Sharad Purnima, one of the most significant Hindu festivals, will be celebrated on October 16, 2024, under the full moon of the Ashvin month. Also known as Sharad Poonam, Raas Purnima, or Ashwin Purnima, this festival marks the arrival of autumn and is celebrated with great devotion across India. It holds immense spiritual and cultural importance, symbolizing prosperity, divine grace, and cosmic harmony.
Date and Time for Sharad Purnima 2024
According to the Drik Panchang, Sharad Purnima 2024 will begin at 8:40 PM on October 16 and conclude at 4:55 PM on October 17. The moonrise is expected at 5:05 PM on October 16, offering a mesmerizing sight as the moon shines in its full glory.
The Spiritual Importance of Sharad Purnima
Sharad Purnima is considered the only day of the year when, according to Vedic astrology, the moon shines with all sixteen Kalas (qualities), symbolizing completeness and perfection. In Hindu tradition, these Kalas represent an ideal human personality, with Lord Krishna believed to be born with all sixteen, while Lord Ram possessed twelve. This makes the festival spiritually significant, as the moon is thought to radiate amrit (divine nectar), providing its healing and divine properties to the earth.
On this auspicious night, the moon’s rays are believed to have profound effects on both the physical body and the soul. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and the Moon God (Chandra) to receive blessings of good fortune. Many people observe fasts, offer prayers, and engage in rituals to harness the energy of the full moon.
The Rituals of Sharad Purnima
A key tradition of Sharad Purnima is preparing kheer (a sweet rice dish), which is left under the moonlight to absorb its divine rays. It is believed that this practice enhances the healing properties of the dish, making it highly beneficial for the body and mind. Devotees place the kheer in an open area to be blessed by the moon, and it is consumed and distributed as prasad (holy offering) the next morning. This ritual is said to bring health, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment.
In many parts of India, this night is also celebrated as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, where devotees stay awake to worship Goddess Lakshmi, believing that she descends to earth to bless those who are awake and engaged in devotion.
Cultural and Cosmic Significance
Sharad Purnima is more than just a religious observance; it is a celebration of the cosmic rhythm of the universe. The full moon symbolizes completeness and marks the transition to cooler months, with the festival often associated with love, healing, and the divine play of Raas Leela. According to legends, Lord Krishna performed the Raas Leela with the Gopis (female devotees) on this night, signifying the divine connection between the earthly and the spiritual.
This full moon festival is celebrated across India with various local traditions, all of which highlight the festival’s message of harmony, well-being, and divine grace. It is a night filled with hope, healing, and spiritual rejuvenation, offering devotees the chance to connect with the celestial and absorb the moon’s positive energies.
Summing Up
Sharad Purnima 2024 is not just a festival marking the brilliance of the full moon but a spiritual event that embodies the divine energy and blessings of the cosmos. As devotees fast, offer prayers, and prepare kheer under the moonlight, they celebrate the abundance, prosperity, and healing that Sharad Purnima promises. With its deep connection to Hindu mythology, this auspicious day serves as a reminder of the ever-present grace of the divine, shining brightly upon those who embrace it.