Sharad Purnima 2024: Date, Time, and Significance of Ashwina Purnima

Sharad Purnima 2024

Sharad Purnima, also known as Ashwina Purnima, is one of the most revered full moon days in the Hindu calendar. This year Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. This auspicious day is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition and carries spiritual, cultural, and health-related significance.

Sharad Purnima 2024: Date and Time

Sharad Purnima 20254: Significance

Sharad Purnima holds a special place in Hindu beliefs, as it is considered the only day when the moon appears with all sixteen of its Kala(s) or phases. According to Hinduism, human qualities are associated with these Kala(s), and a combination of all sixteen forms the perfect human personality. Lord Krishna, revered as the complete incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born with all sixteen Kala(s), while Lord Rama was born with twelve.

On this day, devotees worship Lord Chandra, the moon god, for his full brilliance and spiritual energy. For newlywed women who have pledged to observe the Purnimasi fasting throughout the year, Sharad Purnima marks the beginning of their fasts. In the state of Gujarat, the day is more popularly referred to as Sharad Poonam.

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Sharad Purnima 20254: Healing Power of the Moon's Rays

It is believed that the moon's rays on Sharad Purnima possess healing properties, capable of nourishing both the body and soul. According to tradition, the moon on this night drips nectar, and to harness this divine energy, families prepare a sweet dish called Rice-Kheer, made with cow’s milk, rice, and sugar. This dish is left under the moonlight throughout the night, allowing it to absorb the moon’s energy. The next morning, the Kheer is consumed as Prasad, believed to be infused with special properties that rejuvenate and fortify the body.

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Sharad Purnima 20254: Sharad Purnima and the Raas Leela

In the Brij region, Sharad Purnima is also celebrated as Raas Purnima, marking the night of Lord Krishna's Maha-Raas, the divine dance of love. According to legend, Lord Krishna played his flute on this night, and the Gopis of Vrindavan, enchanted by the music, left their homes to dance with him. It is believed that Lord Krishna multiplied himself to dance with each Gopi, and he prolonged the night to the length of one night of Lord Brahma, which is equivalent to billions of human years.

This mystical event, celebrated with great devotion, symbolizes the pure love and devotion of the Gopis towards Krishna.

Sharad Purnima is a spiritually enriching day that brings devotees closer to the divine, offering an opportunity to seek blessings, nourishment, and healing. Whether through fasting, worship, or the preparation of sacred foods, this day is observed with great reverence and devotion in various parts of India. As we approach Wednesday, October 16, 2024, devotees will come together to celebrate the luminous energy of the moon and the divine love of Lord Krishna, making it a truly significant occasion in the Hindu calendar.

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