A nation of diverse religions, India celebrates various festivities too. Some festivals are celebrated by all the citizens, while some are by a particular group or gender. One such occasion is Paush Purnima. This festival is also referred to as Shakambhari Purnima, and devotees worship Goddess Shakambhari on this day. It is widely celebrated by Hindus by doing Paush Purnima puja vidhi, Vrats, and charity. 

Paush Purnima 2024: Date and Time

As per Hindu Panchang, Paush Purnima is when the full moon or Poornima appears in Shukla Paksha in Paush Month. The Paush Purnima Date and Time starts on January 24 at 21:50 and ends on January 25 around 23:22. 

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Paush Purnima Significance 

The Paush Purnima Meaning is to exonerate oneself from the sins committed and the Paush Purnima puja vidhi are related to rebirth, evolution, birth and incarnation. It is important as it comes along with many other Hindu festivals falling during this period. One cycle of the Moon around the earth gets completed on Purnima. Thus, rituals are designed during this time to help people release emotional and physical pains, as Hindus believe that the moon illuminates the things impeding spiritual advancement.

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Importance of Paush Purnima Vrat 

The Paush Purnima vrat Importance in the Hindu religion is auspicious, as, at large, people bathe in holy water, do charity and offer water to the Lord Sun on this day to yield excellent results. Bathing in Kashim Prayag Raj and Ganga in Haridwar as a part of Paush Purnima pooja vidhi is considered very propitious. 

Devotees also offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and keep Satyanarayan fast. Some even organize havan and yajna, also offer food and donate to the Brahmins. It is believed that the act of donating nullifies all the sins committed by them, knowingly or unknowingly. 

Offering water to the Lord Sun is considered to help one lead to salvation. It is also said that worshiping both - the Moon and the Sun showers blessings and fulfills wishes. Couples in a relationship, who wish to marry, must offer Kheer as well as prayers to Lord Vishnu as per the Purnima Date and Time.

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Rituals of Paush Purnima 2024

Every year on this day, a large number of devotees visit Haridwar and Prayag to bathe in the holy waters and perform the Paush Purnima puja vidhi. Waking up early in the morning and bathing is a ritual followed for ages. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu, and light up the diyas with desi ghee. After bathing, devotees offer Arghya to Lord Surya while chanting 'Om Ghrani Suryaye Namah', 'Om Hrim Hrim Suryaya Namah' or 'Om Surya Namah'. Then they worship Shivling by pouring water on it, and also meditate near it. 

The 'Pushyabhishek Yatra' is observed on Paush Purnima in all of India's Krishna temples. Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita recitations are also held on this day. The needy are given free meals in temples and ashrams under the 'Anna Daan' programme. Devotees also donate food and clothes to the needy. Havan and donating clothes to the Brahmins are yet other rituals followed on this day, along with the Paush Purnima pooja vidhi. 

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Arghya is also offered to Moon, while chanting the mantra, 'Om Kshirputray Vidmahe Amrit Tatvay Dheemahi, Tanno Chandra: Prachodayat.' 

Paush Purnima 2024: Stories

Story 1: 

As per mythology, once the Earth was terrified by a demon named Durgam. As a result, the rain stopped for about a hundred years. Thus, a severe drought was caused, leading to a shortage of food and water, which in turn caused people to begin dying. The end of life on Earth was approaching. The demon further took away the four Vedas of Brahma. Then Maa Shakambhari Devi, who had a hundred eyes, took the form of Maa Durga.

Her tears began to pour as she became aware of the misery of the Earth, and as a result, the water began to flow once more across the entire planet. After this, Maa Shakambhari annihilated the demon, Durgam.

Story 2:

Another story says that Goddess Shakambhari fasted for 100 years and consumed vegetarian food only once a month, that is, to the end of every month. Because of her penance, trees and vegetation grew in a barren area on their own, without water for around 100 years. Sages and saints from all over the world traveled there to see the mystery and were fed with vegetarian fare. The mother's name was Shakambhari Mata since she exclusively consumed vegetarian food.

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Endnote

The Paush Purnima Significance and the Importance of Paush Purnima Vrat has been widely accepted with much faith in India. If you are also planning to visit Haridwar or Prayag for Paush Purnima 2024 and have any other questions related to the puja vidhi, talk to astrologer on call now and they will guide you with everything you need to know.