Observed on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September – October), Sharad Purnima is of great significance to Krishna Devotees. Sharad Purnima 2025 date is October 6 as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar – India Standard Time. Sri Krishna, Radha, and Gopis of Vrindavan performed Ras Lila on the Sharad Poonam day. Yet another importance of the day is that moon is closest to earth on the day. Significance of Sharad Purnima There is also a close connection between the moon and the Sharad Purnima day – the moon is believed to be close to the earth on the day and it is believed that moon’s rays contain nourishing elements. People believe that as the moon is nearest to the earth on the day and as moon’s rays has several curative properties it will be helpful to human beings. So people spend the evening under moonlight. Chandra, the moon god, is associated with herbs and medicine in Hinduism. Ras Lila and Bhakti  The showering of Bhakti Raas o...

The annual Sharad Purnima festival held on Ashwin Purnima day is of great significance in the famous Shri Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. It is the only day in the year when the murti of Banke Bihari holds the murali or the flute. It is also the day of Maharaas. Shri Banke Bihari temple Sharad Purnima festival 2024 date is October 16. The murti of Banke Bihari is adorned in the Maharas posture. In the afternoon, the jagmohan (i.e. the elevated hall in front of sanctum sanctorum) is decorated to give a forest like look by putting up branches of flowering trees. A silver hut is placed in the center to serve as the throne. Entire temple courtyard is also tastefully decorated with plantain, bushes, trees, flowers and hangings. Shri Banke Bihari is dressed up in all whites on the day. Thousands of devotees throng the temple to have darshan of Bhagavan Krishna (Banke Bihari) holding the flute near his lips. On all other days the flute is just kept at the throne on the right side alon...

Sharad Purnima is the full moon day in the month of Ashwin and some people keep fast on the day. People prepare Kheer (rice boiled in milk) under moonlight and it is consumed during midnight. A popular Kahani or story associated with Sharad Purnima is listened to on the day. The Sharad Purnima Vrat Katha narrates about the importance of fasting on the day and the benefits received from it. One there lived two sisters. The elder sister was very pious and religious. She used to observe the Sharad Purnima Vrat with dedication. The younger sister was never interested in observing the vrat but used do some rituals for namesake and would end her fast by noon. The elder sister had healthy and obedient children. But all the children of younger sister died on birth. The younger sister was very worried and once she approached a saint and narrated her problem. The saint soon realized the problem – the younger sister has been observing vrats disinterestedly. The saint sa...