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.