Purnima 2024: Get to Know Rituals of the Full Moon Fast

Purnima is an auspicious day in the Hindu religion, the word loosely translates to a full moon. In different regions of the country, it is celebrated as Poornima or Poornamasi and is considered a very important day for devotees to obtain the blessings of God and obtain salvation. According to the Hindu calendar, the full moon appears at the end of the Shukla Paksha every month.

Every Purnima of the year has a unique significance to it and has a special Purnima vrat katha behind it. The fasting method is usually different for every Purnima based on the story behind it and the purpose of the fast. However, by worshipping the gods (usually Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi) on the days of the Purnima, the goal to obtain freedom from all past sins in life and to attain salvation is common. Let us now understand the significance of Purnima 2024.

What upcoming full moon brings for each zodiac sign? Read Yearly Horoscope 2024.

Significance of the Nights of Purnima

According to Vedic Astrology, the moon is the symbol of beauty and calmness. Therefore, the night the moon is in its complete form i.e. the night of Purnima, is considered to be one of the most fortunate nights of the year. On the day of the Purnima, the moon completes its sixteen phases in an attempt to be whole again and illuminates the night with its grace. It is believed that the moon directly affects an individual’s mental state, therefore anyone who worships and observes a fast on this day shall be immune to the unwanted effects of the moon and be blessed with peace, beauty, and serenity.

It is also a very fortunate day for devotees to worship Lord Shree Hari Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi to obtain their blessings and to wish their life full of prosperity, happiness, and wealth. Every Purnima that occurs in a year has a significance and purpose of its own. Therefore, based on the respective Purnima vrat Katha and the rituals of the day, the devotees worship, observe a fast, and donate in order to fulfil their needs and desires.

It is widely believed that just like how on the day of the Purnima, the moon completes its cycle and starts anew, a person should also begin again from the full moon day by eliminating all the negative thoughts, ideas, and opinions and approaching life positively. To obtain Lord Vishnu’s blessings on this day the devotee should chant “OM Namo Bhagwatey Vasudevay Namah.”

Achieve the peace of mind and remove the negative thoughts by performing personalised Chandra Graha Shanti Puja.

Fasting And Worshipping Rituals On Purnima in 2024

On this auspicious day, the fast is fruitful only when the devotee worships by following the right rituals.

• The devotee should wake up early and take a bath with a few drops of Gangajal in the bathing water.  It is believed that the holy Gangajal purifies the body and soul. The devotee must chant the below mantra while taking a bath.

Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati !

Narmade Sindhu Kaveri Jal Asminna Sannidhi Kuru!!

• After taking a bath, the devotee must take the vow to fast and worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
• Devotees should hear the  “Satyanarayan Katha”, which is believed to be very fruitful on this auspicious day.
• The devotee must not consume food the whole day, they may have fruits or milk products but should avoid salt.
• The devotee must offer Panchamrit ( milk, Ganges water, basil leaves, curd, and honey), flowers, and Panjiri to Lord Vishnu. 
• The devotee must take bath once again during the time when the moon rises in the evening and worship Lord Shiva and Lord Shree Hari Vishnu in order to obtain their blessings.
• After completing the pooja evening, the devotee may end the fast by consuming Satvik food (vegetarian food only that too without garlic and onion).
• The last ritual is a donation of necessary items, which should be given to the needy and Brahmins on the next day of the fast. After the donation is given, the fast shall be considered completed.

Also Read: Shakambhari Purnima 2024

Now that we know all about the rituals that are to be followed on the day of the Purnima, let us look at the list of Purnima dates in 2024.

List of all the Purnima 2024 Dates

The Purpose of Purnima Vrat in 2024

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra On Purnima

oṃ tryambakam yajāmahe sugandhim puṣṭivardhanam ।
urvārukamiva bandhanān mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt ।।

It is believed that chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra with absolute sincerity on the day of the Purnima helps a devotee obtain the blessings of Lord Shiva and attain salvation.

Attract the divine blessing of Lord Shiva by placing attuned Mahamrityunjaya Yantra.

Conclusion

We are sure that you now understand the importance of the days of Purnima in the Hindu religion. In conclusion, we hope that the above details inform you everything you need to know about Purnima in 2024 and the respective Vrat helps you obtain the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva and brings prosperity, happiness and peace to your life.