Ashwin Purnima, also known as Ashwin Pournami, is a significant full moon day that falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin. It usually occurs in September or October in the Gregorian calendar. Ashwin Purnima holds religious and cultural significance and is celebrated in various ways across different regions of India.
One of the prominent festivals observed on Ashwin Purnima is Kojagari Purnima or Sharad Purnima. Kojagari Purnima is associated with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that on this auspicious day, Goddess Lakshmi visits devotees’ homes and blesses them with wealth and abundance. Devotees observe fasts, perform special prayers, and offer prayers and hymns dedicated to the goddess to seek her blessings.
Another notable celebration during Ashwin Purnima is the harvest festival known as Kaumudi Mahotsav or Raas Purnima. This festival marks the end of the monsoon season and the onset of the harvest season. It is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm in rural areas, with people engaging in traditional folk dances, music, and cultural activities to celebrate the bountiful harvest.
In some regions, Ashwin Purnima is also associated with the worship of Lord Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna performed the divine dance, known as the Raas Leela, on this night with his beloved gopis (cowherd girls) in Vrindavan. Devotees celebrate this event by singing devotional songs, performing Raas Leela dramas, and expressing their love and devotion to Lord Krishna.
Apart from these specific festivals, Ashwin Purnima is considered an auspicious day for spiritual practices, such as meditation, prayers, and charity. Devotees visit temples, perform rituals, and engage in acts of goodwill and kindness.
Ashwin Purnima is a time of joy, devotion, and gratitude. It is an occasion for families and communities to come together, celebrate, and express their reverence for the divine and the abundance of nature. The specific customs and traditions associated with Ashwin Purnima may vary across different regions, but the underlying theme of celebrating the full moon and seeking blessings and prosperity remains constant.
