Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima: Celebrating the Harvest Moon Festival

Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagari Purnima, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashwin (usually in September or October). This festival is significant for its association with the harvest season, the moon, and the worship of the goddess Lakshmi. Sharad Purnima marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the autumn harvest. Here’s an overview of the festival:

1. Observing the Harvest Moon:

• Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the night of the brightest and fullest moon of the year, known as the “Harvest Moon.” This moon is believed to be especially beautiful and auspicious.

2. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi:

• On this day, many devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that she visits homes and blesses those who keep their houses clean and well-lit.

3. Traditional Food:

• A special sweet dish called “Kheer” or “Khichdi” is prepared from newly harvested rice and offered to the moon as prasad (blessed food). This dish is left under the moonlight for the entire night, absorbing its radiance.

4. Moonlight Observance:

• Devotees stay awake throughout the night, spending time outdoors to bask in the moonlight’s blessings. They believe that the moonlight has healing and nourishing properties.

5. Folklore and Cultural Activities:

• In some regions, folk songs, dances, and cultural programs are organized to celebrate the harvest season and the beauty of the moon.

6. Religious Significance:

• Sharad Purnima is also associated with Lord Krishna’s divine Ras Leela, a dance performed by Krishna and the gopis (cowherd girls) on this night. Devotees remember this legendary dance and celebrate it with devotional songs and stories.

7. Prayers for Blessings:

• Many devotees offer prayers and perform aarti (lamp-waving ceremony) in the evening to seek blessings for wealth, prosperity, and overall well-being.

8. Fasting and Charity:

• Some people observe a fast on Sharad Purnima and break it only after moonrise. They donate food and essentials to the less fortunate as an act of charity.

9. Cultural Diversity:

• Sharad Purnima is celebrated with regional variations across India. In West Bengal, it is known as Kojagari Purnima and involves the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. In some states, it is celebrated as a harvest festival with an emphasis on fresh produce.

Sharad Purnima is a beautiful and auspicious festival that brings together elements of nature, culture, and spirituality. It marks the transition from the rainy season to the autumn harvest, and it’s a time when people express gratitude for the bounties of nature and seek the blessings of wealth and prosperity from the divine.