This year, the last lunar eclipse of the year is going to occur on Sharad Purnima. It is believed that bathing in Ganga and charity have special significance on the day of full moon, but on the day of Sharad Purnima, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is also worshipped.
Sharad Purnima Moonlight Ritual
According to the Hindu calendar, the full moon falling in the month of Ashwin is known as Sharad Purnima. It is believed that on the day of Sharad Purnima the Moon is closest to the Earth. On this day the moon is full of its sixteen phases.
Also, this time the lunar eclipse is also going to occur on Saturday, October 28, which will be visible in India. According to belief, on this day there is rain of nectar due to the rays emanating from the moon. Therefore, on this day, kheer is offered to the moon.
Then that offering is kept under the open sky, so that moonlight can fall on the offering and life can become nectar.
Sharad Purnima Auspicious time
This time the Purnima Tithi will start at 4:17 am on Saturday, October 28 and will end at 1:53 pm on Sunday, October 29. This year Sharad Purnima is falling on 28th October only.
When to make kheer on Sharad Purnima
Making kheer on the night of Sharad Purnima is considered very auspicious. According to astrologers, prepare kheer before the Sutak period of the eclipse begins. On this day, before the start of Sutak, add basil leaves to the kheer. You can keep this kheer in the moon bowl before the lunar eclipse starts.
But keep in mind that remove the kheer from there before the eclipse starts. Before the lunar eclipse i.e. during the Sutak period, if you keep the kheer in the moonlight, then keep in mind that you should make only so much of the kheer that it will be finished before the eclipse starts.
Chandra Grahan 2023 Timings in India
- Lunar eclipse visible on the night of October 28-29, 2023.
- Eclipse begin at 11:32 pm on October 28.
- Eclipse night ends at 2:24 am on October 29, lasting for 1 hour and 19 minute.
- Eclipse stages:
Beginning: 1:05 am.
Middle: 1:44 am.
End: 2:40 am. - Sutak period starts at 4:05 pm on October 28.
- Eclipse occurs in the Aries and Ashwini Nakshatra.
What is the significance of Sharad Purnima
Sharad Purnima is a special day in Hinduism. It’s also called Kojagari Purnima and Kaumudi Vrat in some places. People believe that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi, who brings wealth and happiness, appeared during a story about the ocean.
So, when people worship her on this day, they hope to have more happiness and prosperity in their lives. Also, on Sharad Purnima, the moon is very bright with all its sixteen phases, and it’s said that its light brings something like nectar from the sky. This is why people also worship the Moon God on this day.
How to worship on Sharad Purnima?
- On the day of Sharad Purnima, wake up early in the morning and go to a holy river and take bath. If it is not possible to take a river bath, then you can take bath by adding Ganga water to plain water.
- After this, go to the home temple and light the lamp and if possible, also observe a fast.
- During the puja, offer Gandha, Akshat, Tambul, lamp, flowers, incense, betel nut and Dakshina to the Lord.
- After this, make kheer made from cow’s milk at night and offer it to God at midnight.
- Keep a vessel full of kheer in moonlight at night and eat it the next day.
- Apart from this, distribute this kheer as Prasad.
Conclusion: Sharad Purnima, an important Hindu festival, involves special rituals to seek blessings. People worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, prepare sweet kheer, and bathe in sacred rivers. These traditions are a way to celebrate the full moon brightness and its association with well-being and happiness.