Pausha Purnima

Pausha Purnima
Observed by	Hindus
Type	Religious
Significance	marks the beginning of the Magh Mela
Observances	holy dip in sacred rivers, fasting, and acts of charity
2025 date	13 January

Pausha Purnima is celebrated during the Pausha month of Hindu calendar. The specialty of this day is to take a dip in any holy water body. Some parts of India celebrate Pausha Purnima as Shakambhari Purnima. ^{[1] [ citation needed ]}

Kumbh Mela traditionally begins on Pausha Purnima and continues until the end of Maha Shivaratri. ^[2]

Significance

Pausha Purnima day in Hindu religion is considered auspicious to get blessings from Sun and Moon God after performing special prayers and rituals. ^{[3] [4]} The auspicious day falling in the month of Pausha which is dedicated to Sun God and combined with the Pausha month ^[5] which is known for spiritual significance coupled with rejuvenation practices. ^{[6] [7]}

Legend

Pausha Purnima is also associated with and ancient story called Pausha Purnima Vrata Katha. ^[8]

Rituals

On Pausha Purnima day people perform the following rituals- ^{[9] [10]}

• Waking up early morning and taking a holy bath.

• Visiting religious places like Haridwar or Prayagraj to take holy bath in river Ganga as its considered very important.

• Offering Argya to Surya (Sun God) along with chanting Surya Mantra after taking bath.

• Offering prayer to Lord Vishnu after lighting Diya with Desi ghee.

• Offering Havan and donating food and clothes to Brahmins.

References

1. "Paush Purnima 2023: Date, time, rituals and significance". India Today. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
2. Arab, Pooyan Tamimi; Hughes, Jennifer Scheper; Rodríguez-Plate, S. Brent (1 September 2023). The Routledge Handbook of Material Religion. Taylor & Francis. ISBN   978-1-351-17621-7.
3. "Paush Purnima 2024: Date, rituals, puja muhurat, significance and more". hindustantimes.com. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
4. "Paush Purnima 2023: Date, time, puja rituals, and significance of this full moon day". Zee Business. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
5. "Paush Purnima 2024: All about its significance in Hinduism, Puja Muhurat, Rituals, and more". businesstoday.in. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
6. Jaffer, Askari (24 January 2024). "Paush Purnima 2024: Date, rituals, puja muhurat, significance and more". thehansindia.com. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
7. "Paush Purnima 2023: Puja Muhurat, Vidhi, Purnima Snan, Daan Time, And All That You Need To Know". abplive.com. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
8. "Paush Purnima Vrat Katha: Know the legend associated with this auspicious day". timesnownews.com. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
9. "Paush Purnima 2023: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance". The Times of India. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
10. "When Is Paush Purnima 2024? All About Shubh Mahurat And The Significance Of This Day". Times Now. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.