Wed Oct 16 02:02:51 UTC 2024: ## Sharad Purnima: A Celebration of Harvest, Prosperity, and Divine Blessings

**New Delhi, India:** Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagiri Purnima or Ashwina Purnima, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in the autumn season. Marking the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October), it symbolizes the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the harvest season.

This year, Sharad Purnima falls on **Thursday, October 17, 2024**. The full moon period (Purnima Tithi) begins on October 16th at 8:40 PM and ends on October 17th at 4:55 PM.

The festival holds immense cultural, religious, and spiritual importance, as it is believed to be a night when the moon showers its healing nectar upon the Earth. Devotees observe a day-long fast and worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Vishnu.

**Central Rituals:**

* **Kheer:** A sweet dish made of milk and rice is traditionally kept outside under the moonlight overnight, believing the moon’s rays imbue it with divine properties. The kheer is then distributed as prasad (holy offering) the next day.
* **Staying Awake:** Tradition dictates that staying awake on Sharad Purnima is auspicious. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi visits homes where people are awake, blessing them with wealth and prosperity. Families often gather for devotional songs, storytelling, and community prayers.
* **Moonlight Bath and Healing Rituals:** Some devotees believe that bathing in the moonlight can heal various ailments, seeing it as a way to balance the body’s energies. Special prayers for health and long life are offered.

**Regional Significance:**

* **Braj Region:** In the Braj region, Sharad Purnima is linked to Lord Krishna’s divine Raasa Lila (dance with the Gopis). Devotees recreate the Raasa Lila through dance dramas and processions.
* **Bengali Community:** Bengalis perform Lokhi Pujo (Lakshmi Puja) on Kojagiri Purnima, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.

**Sharad Purnima is a celebration of nature, divine blessings, and prosperity. It brings families together in devotion, strengthens bonds, and fosters a sense of gratitude for the blessings received from the Earth and the divine.**

**Stay tuned to Zee News for more updates on Sharad Purnima and other important events in India and around the world.**

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