Sharad Purnima: Know auspicious timings and significance of the festival

Various names adorn this festival, such as Kojagiri Purnima, Kumara Purnima, Navanna Purnima, or Kaumudi Purnima. A delightful tradition during Sharad Purnima involves preparing a sweet dish called Kheer, which is placed under the moonlight. This kheer is consumed the following day, believed to carry special blessings.

This year, Sharad Purnima coincides with a lunar eclipse, necessitating specific timings for rituals, as per Drik Panchang. The Sutak Kaal, a period deemed inauspicious, commences nine hours prior to the eclipse. Therefore, placing kheer under the moonlight should adhere to these specific timings to avoid ill effects.

During Sharad Purnima, worshippers pay homage to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Shiva, Indra (the God of rain), and his elephant Airavata. Devotees fast, sing religious songs and stay awake, seeking blessings and prosperity. Newlyweds embarking on a year-long Purnamasi fasting tradition commence their fast on this auspicious day.

As there will be a partial lunar eclipse on Sharad Purnima, the sutak period will begin at 2:52 p.m. on October 28 and continue till 2:22 a.m. on October 29. The eclipse will prevail from 1:06 a.m. to 02:22 a.m. on October 29, according to Panchang.

Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Chandra Dev (Moon) on this day. As per the rituals, the devotees should take a bath early in the morning and make preparations for the Lakshmi puja. Place an idol of Goddess Lakshmi on a red cloth in the evening. Worship the idols with devotion, recite Lakshmi Stotra, and offer betel leaves to seek blessings. Offer panchamrit (a mixture of milk, honey, curd, sugar and ghee) with tulsi leaves as prasad.

In the evening, in many states married women and girls worship Moon. The married women worship Chandra Dev for a happy marital life while girls seek blessings wishing for a beautiful husband.