Wed Oct 16 13:01:38 UTC 2024: ## Sharad Purnima: A Day of Prosperity and Moonlit Delights
**New Delhi, October 16, 2024:** Sharad Purnima, the auspicious full moon festival, is being celebrated today across India. This year, the auspicious lunar event falls on October 16th, with the full moon rising at 5:04 pm.
The festival, celebrated on the full moon night of the Ashwin month, holds immense religious significance for Hindus. Devotees observe fasts and offer special prayers to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. A unique tradition associated with this festival is the practice of placing Kheer (sweet rice pudding) under the moonlight.
According to astrological beliefs, the moon is believed to be at its most potent on Sharad Purnima, radiating a special ‘amrit’ (nectar) that brings prosperity and happiness to those who consume the moonlit Kheer.
Pandit Arvind Tripathi, a renowned astrologer, has advised that the most auspicious time for placing Kheer under the moonlight is after 8:40 pm today.
The auspicious time for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi is between 11:42 pm and 12:32 am. However, it is important to avoid performing any rituals during the ‘Bhadra’ period, which extends from 8:40 pm tonight till 6:22 am tomorrow.
The festival is celebrated with great fervour across the country, with devotees performing special rituals and offering prayers to seek blessings for good health, wealth, and happiness.
First Piper 