Sharad Purnima 2023: Date, Significance, Rituals and Mantra
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.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the magic of Sharad Purnima. Book a pandit through SmartPuja today and ensure that this day is filled with divine blessings and abundance for you and your loved ones.
Date for Sharad Purnima 2023
Muhurat And Date For sharad purnima 2023:
- Sharad 2023 date or kojagiri purnima 2023 date – Saturday, October 28, 2023
- Beginning of Sharad Poonam 2023 tithi- Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 04:17 PM
- End of Sharad Purnima 2023 date or tithi- Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 01:53 AM
- Moonrise time on Ashwin Purnima 2023- 05:53 PM
Sharad Purnima Dates From 2024 To 2030
| Year | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Thursday | 17th October |
| 2025 | Tuesday | 7th October |
| 2026 | Monday | 26th October |
| 2027 | Friday | 15th October |
| 2028 | Tuesday | 3rd October |
| 2029 | Monday | 22nd October |
| 2030 | Friday | 11th October |
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.
Sharad Purnima 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.
Sharad Purnima Vrat Katha
Among many legends for Sharad Purnima, sharad poonam, or kojagiri purnima mentioned in Hindu mythology includes a narrative of a villager and his three daughters who always observed vrat or fast on full moon days. But, his youngest daughter used to observe Vrat for half a day. The daughter’s son passed away because of her sins. She then approached her elder sister to relieve her from pain and to get comfort. Once her elder sister touched the boy’s body, he started crying, making the younger sister exclaim that her son was brought to life by the elder sister’s devotion. She and many individuals realized the importance of kojagari laxmi puja 2023 purnima time since then.
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 Mantra
A few of the mantras chanted on sharad purnima are the following:
Om Hreem Shree Kreem Kreem Shree Lakshmi Mam Grihe Dhan Purye,
Dhan Purye, Chintaye Durye Durye Swaha
Om Shree Kli Mahalakshmi Mahalakshmi Ehyehi Sarv Saubhagyam Dehi Mei Swaha
Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamle Kamalaye Praseed Praseed Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmi Namah
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
Sharad Purnima is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin, which usually falls in October or November. It is also known as Kojagiri Purnima or Kaumudi Purnima.
Sharad Purnima is believed to be the night when the moon shines with its fullest brightness, and its rays have healing properties. It is also believed to be the night when the Hindu god Krishna performed the rasa-lila dance with his beloved Radha and the gopis.
Sharad Purnima is celebrated by observing a fast and staying awake throughout the night. Devotees offer prayers to the moon and perform rituals such as puja, kirtan, and bhajan. Some people also consume kheer, a sweet rice pudding made with milk, on this day.
Staying awake on Sharad Purnima is believed to bring blessings and good fortune. It is said that the moon’s rays on this night have healing properties, and staying awake and meditating under the moonlight can help in spiritual growth and well-being.
Consuming kheer on Sharad Purnima is believed to bring good health and prosperity. It is said that the moon’s rays on this night have a cooling effect on the body, and consuming kheer, a cold dessert, can help balance the body temperature.
The rasa-lila dance, performed by Krishna, his beloved Radha, and the gopis, symbolises divine love and devotion. Performing the rasa-lila dance on Sharad Purnima can help strengthen the bond between the devotee and the divine.
Apart from fasting, staying awake, and performing puja, kirtan, and bhajan, some other rituals associated with Sharad Purnima include offering milk and white flowers to the moon, lighting diyas, and drawing rangolis.
It is considered to be an auspicious day in Hinduism, and its spiritual significance lies in the fact that it marks the beginning of the festive season. Observing the rituals and traditions associated with Sharad Purnima is believed to help attain spiritual growth, inner peace, and well-being.
Yes, Sharad Purnima is celebrated all over India, but it is more prevalent in the northern and western parts of the country.
Yes, white is the traditional colour associated with Sharad Purnima. Devotees usually wear white clothes and offer white flowers and milk to the moon on this day.
Since the moon comes closest to our planet on Sharad Purnima, sharad purnima significance is due to its extreme energy on this night. The day is believed to be health-giving and healing because of moonlight’s curative power, making the moon considerably significant on Sharad Purnima.
Sharad Purnima is often called Kojagiri Purnima, Devotees perform kojagori lokkhi puja, and this day is known for the complete power of the moon. It is observed in Sharad month, or Autumn season when Hindu devotees believe that the moon has full energy and showers life’s elixir or Amrit on our planet.
As per Hinduism, moon rays have nourishing and healing properties on sharad purnima, and keeping foods, such as Kheer, under moonlight overnight on sharad purnima in 2023 and every year gives health benefits due to its healing properties.
Sharad Purnima is marked and celebrated as Goddess Mahalakshmi’s birth; fasting on this purnima in october 2023 and every year is believed to get health and blessing of the Goddess due to sharad purnima scientific reason.
