Sharad Purnima.

Date : 19 Oct 2021

Tithi begins : 1903 hrs on 19 Oct.

Tithi ends    : 2026 hrs on 20 Oct.

Moonrise on Sharad Purnima Day : 1720 hrs.

Sharad Purnima is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. This festival takes place in the month of Ashwin (October). Sharad Purnima's other names are Kumara Purnima, Kojagiri Purnima, Navanna Purnima, Ashwin Purnima or Kaumudi Purnima. The full moon's brightness brings special joy and pleasure to that day. The word "Sharad" refers to the "Sharad Ritu"(season) of the year. In several Indian states, Sharad Purnima is also celebrated as a harvest festival.

Significance

On the day of Sharad Purnima, it is considered very important to worship God Chandra. As per Hindu scriptures, each human quality is connected with a different Kala, the combination of sixteen different Kala produces the ideal human personality. Lord Krishna was said to be born with all the sixteen Kalas.

Sharad Purnimais also referred to as Raas Purnima in the Brij region. On this day, Lord Krishna had performed Maha-Raas or divine love dance. The angelic dance of Lord Krishna with the Gopis of Vrindavan is also said to have lasted one night of Lord Brahma which was equal to billions of human years.  Also, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits the world on the night of Sharad Purnima Hence, on the day of Sharad Purnima, worshippers also worship Goddess Lakshmi and receive her blessings.

Important Rituals

Women traditionally fast for the whole day and prepare bhog to offer to the Goddess. Rice kheer is a must as part of the bhog. Worshippers keep rice kheer out all night in the moonlight as the rays of the moon on Sharad Purnima have unique healing properties. Next day, the kheer is distributed among friends and family as a 'prasad'. The night of Sharad Purnima, one should do satsang, jaap, meditation. On the day of Sharad Purnima, devotees also take a holy dip in the River Ganga and other holy rivers.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. The house had hosted a lot of people :-

* Pushpaakaran, the farmhand, to clean up the house prior to Deepavali. The ceiling fans, lights and other fixtures have regained their gleam.

* Renju, of the PCI, came by to carry out the quarterly services as per the contract signed between me and the PCI.

* Selvam comes by to press the clothes.

* Gardener Ramesh and Appu had come by :-

   - Clip the grass at the courtyard as well as the backyard.

   - Replanted the growing plants whose seeds were sown by Lekha around a fortnight back.

   - Emptied, washed down and reset the wet waste receptacle.

* And of course, Latha, the maid.

A quiet day, otherwise!