. 
• Offer Arghya (water) along with milk and sugar to the moon. 

• Chant all the 108 different names of the Moon and chant Vishnu Sahastranaam. 
• Wear a Moti on your little finger if you’re suffering from blood pressure or other related problems. 

History of Sharad Purnima 

Sharad Purnima is a Hindu festival that holds significant historical and mythological significance. According to legend, Lord Krishna performed the Raas Lila dance with Radha and other Gopis (cowherd girls) under the full moon’s light on this day. This dance is a pinnacle of Hindu devotional literature and symbolises the divine love between Radha and Krishna.

Another famous story associated with Sharad Purnima is the visit of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, to her devotees. It is believed that she blesses them with good fortune, and people light lamps throughout the night and keep their houses clean to welcome her.

In some regions of India, Sharad Purnima is also known as Kojagiri Purnima. As per popular belief, Goddess Lakshmi moves around the earth on this day, visiting people’s homes to see who is awake and working hard. Therefore, people stay up all night, sing devotional songs, and play games to stay awake and welcome the goddess.

Different Sharad Purnima Celebrations Around the World 

West Bengal

In West Bengal, the whole moon night, known as Sharad Purnima or Kojagori Purnima, is a time for Bengalis to worship Goddess Lakshmi to seek prosperity after the divine victory over evil during Durga Puja. Here are some common rituals and offerings associated with the worship of Ma Lokkhi:

• The revered Ma Lokkhi is worshipped in households with offerings of homemade sweets, flowers, and devotion to her idol.
• Each household decorates the floor from entrance to interiors with alpana. 
• Narkel Nadu, a festive dessert made from fine coconut gratings mixed with milk, sugar,  dry fruits, and ghee, is a special offering to Ma Lokkhi.
• On the evening of Kojagori Purnima, special porridge is cooked in Bengali kitchens.

Orrisa

Sharad Purnima is celebrated in two different ways in the Indian state of Odisha. Some communities worship the Sun and the Moon, while others worship Goddess Lakshmi. In addition, it is also celebrated as Kumar Purnima in honour of Kartikeya, the God of war in Hindu mythology. Here are some of the ways it is celebrated in Odisha:

• Young girls start their day with a cleansing bath and offer various foods to the Sun God.
• They adorn their necks with fresh garlands during the worship ceremony and fast for the entire day. The fast is broken after the moon’s evening worship, and the day’s first meal is consumed.
• To celebrate the occasion, they sing, dance and play a unique game called Puchi.

In Odisha, people commemorate Sharad Purnima as the birthday of Lakshmi. They keep themselves awake throughout the night by playing indoor games like dice. This helps them to rejoice in the festival spirit.

Frequently Asked Questions