Purnima’s are considered the most fortunate days of the year, they are celebrated all over India in the name of Poonam, Poornima, and Poornamasi, and so on. On this holy occasion, most devotees keep a fast and worship Lord Vishnu. The word “Purnima” is a Sanskrit word that means “Full Moon.” Hence, the full moon i.e the last day of every month in the Hindu Calendar is referred to as the Purnima.
The Phalgun Purnima occurs at the end of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalguna, which is also the last month of the year. The Phalgun Purnima marks the end of the Hindu Calendar and promises the beginning of a new year. Now that we have a basic idea as to what is, let us find out ahead why it is so important in the Hindu religion.
Significance of Phalgun Purnima
As per the Hindu calendar, the Phalguna month is the last month of the year. Therefore, the Phalguna Purnima is considered highly significant in the Hindu religion, given the fact that it is the last day of the year. Holika Dahan, which is one of the biggest rituals in the Hindu religion, is celebrated on this very day. The day marks the arrival of spring and it is believed that on this day the Moon strongly influences the Planet Earth with its energies.
The day is the last full moon of the year and it is believed that if a devotee observes a fast and worships the moon and Lord Shri Hari Vishnu with all sincerity on this auspicious day, then he/she shall be free of all his past and present sins. Devotees all over the country worship Lord Shri Hari Vishnu on this day in order to obtain salvation. According to the Hindu religion, salvation is the ultimate destiny of human life on Earth.
The day of the Phalgun Purnima is also celebrated as the Laxmi Jayanti, which is the birth anniversary of the Goddess of fortune, wealth, and abundance, Goddess Laxmi. Considering the fact that so many occasions collide on this highly fortunate day, makes it one of the most important days in the Hindu religion.
Fasting Method
Lord Narasimha, who is considered the fourth incarnation of Lord Shri Hari Vishnu, is worshipped on the day of the Phalgun Purnima. It is believed that worshipping Lord Narasimha, Lord Shri Hari Vishnu, and Goddess Laxmi on this auspicious day brings health, wealth, and prosperity into the house. Therefore, below mentioned is the Puja and fasting method that needs to be followed on the Phalgun Purnima in order to please Lord Shri Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi and obtain their blessings.
– Wake up early in the morning and take a bath with pure water.
– After the bath, wear clean clothes and worship Lord Vishnu.
– After the Puja, take a vow to keep a fast from sunrise to moonrise.
– Break the fast after the moon rises in the evening.
– Make sure your thoughts are positive on this day and that you do not hurt anyone’s feelings.
Puja Method
The Holika Dahan is the festival that marks the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated on the day of the Phalgun Purnima and is a very important festival for Hindus all over the world. In the next section we shall discuss the story behind the Holika Dahan, but before that let us take a look at the Holika puja method that is to be followed on the Phalgun Purnima.
– Collect dry cow dung and wood sticks in an open space.
– Place the following items on a plate and offer them to Holika Mata: Kumkum, Rice, Turmeric, Henna, Gulal, Roli, Coconut, a Handful of Wheat, Lachha Cotton, a Lotus, some Flowers, and Garlands.
– Now light the wood sticks and cow dungs of fire, which is also called “Burning Holika.”
– Chant the following mantra in the name of Lord Narsimha.
“Om Nrisimhaye vidmahe vajranakhaya dhimahi tan no simhah Prachodayat
Vajra nakhaya vidmahe tikshna damstraya dhimahi tan no narasimhah Prachodayat”
Perform an aarti and circumambulate around Holika.
Make the children circumambulate and take the blessings of their elders.
Story Behind Phalgun Purnima
Thousands of years ago, during Satya Yuga, the kingdom of demons was ruled by King Hiranya Kashyap. The king of demons had made life miserable for everyone on Earth and caused a lot of trouble for everyone on the planet. He was so overconfident as he had asked for a boon from Lord Brahma after years of penance and meditation, which was granted to him. The boon was that Hiranya Kashyap shall never be killed by a man nor a woman, not an animal nor a bird, not during the day or during the night, not by a supernatural weapon nor a hand weapon, not inside his palace nor outside his palace and finally not by a God nor by a demon. When he was granted this boon, it was as though he was immortal and he began believing himself to be the all mighty. Therefore, he ordered everyone in the kingdom to stop worshipping Lord Shri Hari Vishnu and start worshipping him instead, and that anyone who shall not agree to do so, shall be killed.
The Fear Of Hiranyakashyap
Everyone in the kingdom began worshipping him out of the fear of death. However, Hiranyakashyap’s own son, Prahlad was a sincere devotee of Lord Vishnu, and he continued to worship Lord Shri Hari Vishnu against the orders of his father. This infuriated Hiranyakashyap and he decided to have Prahlad, his own son killed. Nevertheless, Prahlad continued to worship Lord Vishnu and chanting the name of “Hari.”
Tag: Phalgun Purnima
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Phalgun Purnima: The most fortunate day of the year
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Here are some of the key beliefs and practices associated with Phalgun Purnima
Phalgun Purnima’
Phalguni Purnima falls on the full moon day in the month of Phalguni, which typically falls between February and March. It is a significant day in the Hindu calendar as many Devotees observe fast and perform certain religious rituals for good luck and fortune.
There are various other festivals which are also celebrated in the month of Phalguna such as Holi, Vasant Panchami, etc.
Devotees usually keep a fast on this particular day and worship Moon God and Lord Vishnu.
Phalgun Purnima is also associated with other important events in Hindu mythology, such as Holika Dahan, which is believed to have taken place on this day.
So, let’s get to know more about the Date, Rituals and Significance of Phalgun Purnima 2023.
This year, Phalgun Purnima will be observed on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Purnima Tithi Starts: 04:17 p.m on March 06, 2023
Purnima Tithi Ends: 06:09 p.m on March 07, 2023
Significance of Phalgun Purnima
According to the Hindu calendar, Phalgun Purnima is regarded as the last Purnima of the Hindu Calendar. It usually falls in February or March of the Gregorian calendar. Also, the festival of Holi or Holika Dahan falls on this day.
Moreover, on this particular day, at numerous places, people also celebrate Lakshmi Jayanti, which is the birth anniversary of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of abundance and wealth. According to Hindu scriptures, people who observe Phalguna Purnima vrat and worship Lord Vishnu and God Moon on this day are bestowed with the divine blessings of the Lord and also their present and past sins are resolved.
Celebration of the Arrival of Spring
Phalgun Purnima marks the arrival of spring, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. The festival is a time for people to come together, play with colours and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Victory of Good Over Evil
The festival is also associated with the legend of Holika and Prahlad. According to the legend, Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, while his father Hiranyakashipu was a demon who wanted to kill Prahlad for his devotion. Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika, was given a boon that she could not be harmed by fire. She attempted to kill Prahlad by sitting on a pyre with him, but Lord Vishnu protected Prahlad and Holika was burned to death. The festival is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
Social Harmony
Phalgun Purnima is also a time when people forget their differences and come together to celebrate. The festival is a time for forgiveness, renewal of relationships, and spreading love and happiness.
Agricultural Significance
The festival also has agricultural significance, as it marks the end of the winter crop season and the beginning of the spring crop season.
Overall, Phalgun Purnima is a festival that celebrates the beauty of nature, the victory of good over evil, and the importance of social harmony and relationships.
Phalgun Purnima 2023 Vrat Puja Vidhi
Phalgun Purnima holds greater significance for performing Satyanarayan puja to please Lord Satyanarayan and Maa Lakshmi to attract fortune and success. So, let’s find the religious rituals to be performed on Chaitra Purnima.
On the day of Phalguna Purnima, wake up early morning and take a holy bath in the sacred rivers or water reservoirs as it is regarded as highly auspicious and fortunate to do so.
After taking a holy bath, you must perform Lord Vishnu puja either in the temple or at the workshop or at home.
Recite the Satyanarayan Katha after performing the ritual of Vishnu puja.
Then visit any nearby temple of Lord Vishnu and worship and offer prayers to the deity.
Also, chanting the Gayatri mantra and ‘Om Namo Narayana’ mantra 1008 times in a row is termed as highly auspicious.
Make as many donations as possible on the eve of Phalgun Purnima.
Donate food, clothes, and money to the needy.
Mythological Legends Behind Phalgun Purnima
There are several mythological legends associated with this festival. So, let’s find out in detail.
Legend of Holika and Prahlad
According to Hindu mythology, there was a demon king named Hiranyakashipu who was granted a boon that he could not be killed by any human or animal, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither during the day nor at night, neither on land nor in the air nor in water. However, his son Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship his father as a god. Hiranyakashipu tried to kill Prahlad several times, but Lord Vishnu always saved him. Finally, Hiranyakashipu’s sister Holika, who was immune to fire, tricked Prahlad into sitting on her lap on a burning pyre. However, Lord Vishnu saved Prahlad, and Holika was burned to death. This event is celebrated on the night before Phalgun Purnima as Holika Dahan.
Legend of Mata Lakshmi
According to mythology, when the churning of the ocean took place between the gods and the demons, fourteen gems came out one by one from the churning of the ocean. Mother Lakshmi was one of these fourteen gems. Mata Lakshmi had a Kalash in one hand and the other hand was in a groom pose. After being born from the churning of the ocean, Goddess Lakshmi chose Lord Shri Hari Vishnu as her husband. According to beliefs, Goddess Lakshmi was born during the churning of the ocean on the full moon day of Phalgun month. For this reason, every Falgun Purnima day is celebrated as Lakshmi Jayanti, the birthday of Goddess Lakshmi.
Legend of Radha and Krishna
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was fond of playing pranks and throwing colours on the gopis (cowherd girls) of Vrindavan. One of these gopis was Radha Rani, who is considered to be Lord Krishna’s beloved. The festival of Holi is celebrated to commemorate the playful and romantic relationship between Radha and Lord Krishna.
Legend of Kamadeva
According to Hindu mythology, Kamadeva, the god of love, was once burned to ashes by Lord Shiva’s third eye when he was trying to awaken the Lord from his meditation. However, Kamadeva’s wife Rati pleaded with Lord Shiva to bring him back to life. Lord Shiva granted her wish and brought Kamadeva back to life on the day of Phalgun Purnima. Therefore, this day is considered to be auspicious for love and relationships.
Overall, Phalgun Purnima is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, the power of love, and the onset of spring.