Vat Purnima 2024: Date, Muhurat and Puja Rituals

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Jyeshtha Purnima will be celebrated on Friday, June 21, 2024, is an important date in the Hindu calendar, celebrated with diverse rituals and traditions.

This full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha is imbued with profound spiritual significance and is commemorated through a variety of traditional activities that emphasize devotion, purification, and the welfare of the community.

Jyeshtha Purnima 2024 Date and Timings:

This auspicious day is celebrated by married Hindu women who regard Goddess Savitri as their role model. It honors marital devotion and purity, with women praying for a harmonious marriage and the longevity of their spouses.

Jyeshtha Purnima Rituals

• Observing a Fast (Vrat): Devotees observe a fast from dawn to dusk, with some choosing to eat only fruits and drink water, while others may not consume any food or water at all. Fasting is considered a practice that cleanses both body and mind, contributing to spiritual development and self-discipline. It represents a commitment to self-restraint and adherence to sacred values.
• Puja and Worship: Special pujas honor Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, involving mantra chanting, devotional singing, and sacred text readings. Jyeshtha Purnima worship seeks their blessings for prosperity, health, and safety. As the universe's preserver and wealth's deity, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi's divine grace is sought.
• Offering Prasadam: Devotees make and present prasad (holy food) to the gods, and then share it with family and the wider community. The act of distributing prasad represents the sharing of divine grace and fosters a feeling of togetherness and communal harmony.
• Charitable Acts and Dana (Donation): Charitable deeds are central to the celebration of Jyeshtha Purnima. On this day, devotees give food, clothing, and money to those in need and partake in feeding the impoverished. Such acts of charity are thought to bring merit and purify one from past transgressions, embodying the Hindu ethos of Dharma, which highlights kindness and altruism.
• Bathing in Sacred Rivers: Immersing oneself in sacred rivers such as the Ganges or Yamuna at dawn is a widespread ritual. It's believed that this holy bath cleanses both the soul and body, erasing sins and rejuvenating the spirit.
• Vat Purnima Vrat: In Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat, a unique tradition is observed where married women wrap threads around a banyan tree and conduct a puja. They do this to pray for their husbands' long life and prosperity, drawing inspiration from the mythological story of Savitri and Satyavan, which epitomizes the ideals of marital loyalty and commitment.

Regional Variations and Unique Practices

While the core essence of Jyeshtha Purnima remains consistent, different regions in India have unique customs associated with this day. For instance:

• In Maharashtra: The Vat Purnima Vrat is a distinct tradition where the banyan tree symbolizes stability and longevity, reflecting regional variations in the worship practices.
• In North India: Devotees often organize group kirtans (devotional singing) and community feasts, emphasizing collective worship and joy.