Sharad Poornima – The beginning of Autumn

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Sharad Poornima – The beginning of Autumn

by Mantra & shlokas on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 4:13pm

Sharad Poornima is celebrated on the full moon night in the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu calendar (22nd October 2010). It is celebrated in various parts of India in various forms, and heralds the beginning of the autumn harvest season. Some of the rituals and festivals associated with Sharad Poornima are:

MahaRaas – Krishna entrances the Gopis

• Maha-Raas in Vrindaavan and various parts of Gujarat – a day and night of great celebration for followers of the bhakti cult who worship the twin dieties of Radha-Krishna on this occasion. Lord Krishna is said to have spiritually liberated “uncountable” number of Gopis or Raasikas on this day by giving them the gift of the supreme (-maha) form of bhakti or raas. The occasion is celebrated with daandiyaa raas and garba dances performed by devotees through the night on this occasion as they worship Lord Krishna.

• “Ko Jaagriti” Poornima in Maharashtra, Bengal and Orissa. According to legend, Goddess Lakshmi visits her devotees on this night to test who is truly dedicated to her – and she asks the question – ko jaagriti – who is awake – and blesses those that she finds awake! In order to remain awake to receive the Goddess, her devotees stay up all night and play games like chess so that they don’t miss out on Lakshmi when she comes to their homes.

• The full moon on the occasion of Sharad Poornima is said to have great healing and health-giving powers. A traditional way of receiving these powers is to cook an offering of some flat-rice in milk, add some dry-fruits (almonds, raisins etc.) and then expose this kheer to the rays of the moon. The moon is said to provide special spiritual energy on this night to those who eat this offering as prasad.
• The autumn full moon inspires many outdoors festivals of arts – poetry, folk theatre, dance and music throughout India. Of course, the patron Goddess of all arts, Goddess Saraswati is also worshipped at this time.
• Listen to Saraswati Mantra – Om Shreem Bhreem Saraswatyei Namah – ओम श्रीम भ्रीम सरस्वत्ये नम:

Do you have any special traditions to celebrate Sharad Poornima? Please share with us in the comments section. Namaste!