Phalguna Purnima is the last purnima of the year. All purnima days are important as it coincides with important festivals and Jayanti days. Many devotees observe day long fast on purnima days. Full moon days are extremely auspicious for performing satya Narayana Puja. Holi, the most Significant and popular Hindu festival is observed during phalguna purnima. The day also coincides with the birth day of Goddess Laxmi. Phalguna Purnima is also known as Vasanta Purnima as it falls in the spring season. Holika Dahanam is associated with this purnima. Phalguna purnima is also known as Dola Purnima. Dola Purnima is dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna and Radha. The Procession of Lord Krishna is taken through streets where devotees play Holi-the festival of colour. Phalguna Purnima is also the birth day of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It is believed-Chaitanya was the jugala avatar of Radha and Krishana.
Purnima puja is performed on special occasions like before or after marriage, on the purchase of property of any big achievement. It is a way of thanking God. Purnima Puja also helps in achieving mental peace and physical wellness. Few things should be followed during the purnima fast like partial fast which involves taking foods like fruits, milk, juices and water. Devotees are forbidden from consuming common salt, wheat, grains, pulses and rice. Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Devotees visit Lord Vishnu’s temple. Another important ritual on the day of Purnima is the performance of Maha Mrityunjaya Havan.
Phalguna Purnima is the end of Hindu calendar and promises the beginning of a new year. The main significance of Phalguna month is that some of the incidents described in Hindu mythology such as Ramayana and Mahabharata happened in the month of Phalguna. The Ramayana war started in Phalguna. Phalguna means the celebration of spring by Radha and Krishna. The pandava brother Arjuna was called Phalguni, because he was born in the month of Phalguna and in the Phalguni Naksatra.
“Phalguni Naksatre mo janma
Guru dele Phalguni mo nama.”
Moon worship is very important for success in life and to achieve happiness in life. Once in a month we get full moon. So we should not lose opportunity to pray the full moon for our desires to be fulfilled. The moon. A celestial body is also known as Chandra. In Sanskrit, Chandra means bright and shining. The moon is known to have major impact on one’s psyche, emotions and moods. We follow the lunar calendar. The English playwright Shakespeare has written in his play-othello-
“O moon, you comest near the earth
And makest me mad.”
People all over the world know that moon is the master of mind. Sea tides are also due to moon. In Hindusism, moon is revered as chandradev who is a loving God. Offering prayers to Chandra is very beneficial. It makes mind stable and bestows peace and calm.
Chandrama manaso Jatah (Purusa Sukta) from the mind of God, came Chandrama, the moon. The moon is karak, the monitor of mind Chandra is directly related to Lord Shiva who adorns it on his head and known as Chandrasekhara. Mind controls the men and even Gods. If mind is not right than nothing is right. With peaceful mind everything is balanced.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri, and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published in Kolkata.
He can be reached at [email protected]
