Paush Purnima
Paush Purnima is
also one of significant day for Hindus that falls on the ‘purnima’ (full moon
day) in the month of Paush in the Hindu calendar. On this day thousands of
devotees perform the ceremonious bath in the sacred Ganga and Yamuna rivers. In
the Gregorian calendar, Paush Purnima is observed in the months of
December-January. On the occasion of Paush Purnima, at the Prayag Sangam (the
confluence of Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) Hindu devotees from far and
wide come to take a holy dip. It is believed that such an act will relieve all
the sins, even those from previous births and even grant ‘moksha’ or salvation.
Besides Prayag, the other prime pilgrimage places are Nasik, Allahabad and
Ujjain.
Paush
Purnima is celebrated with great zeal all across India and on this day special
rituals are held in Hindu temples in different parts of the country. In some
places, Paush Purnima is also celebrated as ‘Shakambari Jayanti’ and on this
day Goddess Shakambari (an avatar of Goddess Durga) is worshipped with utmost
devotion. The 9-day long Shakambari Navratri festival also ends with Paush
Purnima. The people in Chhattisgarh celebrate the ‘Charta’ festival on this
day. It is an important harvest festival observed by tribal communities with
great fervour and zeal.
Significance of Paush Purnima:
Paush Purnima holds immense religious significance
for Hinduism followers. This day is important as it marks the end of the
winters and also the beginning of the ritualistic bath of the month of ‘Magh’.
Paush Purnima also has special importance as it falls during the period of the
renowned ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’. Hindus believe that by performing the Paush Purnima
Snan on this auspicious day they will be able to get rid of all their sins and
also achieve fulfilment of their wishes. Such baths are taken in important
pilgrimage places of Hindus. With the advent of Paush Purnima, the ritualistic
Magh Snan also begins. Devotees who observe the sacred Paush Purnima use it as
an opportunity to end all their inner darkness.
Rituals during Paush Purnima:
- Bathing
is the foremost ritual on the day of Paush Purnima. Devotees get up very
early and take bath in the sacred rivers at the time of sunrise. They
offer ‘argya’ to the rising sun and also perform some other religious
practices.
- After
the snan, devotees worship ‘Shiv lingam’ with water and spend some time in
sadhna there.
- Devotees
also keep the ‘Satyanarayana’ vratam on this day and worship Lord Vishnu
with full devotion. They also keep a fast and recite the ‘Satyanarayana’
katha. Special prasad is prepared to offer to the lord. An ‘aarti’ is done
at the end after which the prasadam is distributed amongst all. On the day
of Paush Purnima, special ‘Pushyabhishek Yatra’ is observed in temples of
Lord Krishna all over India. Lectures on Ramayana and Bhagwad Gita are
also organised on this day.
- Doing
charity on Paush Purnima is also very auspicious. It is believed that
charity done on this day is fructified easily. Free meals are served to
the needy in temples and ashrams as a part of ‘anna daan’.
2017 Date : 12th January,Thursday.
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