We are going to tell our readers everything about the Sharavan Purnima 2023, an auspicious Hindu occasion. Like other Purnimas, it takes place on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan that falls on July-August of the Gregorian calendar. The festival possesses a significant cultural and religious significance in Hindu religion. As a result the Hindus celebrate it with great enthusiasm across India and among Hindus at home and abroad with great enthusiasm and zest. For the sake of our readers and to appease their thirst we are trying our best to elaborate in details everything regarding the Shravan Purnima 2023 and the benefits of observing the auspicious occasion on this day.
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Shravan Purnima is observed as a significant Hindu festival celebrated during the Hindu month of Shravan, which typically falls in the months of July or August of the English calendar. It holds both religious and cultural importance in various parts of India and abroad.
Why is Shravan Purnima Observed?
Multiple reasons are there why Shravan Purnima is observed.
One of the main reasons for observing the Shravan Purnima is the celebration of Raksha Bandhan. On this day, sisters tie a protective thread named "Rakhi" around their brothers' wrists. Tying of this thread called Rakhi symbolizes the love and affection of the sisters towards their brothers. In return, brothers offer gifts to their sisters and promise to protect them so long they live on this mundane world.
The month of Shravan is considered auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Shiva during this particular month, especially on the bright full moon day brings blessings and fulfillment of their respective wishes. Many people observe fasting and visit Shiva temples to worship the Lord on this very day.
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In some regions, the bright day is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna too. Devotees offer prayers, go on singing devotional songs, and keep themselves engaged in various cultural activities to commemorate the graceful occasion.
Shravan Purnima is also replete with many other rituals and customs. Some people take holy dip in rivers, especially in the Ganges. It is told that taking a dip on this particular occasion is highly purifying during this time. The act of taking a holy dip is known as "Snan Yatra." At the same time, people offer prayers to the Moon and go on doing charitable acts on this particular day.
Date and Time of Shravan Purnima 2023
Shravan Purnima 2023 will be observed on Wednesday, 30th August 2023. The Full Moon will be shown on 30th August 2023 at 10:58 AM and it will be on a slanting position on 31st August 2023 at 07:05 PM sharp.
Different Names of Shravan Purnima
Shravan Purnima as we have already discussed, has different names.
1. Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan or “the knot of protection.” On this very day, sisters all over India and abroad tie a sacred thread named rakhi on the wrists of their brothers and brother-like boys residing in their localities. The tying of the knot with a thread means love and protection. The brothers, in turn, vow to protect their sisters from all sorts of evils and troubles looming large in their lives.
2. Narali Purnima: Narali Purnima is also observed in the coastal areas of Maharashtra and Goa. It is known as Shravani Purnima too. On this day, fishermen offer coconuts to the sea god Varuna and seek His blessings for a good catch and safe voyage on a regular basis.
3. Kajari Purnima: It is a grand festival of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh. The Purnima or bright lunar day is known as Kajali Purnima or somewhere as Badi Teej. On this day, women with their sons tie Rakhi on their wrists as a token of their love and protection.
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4. Jandhyam Purnima: It is a great occasion of Odisha. It is also known as Upakarma or Avani Avittam. On this very day, Brahmins change their sacred thread or janeyu that they spread over their left shoulder, and perform an auspicious ritual named Upakarma.
5. Pavitropana: People of Gujarat celebrate the occasion in Gujarat, where they call it Shravani Poornima too. On this day, people go on worshipping Lord Shiva and offer Him sacred thread and water.
Religious Significance of Performing Pujas on the Shravan Purnima 2023
One of the most important rituals that people will perform on Shravan Purnima 2023 is the worship of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is one of the most revered deities in Hindu religion, and people worship Him in various forms across the country. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of all types of evils. Moreover, opting for the worshipping of Lord Shiva is associated with qualities of higher plane such as purity, somber knowledge, and meditation or self introspection. The worship of Lord Shiva on the very day has several other religious significances too.
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One of the main reasons to opt for performing Puja on Shravan Purnima is to win the blessings of Lord Shiva. Again the Puja helps to attain spiritual enlightenment to the superior level. Performing Puja on this day helps to cleanse the mind, body, and soul. On the other hand it helps to attain inner peace, serenity and tranquility. The Puja helps to invoke the divine blessings of the Lord, who grants the prayers of his devotees and protects them from all kinds of ominous situations and obstacles.
Another significance of performing the Shiva Puja on this Purnima is to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for a good crop and total prosperity. As the festival falls during the monsoon season when farmers begin sowing their crops it is the best time to pray to the Lord for good harvest. The worship of Lord Shiva on this particular day ensures a good harvest and keeps the crops safe from natural calamities.
Shravan Purnima and Chandra Dosh Mukti
As per Hindu astrology, the Moon or Chandra is one of the most important celestial bodies of the holy cosmos. The placement and alignment of the Moon in a person’s birth chart can affect various aspects of his/her life, including emotional well-being, cordial relationships, and financial prosperity. Chandra Dosha, the affliction of the Moon, takes place the moment the Moon is in a weak or debilitated position in a person’s horoscope. It can pose various problems and obstacles in their life, such as emotional instability, financial loss, and various health issues. Performing puja and other rituals on this very day can appease Lord Shiva, the ruling deity of the Moon. Lord Shiva has the power to mitigate the negative effects of the Moon.
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To get relief from the Chandra Dosh you can perform other rituals too on this day such as the recitation of the Shiva Chalisa and offering milk and honey to Lord Shiva. By doing so with great devotion and sincerity you can evade the ill effects of the Moon and can invoke prosperity and happiness in your life.
Shravan Purnima 2023 and Associated Customs
One of the most important customs related with Shravan Purnima is fasting. Devotees observe it for various reasons. Fasting on this day is a promising practice. It helps to purify the body and mind and strengthen the connection between the devotee and the divinity. Fasting also has numerous health benefits, such as improved digestion, increased metabolism, and strong immunity.
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Fasting on Shravan Purnima is of course a personal choice, and devotees observe it with devotion and utmost sincerity. It is important to keep it in mind that fasting alone does not bring in spiritual benefits or beckon divine blessings. It is also important to maintain a positive mindset and go for good deeds, such as charity and helping everyone in distress on this auspicious day.
Benefits of Keeping Fast on Sharavan Purnima
Observing fast on Sharavan Purnima is believed to have spiritual, physical, and mental benefits so to say.
Spiritual Benefits: Fasting on this day is a significant spiritual practice that aids the devotees to purify their minds and bodies. It connects with the divine and to invoke blessings from Lord Shiva. Fasting helps to strengthen the bond between siblings and close ones of the neighborhood and promote love and harmony in families and locality on a broader aspect.
Physical Benefits: Fasting on this day has many health benefits. It helps to detoxify the body and improve digestion process. Fasting helps to improve the immune system and lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems.
Mental Benefits: Fasting on Sharavan Purnima has several mental benefits too. It helps to improve concentration and boost mental clarity. Fasting helps to promote emotional stability and reduce stress and anxiety by all means.
Self-discipline: Fasting obviously requires self-discipline, an essential virtue to lead a spiritual life. It helps to develop absolute self-control and overcome temptations of all kinds.
Charity: Going for charity on Sharavan Purnima provides an opportunity to help those who are in utmost need. It is a good day for performing charity and to help the less fortunate after one’s own capacity.