Sharad Purnima is the full moon night of the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin. It indicates the end of the monsoon season. The moon on this night travels through the sixteen kalas, each kala represents a human quality. Lord Krishna is the only one who possessed all of them. On this day, divine pairs like Radha-Krishna, Parvati-Shiva, and Lakshmi-Narayan are worshipped along with the moon. Celebrations are done in white; people are dressed in white and prasad offerings of kheer (made of milk and rice) are offered that signifies the colour of moonlight. The heavens are said to be showering amrit (eternal nectar) on this night. Almost every region in India celebrates it differently.
Krishna Maha Raas Leela
Raasleela, is the celebration of Lord Krishna as a child playing and dancing with gopis (girls from his village) in the gardens of Vrindavan. The legend goes that Krishna invited all the gopis for a garbaa dance on this full moon night. When they arrived, Krishna had asked why good girls would come out of their homes to meet another boy. The gopis expressed their devotion by answering that they could not even move a step away from his lotus feet, how could they stay at home when he had invited them. After testing the devotion and love of the gopis towards him, Krishna initiated maha raas, manifested himself where each gopis felt him as their individual dancing partner. Later that night, each gopis became possessed by their egos and claimed that their devotion was greater than the others and Krishna loved them more. Krishna vanished from the raas venue, leaving them alone. With repentance in their hearts, the gopis sang viraha bhajan, or a song of separation and longing. This full moon night is also called Raas Purnima, where couples express their love under the moonlight.
In Gujarat, people celebrate Sharad Poonam by dancing under the moonlight on Maha Raas Leela. But people in Manipur, Assam, and Tripura celebrate Raasleela on Karthik Purnima, the next month’s full moon.
Kojagiri Puja and Lokhee Puja
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| Laxmi Lithograph by Raja Ravi Varma Press |
On Ashvin Purnima, Goddess Lakshmi descends to Earth to bless abundance, fertility, prosperity, and good health.
An idol of Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and celebrated in the household or in the community. A priest leads the ceremony and an elaborate food is cooked as prasad. Women draw alpanas and rangolis (colourful patterns drawn on the floor) in front of their homes. Houses are cleaned and painted in preparation for the puja. Houses are illuminated to welcome the Goddess. It is believed that the goddess visits the house in the evening, and people stay awake the whole night singing bhajans and kirtans. Women of the household keep vrata (fasting) throughout the day and break the fast only after midnight. Many break the fast with food that they expose to the moonlight. Young girls play traditional games and there is a great festivity.
This is celebrated as Kojagiri puja in central and north India and Lokhee puja in east and north-east of India.
Kumar Purnima and Kaumdi Puja
In Orissa, Kumar Purnima is celebrated on full moon day. Kumara is the name for Lord Karthikeya (God of war, and considered the most handsome), who represents an ideal husband. Unmarried girls keep fast with a belief of getting a good kumara (groom). The prayers start at sunrise with offerings to the Sun God and keeping a vrata. The offering is made in a coconut leaf made vessel called kula filled with fried paddy containing 7 fruits like coconut, banana, cucumber, betel nut, sugarcane, guava followed by aarti. The fasting ends after prayers to the Moon God at night. Moon is also called Kaumdi, and thus this is called Kaumdi Puja. In some parts, unmarried women and men worship Janha Mamu (Moon God).
In Jagannath Temple at Puri, devotees play a game of dice by forming two teams for Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi on behalf of the Gods. These games go on the whole night. It is considered the day when Lord Lakshmi was born. Children play traditional games like Thia Puchi, Basa Puchi, Hulahuli, Khapara Dian, Kaudi Khela, and Sankhanada.
Traditional festivals are meant to rejoice in special moments and emotions in our lives with our loved ones. They play an important role to add structure to our social lives and economic activities. They connect us with our families.