Purnima Upavas 

The last date of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) each month is known as the Full Moon day, or Purnima. Thus, there are twelve Full Moon days in a year, but during an Adhimas (extra month) there can be thirteen Full Moon days. On Purnima, the Moon is in its full form. In Sanatan Dharma, the Purnima day holds special significance. According to the Puranas, those who offer Arghya (water offerings) to the Moon and observe the Purnima Vrat (fast) with devotion and proper rituals are blessed with the special grace of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. This day is considered auspicious for wealth and progeny. The worship of Chandra Dev (Moon), Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi is prescribed on this day. It is also recommended to donate items like sesame seeds, jaggery, blankets, etc., to the poor and needy on Purnima, as such donations help relieve one from all troubles and sins. Each Purnima throughout the year holds its unique significance. The various Purnima days occurring in each month of the year are as follows.

1. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Chaitra month:- The Purnima (Full Moon) of Chaitra month is the first Full Moon of the year. Observing a fast on this day is customary, and it is also recommended to take a bath in a sacred river. In the Puranas, Chaitra Purnima is referred to as the Manvadi Tithi. To please the Moon on this day, it is considered highly auspicious to donate pots filled with raw food and water. Listening to the story of Lord Satyanarayana on this day is very beneficial as it helps in removing one's difficulties. After worshipping the Moon at night, Arghya (water offerings) are given, as the fast is considered incomplete without it. Additionally, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi at night is highly recommended. Along with fasting, bathing, and worship, donating is also considered extremely auspicious. On this date, particularly donating to the poor and needy is considered to be very virtuous. Since Lord Hanuman was born on this auspicious day, he is also worshipped on Chaitra Purnima.

2. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Vaisakha Month:- Vaishakha Purnima is the second Full Moon of the year and is considered very sacred and auspicious. On this day, taking a bath with pure water either in a sacred river or at home and performing acts of charity is highly significant. According to the Puranas, it is recommended to donate a pot filled with water and various cooked foods on this day. The merit of the donation made on this day is said to be equivalent to that of donating cows. Worshipping Lord Vishnu, the Moon deity, and Lord Buddha on Vaishakha Purnima helps in removing all sorrows and fulfilling all desires. Since Lord Buddha was born on this day, it is also celebrated as Buddha Purnima by some.

3. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Jyeshtha Month:- The Full Moon of Jyeshtha month is known for the Vat Savitri Vrat. On this day, women observe a fast, worship the Vat tree, and circumambulate it. Worshipping the Vat tree in this manner is believed to bring fortune to women. Listening to and reading the story of Lord Satyanarayana, as well as worshipping Mother Lakshmi, on this day leads to the attainment of wealth and prosperity. Additionally, worshipping the Moon deity on this day brings positivity into one's life.

4. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Ashadha Month: - The Full Moon of Ashadha month is dedicated to the Gopadma Vrat. During this vrat, worship is performed for Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the Gopadma Vrat brings all kinds of happiness. On this day, one should bathe in the morning and then meditate on the form of Lord Shri Hari throughout the day. While meditating on the form, one should reflect on Lord Vishnu’s four arms, his vast and beautiful form, the conch, discus, mace, lotus, Lakshmi, and Garuda. Worship should be performed using incense, lamps, fragrances, and flowers. After completing the worship, one should give donations according to their faith. The Full Moon of Ashadha is also observed as Guru Purnima. Observing the vrat with full devotion on this day ensures the complete grace of Lord Vishnu.

5. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Shravana Month:- According to the Puranas, the Full Moon of Shravan month is known as the Upakarma of the Vedas (the beginning of the Vedas). On this auspicious day, one should perform the Satyanarayana Vrat, hawan, or yajna and worship Lord Vishnu. Bathing, penance, and charity hold special significance on this day. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated on Shravan Purnima. Therefore, after worshipping the deities, one should also offer a Raksha Sutra (protective thread) to them. The main worship during the Shravan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, so rituals like Rudrabhishek on Shravan Purnima are believed to yield desired results. Reciting or listening to the Vedas on this day is considered highly beneficial and fruitful. This Full Moon is also known as Narali Purnima. The Narali Purnima Vrat is primarily observed by fishermen, as they perform worship of the sea on this day.

6. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Bhadrapada Month: - On the Full Moon of Bhadrapada month, the Umamaheshwar Vrat is observed. On this day, one should worship Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva with devotion and proper rituals and perform a night vigil. According to the Puranas, observing the Umamaheshwar Vrat on Bhadrapada Purnima makes a person renowned on this earth and fills their entire life with wealth and prosperity. Feeding the poor and orphans on this day helps the devotee get rid of all life’s difficulties and brings both auspicious and marital happiness. The Bhadrapada Purnima Vrat holds special significance for women, as it is believed to bring them joy of progeny and good fortune.

7. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Ashwin Month: - On the Full Moon of Ashwin month, the Kojagara Vrat is observed. Due to its occurrence in the Sharad (autumn) season, this Full Moon is also known as Sharad Purnima. On this day, one should rise early, bathe in a sacred river or with pure water at home, take a vow to observe the fast, and then set up an image of Goddess Lakshmi for worship with proper rituals. In the evening, after the moon rises, light a ghee lamp made of metal or clay and meditate on the form of the deity. Prepare a pudding (kheer) by mixing ghee and sugar, place it in the moonlight, and after some time, offer it as a prasad to Goddess Lakshmi. After offering the prasad, distribute the remaining kheer to everyone. The moon is considered to be full of its rays on this night, which are believed to be as nectar. When these rays touch the kheer, it becomes highly beneficial and valuable. Observing vigil on this Full Moon night is considered very auspicious, as the Puranas say that Goddess Lakshmi roams the earth during this night. Devotees who stay awake are believed to receive their desired results and prosperity, and they are also blessed with good fortune in the afterlife.

8. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Kartik Month:- In Sanatan Dharma, the month of Kartik is considered very sacred because it is the auspicious month when Lord Vishnu awakens from his four-month-long yoga sleep. It is also the month when the marriage of Goddess Tulsi takes place. Therefore, taking a bath in a holy river on Kartik Purnima is considered extremely auspicious. According to the Puranas, on the Full Moon of Kartik, it is highly auspicious to have the darshan and worship of Lord Kartikeya. Those who perform the worship of Lord Kartikeya on this sacred day in accordance with the rituals are believed to achieve victory over all their enemies. This day holds special significance for the donation of milk and lamps. At the time of the moonrise, one should worship Kartikeya, Varuna, and Agni with offerings of incense and lamps and then donate lamps outside the house. Additionally, a square pit of four fingers deep should be dug near the lamps, filled with cow’s milk, and a fish with pearl eyes should be placed in it. After performing the rituals of incense and lamps, this offering should be donated.

Performing such a donation is said to make one dear to Lord Vishnu and lead to the attainment of Rudra Loka. Additionally, worshipping Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and the Moon on this day helps devotees overcome economic, mental, and physical problems.

9. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Margashirsha Month: - The Full Moon of the Margashirsha month is believed to fulfil all desires. On this day, one should apply a paste of yellow mustard seeds on the body, take a bath with water, and wear clean clothes. While meditating on Lord Vishnu, one should perform the worship of Lord Vishnu, the Moon, Indra, Brihaspati, and other deities according to the rituals, and take a vow for the fast. According to the Puranas, observing the fast and donating items such as salt on this Full Moon Day helps in eliminating poverty and significantly enhances one's prosperity.

10. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Pausha Month: - "Pausha Purnima" is celebrated on the Full Moon Day of the Shukla Paksha in the Pausha month. On this day, bathing, donating, and reciting mantras are considered highly significant. The ritual involves worshiping the Sun, the Moon, Lord Vishnu, and Mata Lakshmi. Worshiping Vishnu helps one get rid of sins committed in previous lives, allowing them to attain a place in heaven free from sins. On Pausha Purnima, listening to the story of Lord Satyanarayana during the worship is of special importance, as it is believed to yield auspicious results and alleviate all difficulties. It is also recommended to donate items like sesame seeds, jaggery, and blankets to the poor and needy on this day.

11. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Magha Month: - On Magha Purnima, the importance of donation, bathing, and other acts of charity is significant. Bathing in a sacred river and making donations on this day is considered highly auspicious. According to the Puranas, those who sincerely worship Lord Shiva with proper rituals on this sacred day receive rewards comparable to performing the Ashvamedha Yajna. Donating items such as sesame seeds, blankets, turbans, and shoes to the needy and orphans on Magha Purnima is believed to bring happiness akin to that of heaven. Additionally, the donation of clothes and cows holds special significance. Bathing, donating, and reciting mantras on this day lead to the fulfilment of desires and liberation from all sins accumulated in the current and previous lifetimes.

12. The Purnima (Full Moon) of Phalguna Month: - On Magha Purnima, the importance of donation, bathing, and other acts of charity is significant. Bathing in a sacred river and making donations on this day is considered highly auspicious. According to the Puranas, those who sincerely worship Lord Shiva with proper rituals on this sacred day receive rewards comparable to performing the Ashvamedha Yajna. Donating items such as sesame seeds, blankets, turbans, and shoes to the needy and orphans on Magha Purnima is believed to bring happiness akin to that of heaven. Additionally, the donation of clothes and cows holds special significance. Bathing, donating, and reciting mantras on this day lead to the fulfilment of desires and liberation from all sins accumulated in the current and previous lifetimes.

Method of Worship for the Full Moon Fast: - 

First, wake up in the morning and complete your daily rituals. Then, sprinkle Ganga water to purify the worship area and place a sacred symbol (swastika) on a platform. Spread a red cloth over the platform and place red rice (Akshat) on it, then position images of the Sun and Moon deities on it. Offer fruits, flowers, and other items to the deities according to your customs. Perform worship and offerings with incense and lamps. During the worship, recite the story of Lord Satyanarayana. After completing the story, perform the aarti of Lord Satyanarayana and sing hymns in praise of Him. If possible, observe the fast on the day of worship.

Related topics-

• Guru Purnima 
• Pausha Purnima 
• Shakambhari Utsavarambha