Sharad Purnima which is basically a harvest festival marks the end of monsoon season. Celebrated on the full moon day of Hindu lunar month of Ashwin, it is regarded as one of the holiest Purnimas in Hindu Calendar. This year Sharad Purnima is on 5th October, 2017. There are various beliefs associated with Sharad Purnima. It is believed that moon shows all its sixteen kalas and showers amrit on earth. In Hinduism it is believed that all sixteen kalas created a perfect human being. Lord Krishna who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born with all sixteen kalas while Lord Rama had twelve kalas.
It is known by different names in various regions of the country. It is alled Kojagara Purnima, Kumar Purnima and also Raas Purnima and Sharad Poonam. On this day Moon God is worshipped and the celebration is known as Kaumudi. People observe fast known as Kaumudi vrat. In many regions, Goddess Lakshmi along with Lord Indra is worshipped. It is believed that the Goddess of wealth and prosperity was born on Sharad Purnima. People offer prayers to the Goddess along with nine planets and observe fast to seek good fortune and wealth.
Another mythological story related to the festival is that on Sharad Purnima, Lord Krishna performed Maha-Raas also known as dance of divine love. On hearing Krishna's flute, Gopis of Vrindavan sneaked away from their homes to dance whole night with Krishna. He converted the night to one night of Lord Brahma which is equivalent to billions years.
Sharad Purnima Tithi
Sharad Purnima begins on 1:47 on 5th October 2017 and will end on 12.09 on 6th October, 2017. Moonrise on the Purnima will be at 6.20 PM.
Sharad Purnima Puja Vidhi
On Sharad Purnima, rice kheer is prepared and then left overnight under the moon to let its light invigorate the delicacy. In the morning, after taking bath, the kheer is distributed among family members as prasad. Some also give dakshina to Brahmins along with the prasad. In some regions, people observe fast and night vigil to please Goddess Lakshmi. You can worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Indra by lighting diya in ghee and with incense sticks.
In Gujarat, the festival is known as Sharad Poonam. In Brij region, it is called Raas Poornima whereas in Odisha it is celebrated as Kumar Purnima. It is believed the Lord Shiva's son Kartikeya was born on this day, hence, unmarried girls who wish for handsome husband worship the god on this day.
