Sharad Purnima 2024: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Importance, and the Tradition of Kheer

Sharad Purnima is one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar which falls on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Ashwin. This day marks the transition from monsoon to winter and holds deep spiritual, cultural significance. Celebrated with devotion, it is also a time when people remain fast, offer prayers to the Moon God, and enjoys the celestial beauty of the moon.

Let’s learn more about this auspicious day through this quick article.

Here are the details of the timings:

One of the most important customs associated with Sharad Poornima is the preparation of kheer (a sweet dish made from milk and rice). According to religious beliefs, the moon on this night is said to have all its 16 phases, and its rays shower divine nectar (amrit) onto the Earth. It is believed that these rays have medicinal properties, which can provide both spiritual and physical healing and benefits.

It’s important to note that Panchak will remain active throughout the day on Sharad Purnima in 2024, making it a special occasion for devotees.

If you want to know the importance of deity worship in Hindu traditions, consider reading this article.

This full moon night is considered spiritually beneficial, with the moonlight carrying divine energy. It is believed that the moon’s rays on Sharad Purnima contain amrit or nectar, which blesses the Earth and its inhabitants with health and prosperity. Many people use this night to meditate and connect with the divine.

Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi on this night, believing that she blesses those who stay awake and pray. Goddess Lakshmi is said to roam the Earth during Sharad Purnima, granting her divine blessings to those who seek them.

Sharad Purnima is also associated with Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela, a divine dance that he performed with the Gopis on this full moon night in Vrindavan. This event signifies the deep devotion and love that the Gopis had for Krishna and is celebrated with great reverence, especially in Vrindavan and other parts of northern India.

According to Ayurveda, the moonlight on Sharad Purnima is said to have cooling and healing properties. The tradition of placing kheer under the moonlight comes from the belief that the moon’s rays infuse the food with medicinal qualities that help in balancing the body’s doshas (humors) and promote overall well-being.

By consuming the moonlit kheer the next morning, people believe they can benefit from these health-enhancing qualities, which help improve digestion, boost immunity, and promote mental clarity.