Bhadrapada Purnima also called Purnima Shraddha or Shraddhi Purnima is the full Moon day of the month of Bhadra or Bhadrapada. In the Hindu calendar Bhadra is the sixth month of the year and it begins with the Sun’s entry into Virgo zodiac. The month is considered auspicious in some parts of India and Bhadrapada Purnima – the full moon day of the month is celebrated with offerings to Lord Satyanarayan.
Purnima or full moon divides a month into Krishna Paksha (Dark Half) and Shukla Paksha (Bright Half) and it is the day in which moon completes one cycle around the earth. Each Full Moon day is significant in Hindu tradition and is considered the right time to begin spiritual advancement or any activity. It is believed that Purnima (‘Pournami’ in South India) relieves as from all negativities. Some devotees, on full moon day, observe fasting, conducts Purnima pujas and offer prayers to Lord Satyanarayana (Lord Vishnu). In some parts of South India, the fasting (Pournami Vratam) is dedicated to Devi or Mother Goddess.
The month Bhadra is considered to be special for Lord Vishnu and the full moon day of the month ‘Bhadrapada Purnima’ is celebrated with special offerings to Lord Satyanarayan – a form of Vishnu. The day is believed to be auspicious for occasions such as housewarming. Though the day is observed in many parts of India, it is celebrated with great devotion in the state of Gujarat.
Rituals & Significance
Satyanarayana Puja
An important event in Bhadrapada Purnima is worshipping Lord Satyanarayan. Satyanarayan is an avatar of Lord Vishnu and is considered as an epitome of truth. Performing Satyanarayana Puja on Purnima days is considered auspicious and is a very special event in the context of Bhadrapada Purnima. The Puja is believed to have the power to purify us from all negativities and is supposed to bring wealth and prosperity. On Bhadrapada Purnima, people worship the deity by offering fruits, supari, til, tulsi, pan, moli, kumkum etc. They also prepare Panchamrit (mixture of honey, Ganga jal, milk, banana, tulsi and sweets) and offer it to the deity. Also, in the evening of Bhadrapada Purnima, devotees chant Satyanarayan katha (the story of Satyanarayan) at their homes. It is believed that one should not refuse the invitation to attend this.
Fasting
On Bhadrapada Purnima, devotees observe fasting from dawn to dusk. While fasting, consumption of salt, grains and pulses are avoided and, milk and fruits are accepted. Some devotees observe a strict fasting without even drinking water. They break the fast in the evening by having the Prasada prepared from a mixture of sugar and wheat. Before eating Prasada, they watch the full moon and narrate the story of Lord Satyanarayan. Goddess Laxmi, Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are also worshiped in the evening. In an ideal fast, only light food is had in the evening under the light of the full moon.
Alms
Giving alms on Bhadrapada Purnima is considered sacred. Devotees observing fast, as a custom, donate food and clothes to the needy too. They take bath in a holy river in the morning and give alms to the poor. Doing so, the devotees believe that they gain good karma and that Lord Vishnu blesses them with wealth and happiness.
Astrological Significance
Bhadrapada Purnima is the full moon day of the month Bhadra (also called Bhadrapada, Praushthapad and Nabhasya). During this month, the eastern and northern Bhadrapad nakshtras (constellations) are formed and hence the name ‘Bhadrapada’. Bhadrapada Purnima is the day in which the yoga of these Nakshatras or constellations is formed. The day also marks the onset of retreating monsoon in India and devotees offer prayers and rituals for prosperity and good health.
Celebration of Bhadrapada Purnima in Gujarat
In Gujarat, Bhadrapada Purnima is dedicated to Goddess Ambaji. It is one of the popular festivals of Gujarat in which farmers from every corner of the state attend the grand fair organized at Ambaji temple. The devotees conduct various performances including folk dances at the fair. The Ambaji temple is one of the fifty one Shaktipeeths of India and is believed to be located at the place where the heart of Goddess Sati fell when her body was dismembered. The deity of the temple is not an idol but is a symbolic representation of Goddess Ambaji. The temple has a sign of Shree inside a triangle which is a form of the Goddess known by the name Viswa Yantra.
