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Chithirai Pournami 2024 – Chitra Purnima – Full moon day in Tamil Month Chithirai in 2024

Chitra Pournami, or Chithirai Poornima, is Tamil ritual observed on the full moon day in the month of Chithirai (April – May). In 2024, the date of Chitirai Pournami is April 23. It is marked on April 23 in Malaysia (Teluk Intan), and Singapore. Chithirai Pournami is dedicated to Chitragupta, the keeper of deeds in the house of Yama, the Hindu god of death and to Indira, the leader of the Devas.

People perform holy bath in rivers and sacred ponds on to wash sins away.

Special pujas are offered at important temples in Tamil Nadu on the day. Devendra Puja or Indra Puja is held on the day at Madurai Meenakshi Temple.


Chitragupta Puja on Chithirai Pournami

Another important legend associated with Chitra Poornima, involves Lord Indra, the king of Gods, and his Guru Brihaspati. Once Indra and Brihaspati had an altercation, and the Guru stopped advising his pupil. Without the sound counsel of his Guru, Indra committed numerous sins.

Finally, when Brihaspati relented and took up his duty. He then advised Indra to undertake a pilgrimage to the earth to alleviate the burden of sins committed by him in his absence.

One day during his pilgrimage, Indra had a sudden realization that he has been redeemed from his sins. He looked around and noticed a Shivling under a Kadamba tree. He was sure that it was Lord Shiva who had helped him in alleviating his sins. He decided to worship the Lingam and to his surprise he found golden lotus in a nearby pond. He prayed to Shiva by offering the golden lotus.

This happened on a Chitra Pournami day and the place was Madurai in Tamil Nadu. In remembrance of this event, in the Madurai Meenakshi temple, a Devendra Puja is observed on Chitra Poornima.

Elaborate pujas are done on Chitirai Pournami in temples and a special rice offering is made to Chitragupta.