Sharad Purnima

 

• The first full moon day of the month of Ashwin is known as Sharad Purnima.
• It is also referred to as Rasa Purnima or Sharath Purnima.
• It is also observed as the birthday of Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth.
• It is also referred to as Kaumudi Festival, Kaumudi meaning moonlight.
• It is also believed that on this day as the moon and the earth are very close to each other, the moon's rays have certain healing properties of nourishing the body and the soul.
• It is a harvest festival and is celebrated throughout the country, particularly by the people of  Maharashtra India. The eldest child of the family is also honored on this day.
• In Gujarat people celebrate it by doing Garba and Raas.
• The Bengali people call it Lokkhi Pujo and arrange several bhog and upachar for mother goddess Lakshmi.
• Sharad Purnima is known as Kumar Purnima or Lakshmi Puja in Odisha, an eastern state of India.
• This autumn festival is one of the most popular and important festivals in Odisha. There is no ritual for the God, instead the Sun and the Moon are worshiped. 

Things to do :

• Early in the morning, girls after their purificatory bath wear new garments and make food offerings to the sun.
• They observe fast on this day.
• In the evening when the moon rises they again make food offerings of a special variety and take it after the rituals are over.
• It is a festival of rejoicing for the girls. All of them sing and dance. The songs are of a special nature. 

It is considered that the moon and Earth are at a closer distance on Sharad Purnima night due to this the rays of the moon have several curative properties. It is believed that keeping food under the moonlight nourishes the body and soul.

2024 Date:  October 16