Sharad Purnima 2024: Check Date and Auspicious Timing for October’s Full Moon Festival
This year’s Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagari Purnima or the Harvest Moon, falls on October 16, 2024 and marks the end of the monsoon season, symbolizing prosperity and divine blessings.
Sharad Purnima, one of the most significant Hindu festivals, will be celebrated on October 16, 2024, across India. Also known as Kojagari Purnima or the Harvest Moon, it marks the full moon night of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin (September-October), bringing the monsoon season to a close and signaling the beginning of the harvest period.
Date and Time
- • Purnima Tithi Begins: 8:40 PM on October 16, 2024
- • Purnima Tithi Ends: 4:55 PM on October 17, 2024
- • Moonrise: 5:13 PM on October 16, 2024
This year’s full moon, which falls on October 16, will be visible starting from 8:40 PM, with the Purnima Tithi ending at 4:55 PM on October 17, 2024. The festival is widely celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and other regions of India, each offering their unique take on the festivities.
The Significance of Sharad Purnima
Sharad Purnima is steeped in the belief that the moon on this night shines with its fullest glory, radiating all sixteen kalas (phases) of the moon, representing completeness, health, and prosperity. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Lord Krishna are worshipped on this night, with devotees praying for abundance and good fortune.
The full moon’s energy is thought to be especially potent on Sharad Purnima. In traditional Hindu households, it is believed that this energy can rejuvenate both the body and mind, promoting health and vitality. The moonlight on this night is said to possess healing powers, which aligns with cultural practices that emphasize the lunar cycle’s influence on human health and behavior.
Rituals and Practices of Sharad Purnima
On this auspicious night, several rituals are performed by devotees:
• Kheer Preparation: A special dish of kheer (rice pudding) is prepared and placed under the moonlight, allowing it to absorb the moon’s beneficial properties. This kheer is then consumed by family members the following day, as it is believed to bring health benefits.
• Goddess Lakshmi Worship: Devotees pray to Goddess Lakshmi, seeking blessings for wealth, prosperity, and success. Many also observe a fast, known as Kojagari Vrat, and stay awake throughout the night in her honor.
• Community Gatherings: Sharad Purnima is a time of communal bonding, with families and neighbors coming together for celebrations. Homes are decorated with colorful rangolis, and food offerings are made to the deities.
• Moonlit Festivities: In several parts of India, it is customary to stay up all night, enjoying the cool and soothing moonlight, while engaging in bhajans (devotional songs) and cultural programs.
Regional Celebrations
Sharad Purnima takes on regional variations in its celebrations:
• In Maharashtra and Gujarat, the festival is also known as Kojagari Purnima, and the focus is on welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into the home. People keep vigil throughout the night, as it is believed the goddess visits households to bestow her blessings on those who remain awake.
• In Odisha, the festival is celebrated as Kumar Purnima, where young girls pray to Lord Kartikeya for a good husband and prosperity in life.
Across all regions, Sharad Purnima carries the common theme of celebrating the moon’s significance and seeking divine blessings for the coming year.
Cultural Significance of the Full Moon
The significance of the full moon is not unique to Sharad Purnima. Many cultures around the world celebrate full moons as times of spiritual or personal renewal:
• In Buddhism, the full moon is honored with the celebration of Vesak, where devotees light lanterns and engage in meditative practices.
• In other cultures, the full moon is associated with fertility, renewal and the harvest cycle, symbolizing the completion of a natural phase.
Modern Celebrations
With growing awareness of environmental sustainability and health, modern interpretations of Sharad Purnima involve eco-friendly practices. People are now adopting organic materials for decorations and rituals and community events often include discussions on health and wellness, reflecting the holistic spirit of the festival.
This Sharad Purnima, as the monsoon clouds clear and the harvest season begins, the festival will once again bring people together to celebrate the bounty of nature, the blessings of the divine and the power of community.